In 2019 we ran a campaign urging the UK government to fully associate to the future Erasmus+ programme as part of the negotiations with the EU.
However, the government decided to set up a national scheme, the Turing Scheme, announced on 24 December, 2020.
Why is offering study abroad opportunities important?
Studying abroad supports social mobility
Students who study abroad outperform their peers academically and professionally. They are:
- 19% more likely to gain a first class degree
- 20% less likely to be unemployed
- 10% more likely to be in ‘graduate’ jobs six months after graduation
For those from underrepresented and disadvantaged groups the benefits are even more pronounced:
- Black, Asian and minority ethnic students who studied abroad are 17% more likely to be in ‘graduate’ jobs six months after graduation
- mature students who participated in these programmes earn 10% more than their peers
It invests in our future economy
An investment in an international experience for our students now is an investment in the future of our economy. Without the international opportunities offered through schemes Turing, the UK’s workforce will not be equipped to meet the changing needs of our economy post-Brexit.
Research by the CBI has found that:
- seven out of ten small- and medium-sized enterprises believe that future executives will need foreign language skills and international experience
- 39% of employers are dissatisfied with graduates’ intercultural awareness
- 49% of employers are dissatisfied with graduates’ language skills
Young people will miss out on opportunities
Without this funding, 35,000 young people will miss out on opportunities to study, work or volunteer abroad next year.
It supports the government's plans for a global Britain
With exit from the EU, the government has ambitious plans for a global Britain – committing to study abroad funding is central to achieving this vision.