40,000 students will be able to study and work abroad thanks to the government’s new Turing Scheme, with universities and schools due to be told this week that their bids for funding have been successful.

Over 120 universities, as well as schools and further education colleges across the UK, will be awarded grants from the £110m Turing Scheme – which will see 48% of places go to those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

As part of the new global scheme, Canada, Japan and the United States are amongst over 150 international destinations where UK students will be funded to take up work and study placements – alongside popular European countries like Germany and France.

At the heart of the Government’s post-Brexit vision is an ambition to create a truly Global Britain where we learn, work and trade with countries well beyond Europe’s frontiers. The Turing Scheme, which has replaced the UK’s participation in Erasmus+, gives young people the opportunity to benefit from working and studying abroad, while boosting our ties with international partners in the process.

The scheme also aims to improve social mobility across the UK by targeting areas which had seen lower uptake up of the Erasmus+ programme, including across the Midlands and North of England – with education providers in the West Midlands set to receive the most funding.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

The chance to work and learn in a country far from home is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – which broadens minds, sharpens skills and improves outcomes.

But until now it has been an opportunity disproportionately enjoyed by those from the most privileged backgrounds. The Turing Scheme has welcomed a breadth of successful applications from schools and colleges across the country, reflecting our determination that the benefits of Global Britain are shared by all.

By strengthening our partnerships with the finest institutions across the globe, the Turing Scheme delivers on the Government’s post-Brexit vision, and helps a new generation grasp opportunities beyond Europe’s borders.

Ministers have set out a range of measures to improve access to international opportunities through the programme, including funding for travel and expenses such as passports and visas, as well as a grant for living costs, to tackle the barriers some students face to studying overseas.

Extra support has also been guaranteed for preparatory visits to make sure placements meet the needs of participants with disabilities and special educational needs.

Universities Minister Michelle Donelan said:

Our schools, colleges and universities have worked tirelessly to make this programme a success, and I am grateful to them and their global partners who have truly embraced this opportunity for international collaboration.

I look forward to seeing the innovation and expertise our students, pupils and vocational learners bring back to this country from their journeys to every corner of the globe – from Canada to Japan, and Australia to the United States.

The total number of individual placements supported this year through the £110m scheme stands at over 40,000 – exceeding the Department for Education’s own estimates. This includes 28,000 placements for university students – compared with only 18,300 under Erasmus+ in the academic year 2018/9.

The Turing Scheme, announced by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson last year, is named after pioneering UK war hero and father of modern computing Alan Turing, who studied abroad at Princeton University before going on crack the Enigma code in World War Two.

Vivienne Stern, Director, Universities UK International, said:

The Turing Scheme will create opportunities for thousands of students from all over the country to gain experience working and studying abroad. We know from the evidence we have collected that students who have such experience tend to do better academically and in employment outcomes – and that this is especially true for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

We want more students from a wider range of backgrounds to get these sorts of opportunities and believe, that if they do, the UK economy will benefit in the long run.

David Hughes, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges, said:

The opportunity to work, study or compete abroad is so important for the life chances of all young people. It’s encouraging to see colleges taking up all that Turing can offer – including colleges that are newer to international partnerships – exploring exchanges across a broad range of countries.

Student mobility will be crucial post-pandemic as the world reopens and learners from all backgrounds access their chance to develop technical and personal skills, build their confidence and experience other cultures.

Applications for Chevening Scholarships to study in the UK are open between 3 August and 2 November 2021, with applications to submitted through www.chevening.org/apply.

Chevening Scholarships are awarded to individuals from all backgrounds who can demonstrate that they have the commitment and skills required to create positive change, and can show how a UK master’s degree will help them do that. The scholarship offers full financial support for scholars to study for any eligible master’s degree at any UK university whilst also gaining access to a wide range of exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences.

Since its inception in 1983, over 50,000 professionals have had the opportunity to develop in the UK through Chevening. There are more than 1,500 scholarships on offer globally for the 2022/2023 academic year, further demonstrating the UK’s ongoing commitment towards developing the leaders of tomorrow.

Head of Scholarships at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Naomi Rayner, said:

As the world continues to tackle major global issues such as Covid-19 and climate change, international cooperation is more essential than ever. Chevening seeks to build an international community of people who are committed to working together to drive positive change. We do this by bringing together incredible people from around the world and supporting them, through education, to achieve their goals.

Chevening represents the very best of the UK, welcoming people from across the world to study, grow, and thrive. Being a part of the Chevening network instils a strong sense of pride and responsibility. I am consistently inspired by the passion and commitment of those in the Chevening community and I look forward to hearing from this year’s applicants.

British High Commissioner to Kenya, Jane Marriott said:

This is a fantastic opportunity for all Kenyans passionate about driving change, locally and globally. If you want to be the best at what you do and if you have the imagination to inspire others, then a Chevening Scholarship could be the perfect opportunity for you.

Your background does not matter to us – we want to see that you have energy, curiosity, compassion a clear vision for your future and the ability to achieve your goals. Our alumni network is full of dynamic influencers, from leaders in business, politics, journalism, and development, who have shared the same experience that you will.

The call for new applicants follows the selection of 28 scholars from Kenya, who each won an award to study at a UK university for the 2021/2022 academic. Another 40 scholars are currently studying in the UK and will soon come back to join the active formal alumni association partly funded by the UK through FCDO.  There are over 500 Chevening Alumni in Kenya.

Notes to editors

• Chevening Scholarships are the UK Government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations. The scholarships support study at UK universities – mostly one year taught master’s degrees – for individuals with demonstrable potential to become future leaders, decision-makers, and opinion formers.

• Chevening began in 1983 and has developed into a prestigious international awards scheme. Chevening Scholars come from over 160 countries and territories worldwide, and over the past five years we have awarded almost 10,000 scholarships. There are over 50,000 Chevening Alumni around the world who comprise an influential and highly regarded global network.

• The name ‘Chevening’ comes from Chevening House in Sevenoaks, Kent – currently the joint official residence of the UK’s Foreign Secretary.

• More information on the eligibility criteria and scholarship specifications available at www.chevening.org and www.chevening.org/scholarships

Contact: Chevening.Nairobi@fcdo.gov.uk

The process of application to the Chevening Scholarships for the academic year 2022/23 is open to individuals with proven leadership potential who also have strong academic backgrounds and networking skills. The scholarship offers full financial support for future leaders to study for any eligible master’s degree at any UK university whilst also gaining access to a wide range of exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences.

Since 1983, over 50,000 outstanding professionals in more than 160 countries and territories have created networks, friendships, and shared memories and missions that span the world. Additionally, Chevening’s alumni network includes 18 current or former heads of state or government.

The UK continues to play a leading role globally. Home to some of the world’s best universities, brightest students, and most revered academics, the UK’s higher education sector promotes the exchange of information and ideas, as well as the building of knowledge and networks. Chevening Scholars find themselves immersed in that world, and emerge having grown academically, professionally, and personally as a result of their time in the UK.

The deadline for applications is 2 November 2021 at 12:00 GMT (midday), with applications to be submitted via the Chevening application page.

Chevening Scholarships Officer in Santiago, Marianne Becker, said:

The UK is one of the most diverse countries in the world, and has a long history of welcoming visitors, especially students, from around the globe. Living in the UK exposes you to a variety of cultures, opinions, and experiences. You will leave with friends from places that you did not even know existed.

We are looking for ambitious, professional, forward-thinking leaders from any walk of life. There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ Chevening Scholar, but one thing that all of our previous scholars have in common is that they were eager to live the Chevening experience to the fullest; not just studying but also making the most of opportunities that come with the scholarship.

If you are chosen for Chevening, you will receive a first-rate UK education, which can open doors in your career. You will also become part of the global Chevening Alumni network, full of dynamic influencers who have shared the same experience as you will, and can offer mentorship, advice, and contacts.

About Chevening

Chevening Scholarships are the UK Government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations. The scholarships support study at UK universities – mostly one year taught master’s degrees – for individuals with demonstrable potential to become future leaders, decision-makers, and opinion formers.

The name ‘Chevening’ comes from Chevening House in Sevenoaks, Kent – currently the joint official residence of the UK’s Foreign Secretary.

More information

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The Pubs Code Adjudicator’s (PCA) short pulse survey looked at tied tenant awareness of Pubs Code rights in relation to premises insurance, and if and how tenants had used those rights.

The survey was open from 05 to 16 July 2021.

Our thanks go to the 51 current and former tied tenants who responded from across all the regulated pub-owning businesses (POBs).

You can find a full summary of the results here.

Awareness of insurance rights

Of the 51 respondents, 22 (43%) were aware they had insurance rights under the Code. Fewer respondents were aware of the specific duties placed on the POB when buying or renewing insurance. This suggests there is more to do to raise tenants’ awareness about what their Code insurance rights are.

The PCA has produced a helpful factsheet for tenants on a POB’s duties in relation to insurance, which explains the information tenants are entitled to. POBs have a key part to play in reminding tenants of their Code rights at the appropriate time. That is, before the POB buys or renews premises insurance and intends to charge the tenant an amount in respect of the premium.

Awareness of a tenant’s right to find a cheaper policy that is ‘suitable and comparable’ and for the POB to purchase it or not charge the difference (‘price match’) was notably low. Only 15 out of 51 respondents (29%) knew about this important Code right.

Using the right to price match

There were 16 respondents (31%) who had tried to price match the POB’s insurance since the Code came into force. For those who had not tried to price match, this was mainly because of a lack of awareness about the right to do so (22 out of 35 respondents selected this as a reason).

Of the 16 respondents who had tried to price match under the Code, 44% had been successful. Out of the 8 respondents who had successfully price matched at any time (including under the Code) 6 of these had also been successful on other occasions.

What these results do not tell us is why those tenants were able to price match when others could not. The Pubs Code places duties on the POB to make sure tenants have enough information to seek a suitable and comparable policy. But some tenants and representatives have already started to tell the PCA about challenges they can face in finding a cheaper policy that a POB will accept as being ‘suitable and comparable’. The PCA is looking closely at this.

For the 8 respondents who had successfully price matched, in 3 cases tenants told us that the POB purchased the tenant’s cheaper policy and in 5 cases the POB agreed that the tenant did not have to pay the difference. The Code requires the POB to do either of those things. This money can make a difference to tenants, and where it has, the PCA wants to share those stories.

If a POB is not doing what the Code requires of them, tenants should raise this with their Code Compliance Officer in the first instance. Relevant information can also be shared with the PCA at office@pubscodeadjudicator.gov.uk.