Turing Scheme UK: What it is and How You Can Apply

What is the Turing Scheme?

Named after the mathematician Alan Turing, this new scheme picks up where the Erasmus programme left off. It was created to provide funding to UK universities so their students would have opportunities to study and work abroad.

However, unlike most kinds of funding, students do not apply directly to the Turing Scheme. Instead, universities put forth certain projects that then get funded under the scheme. Any student accepted onto an eligible project will receive funding from the Turing Scheme.

Postgraduate students at participating universities can be funded to either study at an international university, or gain work experience through a traineeship anywhere in the world via the Turing Scheme. Universities are free to structure their projects as they like as long as they follow the Turing Scheme’s objectives.

The Turing Scheme vs. The Erasmus programme

The Erasmus programme went away with Brexit, which is why the Turing Scheme was developed. They serve a similar purpose, but how are they different? Let’s look at some key differences between the Turing Scheme and the Erasmus programme:

• The Turing Scheme is a global scheme, encouraging students to take their studies anywhere in the world, whereas the Erasmus programme was EU-focused.
• With the Erasmus programme, students from more privileged backgrounds were 1.7 times more likely to benefit from studying abroad - the Turing Scheme aims to rectify this. The Turing Scheme will benefit more students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• The Turing Scheme provides more financial aid with things such as visas, passports and travel-related insurance - making studying abroad far more accessible than with the Erasmus programme.
• The Erasmus programme only provided travel support to participants going to Partner Countries (approximately 3% of UK participants). Whereas the Turing Scheme provides travel support for students no matter which country they're studying in.
• The Erasmus programme offered placements for teaching and college staff, youth workers, and students - the Turing Scheme does not.

Eligibility criteria

All students at registered UK and British Overseas Territory universities, both full-time and part-time and across all stages of study, are eligible for funding under the Turing Scheme. It is also open to recent graduates who wish to carry out a traineeship abroad within 12 months of graduating.

The Turing Scheme is open to international students as long as you’re are enrolled at a participating UK university.

Turing Scheme placements

Students can be funded for a placement anywhere in the world. However, it’s important to remember that it is the universities that put projects up for funding. Where you actually end up studying will depend on your university and project.

Turing placements can last for a minimum of four weeks (28 calendar days) up to a maximum of 12 months.

How much funding is available with the Turing Scheme?

Students will receive monthly cost-of-living support under the Turing Scheme. The amount of the grant students receive depends on their destination country and the duration of their placement.

The Turing Scheme groups countries into three categories –

• Group 1 are considered high cost of living
• Group 2 are considered medium cost of living
• Group 3 are considered low cost of living

If your placement is between four to eight weeks, you’ll receive –

• £136.25 per week for Group 1 destinations.
• £120 per week for Group 2 and 3 destinations.

If your placement is longer than eight weeks, you’ll receive –

• £380 per month for Group 1 destinations.
• £335 per month for Group 2 and 3 destinations.

You’ll receive a grant on the basis of the above rates if your placement lasts longer than eight weeks. This will be available for the entire duration of your study.

The Turing Scheme also provides extra benefits to those from disadvantaged backgrounds. You could receive an additional £110 per month and the actual costs of additional expenses, such as visa fees and health insurance.

Students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will also get the full amount of the actual costs for support directly related to their disability.

How to apply for the Turing Scheme

As we’ve mentioned, students can’t apply directly to the scheme, universities will apply on your behalf.

Universities submit specific projects to the government for consideration. Funding will then be secured for all successful applicants by the university.

As a student, you’ll need to speak with the relevant department within your university to find out about the opportunities available with the Turing Scheme.

Tips from the author

Frequently Asked Questions