Thousands of students will be able to study and do work placements across the world through a brand new scheme that replaces the UK’s participation in Erasmus+.
The Turing scheme will be backed by over £100 million, providing funding for around 35,000 students in universities, colleges and schools to go on placements and exchanges overseas, starting in September 2021.
The new scheme will also target students from disadvantaged backgrounds and areas which did not previously have many students benefiting from Erasmus+, making life-changing opportunities accessible to everyone across the country.
The programme will provide similar opportunities for students to study and work abroad as the Erasmus+ programme but it will include countries across the world and aims to deliver greater value for money to taxpayers.
The UK will reap the rewards from the investment, by boosting students’ skills and prospects, benefitting UK employers, and supporting Global Britain’s ties with international partners.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “We now have the chance to expand opportunities to study abroad and see more students from all backgrounds benefit from the experience.
“We have designed a truly international scheme which is focused on our priorities, delivers real value for money and forms an important part of our promise to level up the United Kingdom.
“These opportunities will benefit both our students and our employers, as well as strengthening our ties with partners across the world.”
UK organisations will be invited to bid into the scheme in early 2021. Successful applications will receive funding for administering the scheme and students taking part will receive grants to help them with the costs of their international experience.
The benefits of the exchanges to schools and colleges will be assessed and the learnings used to build on future schemes. Funding decisions for subsequent years will be subject to future spending reviews.
To meet delivery timescales, universities, colleges and schools are encouraged to begin preparation with international partners as soon as possible.
Universities UK International Director, Vivienne Stern, said: “Evidence shows that students who have international experience tend to do better academically and in employment, and the benefits are greatest for those who are least advantaged.
“The new Turing scheme is a fantastic development and will provide global opportunities for up to 35,000 UK students to study and work abroad.”
International Education Champion, Sir Steve Smith, said: “As the International Education Champion, I’m pleased to see that the government is committed to international exchanges.
“So much of what makes education so rewarding for all is the chance for students and learners in schools, colleges and universities experience new cultures and, by doing so, develop new skills.
“This scheme represents a sizeable investment from the Government and I look forward to working with the Government to develop a scheme that will make real our commitment to Global Britain.”
CONCERN OVER ALTERNATIVE SCHEME
On learning of the UK Government’s decision to withdraw from the Erasmus+ scheme, Scotland’s Education Secretary John Swinney said: “The decision of the U.K. Tory Government to leave the Erasmus Scheme not only closes opportunities for our young people and narrows any claim to an outward U.K. perspective.”
Universities Minister Richard Lochhead also expressed his profound disappointment at the UK Government’s decision to withdraw from the Erasmus Plus exchange programme and described the move as ‘a huge blow’.
Annually, over 2,000 Scottish students, staff and learners use the scheme. Scotland attracts proportionally more Erasmus participants from across Europe – and sends more in the other direction – than any other country in the UK. Through associated youth work projects the scheme is estimated to deliver at least £7 in value for every £1 it costs in public cash, and its value to the economy has been estimated to be worth nearly £34 million annually since 2014.
Students in Northern Ireland are to be given access to Erasmus, but the Brexit deal will now prevent Scottish students from participating.
Further and Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead said: “The loss of Erasmus is huge blow. This is simply unacceptable and we are looking at alternative options.
“After years of discussions and meetings, the UK Government has made these decisions irrespective of the views of the Devolved Administrations. We found out from media reports more details of the UK’s alternative scheme which is a watered down and less well funded version of Erasmus and it’s not even an exchange program because there is no support for visits to Scotland.
“I have since spoken to my UK counterpart and expressed our profound disappointment that the UK chose to abandon Erasmus which plays such a key role in opening up opportunities and horizons for so many young Scots. Crucially, it is a scheme that brings different countries and nationalities together with massive cultural and educational benefits.
“I am seeking further clarification on what the new scheme looks like and how they intend to provide funding on a par with the amounts historically secured under Erasmus.
“We also need confirmation that they will ensure all those who currently benefit from the programme will be supported and crucially how the devolved nature of education would be protected under their new scheme and we will resist using the Internal Market Bill to foist an inferior UK scheme on Scotland.”