Edward Timpson encourages schools and colleges in Eddisbury to sign up for new Turing Scheme

Edward Timpson CBE has urged schools and colleges in Eddisbury to apply for the Government’s new £110 million Turing Scheme, which will provide young people with the opportunity to study and work around the world.

The landmark scheme, which replaces the UK’s participation in the EU’s Erasmus+ programme, will be backed by £110 million funding in 2021-22. Schools, colleges and universities can now apply for funding, which will provide for 35,000 global exchanges from this September—a similar level to the number of exchanges which took place under the previous scheme.

Representing the Conservative Government’s clear commitment to delivering a truly global Britain now that we have left the EU, every country in the world is eligible to partner with the UK’s world-class universities, schools and colleges.

The Turing Scheme will target students from disadvantaged backgrounds and areas who were less likely to benefit from the Erasmus+ programme by supporting the costs of studying and working abroad, providing up to a maximum of £490 per month, and levelling up opportunity for all students.

Schools, colleges and universities will all be supported with the cost of administering the programme, and are encouraged to form partnerships around the world. Details on the application process, including funding and eligibility levels, are available on the Turing Scheme website at turing-scheme.org.uk.

Eddisbury MP, Edward Timpson CBE, said:

“This pioneering scheme offers our young people a fantastic opportunity to study and work around the world, developing vital skills and experiences that will enrich their lives.

“I am strongly encouraging schools, colleges and universities to apply for the Turing Scheme, so we can give students across Eddisbury the chance to have a world-class education.”

Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, said:

“The Turing Scheme is a truly global programme with every country in the world eligible to partner with UK universities, schools and colleges.

“It is also levelling up in action. Unlike the Erasmus+ scheme, which overwhelmingly went to children from better-off homes, the Turing project is designed to help students across the country of all income groups to get to fantastic schools, colleges and universities around the world.”

Education Secretary, the Rt Hon Gavin Williamson MP, said:

“This is a landmark step in delivering on our promise to level up a truly global Britain, strengthening our ties across the world and providing students with the skills they need to thrive.

“The programme’s focus on social mobility and value for money will open up more opportunities for international education and travel to all of our students, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds who were less likely to benefit from the previous EU scheme.

“I urge all universities, schools and colleges from all corners of the UK to start their applications and partner up with countries.”

• Introducing our landmark £110 million Turing Scheme to provide funding for international opportunities in education and training across the world. Our pioneering scheme will support around 35,000 students from across the UK and from all backgrounds to take advantage of the benefits of studying and working abroad from September 2021. The programme will provide similar opportunities for students to study and work abroad as the Erasmus+ programme but will include countries across the world and aims to deliver great value for money to taxpayers.

• Unveiling a new Turing website, which provides details on the scheme, the eligibility criteria and application process. In February we announced that a website for our Turing Scheme went live, which sets out the funding and eligibility details for the programme so universities, colleges and schools can prepare for bids which have now opened.

• Targeting students from disadvantaged backgrounds, as we deliver on our promise to level up education. During our participation in the Erasmus programme, the most privileged students were 1.7 times more likely to benefit from studying abroad than their peers. Our scheme, aimed at improving social mobility, will target students from disadvantaged areas and backgrounds, so the opportunity to study and work abroad is accessible to all students across the country.

• Supporting students with the costs of studying and working overseas, so no one is prevented from a life-changing opportunity due to their financial circumstances. We are providing university students from disadvantaged backgrounds up to a maximum of £490 a month towards the cost of living, as well as funding for travelling, including travel related expenses like visas, passports and related travel insurance.