All About the Turing Scheme in the UK

As a consequence of the UK's exit from the European Union, the partnership with Erasmus+ also comes to a close because of an annual loss of £245 million. Erasmus+ is an exchange programme which was offering 17,000 UK students opportunities for research, apprenticeship and work opportunities. In place of continuing with Erasmus+ with a continuing loss annually, the UK Government has announced a new scheme called Turing Scheme which would be backed by £110 million initially and engaged as many as 40,000 students studying in over a 100 UK Universities for 2021 placements, while only 18,300 students were engaged for placements in the academic year 2018-19 through Erasmus+.

The Turing scheme has come into force in the year 2020 and aims to provide UK students with opportunities across top and best universities in not just Europe but globally for exchange programmes and placement opportunities. This decision comes amid Erasmus refusing to fund students going to study in the UK, which would cause an annual loss of £200 million to the UK economy. This would also not include the student’s travel allowances, living in UK costs and research level projects allowances. Popular countries like the USA, Canada, Japan, Germany and France are partnering with the UK government to offer a smooth experience in terms of exchange programmes and research along with work opportunities for UK students.

UK’s Turing Scheme - Broad Points

Check: Student's Guide for UK 

Turing Scheme Functioning in the UK

The Turing Scheme is a funding scheme basically which provides funding to various UK Universities participating in this scheme. Those universities that function in the UK can apply for funding on behalf of its students who are yet to submit or work on certain projects or research work in-house or in partnership with other universities abroad. Since it's a government funded scheme only government aided or run institutions can participate in this scheme.

• Institutions must be registered under the UK Government or British Overseas area applying for the Turing Scheme.

• Applicants studying in these recognised British institutions can opt for the Turing Scheme Placement and exchange programmes.

• Exchange programmes through the Turing Scheme for UK students will be in any of the 150 partnering countries, except for the UK.

• Only those projects which have a higher scope for research and followingly placement opportunities would be encouraged for going abroad.

• There is no preference to any country or subject hence, UK students would be sent for exchange programmes depending upon their interest and upskilling.

Turing Scheme Funding Criteria

Students studying in the UK including international students are eligible to submit their applications for funding through the Turing Scheme only if their institutions are eligible to receive funding. Applicants must also fulfill the following given criteria in order to apply for funding depending upon their type of institution:

It can be concluded that it doesn’t matter if the applicant is permanent, non-permanent, full time or part time, unless they are enrolled in a designated UK University would be eligible to go for Turing Exchange programmes abroad. 

Read: Living Costs for International Students in the UK

Turing Scheme Benefits for Participants

Since a lot of speculation is making rounds in terms of the Turing Scheme’s success, the following benefits are definitely backed by the Education Department of UK and UCAS. these are as follows:

• UK’s partnerships with best universities across the globe are an added factor in terms of exposure to its students by more than 30%.

• The Turing Scheme would create study abroad and placement opportunities for more than 20,000 already studying at UK institutions.

• Learners from various backgrounds including from disadvantaged groups would benefit in building their skills both technically and professionally.

• Employers also look for international exposure before hiring, which would prove beneficial for UK students.

• The Turing Scheme would witness an estimated 40,000 supported placements through the year, including 28,000 students currently studying at UK universities. 

• Turing Scheme would include participant’s funding for travel allowances, project based expenses and living costs. 

As per recent recordings of a report by Universities UK International (UUKi), it is certain that a few weeks of placement abroad can definitely prove beneficial for students funded under the Turing Scheme. Four week - opted mobility or a short term mobility was found favourable among more than 50% of the participants. It was also recorded that 83% of the students found it beneficial for students going to exchange programmes which in turn generated higher and better placements. Overall the participants discovered an added advantage in improved personal skills. The following areas of personal skills were recorded to show maximum improvement:

Shorter programmes would help HE’s of UK in expanding their reach abroad and among international students. More and more students even from disadvantaged groups would enrol keeping in view of the shorter term courses and their benefits both financially and professionally.

Turing Scheme Funding Results 2021

An initial estimate of 40,000 students participation for the Turing Scheme recorded an overwhelming response in the year 2021 with a total participation of 40,032. There were 412 applications submitted by various UK institutions on behalf of its already studying students for the Turing Scheme Placement. The following table gives a broader view of the results in the first year for Turing Scheme:

It can be noted that 2021 has seen more than its initial estimate for participating students and most of the institutions located in England bagged higher participation and funding from the Turing Scheme in 2021. Out of the reserved percentage of 48% for disadvantaged groups of students, the percentage went up to 54.8%.

Read more: UK Post Study Work Visa for Indian Students

FAQ’s

Q. Who all can participate in Turing Scheme funding in the UK?

A. All those students who are studying at recognised and designated UK institutions of - Higher Education (HE), Further Education (FE) & Vocational Education and Training (VET) and locally recognised UK schools are eligible to participate in placements, exchange programmes and research projects abroad through Turing Scheme funding. 

Q. How should I submit an application for Turing Scheme funding for my project?

A. Individual applicants are not required to submit any applications directly to the Turing Scheme for a funding request. Rather they have to inform their concerned institutions with full detail and they on behalf of the students file a common application to the Turing Scheme requesting funding. 

Q. What areas of study are available in the exchange programme through the Turing Scheme?

A. The study areas depend upon the student’s qualification as per UK Education Department guidelines. As per Turing Scheme participants can:

• Study in another higher education university 

• Learn at a partner FE or VET institution through short term courses

• Pursue traineeship abroad if re-skilling through a recognised UK college.

• Study at a partner school through a short term exchange programme accompanied by school staff just for exposure.

Q. Why take part in the UK's Turing Scheme? 

A. Students are encouraged to take part in the Turing Scheme funding to get exposure to international institutions teaching, global job market, cultural awareness, interaction with students studying abroad, an influential addition to CV, individual betterment in terms of - confidence, motivation, independence, improved language set, etc. thus, it can prove to be beneficial. 

Q. What fee payments are waived off as per UK’s Turing Scheme?

A. Various fee payments are waived off like tuition fee during exchange programmes to different institutions, reciprocal exchange programmes (students coming from abroad), travel allowances, living costs and project related funding. 

Q. How does the UK government test to widen the access in the Turing Scheme for disadvantaged students?

A. More and more disadvantaged groups of students can be included to apply for funding through the Turing Scheme in the UK by closely assessing how their projects would widen access and scope. Also by maintaining Erasmus+ rates and reimbursing travel allowances. The UK government also proposes to cut down the minimum duration for HE to four weeks so that going abroad is easier and hence it will target a larger number of students.

Q. Have Erasmus+ enrolled UK students automatically switched to the Turing Scheme upon Brexit?

A. No, UK students who were enrolled in Erasmus+ Membership have not switched to the Turing Scheme which was proposed and announced by the UK government in December 2020. Rather students enrolled in Erasmus+ witness a cancellation in their membership, hence they cannot receive any funding for their travel, living and research projects.

Q. Is the Turing Scheme open for all institutions globally?

A. The Turing Scheme is not open for institutions globally. This funding scheme is run by the UK Government and only those institutions which fall under UK or British Overseas territory are eligible to avail this funding for their students. 

Q. Can universities abroad request for exchange programmes through the Turing Scheme?

A. Yes, universities abroad can request for exchange programmes through the Turing Scheme only upon a proper confidential confirmation with the concerned authorities of the UK Education Department and Government. 

Q. Is there a preferred list of countries for sending students through the Turing Scheme?

A. No, there are no preferred list of countries for sending exchange programme students through the Turing Scheme. Rather all countries are eligible to call on UK students depending upon their opportunities and travel advice from UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Q. What were the deadlines for applying through the Turing Scheme in 2021?

A. The application dates for applying via the Turing Scheme in 2021 were between second week of April to first week of May. the dates were as follows:

• Higher Education Funding Application: 21 April 2021 - by 4:00 p.m.

• FE and VET Funding Applications: 7 May 2021 - by 12:00 p.m.

• Schools Funding Applications: 7 May 2021 - by 12:00 p.m.