Turing Scheme Grant, Academic Year 23/24

The Turing Scheme is the UK government’s funding programme for students to carry out approved study, work or volunteer placement(s) anywhere in the world, with an institution or organisation in the 2023/24 academic year.

Supporting the government’s Global Britain objectives, the Turing Scheme unlocks the life-changing opportunity to develop new skills, gain vital international experience and boost your employability. You can also develop professional practice, a wide range of soft skills, and language skills. You will build relationships with international peers and gain fresh ideas and a better understanding of other cultures.

Academic Year 2023/2024

Lancaster University has been awarded a grant from the Turing Scheme towards living costs for specific global student opportunities in the 2023/24 academic year, spanning a range of departments, with enhanced funding available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Turing Scheme grant is not intended to cover all expenses for students’ mobility. The amount is based on the duration of the period of study, work or voluntary placement. Duration is calculated from the first day a student is required to be at the place of their placement until the last date they need to be present.

The grant will be paid in pounds sterling into a UK bank account. The grant is administered by the Global Experiences funding team and the specific amount a student will receive, as well as the terms and conditions, will be set out in a grant agreement signed by the student.

The application process for Turing Scheme 2023/24 is very competitive and therefore only fully completed applications will be considered. Application for 2023/24 is now closed.

Turing Scheme Logo

Eligibility Participants

To be eligible for Turing funding participants must be either: 

  • Current Students: must be registered at Lancaster, Bailrigg UK, and can be studying full-time or part-time. Students can take part in a study or traineeship placement.  
  • Recent Graduates: Students who have graduated (UG, PGT, PGR) within the last 12 months from Lancaster, Bailrigg UK, can carry out a traineeship abroad. 

Eligibility Mobilities

Students can undertake study and work placements abroad. These placements can last for a minimum of four weeks (28 calendar days) up to a maximum of 12 months and must take place between 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2024. Please note that placement(s) length is calculated from the day that the student is required to be on their placement(s) till the final day they are required to be present, the day(s) that students travel to and from their placement country, will not be calculated. 

Eligibility Notes

Those not usually eligible for Turing funding this academic year: 

  • Students and recent graduates completing study or work overseas in their home country unless an exceptional case of hardship is made and approved.  
  • Students who received a Turing Scheme grant in the previous academic year for a duration of 3-months or more.  

How much funding could I get?

The amount of funding provided towards the cost of living for each participant will vary depending on the sector and destination country/territory.

Destination countries/territories will be grouped into three categories:

  • Group 1 (high cost of living)
  • Group 2 (medium cost of living)
  • Group 3 (lower cost of living)

Below you can find details of which countries/territories are in each group.

Accordion

Grant Rates

The rates that will be provided for the cost of living are:

Placement Duration

Country Group

Rates

4 to 8 weeks

Group 1

£545 per month (equal to £136.25 per week)

Group 2 & 3

£480 per month (equal to £120 per week)

9 weeks to 12 months

Group 1

£380 per month

Group 2 & 3

£335 per month

Please note that placement(s) lasting 9 weeks to 12 months will receive the rates identified for this category for the full duration of the mobility and not the higher rate for the initial period of 8 weeks

Widening Participation

Students from less advantaged backgrounds are less likely to spend a period of their degree overseas than students from more advantaged backgrounds. The Turing Scheme recognises widening access opportunities as a key priority, so in order to increase the participation of disadvantaged groups Widening Participation (WP) students who meet the following criteria may be eligible for an additional enhanced grant.

Tab Content: WP Criteria

The information provided in the application in relation to the criteria below will be checked with the relevant Lancaster University central teams to confirm eligibility.

In order to be eligible for Widening Participation on Turing Scheme, we ask that you meet at least one of our widening participation criteria below:

  • Low-income background (An annual household income of £30k or less)
  • POLAR 4 Quintile 1
  • Students receiving Universal Credit or income-related benefits because they are financially supporting themselves or financially supporting themselves and someone who
  • Care leavers and students who are care-experienced
  • Students who have caring responsibilities
  • Estranged students Neither of the student's parents can be found or it is not reasonably practicable to get in touch with either of them (estranged students)
  • Refugees and asylum seekers

Tab Content: Additional WP Rate

Students meeting the disadvantaged background criteria outlined in the WP criteria section will receive an additional £110 per month for their cost-of-living grant. As such, the total cost of living grant funding provided to students from disadvantaged backgrounds will be as follows:

Placement Duration

Country Group

Rates

4 to 8 weeks

Group 1

£655 per month (equal to £163.75 per week)

Group 2 & 3

£590 per month (equal to £147.50 per week)

9 weeks to 12 months

Group 1

£490 per month

Group 2 & 3

£445 per month

Students who meet the criteria will also receive funding as a contribution toward the cost of travel. This will be dependent on the distance between the University and the destination provider (the placement host) as outlined below:

  • 10 to 99km: £20
  • 100 to 499km: £165
  • 500 to 1,999km: £250
  • 2,000 to 2,999km: £325
  • 3,000 to 3,999km: £480
  • 4,000 to 7,999km: £745
  • 8,000 to 12,000km: £905
  • 12,000km+: £1,360

Participants from disadvantaged backgrounds across all sectors will receive funding for exceptional costs. Exceptional costs are calculated on an actual cost basis and are specifically for any additional costs incurred to support the participation of disadvantaged participants. Funding covers costs such as passports, visas, and insurance, as necessary.

Students with special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities

For students with special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities to access the Turing Scheme, such participants can have up to 100% of their actual costs met for support that directly relates to their additional needs and mobility.

Notes

All information provided above may be subject to change.

Lancaster University Global Experiences Funding Team

Welcome Centre, Bowland College, Lancaster University LA1 4YT

E: globalexperiencesfunding@lancaster.ac.uk