Turing Scheme
The Turing Scheme is the UK government’s scheme to provide funding opportunities for students to carry out approved study, work or volunteering opportunities world-wide. By participating in the Turing Scheme students will be given the chance to develop new skills, gain vital international experience and boost their employability skills.
Turing Scheme funding is available on a competitive basis for students going on a study or work abroad placement that is from 28 days up to a maximum of 12 months in duration to help them make the most of their time abroad.
Turing FAQs
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How do I apply for Turing Scheme funding for 2024/25?
The University has secured funding for the 2024/25 academic year. This bid is based on applications from faculty and academic staff. If you are going abroad in the 2024/25 academic year please notify your study adviser in the first instance.
The Global Opportunities Team will then contact eligible students with guidance on how to apply for funding.
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How much funding will I receive?
Duration is calculated from the first day a student is required to be at their place of study or work until the last date they need to be present. The grant can vary depending on the destination country and whether you meet the criteria under the scheme for additional support as a student from a disadvantaged background. The exact amount of funding you will receive will be outlined in your Student Grant Agreement.
Grant Rates
The amount of funding provided towards the cost of living for each participant will vary depending on the sector and destination country/territory.
Destination countries/territories will be grouped into two categories:
- Group 1 (higher cost of living)
- Group 2 (lower cost of living)
For a list of countries and categories see the Turing List of Destinations and Grant Rates webpage.
The rates that will be provided are:
Cost of living rates Country Group Period Rates Group 1 Placements lasting 4-8 weeks £19 per day Group 2 Placements lasting 4-8 weeks £17 per day Group 1 Placements lasting more than 8 weeks £14 per day Group 2 Placements lasting more than 8 weeks £12 per day Please note that placements lasting more than 8 weeks will receive the rates identified for this category for the full duration of the mobility, including the first 8 weeks.
Additional Financial Support
Students who meet the specific criteria for additional financial support as a student with Widening Access and Participation background will be entitled to receive a higher cost of living grant as outlined below:
Cost of living rates for Widening Access and Participation students Country Group Period Rates Group 1 Placements lasting 4-8 weeks £23 per day Group 2 Placements lasting 4-8 weeks £21 per day Group 1 Placements lasting more than 8 weeks £18 per day Group 2 Placements lasting more than 8 weeks £16 per day Placement Travel Funding
Students who meet the specific criteria for additional financial support as a student with Widening Access and Participation (WP) background are also eligible to receive extra Placement Travel Funding to support their travel costs. This amount is based on actual cost of travel or a maximum amount set by the UK Government, whichever is the lesser amount. Receipts will be required.
Readiness to Travel Funding
Students from a WP background are also eligible to receive additional funding support for other costs that they have incurred in order to be able to travel. These could include any of the below:
- Cost of applying for a new passport, if you have not previously held a passport.
- Cost of renewal of your passport, if you require a renewal in order to take part in your mobility.
- Cost of visa application
- Cost of any necessary or required vaccinations
- Cost of any independent travel insurance
Receipts will be required to claim this financial support.
All WP students will be contacted by Global Opportunities regarding both the Travel Funding and the Readiness to Travel Funding.
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How do I know if I am from a Widening Access and Participation background?
You will be eligible for a higher rate of Turing Scheme funding if you meet one of the criteria below:
- You are in receipt of an Ulster University Access Bursary
- You come from a low income household or low socioeconomic status (including those with an annual household income of £25,000 or less)
- You receive income-related benefits or Universal Credit and are financially supporting yourself or financially supporting yourself and someone who is dependent on you, such as a child or partner
- You are from a background of care or are a care leaver
- You have caring responsibilities
- You have no living parents
- Your parents cannot be found or it is not reasonably practicable to get in touch with either of them (estranged students)
- You are a refugee or asylum seeker
Proof of the above criteria will be required as part of your application.
Find out more information on Turing's Widening Access and Participation criteria.
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How will my grant be paid?
This information is provisional for 2024/25 and will be confirmed once the funding outcome has been received by the University.
The Turing Scheme grant will be paid directly to your bank account in two allocations.
The first allocation will amount to 80% of your total grant and will be paid when you have completed and submitted the following:
- Approval for Turing Scheme Placement form
- The ‘Before the Mobility’ section of your Learning Agreement for Traineeship/Studies
- Your Signed Student Grant Agreement
- Your signed Certificate of Arrival
The remainder of your grant will be paid to you when you have successfully completed your placement and submitted the following within 10 days of your mobility end date:
- The ‘After the Mobility’ section of your Learning Agreement for Traineeship/Studies
- Your signed Certificate of Completion
- The Turing Participant Survey
You can find these documents below.
All forms to be submitted to the Global Opportunities Team
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What about my tuition fees?
If your Turing study placement or traineeship is at least 24 weeks long (168 days), you will be entitled to a placement tuition fee waiver for the academic year 2024/25. This means that you will not pay any placement tuition fees to Ulster University.
If your Turing study placement or traineeship is less than 24 weeks long, you will pay full tuition fees to Ulster University for the academic year.
You may become ineligible for a placement tuition fee waiver if you fail to submit all documents as required.
The grant does not replace the standard student loans or grants to which you are entitled. If you normally receive a maintenance/tuition loan, you should continue to apply to your relevant Student Finance company as normal.
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What are my responsibilities as a Turing Scheme student?
As an Ulster student in receipt of a Turing Scheme grant, you will be required to:
- Keep in touch with the Global Opportunities Team, as well as your Ulster study adviser / placement tutor
- Inform us of any placement changes, such as, but not limited to: start date, end date, location.
- If you return early from your Turing placement, if you fail your year abroad, or if you breach the terms of your Turing Grant Agreement, it is likely that you will have to return some or all of your Turing grant.
- Complete all required documentation within the appropriate time-frame; if you do not, you should be aware that you may be considered ineligible to have received the grant and will be asked to return any money you have already been paid.
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Change of circumstances on your year abroad
If you return early from your Turing placement or if you contravene the terms of your Turing Grant Agreement, it is likely that you will have to return some or all of your Turing grant.
In any of these cases, you must let the Global Opportunities team know as soon as possible of any changes in your situation which may affect your eligibility to receive a grant.
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Can International Students apply?
Yes. Registered students from all nationalities and backgrounds are welcome to apply for the Turing Scheme.
Forms and Documents - 2024/25
Completion of all the relevant documents is a compulsory part of your participation in the Turing Scheme. Failure to complete any item may have consequences for your grant payments, up to and including full repayment or withholding of funds.
Please note, for all forms requiring a signature that we accept electronic signatures, however typed signatures cannot be accepted and their use may result in a delay to your application being processed.
If you have questions about your Turing Scheme grant or the required documentation, please contact the Global Opportunities team.
Document | Description | Due date |
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This form needs to be signed by your Study Adviser or Placement Tutor to approve your placement. | Your fully signed Approval form must be returned to the Global Opportunities Team before your start date. | |
Learning Agreement for Traineeships | The Learning Agreement outlines the programme of study/work that you will follow. You will need to complete the 'Before the mobility' section before you start your placement. | Your fully signed 'Before the mobility' section of the Learning Agreement must be returned to the Global Opportunities Team by email before the first day of your placement. |
Student Grant Agreement | A contract which you must sign in order to qualify for the Turing Scheme grant. A personalised agreement will be sent to your Ulster email address. | Before the first day of your placement. |
For students to complete before they commence their mobility programme. | Before the first day of your placement. | |
Medical Disclosure Form | The aim of this form is to help ensure your health and safety whilst on your placement abroad. | At least 2 weeks before your placement. |
This is a mandatory form for all students spending a semester or a year studying at a partner institution or working abroad outside of the Republic of Ireland or UK. | At least 2 weeks before your placement. | |
Confirmation that you have arrived and begun your placement. | As soon as you arrive at your placement. | |
Learning Agreement for Traineeships | The 'During Mobility' section of the Learning Agreement - To be completed if/when you make changes to the course choices or type of work stated in your 'Before the mobility' section of the Learning Agreement. | As applicable throughout your placement. |
For students to complete once they have ended their mobility programme. | Within 10 days of the end of your placement. | |
Learning Agreement for Traineeships | Traineeships - The Trainee Certificate recognises your work with the host institution and confirms the start and end date of your placement. | Within 10 days of the end of your placement. |
Confirmation that you have successfully completed your placement. | Within 10 days of the end of your placement. |