The Turing Scheme – FAQs and Updates for Postgraduate Students

At the end of 2020, the UK government announced the arrival of the Turing Scheme, an initiative designed to replace the Erasmus exchange programme (which the UK will no longer participate in).

With over £100m of funding to help around 35,000 UK-based students enjoy study abroad opportunities around the world, the Turing Scheme launched in September 2021.

The Turing Scheme is open to students at UK universities, colleges and schools. Students at universities can be at any stage of their studies, as well as recent graduates who have finished their course in the past 12 months.

You don’t need to be a UK national in order to be eligible for the Turing Scheme. In addition, it’s open to both full-time and part-time students.

The Turing Scheme involves study abroad opportunities right across the world, from North America and the Indo-Pacific region to Europe as well.

The exact destinations largely depend on the UK university you’re studying at (or applying to) – the government asked higher education institutions to make bids for funding from Turing, so the opportunities will differ from institution to institution.

Turing placements aren’t just limited to universities abroad, either – UK institutions are also able to arrange projects with organisations including businesses, public bodies, research institutes and non-profits/NGOs.

You’ll receive a grant towards your cost of living, with the precise amount depending on the duration of your placement and the country you’re studying in.

If your placement lasts between four and eight weeks, you’ll receive:

• £136 per week for countries with a high cost of living
• £120 per week for countries with a medium / low cost of living

If your placement lasts for more than eight weeks, you’ll receive:

• £380 per month for countries with a high cost of living
• £335 per month for countries with a medium / low cost of living

There is also extra funding support available for people from disadvantaged backgrounds, with an increased cost of living grant:

• £490 per month for countries with a high cost of living
• £445 per month for countries with a medium / low cost of living

People from disadvantaged backgrounds also receive financial support for travel costs, visa expenses, passports and purchasing health insurance. The Turing Scheme website has more information on eligibility for extra funding for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

You can't apply directly to the Turing Scheme, instead you need to go through your university to find out about opportunities they have available.

For more information, please check out the GOV.UK Turing Scheme website.

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