Fewer opportunities for young people to work or study in the EU

2 minute read

The Turing scheme is the UK’s new global programme to study and work abroad; replacing the EU funded Erasmus + programme.

The ERASMUS scheme was set up in 1987 to foster links between schools, colleges, and universities across the 37 countries involved, mostly by funding and facilitating exchange visits. There are currently over 5,000 higher institutions participating in the Erasmus Program and over 6 million students have been a part of it. In 2019 18,305 UK students benefitted from Erasmus grants to study or work in another EU country. The Turing scheme plans to increase this number.

While colleges, businesses and universities are disappointed the government chose to leave the Erasmus + programme they welcome the opportunity to apply for Turing funding. They also have concerns, including:

As a reciprocal scheme, Erasmus + enabled universities to waive tuition fees. Will overseas universities be willing to enter into the same agreements with the UK under Turing?
Turing is “global” – as indeed will Eramus + be shortly. If fewer students choose to go to other European countries, what impact will this have on modern language learning in the UK?
Students from other EU countries working and studying in the UK not only share their culture, skills and energy but spend some £420 million a year. Leaving Erasmus is predicted to substantially reduce the number of students coming to the UK.
Visitors to the UK now require passports and health insurance. Will these extra costs and bureaucracy deter students from choosing to come to the UK?
Recipients of Turing funding need to be aware that visa free stays in EU member states are normally limited to 90 days in a six month period. Rules for student visa waivers for students vary between countries.
Erasmus+ offers placements for teaching and college staff and youth workers as well as students, enabling valuable sharing of best practice Europe wide. The Turing scheme will not.
The Turing programme has funding of £110m for 2021/22. It is not currently funded after that.

What can Stroud do?

Stroud4Europe are hoping to set up a bursary programme to support Stroud young people to undertake study or work in other European countries. This could be as a supplement to Turing funding.

We would like to hear from employers and other potential benefactors interested in contributing and/or taking part in this.

Have you benefited from an Erasmus experience? Please let us know. Stroud4europe@gmail.com