UK announces new scheme to replace Erasmus+

As the UK barrels towards Brexit, students across the country will no longer be able to take part in the EU-wide Erasmus+ exchange programme.

This comes as the UK fails to reach an agreement over its post-Brexit membership and has recently announced a new scheme to take its place.

The new Turing scheme, announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson is a £100 million initiative developed to support students to study and work abroad.

Johnson announced that this scheme, named after Alan Turing, will allow students to participate in exchange programmes at the best universities in the world, and not exclusively in Europe.

This new scheme will enable thousands of British students to study and participate in work placements across the globe by providing funding to as many as 35,000 students in universities, colleges, and schools to go on placements and exchanges overseas, from September 2021.

The new scheme is set to make life-changing opportunities accessible to everyone across the country – This scheme will target students from disadvantaged backgrounds and zero in on providing opportunities to students who has previously failed to benefit from the Erasmus+ scheme.

The structure of this new programme itself is similar to Erasmus+ and will provide the same opportunities for students to study and work abroad.

The added advantage of this scheme is its inclusion of a more diverse range of placement countries across the world as it aims to deliver greater value for money to taxpayers.

Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson said that this new scheme will allow the UK to expand opportunities to study abroad and will also benefit students from diverse backgrounds.

He added that the government has 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” and the benefits of this scheme will be felt not just by students and employers but will also strengthen the ties the UK has with its partners all over the world.

In essence, the new Turing scheme will allow the UK to reap the rewards from the investment, by boosting students’ skills and prospects, benefitting UK employers, and supporting Global Britain’s ties with international partners.

Universities UK International Director, Vivienne Stern said that the new Turing scheme will benefit students who are the least advantaged, as evidence shows that students with international experience tend to do better academically and in employment.

This sentiment is echoed by International Education Champion, Sir Steve Smith who commented that the scheme that offers a chance for students and learners in schools, colleges, and universities to experience new cultures and develop new skills.

As the new Turing scheme comes into effect, organisations in the UK will be invited to bid on the scheme in early 2021.

Successful applications will receive funding for administering the scheme and students taking part will receive grants to help them with the costs of their international experience.

To meet delivery timescales, universities, colleges, and schools are encouraged to begin preparation with international partners as soon as possible.