Nottingham Trent University

More than 800 Nottingham Trent University (NTU) students are set to enjoy an international learning experience in the 2021 to 2022 academic year after funding was secured from the UK government’s Turing Scheme.

Placements are planned in 52 countries spread across six continents after the East Midlands university was awarded a grant of £1.4 million.

The university will use a significant amount of the cash to boost opportunities for those students who would not normally be able to consider a period of study or work overseas.

“NTU is thrilled to have been awarded funding under the Turing Scheme for 2021 to 2022,” said Professor Cillian Ryan, Pro Vice-Chancellor International. “As founding signatory of the Social Mobility Pledge, we continually work towards widening access and the levelling up objective is central to our Turing Scheme project.

Nurturing global citizenship

“The funding enables NTU to create an inclusive portfolio of opportunities that suit students’ current circumstances and future career goals and builds their resilience, perseverance and confidence, as well as nurturing their global citizenship.

“These are particularly relevant in the current crisis and will prepare students for the future workplace and contribute to the UK’s international competitiveness.”

Nottingham Trent University is one of the UKs largest recruiters of UK students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Approximately 35% of its UK undergraduates come from households with a combined income of £25,000 or less, while 39% of all UK students at NTU are from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and 17% have a disability.

Using its pioneering student-dashboard, the university’s evidence-based approach to supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds was recognised when it was named ‘University of the Year’ in the 2019 UK Social Mobility Awards.

Optimising social value

An innovative learning pedagogy and focus on personalisation have helped Nottingham Trent to close the attainment gap for disadvantaged students entering into graduate level employment.

Professor Ryan sees the Turing Scheme funding as instrumental in continuing this progress.

“Our Turing Scheme activities enhance student employability and increase numbers of widening participation and ethnic minority students taking part, thus optimising the social value of these activities,” he said.

“Turing Scheme funding that supports shorter mobilities will also help us widen access to special educational needs and disability (SEND) students or those with caring responsibilities unable to undertake longer mobilities.

“Importantly, this funding provides students with a chance to personalise their education, giving them the potential to develop the knowledge, skills and resilience they seek to create meaning and purpose in their lives.”

NTU’s Turing Scheme activities will support a wider programme of globalising the student experience in Nottingham. This will also present an opportunity to build on its expertise with a selection of trusted international partners selected based on a mutual commitment to inclusivity and the potential to develop global networks that will deliver long-term social and economic benefits.