Erasmus study abroad programme replaced by new Turing Scheme post-Brexit

By Eve Bentley-Hussey, SU Correspondent

The Government announced they will be replacing Erasmus+ with the new Turing Scheme, which will allow British students to study and do work placements abroad after Brexit.

In a press release on 26 December, the Government detailed its’ post-Brexit plans to invest £100 million for around 35,000 students to study in countries across the world.

The scheme starts in September 2021 but businesses will be invited to bid into the scheme at the start of the year to fund their administrating fee.

Students will receive a grant from the Government scheme to help their year abroad.

The scheme aims to target students from disadvantaged backgrounds and deliver greater value for taxpayer's money.

Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, said: ‘We have designed a truly international scheme which is focused on our priorities, delivers real value for money and forms an important part of our promise to level up the United Kingdom.’

Universities UK International Director, Vivienne Stern, said: ‘The new Turing scheme is a fantastic development and will provide global opportunities for up to 35,000 UK students to study and work abroad.’

International Education Champion, Sir Steve Smith, said: ‘This scheme represents a sizeable investment from the Government and I look forward to working with the Government to develop a scheme that will make real our commitment to Global Britain.’

The scheme is named after English Mathematician and Computer Scientist Alan Turing.

Funding for the scheme after 2021-2022 will be set out in future spending reviews.

This scheme is a result of the Government's decision to leave the EU Erasmus scheme for financial reasons, despite politicians such as Gordon Brown and the Universities UK International Director, Vivienne Stern, expressing opposition.

Featured Image: Joshua Daniels / Epigram

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