British Turing Scholarship 2026 in UK (Funded)
The United Kingdom continues to invest heavily in global skills and international experience for its young people. After the UK left Erasmus+, the government launched the Turing Scheme as its flagship international mobility and placement programme. For the 2026/27 academic year (placements starting between August 2026 and July 2027), the British Turing Scholarship is once again opening to education providers across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Also apply for KNB Indonesian Government Scholarship 2026 in Indonesia
Important clarification: Students and apprentices cannot apply directly. Funding is awarded to schools, colleges, universities and training providers who then select and support participants. If you are a student or apprentice reading this, your first step is to contact your institution’s international / mobility / careers / apprenticeship office immediately and express interest.
What Is the Turing Scheme?
The Turing Scheme is the UK government’s global programme for study, work placements, traineeships and volunteering abroad. It supports:
- School pupils (short-term group mobility)
- College & university students (study & traineeships)
- Apprentices (work placements)
- Youth & community groups (short-term exchanges)
Key features for 2026/27:
- Fully funded placements (no tuition fees abroad in most cases)
- Grants cover travel, living costs, insurance and support
- Strong priority for disadvantaged & SEND/ALN/ASN learners
- Placements in any country worldwide (no Erasmus+ geographic restrictions)
- Duration: 2 weeks to 12 months (varies by level)
Also check:
Who Can Participate?
Eligible participants (selected by their provider):
- UK residents enrolled in full-time or part-time education/training
- School pupils (Key Stage 2–5)
- Further education & higher education students
- Apprentices (all levels)
- Youth & community group members
Special emphasis on widening participation:
- Students from disadvantaged backgrounds
- Those with special educational needs/disabilities (SEND)
- Care-experienced learners
- Estranged students
- Refugees & asylum seekers
Financial Support (What the Scheme Pays For)
Grants are paid to the education provider, who then disburses support to participants. Typical coverage includes:
- Return travel costs (flights, trains, etc.)
- Living allowance / subsistence (varies by destination & duration)
- Insurance (health, accident, liability)
- Visa & permit fees (where applicable)
- Organisational support costs (for the provider)
- Additional top-up grants for disadvantaged participants
Indicative grant rates per participant (2025/26 levels – 2026/27 rates will be confirmed):
| Destination Group | Subsistence (per month) | Travel Grant | Top-up for disadvantaged |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 (high-cost) e.g. USA, Australia, Canada | £1,385–1,625 | £500–1,500 | +£490 |
| Group 2 (medium) e.g. most EU, Japan, South Korea | £820–1,200 | £300–800 | +£490 |
| Group 3 (lower-cost) e.g. Eastern Europe, Latin America, Africa | £670–920 | £275–675 | +£490 |
Exact rates and groups for 2026/27 will be published in the 2026 Funding Call Guide.
Eligible Destinations & Activities
Any country worldwide (no restrictions):
- Study at a partner university / college
- Traineeship / work placement in a company or organisation
- Volunteering / youth exchange
- Short-term group mobility (school pupils)
Most popular destinations (previous years):
- Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, India, Vietnam, South Africa, Brazil
Why Choose the Turing Scheme?
- Fully funded global experience (no tuition fees abroad in most cases)
- Priority & extra funding for disadvantaged learners
- Any country worldwide (far more flexibility than Erasmus+)
- Recognised on CV / apprenticeship record
- Builds confidence, intercultural skills, employability
- Many participants return with job offers or stronger graduate applications
Contrarian view: You are dependent on your institution applying and selecting you. But hundreds of UK providers participate every year.
Living Costs (Covered by Grant)
Varies widely (Numbeo Jan 2026 estimates):
- Western Europe / North America: €1,200–2,200/month
- Southern/Eastern Europe: €700–1,200/month
- Asia / Latin America: €500–1,200/month
Turing grant usually covers 80–100% of real costs, especially with disadvantaged top-up.
Application Process for British Turing Scholarship
You cannot apply directly. The process is:
- Speak to your education provider
- University international / mobility office
- College careers / work placement team
- School trips / international coordinator
- Apprenticeship provider / training officer
- Ask:
- Does your institution currently hold Turing Scheme funding?
- Are they planning to apply for 2026/27?
- What destinations and activities are available?
- What is the internal selection process?
- If they are applying / have funding:
- Express interest early
- Prepare CV, motivation statement, academic record
- Attend internal selection interviews if required
- Funding call timeline (2026/27 round):
- Application window opens: January 26, 2026 (expected)
- Provider deadline: usually March–April 2026
- Assessment & results: June 2026
- Placements: August 2026 – July 2027
Next Steps for Students & Apprentices
- Today: Email or visit your international/mobility/careers office
- Ask: “Is [institution name] applying for Turing Scheme 2026/27 funding?”
- If yes → express interest & ask about opportunities
- If no → politely ask if they plan to apply in future rounds
- Follow your institution on social media for updates
Application Checklist (for students)
- Contact mobility/international office today
- Update CV & motivation statement
- Prepare academic record / transcript
- Check passport validity (must cover entire placement)
- Monitor institution announcements (Jan–March 2026)
- Apply internally as soon as places are advertised
Strong opinion: The Turing Scheme is currently the UK’s best-funded global mobility programme. If your institution participates, it is one of the easiest and most generous ways to gain international experience. Speak to your international office this week.
