PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(19 May 2026)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of students undertaking overseas study placements following the UK’s withdrawal from the Erasmus Programme.

Asked by:
Alison Griffiths (Conservative)

Since the 2021/22 academic year, the Turing Scheme has been the UK government’s global programme for students to study and work abroad.

The Scheme funded 21,353 completed placements in 2021/22, 28,152 placements in 2022/23, 32,714 placements in 2023/24, 34,683 placements in 2024/25 and provided funding for an estimated 35,249 placements in 2025/26. In that time the proportion of students funded who are from a disadvantaged background has increased from 39% in 2021/22 to 56% in 2024/25, with an estimated 61% planned in 2025/26.

A full breakdown of placements using the Scheme is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/turing-scheme#funding-outcomes.

In 2027, the UK will join Erasmus+, which offers a wide range of opportunities for individuals to study, work, train, or volunteer abroad - whether for short or long-term placements. The department estimates up to 100,000 UK participants could benefit from the scheme in 2027 including up to around 30,000 higher education students.

Answered by:
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