Introduction
Are you a UK student planning to study in France? The Turing Scheme is the program that took the place of Erasmus+ in the UK after Brexit, funding study periods and work placements abroad. It ran from the 2021 to 2022 academic year through 2026 to 2027, its final year: from 2027, UK providers apply for Erasmus+ funding again.
So this article does two things: it explains how the Turing Scheme worked over those six academic years, and it points you to the right route for a placement in France from 2027 to 2028 onwards.
Ready to start planning? Let’s dive in! 😊
What is the Turing Scheme?
The Turing Scheme is the international mobility program the UK government created to replace Erasmus+. Providers could submit their first applications on 12 March 2021, for placements from September 2021, that is the 2021 to 2022 academic year. It set out to give British students the chance to study or intern abroad with financial support. Unlike Erasmus+, the Turing Scheme was not reciprocal, meaning it was only open to UK students.
Its last round is the 2026 to 2027 academic year. The UK government has stated that the scheme will not operate in the 2027 to 2028 academic year, and that from 2027 providers can seek funding for international placements through Erasmus+.
Key Objectives of the Program
- Allow as many British students as possible to gain international experience.
- Provide financial support, especially to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Encourage exchanges with a wide range of global destinations beyond Europe.
Who Can Benefit from the Turing Scheme?
The program was open to:
- Students and apprentices enrolled at UK providers (universities, colleges, and higher education institutions).
- Participants in exchange programs or internships abroad, organized by their institution.
- Students of all levels, including undergraduates, postgraduates, and vocational learners.
To be eligible, you had to be enrolled at an education provider in the United Kingdom and take part in an exchange program or internship recognized by that provider. You did not need to be a UK national.
As for staff, the scheme did not fund mobility of their own for teachers: it funded the adults accompanying pupils on school and further education placements, where that was required.
Differences Between the Turing Scheme and Erasmus+
The Turing Scheme and Erasmus+ shared a common goal of encouraging student mobility, but they differed in a few key ways:
Strengths of the Turing Scheme
- More Destinations: Unlike Erasmus+, which centres on Europe, the Turing Scheme supported destinations worldwide 🌍
- Flexibility: UK institutions could send students to any country taking part in the program.
Limitations of the Turing Scheme
- No Reciprocity: Students from France (or other countries) could not use this program to study in the UK.
- Less Structured Exchanges: Erasmus+ offers well-established exchange frameworks between partner institutions, which was not always the case with Turing.
The Unique Status of Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland held a place of its own in this picture. Unlike the rest of the UK, its higher education institutions could keep taking part in Erasmus+ after Brexit, thanks to funding from the Irish government of around €2 million a year, and not thanks to European Union funding.
What This Means for Students
- Dual Opportunity: While the Turing Scheme was running, students from Northern Ireland could choose between Erasmus+ and the Turing Scheme, depending on their goals and destinations.
- An Exception That Closes: From 2027, every UK provider can apply for Erasmus+ funding again, which brings Northern Ireland back in line with the rest of the country.
How to Apply for the Turing Scheme?
The steps below describe how the Turing Scheme worked up to the 2026 to 2027 academic year. For a placement from 2027 to 2028 onwards, the logic is the same with Erasmus+: the application goes through your provider, not through you.
Key Steps
- Check with your institution: Your university is responsible for submitting the funding application.
- Plan your project: Identify exchange programs or internships available in France.
- Submit your application: Once your project is approved, your institution includes it in its overall submission.
Documents to Prepare
- Proof of enrollment at a UK provider.
- Details about your program in France (host university, dates, etc.).
- Whatever your provider asks for if you qualify as a student from a disadvantaged background: that status is what unlocked the higher cost of living rate and the travel grant.
Funding and Support
What the Turing Scheme Covered
- Travel costs: A set amount per destination country, funded for higher education students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Living expenses: A grant worked out per day of the placement, higher for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Rates for France (2026 to 2027)
France sat in group 2, the group of countries treated as having the lower cost of living. For that final year, the higher education rates were:
- Placements of 14 to 56 days: £17 a day, and £21 a day for a student from a disadvantaged background.
- Placements of 57 to 365 days: £12 a day, and £16 a day for a student from a disadvantaged background. This rate applied to the whole placement, so roughly £360 a month, or £480 for a student from a disadvantaged background.
- Travel to France: £250, for students from disadvantaged backgrounds only.
These are the 2026 to 2027 rates, the scheme’s last. For a placement from 2027 to 2028 onwards, the rates are the Erasmus+ ones, and your provider shares them when you apply.
Conclusion
The Turing Scheme funded UK students coming to France to study or intern for six academic years, from 2021 to 2022 through 2026 to 2027. It funds nothing beyond that.
If you are planning a placement in France from 2027 to 2028 onwards, the route is unchanged but the funding is called Erasmus+ again: start with your institution’s international office, which is the one that applies.
Need help navigating the process? Remember, the International Student Hub is here to guide you (everything in one place, and easy to use).
Good luck with your preparations! 🙌
🔎 Sources:
- gov.uk - Overview of the Turing Scheme, 2026 to 2027
- gov.uk - Turing Scheme: guidance for higher education providers, 2026 to 2027
- gov.uk - Turing Scheme: list of destinations and grant rates, 2026 to 2027
- gov.uk - Turing Scheme: apply for funding for international placements
- gov.uk - Turing Scheme to open up global study and work opportunities (12 March 2021)
- European Commission - European Union and United Kingdom take decisive step towards Erasmus association in 2027
- gov.ie - Minister Harris announces mobility funding for Northern Ireland higher education students
- britishcouncil.org - Turing Scheme
