If you are a UK university student planning an internship abroad, there is government funding available that most students never hear about. The Turing Scheme provides grants for living costs and travel to help you afford an international work placement - and you do not have to pay it back.
The catch? You cannot apply directly. You have to go through your university. And with the UK set to rejoin Erasmus+ from 2027-28, the 2026-27 academic year is the final year of the Turing Scheme. This is your last window to use it.
Here is everything you need to know.
What Is the Turing Scheme?
The Turing Scheme is a UK government programme that funds international study, work, and volunteering placements for students at UK education providers. Its first placements ran from September 2021, as a post-Brexit replacement for the EU's Erasmus+ programme and is named after mathematician Alan Turing.
For 2025-26, the scheme allocated funding for 35,249 placements. Unlike Erasmus+, which was limited to EU and associated countries, the Turing Scheme covers placements anywhere in the world - from Barcelona to Bali to Tokyo.
For the 2025-26 year, the scheme had a budget of £78 million. The 2026-27 budget is up to £78 million, and GOV.UK says the scheme will not operate in 2027-28, when Erasmus+ placements begin.
In December 2025, the UK agreed terms to rejoin Erasmus+ from the 2027-28 academic year. The Turing Scheme will stop accepting new participants after the 2026-27 cycle. If you are planning an internship abroad for this academic year, now is the time to act.
How Much Funding Can You Get?
Turing Scheme funding for higher education students covers living costs as a daily grant, calculated based on your destination and how long your placement lasts. Destinations are divided into two groups based on cost of living.
| Placement Duration | Group 1 (Higher Cost) | Group 2 (Standard Cost) |
|---|---|---|
| 14 to 56 days | £19/day | £17/day |
| 57 days to 12 months | £14/day | £12/day |
Group 1 (higher cost of living) includes countries like Australia, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, and the USA. Group 2 (standard cost) includes most of Europe, Southeast Asia, South America, and Africa.
What does that look like in practice?
A 12-week (84-day) internship in Cape Town (Group 2) at the standard rate works out at 84 x £12 = £1,008 in living cost support. A 12-week placement in New York (Group 1) works out at 84 x £14 = £1,176. Disadvantaged rates are higher.
Extra funding for disadvantaged students
If you come from a disadvantaged background - for example a household income of £35,000 or less in the 2026-27 GOV.UK guidance - you may qualify for additional support including:
- Travel costs - a contribution towards one return journey to your destination, at a set rate per destination
- Readiness to travel - helps with passports, visa applications, vaccines, medical certificates, and travel insurance
- Other support - ask your university what else the scheme can cover for your circumstances
If money is the main barrier to your international experience, the Turing Scheme is designed to help remove it.
Which Universities Participate?
Not every UK university participates in the Turing Scheme every year. Universities must apply for funding as institutions, and not all are successful. However, most Russell Group and large universities have participated consistently since 2021.
Universities with confirmed Turing Scheme funding in recent years include:
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- UCL (University College London)
- King's College London
- University of Manchester
- University of Sheffield
- Loughborough University
- University of Bath
- Lancaster University
- Imperial College London
- Swansea University
- Aston University
- Nottingham Trent University
- Queen Mary University of London
- University of St Andrews
For 2026-27, universities were invited to submit applications from January 2026, with a deadline of 16 March 2026. Results are typically announced in summer, so if your university has applied, you should hear back by mid-2026.
Contact your university's international office, placements team, or study abroad office. They will know whether your institution has applied and can guide you through the internal process. Do not wait - ask now.
How to Apply (Step by Step)
You cannot apply for Turing Scheme funding directly through the government. The process goes through your university. Here is how it works:
- Check your university participates. Contact your international office or placements team. Ask specifically about Turing Scheme funding for work placements abroad. Not all universities apply, and not all that apply are successful.
- Secure your internship placement. You need a confirmed placement abroad before you can receive funding. This is where we come in: make your free profile so companies across 30+ destinations can find you, or use Full Service from £649. Your university needs to approve the placement as part of your course or as an extracurricular activity.
- Get your placement approved by your university. Your university must formally approve your overseas placement. This usually involves registering it through their placements system, mobility office, or study abroad portal. The placement must last at least 14 days and take place between 1 September 2026 and 31 August 2027.
- Complete the Turing Scheme application. Once your placement is approved, your university will invite you to complete a Turing Scheme application. At some universities this is automatic - for example, Manchester auto-assesses eligibility when a placement is approved. At others, you will receive an email invitation with a form to complete.
- Receive your funding. If eligible, your university will arrange payment of the living costs grant. Timing varies - some universities pay before departure, others pay in instalments. Ask your university about their payment schedule so you can plan accordingly.
Which Internship Destinations Are Eligible?
Almost any country outside the UK qualifies for Turing Scheme funding. There is no restricted list - the scheme was specifically designed to be global, unlike Erasmus+ which was limited to Europe and partner countries.
Here are some of our most popular destinations and their Turing Scheme cost group:
Daily rates shown are standard rates for placements of 57 days or longer. Shorter placements (14 to 56 days) and students from disadvantaged backgrounds receive higher daily rates. See the funding table above for full details.
How We Help
Make your free profile in about two minutes. Companies across 30+ destinations can find it, and you send your own link with every application. Check that any placement meets Turing Scheme requirements (minimum 14 days) and your university's approval criteria.
Want it arranged for you? Full Service from £649. Or get in touch to discuss your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Turing Scheme funding for an unpaid internship abroad?
Yes, if your university approves the placement. The Turing Scheme funds approved work placements abroad, and your university decides which it approves. Most international internships for UK students are unpaid, so the living costs grant is specifically designed to help cover your expenses while you gain professional experience. Your placement must be approved by your university and last at least 14 days.
Can I apply for Turing Scheme funding directly?
No. Students cannot apply directly to the Department for Education. Your university or education provider must first secure Turing Scheme funding by submitting an institutional application. Once approved, your university will manage the process and invite eligible students to apply. Contact your university's international or placements office to find out if they participate.
Is 2026-27 the last year of the Turing Scheme?
Yes, 2026-27 is the final year. In December 2025, the UK government agreed terms with the EU to rejoin the Erasmus+ programme from the 2027-28 academic year. The Turing Scheme will stop accepting new participants after the 2026-27 cycle. If you are planning an internship abroad, this is your last chance to use Turing funding.
How much Turing Scheme funding will I get for an internship?
For higher education students in 2025-26 and 2026-27, the living cost grant is paid per day: for placements of 14 to 56 days, £19 per day for Group 1 (higher cost) destinations and £17 per day for Group 2; for 57 days to 12 months, £14 per day (Group 1) and £12 per day (Group 2). Students from disadvantaged backgrounds receive higher daily rates plus travel and readiness funding.
Which countries are eligible for Turing Scheme internships?
Almost any country outside the UK is eligible. Destinations are split into two cost groups. Group 1 (higher cost) includes countries like Australia, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, and the USA. Group 2 (standard cost) includes most of Europe, Southeast Asia, South America, and Africa. Popular internship destinations like Spain, Indonesia, South Africa, and Thailand all qualify.
Can I combine Turing Scheme funding with other grants or scholarships?
It depends. The GOV.UK guidance says Turing funding should not be used for costs that another source of funding already covers. However, you can typically combine it with general student finance (maintenance loans), university hardship funds, or personal savings. Check with your university's finance team for specific guidance.
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