What is the Turing Scheme and what opportunities can it provide to your students?

The Turing Scheme is a UK government programme that provides funding for international opportunities in education, and training across the world

The Turing Scheme is working to widen access to international opportunities in education, with more than half of the placements aimed at young people from disadvantaged and under-represented backgrounds. It seeks to drive social mobility in parts of the UK where, historically, there have been fewer opportunities to work and study abroad.

The scheme enables schools to offer their students the opportunity to study abroad. To apply for a school project, organisations must be registered in the UK or a British Overseas Territory and must be either:

• a school providing general, vocational and technical education on any level from primary school to upper secondary level; or
• a national school consortium applying on behalf of several schools – for example, local or regional authorities, school co-ordinating bodies, or a social enterprise or another organisation with a role in the field of school education.

Different placements are available for students. 

• Short term placements – can last from three days to two months and are for pupils of any age enrolled in a participating school. These placements offer international learning experiences to help pupils develop their social skills and gain an understanding of other cultures and languages. During these placements, students will be accompanied by a member of staff. 

• Long term placements – can last from two-to-six months and are open to pupils aged at least 14. Schools which send and host pupils will have to demonstrate appropriate recognition for the involved pupils and support them during their time abroad. These placements include funding for staff to chaperone pupils, where necessary, as part of their duty of care. 

Applications are now open for schools, colleges and universities to apply for the third year of the Turing Scheme for global placements commencing from September 2023. For more information, visit the Turing Scheme website.