The Turing Scheme

Plan inspiring, fully funded international experiences that broaden horizons and bring learning to life.

The UK Turing Scheme has opened up life‑changing international opportunities for schools, colleges and universities. But for many educators, understanding what the Turing Scheme is, how it works, and how to apply successfully can feel complex and time‑consuming.

That’s why we have created a free, practical Guide to Turing Funding - designed to help UK educators plan meaningful overseas student experiences in 2026 with confidence.

Download your free Guide to Turing Funding

What’s inside:

A clear, jargon-free explanation of what the Turing Scheme is and how it works
How Turing funds are awarded and what assessors are looking for
Eligibility criteria for institutions and participants
A breakdown of the application process and timeline

Fill in your details below and we'll send the guide straight to your inbox.

What is the Turing Scheme?

The Turing Scheme is the UK government’s primary funding programme for international education. Unlike previous EU-focused schemes, Turing is global, allowing schools to fund life-changing trips to destinations anywhere in the world - from Costa Rica to Cambodia.

What does it fund?

The scheme provides grant funding to cover:

Travel costs (flights, visas, passports)
Living costs (accommodation, meals, daily expenses)
Organisational support (admin and management fees)

Who is it for?

It is designed to level the playing field. The scheme heavily prioritises "Widening Participation," offering significantly higher funding rates for students from disadvantaged backgrounds (including those eligible for Free School Meals or with SEND).

Eligible experiences

For secondary schools and colleges, this covers:

International field trips and expeditions
Curriculum-enrichment visits (e.g., Geography, Biology, Languages)
Short-term volunteering and service-learning projects

What about Erasmus? (Important update for educators)

Turing Scheme: volunteer abroad with children

The UK government has announced plans for the UK to rejoin the Erasmus programme from 2027.

While details are still being finalised, Erasmus is expected to replace or significantly reshape the current Turing Scheme once reintroduced.

What this means for you:

Turing funding remains the main option for 2026 international programmes
Educators searching for Erasmus funding information may still need to apply via Turing in the short term
Planning ahead now ensures your students don’t miss out on funded overseas opportunities

Our guide explains how the current funding landscape works - helping you plan with clarity during this transition period.

Who is this guide for?

This guide is designed exclusively for UK education professionals and administrators responsible for planning institutional funding bids.

It is ideal for:

Secondary school teachers and senior leaders
Further education and sixth form colleges
Universities and higher education providers
Careers leaders and enrichment coordinators
Anyone researching Turing Scheme or Erasmus funding for international student trips

Why work with Projects Abroad?

Projects Abroad has over 30 years’ experience delivering inspiring, safe and meaningful international programmes that help young people grow in confidence, skills, and global awareness.

We support educators with:

Programme design aligned to learning outcomes
Risk assessments and safeguarding
On‑the‑ground support in destinations worldwide
Experience supporting Turing‑funded educational travel

As experts in educational travel, we can help you navigate the funding and compliance processes, and partner with you to create unforgettable international experiences for your students - something that will shape their personal and educational pathways.