The UK’s Turing Scheme is the government’s initiative programme that provides funds for international opportunities and training across the world for students. It replaces the Erasmus+ programme (which still exists for the EU). The initiative supports Global Britain by providing an opportunity for UK organisations (higher education, further education, vocational education, training and schools) to offer students, learners and pupils life-changing experiences to study or work abroad.
This year, the scheme has received 513 applications, a 24% increase from last year when 412 applications in total were submitted. According to Eroderà College News, for the current academic year 2022/2023, more than 38,000 students will be able to study and work abroad through The Turing Scheme. This is an increase from 2020, when 35,000 students were projected to use the scheme, but it is a drop from the 2021/2022 academic year (when 40,000 students took part).
Another exciting statistic is that 52% of 38,000 students who will have the opportunity to study abroad under the scheme will be from disadvantaged groups. This is also an increase from 48% last year. The UK Minister for Skills, Alex Burghart expressed his delight that the Turing Scheme will be giving more opportunities to disadvantaged students to study abroad than ever before. He also noted that the launch year was a success. More than 130 universities, including 116 further education providers, and 70 schools will receive a share of the amount of £105 million set aside for the scheme.
The Turing Scheme replaced Erasmus+ following the UK’s exit from the European Union. According to a media release issued by the UK government, the programme offers students the chance to study in more than 150 countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, Thailand, and South Africa.
This year, projects have included digital technology students from New Bridge College, Oldham traveling to Chicago to visit the Apple Headquarters office to be inspired and support their future career goals. Next year, the scheme is expected to include cultural exchanges with Japan, Mauritius, South Korea, and Nepal for a university where 83% of the students come from disadvantaged backgrounds.