About the Turing Scheme
Information for Loughborough University students about the Turing Scheme mobility grant for studying/working abroad.
The information on this page applies to the 2024/25 academic year only.
The UK government has not yet confirmed if the Turing Scheme will continue after 2024/25. Information for 2025/26 will be added here as it becomes available.
The Turing Scheme is the UK government’s global funding programme for students who are studying in the UK and who wish to undertake a period of study or a work placement overseas lasting between 28 and 365 days during the period from 1 September to 31 August. Funding is provided in addition to any maintenance loans or other funding that may be given by UK student finance bodies (e.g. Student Finance England).
Loughborough University has secured Turing Scheme funding for specific international opportunities taking place in the 2024/25 academic year. Funding is not guaranteed and, in accordance with the Turing Scheme's objectives, the University will prioritise students who are typically under-represented in overseas educational/work placement opportunities.
All successful applicants will receive a Cost of Living grant for the duration of their overseas study or work placement, subject to terms and conditions. Students who meet the criteria set by the UK government's Department for Education (DFE) may be entitled to additional financial support with travel and other associated costs.
If you are planning to study or work abroad in 2025/26 and might be interested in applying for a Turing grant, check this web page over the coming months for further information.
Cost of Living grants - all students
The Turing Scheme provides eligible students with funding towards the cost of living overseas. This varies depending on the destination country, which will be classified as either Group 1 or Group 2:
- Group 1 - higher cost of living (e.g. Australia, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, USA)
- Group 2 - lower cost of living (most countries, including the majority of Europe)
Cost of living grants are calculated on a daily rate, depending on the length of the mobility:
Standard rate for mobility periods lasting between 28 and 56 days:
- Group 1 destinations: £19 per day
- Group 2 destinations: £17 per day
Standard rate for mobility periods lasting 57 days or more:
- Group 1 destinations: £14 per day
- Group 2 destinations: £12 per day
Extra support for students from under-represented groups
Eligibility
Students who meet one or more of the following criteria are eligible for additional funding from the Turing Scheme:
- Students with an annual household income of £25,000 or less. This information must be verified via a UK student finance body (e.g. Student Finance England) and made available to the University via the Student Loans Company.
- Students receiving Universal Credit or other income-related benefits.
- Care leavers/care-experienced students (anyone who has been in care or from a looked after background at any stage of their life).
- Students who are unpaid carers (they look after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, and cannot cope without their support).
- 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).
- Refugees and asylum seekers.
Cost of Living grants
Students from under-represented groups who meet the criteria for extra support are eligible for the following daily rates:
For mobility periods lasting between 28 and 56 days:
- Group 1 destinations: £23 per day
- Group 2 destinations: £21 per day
For mobility periods lasting 57 days or more:
- Group 1 destinations: £18 per day
- Group 2 destinations: £16 per day
These rates are instead of, not additional to, the standard rates above.
Readiness to Travel Funding
Additional funding may be claimed towards the costs of items such as the cost a passport, visa application and other associated costs. Receipts must be provided. Eligible applicants will be provided with further details by the Placements, Exchanges & Governance Team.
Travel Grants
Travel grants are payable up to a maximum amount for each country, ranging from £165 (Republic of Ireland) to £1360 (e.g. Australia). Travel grants are only payable upon submission of receipts to the University. The full list of destinations and grant rates is available on the DFE's Turing website.
Extra support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Additional funding may be available for applicants with special educational or additional needs or a disability. This may included students with:
- a social or communication impairment such as Asperger's syndrome or other autistic spectrum disorder
- blindness, or a serious visual impairment uncorrected by glasses
- deafness or a serious hearing impairment
- a long-standing illness or health condition, such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, chronic heart disease and epilepsy
- a mental health condition, such as depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder
- a specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or AD(H)D
- physical impairments or mobility issues, such as using a wheelchair or crutches
- a disability, impairment or medical condition that is not listed above
Turing SEND funding cannot be claimed for expenses incurred as a result of studying or working overseas which are covered by the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for Turing funding?
Loughborough University has been allocated a limited amount of funding for 2024/25 and will prioritise students in accordance with the principles of the Turing Scheme. Eligible exchange and work placement students will be contacted by the Placements, Exchanges & Governance Team with information about how to apply.
What dates should I give in my Turing application?
Turing funding will cover the period for which you are required to be overseas. Exchange students should give the start and end date for their host institution's semester/academic year, which can include any mandatory induction period before the official start of term. Students who are undertaking a work placement or internship should state the start and end dates of their employment overseas. It is not possible to claim Turing funds for additional time before or after your official start and end dates - e.g. to cover travel around the country.
My exchange/placement straddles two Turing funding years; can I apply for two lots of funding?
No. You can only apply for funding from the year in which the majority of your overseas activity takes place. For example, if you are studying abroad from 1 August to 31 December, you will be able to apply for funding for the period from 1 September to 31 December only. You will need to plan your finances accordingly.
How will I be paid?
If your application is successful, the payments will be made directly into your bank account, providing that your account details are held by the University. You must add these to the Self-Service portal and keep the information up-to-date. If you are unable to access the Self-Service portal, contact the Placements, Exchanges & Governance Team for advice. Do not send your account details via email.
What happens if my plans change?
You must inform us as soon as possible of any changes including cancellation of your plans, changes to the start and end dates, or if you intend to leave your overseas activity earlier than planned. If you have been paid more funding than you are entitled to, you will have to repay this money, unless there are exceptional circumstances which were beyond your control. The final decision on such cases is taken by the UK government's Department for Education, not Loughborough University.
If you are considering leaving your overseas activity earlier than planned, we encourage you to discuss your plans with your School/Department in the first instance.
Can I return home during the mobility period without this affecting my Turing funding?
If you are returning on an authorised break – e.g. during your host university’s vacation period, or whilst on annual leave from your employer, this is acceptable. You may not break up a mobility period for other reasons without the authorisation of the Placements, Exchanges and Governance Team (unless it is an emergency), as this may affect your funding. You must ensure that you obtain the required visa or residence permit in time for the start of your activity so that your period overseas is not interrupted.
Remote study or working outside of the country of your host institution or employer cannot be funded under the Turing Scheme.
Further Information
If you have any specific questions, contact us at exchanges@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk.
Further information about the Turing Scheme is available from the official site below: