UK Student Finance and the Turing Scheme: Funding a Term Abroad in Europe

What replaced Erasmus+ for UK students

The UK left Erasmus+ after Brexit. Since the 2021-22 academic year, UK students go on exchange or placement in Europe through the Turing Scheme instead, a UK government programme run by the Department for Education. It funds outward mobility only, there is no reciprocal funding for EU students coming to the UK, and it does not guarantee a tuition waiver at your host university the way some Erasmus+ agreements did. Check with your host institution whether you owe any additional tuition on top of your UK fees.

How much you can get

Turing Scheme grants cover a contribution to living costs and travel, calculated by your university based on your destination and the length of your placement. Host countries and territories sit in two cost groups, Group 1 for higher cost-of-living destinations and Group 2 for lower cost ones , and your grant rate follows the group. A separate one-off travel grant scales with distance to your destination, from around £250 for shorter trips up to £1,360 for the furthest ones.

For the 2025-26 academic year, the national Turing Scheme budget is £78 million. Your placement needs to run for at least 14 days and take place between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026 to qualify.

Enhanced funding for underrepresented backgrounds

If you meet one or more criteria for underrepresented backgrounds, including a household income of £25,000 or less for UK nationals, your university can apply for a top-up on the standard grant rate plus an additional travel grant. Ask your international office whether you meet the criteria before you submit your placement application, this funding is allocated by the university, not claimed individually.

What Student Finance England still pays

Your tuition fee loan and your eligibility for a maintenance loan continue while you study abroad as part of your UK degree. The maintenance loan for time spent studying abroad pays a higher rate than the standard away-from-home rate, reflecting the extra cost of living outside the UK, up to £12,076 for the 2025-26 academic year at the maximum household income threshold.

Turing Scheme funding is a grant, not a loan, so it does not add to what you owe and does not reduce your Student Finance entitlement. Combine both: apply for your Turing Scheme place through your university's global opportunities office, and update your Student Finance application with your study or placement abroad dates so your loan gets recalculated at the correct rate.

How Turing differs from the old Erasmus+ deal

Erasmus+ paid EU-funded grants directly, and many partner universities waived tuition fees reciprocally for exchange students. Turing pays UK-funded grants only, for outgoing UK students, funds work placements as well as study exchanges, and leaves tuition arrangements to be agreed between universities on a case-by-case basis rather than guaranteed by the scheme itself.

Extra costs Turing does not cover

Since the UK is no longer in the EU, you may need a student visa or residence permit for a placement or exchange longer than 90 days in most European countries, plus proof of health insurance. Factor these costs in early, Turing and Student Finance do not automatically cover visa fees.

Who qualifies for a place

Turing Scheme places are open to Home, EU, and international students studying an undergraduate, postgraduate taught, or postgraduate research degree at a UK university that holds Turing Scheme funding. Your university decides how many places it has and how it selects students, competition varies a lot between universities and courses, so ask your department early rather than assuming a place is guaranteed.

Turing Scheme grants are paid to you as a contribution toward costs, not as taxable income, and receiving one does not affect your Student Finance means test. Keep your grant offer letter and any payment schedule your university gives you, you may need to show proof of funding when you apply for a visa.

Placements as well as study exchanges

Turing funds work placements and internships abroad, not only university exchanges. If you take an approved work placement as part of your course, the same grant structure applies, calculated by destination group and length of stay, so check with your careers or placements office as well as your study abroad team.

Applying

• Confirm your placement or exchange with your university's international office first, Turing funding is allocated to universities, not individual students directly

• Check whether your destination sits in Group 1 or Group 2 on the official gov.uk list, this affects your grant amount

• Update your Student Finance England account with your study-abroad dates so your loan is recalculated at the higher rate

• Ask about underrepresented-background top-ups if your household income is £25,000 or less