Turing Scheme to support 14,000 fewer young people than Erasmus+

The government has announced further details of the Turing Scheme, which was developed following Brexit and the end of the UK’s involvement in the European Union’s international study and work scheme Erasmus+.

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But according to ministers, 40,000 young people, including 28,000 university students, are set to study abroad as part of the Turing Scheme, which has awarded grants totalling £110m to 120 universities and more than 200 schools and colleges.

This is around 14,000 fewer than the figures for the UK’s participation in Erasmus+ in 2019, which shows that 54,619 participations were supported, through more than 600 UK projects.

This included 28,409 from higher education, 3,417 from schools, 8,367 from youth projects and 13,472 involved in vocational education and training.

It has also emerged that 48 per cent of places under the Turing Scheme will go to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

As part of the Turing scheme there are more than 150 countries where UK students will be able to study or work, including EU countries such as Germany and France.

However, concerns have been raised by University of London law professor Paul Cardwell over the extent of the scheme’s global reach, with the Foreign Office currently advising against travel to some countries on the list amid Covid.

This includes red list countries such as Bangladesh, Egypt and Indonesia.

Cardwell is also concerned that tuition fees will not be waived as easily under the Turing Scheme as they were under Erasmus+ arrangements.

Further concerns were raised earlier this year, by international development consultant Max Fras, that Turing’s offer to young people falls short of the package offered through Erasmus+. This includes a reduction in support for travel and living costs, as well as support for tuition fees.

UK Turing Programme Guide is finally out:

- living costs support lower than Erasmus+
- no travel support (except students from disadvantaged backgrounds)
- no tuition fee support/waiver
- travel support an exact carbon copy of Erasmus+ rules - still calculated in km, not miles pic.twitter.com/5EtSd52XgH

— Max Fras (@maxfras) March 8, 2021

Education secretary Gavin Williamson said: “By strengthening our partnerships with the finest institutions across the globe, the Turing Scheme delivers on the government’s post-Brexit vision, and helps a new generation grasp opportunities beyond Europe’s borders.”

Universities minister Michelle Donelan added: “I look forward to seeing the innovation and expertise our students, pupils and vocational learners bring back to this country from their journeys to every corner of the globe – from Canada to Japan, and Australia to the United States.”