University reaches £3.6m Turing grants and over 2,000 student placements since scheme began

The University of Bradford has made over £3.6m in Turing grants, delivering over 2,000 overseas student placements, since the scheme first launched in 2021. 

The news comes as the Turing Scheme enters its final year, before the UK rejoins the EU-sponsored Erasmus+ in 2027. 

In its final year, Bradford was awarded £693,097 to provide 395 life-changing overseas placements to its students, the majority of whom hail from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Carlos Santos e Sousa, International Operations & Partnerships Manager, who oversees the programme, said: “Between 2021/22 and 2025/26, the University of Bradford students taking part in the Turing Scheme gained valuable overseas experiences that supported their personal, academic and professional growth. An impressive 92% (979 students) were very satisfied with the Team’s support. Through their overseas experiences, 766 students (64%) reported greater confidence in their abilities, while 652 (54%) believed their chances of securing a new or better job had increased. 

Behind these figures is something even more important: the opportunity for more University of Bradford students to develop confidence, skills, networks and global perspectives through international experiences. This achievement also reflects the tremendous collaboration that makes these opportunities possible – from building partnerships and engaging students to delivering Turing projects effectively and efficiently. 

As the Turing Scheme reaches its final year and the University prepares to participate in the Erasmus+ Programme from 2027/28, we are proud to be finishing on such a strong trajectory, continuing to widen access to international experiences and to strengthen employability prospects through global mobility”.

Gabriel Bailey, BEng Civil and Structural Engineering University of Bradford graduate on study abroad schemes in USA. All Credits: University of Bradford

Life-changing 

The University’s 2026/27 programme spans destinations across Asia, Africa, Europe and the United States, including China, South Korea, Vietnam, Egypt, Jordan, Tanzania, Japan, Rwanda, Türkiye, Kenya and many more.   

A student doing a two-week placement can receive a Turing Scheme grant of around £1,200, and a student doing a ten-month placement can receive about £7,500.  

Turing Scheme grants for the last six years include: 

Gabriel Bailey, BEng Civil and Structural Engineering University of Bradford graduate on study abroad schemes in Vietnam. All Credits: University of Bradford

Case study 

Gabriel Bailey, BEng Civil and Structural Engineering graduate

Gabriel, 24, originally from Peru but who moved to the UK when he was 10 and who previously attended Kettlethorpe High School, Wakefield and New College, Pontefract, has been on four separate study abroad schemes including five weeks in Munich, Germany, two weeks in both Xi’an, China and Hanoi, Vietnam and a year at Slippery Rock University in the US. 

Now studying a Master’s in astrophysics at Cardiff University, he said: “I chose Bradford because it was ranked 7th nationally for civil engineering. The opportunities I have had here have helped me gain confidence and develop both in my field and culturally. 

“My first trip abroad was daunting, because I didn’t know anyone. Now, I have friends around the world, from Australia to the Czech Republic. I cannot recommend this type of experience enough. It has changed my life and I’m grateful to the University for the opportunities it has made possible.”