Turing Scheme

The Turing Scheme is a UK government funding programme to enable students to participate in international study and work placements abroad. The Turing Scheme has currently been confirmed as running for 4 academic years - 2021/22 to 2024/25 - and is available to support university-approved overseas placements with a minimum duration of 4 weeks and a maximum duration of 12 months.

Individual student funding comprises of a contribution towards living costs and is calculated based on the cost of living in the host country and the duration of the placement.

A higher level of funding is available for students from lower income backgrounds both as a higher contribution towards living costs as well as a contribution towards travel costs (where this annot be claimed from other sources).

2024/25 placements

*UPDATE* The University of Manchester has underwritten funding for students from lower income backgrounds undertaking international placements in 2024/25.

The University of Manchester will be submitting an application for Turing funding to support students undertaking international placements in 2024/25. Outcomes of this application are expected to be released in early summer 2024. However, the University of Manchester has committed to underwriting funding for students with a household income of £35,000 or less. This means that students meeting the below criteria will receive funding for their placement, regardless of the outcome of the University's Turing Scheme application. 

To be eligible for funding the placement must:

•  be a minimum of 28 days long (excluding travel days to/from the placement);
• be approved and supported by The University of Manchester;
• be part of your programme of study;
• not be taking place in your country of domicile.

 To be eligible for this funding students must:

•  be a fully-registered undergraduate of the University;
• have ‘Home’ fee status;
• have a household income of £35,000 or less (based on your household income assessment through Student Finance in either 23/24 or 24/25 where this data has been released to the University)

Funding for students meeting these criteria undertaking placements of 9+ weeks in duration in 2024/25 amounts to £448 per month for lower cost of living (group 2) countries and £504 per month for higher cost of living (group 1) countries. The cost of living groups are determined by the Department for Education and a list can be found here. Please note that no days spent abroad before 1 September 2024 or after 31 August 2025 can be funded.

Any questions regarding funding can be directed to turingscheme@manchester.ac.uk. Questions about going abroad more generally can be directed to goabroad@manchester.ac.uk 

2023/24 placements

Eligibility

The University of Manchester has been successful in applying for Turing Scheme funding to financially support students undertaking international placements in 2023/24.

As the Turing Scheme prioritises funding for students from disadvantaged and under-represented backgrounds, the University of Manchester will distribute funding based on the below criteria:

• Students must have ‘Home’ fee status
• Students must not be undertaking their placement in their Country of Domicile
• Students must have a household income of less than £35,000 (as assessed by Student Finance) OR have been eligible for contextual admissions at the point of entry to the University and have a household income of less than £62,343 (in line with the upper limit for being awarded an income-based increase to the minimum maintenance loan)

Placements must also:

• Take place outside of the UK
• last a minimum of 28 days between 1st September 2023 and 31st August 2024
• have received travel approval

All students undertaking full year or semester-long placements who meet these criteria have been contacted by email.

If you believe that you meet these eligibility criteria but have not received an email regarding your eligibility assessment, please contact turingscheme@manchester.ac.uk and we will look into this.

Where any additional funding becomes available throughout the year, we will distribute this on an ongoing basis based on household income where this has been assessed and shared with the university.

Medicine and Nursing students will have their eligibility assessed once their placement application has been approved by their School. Eligible students will then be contacted directly via email.

Applications for the PGR Turing Scholars schehave now closed and applicants will be notified at the end of February. 

Information for students receiving Turing funding

PAPERWORK

What paperwork will I have to complete?

You will be expected to complete a Grant Agreement, Certificate of Arrival and Certificate of Attendance and confirm your bank details.

The Grant Agreement is your contract with the University and it details the terms and conditions of Turing Scheme funding. Please read this carefully before completing, and make sure that the information you provide (i.e. your placement dates) is as accurate as possible.

Confirmation of Bank Details can be provided by uploading your bank nominated bank details to your Student Centre. In addition, the UNIV: Turing Scheme Bank Details Confirmation must be completed in order to confirm that you have uploaded details of your nominated bank account.

The Certificate of Arrival confirms your exact placement or exchange start date and your predicted end date and is completed at the start of your placement. This document enables us to calculate your grant entitlement, as your grant is based upon your duration spent at your host. This can only be completed once you have arrived at your host organisation or institution, and must be signed and stamped by an authorised signatory (i.e. a member of staff from the International Office or HR staff member).

The Certificate of Attendance confirms your exact placement or exchange end date and is completed at the end of your placement. Similarly, to the Certificate of Arrival, this enables us to calculate your exact entitlement for the period you spent abroad. This must also be signed and stamped by an authorised signatory at your host organisation or institution.

Where can I find paperwork on My Placement?

Your Grant Agreement, Certificate of Arrival, Certificate of Attendance and the Bank Details Confirmation Questionnaire can all be found in your placement record.

Is there a deadline to complete paperwork by?

The Grant Agreement and Confirmation of Bank Details should be completed before the start of your placement or exchange. We would recommend completing both of these as soon as possible to avoid delays in receiving funding.

The Certificate of Arrival can only be completed once you have arrived at your host destination. This must be completed within 21 days of your arrival.

The Certificate of Attendance must be completed at the end of your placement or exchange. This should be completed no earlier than 7 calendar days before your end date, and no later than 21 calendar days after.

Other sources of funding

Students receiving Turing funding can make up the difference between their Turing funding and their actual costs via other sources but MUST NOT claim for any actual costs (e.g. flights, visas etc) through more than one source of funding.

 

General Frequently Asked Questions 

Going on an international exchange is an invaluable experience that gives students the opportunity to learn more about their area of study and soft skills which can increase employability prospects after graduation. 

 See what our students have to say:

 "I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to go abroad as part of my studies. It’s really broadened my outlook on how university experiences can be so different and also improved my confidence and competence in being able to adapt well to new environments" - Sian Keag, University of California

"Going abroad allowed me to experience a new culture, practice my language skills and gain a newfound independence. The funding schemes from university were really helpful in allowing me to truly enjoy my time abroad" - Tanyaradzwa Dhliwayo, Industrial Experience in Toulouse

Any queries regarding the Turing Scheme can be sent to turingscheme@manchester.ac.uk