Leicester celebrates continued success with the Turing Scheme

The University of Leicester is proud to announce it has secured over £900,000 further funding through the UK Government’s Turing Scheme. 

The funding marks the University’s fifth consecutive year of success delivering transformative opportunities for students through the scheme - the UK’s global study and work abroad programme, aiming to widen access to opportunities by funding placements worldwide and boosting students’ confidence, employability, and global outlook. 

More than 80,000 UK Higher Education students have taken part so far, and the Year 1 report found that over 90% of participants identified enhanced career prospects and intercultural skills after their placement.

In its first four years, Leicester supported over 1,100 students access to life-changing international experiences through this funding support. Now, with this latest award, a further 370 students will be able to take up international placements - bringing the University’s total to nearly 1,500 global changemakers in just five years. 

Leicester continues to lead the way in international mobility, maintaining a significant share of the national Turing Scheme budget and enabling students to take up international placements by making them more affordable.

Dr Fiona Ashmore, Senior Study Abroad Officer and Turing Scheme lead at the University of Leicester, said: “I am incredibly proud of this outcome. It reflects Leicester’s continued strength in delivering impactful international placements. The feedback we received on our bid was a clear endorsement of our thoughtful, experienced, and student-focused approach.”

The Turing Scheme is now central to Leicester’s internationalisation strategy, helping to deliver inclusive, accessible global placements. From the traditional 'Year Abroad' to 'Year in Industry' international placements, overseas electives in Diagnostic Radiography, Medicine, Midwifery, Nursing, Physiotherapy, PGT and PGR research placements, and an expansive suite of short-term, extra-curricular overseas experiences (such as summer schools and volunteering abroad), the placements it supports reflect student diversity.

Crucially, the University prioritises funding for those who need it most - students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds, underpinned by an Access and Participation Plan. Now, it is on track to deliver its largest mobility project to date, supporting over 500 international placements across continents and disciplines, with an expected:

• 30% of participants from disadvantaged backgrounds

• 11% from IMD Q1 (the bottom 20% of areas in the UK, as measured by the Index of Multiple Deprivation)

• 62% identifying as ABMO (Asian, Black, Mixed, or Other ethnic backgrounds)

• 21% identifying as having a special educational need and/or disability (SEND)

The figures reflect Leicester’s ongoing commitment to widening participation. 

Faith Hay, who recently finished her year abroad at James Madison University in the USA, is among those to benefit from the scheme.

She said: “Studying abroad through the Turing Scheme has been one of the best experiences of my life and I would encourage future students to pursue a year abroad. The Turing Scheme has been so impactful, taking away financial pressure while abroad and enabling me to come here.”

Yi-Ru Guo, a PhD candidate and participant in a research placement at Erasmus University Rotterdam this year added: “Overall, the Turing Scheme offers a transformative experience that goes far beyond academic gain. It fosters adaptability, critical thinking, and a global outlook—qualities that are essential for today’s students.”