Turing Scheme 2025-2026: Reference Guide for UK Students and Universities
The Turing Scheme is the UK government's global mobility programme, funding UK students and learners to study or work abroad. Launched in 2021 to replace UK participation in Erasmus+ post-Brexit. This page is a structured reference: how funding flows, who qualifies, how to access it as a student, and how it differs from Erasmus+.
Updated: 10 May 2026 · Source: turing-scheme.org.uk · Department for Education
How the Turing Scheme Works
Unlike Erasmus+, where students apply directly through their institution to a centrally-managed EU programme, Turing operates as a project-based funding scheme between the UK government and UK education providers.
- Provider applies for project funding — UK universities, FE colleges, and schools submit annual applications outlining their planned mobility activity, target participant numbers, destinations, and widening-participation strategy.
- Project funding is granted — Capita reviews and awards funding to successful projects. Awards typically cover one academic year.
- Provider selects participants — once funded, the provider runs internal applications, prioritising widening-participation students.
- Student receives funding via provider — students do not receive payment directly from the government. Funding flows through the provider's finance office.
Funding Rates 2025-2026
Funding is structured around destination cost-of-living bands. Rates published by the Department for Education for 2025-2026 cycles:
| Destination Group | Cost of living rate | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 (highest) | ~£545/month (4-8 weeks); £380/month (8+ weeks) | USA, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Iceland |
| Group 2 (medium) | ~£480/month (4-8 weeks); £335/month (8+ weeks) | Most EU countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, NZ |
| Group 3 (lower) | ~£415/month (4-8 weeks); £290/month (8+ weeks) | Eastern Europe, Latin America, most of Asia and Africa |
Disadvantaged participants receive enhanced funding: an additional ~£113/month plus full travel costs covered. Travel grants are added on top of the cost-of-living rate, banded by distance from the UK provider.
Always verify current rates at turing-scheme.org.uk — rates are reviewed annually.
Widening Participation Focus
A defining feature of the Turing Scheme versus Erasmus+ is its explicit widening-participation focus. Providers are expected to demonstrate how they will reach students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including:
- Students eligible for free school meals (within the past 6 years)
- Students from low-income households (annual income under approximately £25,000)
- Care-experienced students
- Estranged students
- Disabled students
- Students from underrepresented ethnic minority groups
- First-in-family-to-attend higher education students
These students receive both enhanced cost-of-living rates and full travel costs, often making Turing-funded placements financially viable when self-funded mobility would not be.
Turing vs Erasmus+
| Feature | Turing Scheme | Erasmus+ |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Outbound only | Outbound + inbound |
| Geographic scope | Global (150+ countries) | European focus + ICM partners |
| Tuition fee coverage | Generally not — UK students remain at home institution | Often waived bilaterally |
| Widening participation | Central design feature | Encouraged but less structurally embedded |
| Funding mechanism | Project-based to providers | Programme-based with bilateral agreements |
| Northern Ireland | Eligible | NI continues participating in Erasmus+ via Ireland |
If You Are a UK Student
Step 1: Check whether your university, college, or school is participating in the Turing Scheme this year. Most large UK universities are; some smaller providers are not. Search "[your provider name] Turing Scheme" or contact your International Office.
Step 2: If your provider is participating, follow their internal application process. Deadlines and selection criteria are set by the provider, not by Capita.
Step 3: If you qualify as a widening-participation student, flag this in your application — you will be prioritised and receive enhanced funding.
Step 4: If selected, your provider will issue a learning agreement. Once signed, funding is released through the provider's finance office.
If You Are a UK Provider
Application support, current call documents, and eligibility guidance are published at turing-scheme.org.uk. Internship Abroad partners with UK providers to deliver work placements at verified European host companies as part of Turing-funded projects. We handle host company sourcing, learning agreements, monitoring, and welfare reporting. For partnership enquiries, see internshipabroad.eu/partners.
Authoritative Sources
- Official Turing Scheme portal: turing-scheme.org.uk
- Department for Education: gov.uk Department for Education
- Capita (administering body): capita.com
- Universities UK on Turing: universitiesuk.ac.uk
This page is an independent reference compiled by Internship Abroad. We are not the operator of the Turing Scheme. For applications and current calls, refer to turing-scheme.org.uk. For partnership enquiries with UK providers, see our institutional partners page.