The Turing Scheme pays UK university students a daily living cost grant to fund an internship abroad, and students from disadvantaged backgrounds receive a higher rate plus travel funding. The scheme covers destinations worldwide and is managed by the Department for Education (DfE), replacing Erasmus+ after the UK's departure from the EU programme.
You cannot apply directly to the DfE. Your university or college receives a Turing allocation each year and distributes it to individual students. Contact your International Office or Placements team first to find out your institution's deadline, which at most universities falls in January or February for summer placements.
Who is eligible for Turing Scheme funding?
To qualify for Turing Scheme funding for an internship or work placement you must:
- Be a UK-domiciled student enrolled at a participating UK higher education institution
- Be undertaking a work placement or internship that is formally part of your programme (placement year, sandwich year, or approved elective module)
- Spend the placement in an eligible overseas country (virtually all countries outside the UK qualify)
- Last between 14 days and 12 months (your institution may set its own minimum)
The scheme explicitly prioritises students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The 2026-27 GOV.UK guidance gives examples such as a household income of GBP 35,000 or less, receiving Universal Credit, care experience, being an unpaid carer or estranged, or being a refugee; eligible students receive a higher daily grant. Some institutions ring-fence a proportion of their Turing budget specifically for these students.
Many universities require your placement to count toward your degree before they will approve Turing funding. Getting your placement formally recognised is therefore doubly useful: it qualifies you for Turing money and earns you academic credit. Read our guide on academic credit for internships abroad for what your university typically needs.
Turing Scheme 2026 grant rates: what to expect
The DfE sets the daily rates. The figures below are the higher education rates published on GOV.UK for 2025-26 and 2026-27. Check your International Office for how your institution pays them.
| Destination group and length | Standard daily grant | Disadvantaged daily grant |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 (for example USA, Canada, Australia, Japan), 57 days to 12 months | GBP 14 | GBP 18 |
| Group 2 (for example Spain, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa), 57 days to 12 months | GBP 12 | GBP 16 |
| Any destination, 14 to 56 days | GBP 19 (Group 1) or GBP 17 (Group 2) | GBP 23 (Group 1) or GBP 21 (Group 2) |
| Travel grant (one return journey) | Not included | Set rate per destination on GOV.UK |
A 12-week (84-day) placement in Barcelona (Spain is Group 2) at the standard rate works out at 84 x GBP 12 = GBP 1,008 in living cost grants. A disadvantaged student at the same destination would receive 84 x GBP 16 = GBP 1,344, plus the travel grant for Spain.
How to apply: the step-by-step process
The Turing application route runs through your university, not the DfE directly. Here is the typical process:
- October to November: Attend your university's international mobility information event. Check if Turing funding is available for work placements specifically (some institutions fund only study exchanges).
- November to January: Secure a placement offer. Your university will need a formal confirmation letter from the host organisation before approving your application.
- January to February: Submit your Turing application via your university's portal. Typical documents: placement confirmation, learning agreement or training plan, academic transcript, personal statement, evidence of disadvantaged status if applicable.
- February to March: Await approval. Universities usually notify students 4 to 6 weeks after the deadline.
- During placement: Keep a brief activity log or diary, as most universities require a short reflective report after your return.
- After return: Submit your completion report. The final tranche of your grant (typically 20 to 25%) is paid on submission.
Internship Abroad provides all the host-side documentation your university needs, including a formal placement confirmation letter, a signed learning agreement and supervisor contact details. See how we work with universities to make the approval process straightforward.
Which destinations work best for Turing-funded internships?
The Turing Scheme covers destinations worldwide outside the UK. Popular internship destinations for UK students include Spain (Barcelona and Madrid), Portugal (Lisbon), Ireland (Dublin), Australia (Sydney and Melbourne), the USA (New York and San Francisco) and South Africa (Cape Town). These destinations combine strong internship markets with good English-language environments.
For destination-specific cost breakdowns:
- Barcelona internships: costs, visa and sectors
- Cape Town internships: what UK students need to know
- Japan internship guide for UK students 2026
For placements in EU countries (Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Netherlands, Germany), UK students no longer need a visa for stays under 90 days. For longer placements, a national work or internship visa is usually required. Check our visa guide for details by country.
Turing Scheme vs other funding sources
Turing funding does not affect your Student Finance England maintenance loan entitlement. You can receive both simultaneously. If your university also has its own international mobility bursary or hardship fund, you may be able to stack that with Turing money. Ask your International Office explicitly whether multiple funding sources are permitted.
Students at universities in all four UK nations can use the Turing Scheme if their university takes part. Students in Scotland and Wales should also ask their international office whether any devolved scheme applies to them. The free internship toolkit includes a funding checklist covering all sources available to UK students.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Turing Scheme pay for an internship abroad?
The Turing Scheme pays a daily living cost grant that depends on your destination group and placement length. For 2025-26 and 2026-27 the standard higher education rates on GOV.UK are GBP 14 (Group 1) or GBP 12 (Group 2) per day for placements of 57 days to 12 months, and GBP 19 or GBP 17 per day for 14 to 56 days. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds receive a higher rate plus travel funding.
Do I apply for Turing Scheme funding directly to the government?
No. You apply through your university or college. Your institution receives a block Turing grant each year and distributes it to individual students. Contact your International Office or Placements team to get your university's specific deadline and application form.
Which countries are covered by the Turing Scheme for internships?
Destinations worldwide, including EU countries, the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Africa and India. The scheme was specifically designed to give UK students global access after leaving Erasmus+.
Can I combine Turing Scheme funding with academic credit?
Yes, and in many cases your university requires academic recognition before they will approve Turing funding. Combining both is the recommended approach: you get financial support and your placement counts toward your degree.
How early do I need to apply for Turing Scheme funding?
Most universities set internal deadlines in January or February for placements starting in summer. Contact your International Office in October or November to understand your institution's timeline before you commit to a placement date.
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