Minister for Children and Families (): Following the decision
to leave the EU and the related end of our association with the
Erasmus+ scheme, the last government introduced the Turing
Scheme. The scheme has been the UK Government's global programme
for students to study and work abroad, funding students studying
across the UK and British Overseas Territories, in higher
education, further education and schools.
The scheme is about to start its sixth year and applicant
education providers will shortly be informed of the outcome of
their application. I can confirm a budget of up to £78 million
for the Turing Scheme for the 2026/27 academic year.
The Government's decision to associate with Erasmus+ in 2027 will
build on the Turing Scheme's success in opening up world-class
opportunities for learners, educators, young people and
communities, while further strengthening our partnership with the
European Union. Our renewed participation in Erasmus+ will
increase the opportunities available to young people across the
UK. We will therefore transition to this broad, expanded Erasmus+
in the 2027/28 academic year, ending the Turing Scheme as
Erasmus+ placements begin.
The Turing Scheme has delivered strong outcomes in widening
access to international opportunities, with the proportion of
students funded who are from a disadvantaged background
increasing from 39% in 2021/22 to 56% in 2024/25, with an
estimated 61% planned in 2025/26. It has also provided additional
funding for students with special educational needs and
disabilities (SEND), Additional Support Needs (ASN) or Additional
Learning Needs (ALN).
We will build on the success of the Turing Scheme through
maximising the opportunities our association to Erasmus+ brings,
including supporting the participation of students from
disadvantaged backgrounds or with additional needs. Erasmus+
offers a broader scope of activity than the Turing Scheme,
providing opportunities not only for students but also for staff,
and extends to the adult education, youth and sport sectors. The
programme also supports a wide range of institutional
partnerships and policy development. These activities help drive
quality, encourage research links and enhance international
reputation.
Like the Turing Scheme, Erasmus+ offers additional funding to
help participants with fewer opportunities, including those from
disadvantaged backgrounds, take part in mobility opportunities.
We expect that over 100,000 people in the UK could benefit from
mobility and partnership opportunities through Erasmus+
participation in 2027.
Erasmus+ participants can travel to any European Union member
state, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, North Macedonia,
Serbia, and Türkiye. As part of Erasmus+, grant holders in some
sectors can also allocate up to 20% of project funding to support
international mobilities to some countries that are not
associated with the programme. Erasmus+ also supports global
collaboration through partnership projects, with opportunities to
involve non-partner countries under certain actions.
