The Turing Scheme has been in the news lately, with government and educational bodies discussing the scheme’s pros, cons and logistics. But what is the Turing Scheme? We’re here to give you the rundown of what the scheme is, and how it works!
What is the Turing scheme?
The Turing Scheme is a government-led scheme that aims to provide funding for international education opportunities across the world. Not dissimilar to the pre-Brexit scheme, Erasmus, it supports a Global Britain by providing UK higher education institutions with the chance to offer study abroad opportunities to their students.
Schools, colleges and higher education institutions can apply for funding projects for their students. Both full and part-time students can participate in the scheme, allowing them to develop new skills gain experience and ultimately boost their employability.
Who can take part?
Higher education students
Students at higher education institutions can study at another university or get international work experience through a traineeship in an international organisation.
To apply for the funding, your university or HE organisation must be an officially recognised HE provider in the UK or British Overseas Territory. The participants must be students or recent graduates.
Apprentices and learners in further education and vocational education
Students studying at an FE or VET institute can do traineeships abroad or at partner providers.
To apply for funding, the FE or VET organisation must be registered in the UK or British Overseas Territory and one of the following:
- an FE college or school active in the field of FE and VET
- a local or regional public authority, coordination body or organisation with a role in FE and VET
- a company or organisation hosting, training or working with learners and apprentices in FE and VET
- a company or other organisation applying on behalf of a group of FE and/or VET providers
The participants must be FE learners, VET learners, recent graduates, or an individual re-training or upskilling.
Recent graduates
Graduates can do traineeships abroad for up to a year after graduating.
School pupils
Even younger school pupils can use the Turing scheme. You can study at a partner school or organisation on short or long-term placements. Short-term placements are available to any student, long-term placements are only for students over 14 years old.
Where can I go?
Participants in the scheme can be sent to a non-UK higher education provider or any non-UK public or private organisation active in education, training or the labour market. For example:
- a company
- a research institute
- a foundation
- an education centre
- an NGO
Speak to your university or HE/FE/VET provider for more information about where they’re happy to send you as a participant!
Why participate in the Turing scheme?
1. Make new friends
Studying or training abroad is a great opportunity for everyone. It gives students the opportunity to make new friends who are in the same boat, and lets you learn about different cultures, countries and customs!
2. A chance to travel
On top of that, international travel is a great experience within itself. Getting to explore new countries, enjoying the hot weather abroad (or cold!), trying new things, new foods, and everything else that travelling brings with it, can be a once in a lifetime experience.
3. Becoming independent
The experience of travelling to work or study abroad also provides even more chances to gain independence. Most students develop a sense of independence at university anyway, but taking part in something like the Turing scheme gives you the opportunity to grow even further.
4. Learning a new language
Whilst you might not be able to learn a new language to fluency, it is highly likely that in your time abroad you’ll pick up certain elements of it. Even if it’s just reading skills, writing or basics of the language, this is enough to either carry on learning or use to demonstrate mental ability!
5. Develop your CV
If you get to do something like the Turing scheme, you have instantly boosted your CV! Employers value students with international experience and education as it shows independence, adaptability, initiative and also varied knowledge!
