Government issues record grant to University of Leicester to help students study abroad

The University of Leicester has been awarded over £1 million from the UK Government’s Turing Scheme to support international placements in 2023/24.

The grant is the single largest ever awarded to the University to support international placements for students and is just over double what was awarded in 2022/23.

It means that more than 300 University of Leicester students will be able to broaden their horizons through a range of study and work placements abroad during the 2023/24 academic year. These placements will last between four weeks and 12 months abroad.

Through the Scheme, students will receive Cost of Living financial support to go abroad, with a focus on students from widening participation backgrounds, ensuring that international mobility opportunities become accessible for all.

The awarding of the grant represents the success of the Study Abroad Unit and the wider University to recognise the impact that can be generated through inspiring and inclusive international experiences.

Reed James, a University of Leicester year abroad student said: “I think above all other skills, I gained adaptability by being able to successfully study abroad and adapt to both different learning styles and also different cultures.” 

PhD student, Cemre Kadioglu Kemtepe said: “I am very grateful for the opportunity. I believe I built strong academic and personal ties with other researchers in my field.

“I gained confidence in my studies and my skills. I am much more motivated to carry on with my studies.”

Another PhD student, Molly Wells, said: “I always knew that I wanted to work abroad at some point, but the pressure of choosing a country and committing to a job contract before experiencing living in the country has felt extremely daunting.

“Thanks to this opportunity, I have gained an insight into what it would be like to move abroad, specifically to Sweden, and be immersed in a new culture whilst also working.

“This has enhanced my ability to work in new situations with new people and has also built up my confidence. I believe that I am more employable now as I have shown that I can adapt and work in a new environment, and excel.

“Specifically, I feel that I have significantly increased my chances of being hired by the Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics group at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm and have created strong connections with those that work there.”

Pawel Jelonek said: “Overall this experience has helped me a lot in getting out of my comfort zone and becoming more adaptable and open to experiences which would be useful for employers.”

Shukriya Saher said: “Academically, I've been able to explore new areas of chemistry which may not have been covered in my own course. I've also had the opportunity to work in a research lab with PhD students, which has given me insight into whether I want to do a PhD and what areas interest me. This freedom of exploration has made me more certain of what I want to do after university.”