The UK government calls its Turing Scheme "a global mobility programme" for students at a variety of institutions – universities, schools and colleges. It was launched in March 2021 to replace Erasmus+ and the first British Turing Scheme students went abroad in September last year. The Turing Scheme provides funding to UK organisations, unlocking life-changing experiences across the world for their pupils, students and learners.
What Are the Key Differences Between the Two Programmes?
Unlike Erasmus+, the Turing Scheme is not set up to create reciprocal arrangements. This means that European students are unable to come to the UK for a study placement unless the swap is arranged by individual universities outside of the scheme.
For British students, there are several notable differences between The Turing Scheme and its European predecessor, Erasmus+. Unlike Erasmus+ (which was mostly centred around Europe), The Turing Scheme offers funding to students to go further afield.
Beyond Europe
Turing Scheme has been advertised as a “worldwide scheme” and that “for many students, this bigger map can be attractive. The United States, Canada, Hong Kong, etc., have been popular early destinations for British participants. The UK Government promised Turing would “improve social mobility, targeting students from disadvantaged backgrounds and areas.!
Locations are divided based on the cost of living, into high, medium and low-cost categories, so, if participants travel to a designated "high-cost" place, such as Australia, Canada or Switzerland, they will receive more money than for a "medium-cost" place, such as France or Sweden.
Annual Funding
However, unlike Erasmus+, which sets out budgets for six or seven years at a time, Turing participants must apply for funding on an annual basis.
A student going to a high-cost country for between four and eight weeks will receive £136 (€157) per week, or £380 (€439) per month for more than eight weeks. Under Erasmus+, Sweden and Scandinavian countries were placed in the "high-cost" category.
Opportunities for Participants From Disadvantaged Backgrounds
There is also a top-up available for people from disadvantaged backgrounds. A student from a disadvantaged background going to a high-cost country for between four and eight weeks will receive £163.50 (€189.10) per week, or £490 (€566) per month if they are to be based there for more than eight weeks.
For more information on The Turing Scheme, please get in touch with our team here.
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