University of York

The University of York has been awarded £780,000 to provide study and work opportunities around the world in 2021 to 2022 – from Canada to Japan and Finland to Australia.

Thanks to funding from the UK government’s Turing Scheme, students will use the placements to develop new skills, gain vital international experience and boost their employability.

Professor Tracy Lightfoot, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching, Learning and Students, said, “We’re constantly looking for ways to support our students to achieve their international mobility aspirations and our success in securing funding from the Turing Scheme will allow us to build on the range of opportunities available.”

Widening participation

The money will also enable disadvantaged students and those with special educational needs and disabilities to participate, strengthening the university’s commitment to developing student mobility and widening participation through its strategic principles of inclusion and internationalism.

The university estimates that over 50% of outgoing students this year will come from a variety of disadvantaged backgrounds or have special educational needs and disabilities. These students will benefit from additional living cost grant uplifts and exceptional travel costs associated with their mobilities.

“Our commitment to widening participation in mobility will be enhanced through the Turing Scheme funding, and we hope we can build on this in the coming years for future students who choose the University of York for their studies.” Professor Lightfoot added.

Short-term opportunities

A large percentage of the funding will support students who go abroad for shorter-term placements of four weeks.

“We are now promoting our shorter-term programmes to students at all levels, including holding virtual events and in person sessions to student groups, such as our Step Ahead transition programme,” said Sarah Leach, Head of Study Abroad. “The Step Ahead programme aims to give the best possible start to our first-year undergraduates, from groups currently under-represented in higher education.”

Student benefits

BA History student, Celia Edwards, recognises the benefits students can gain from an international experience.

“Spending time in another country is great for your confidence, employability, and academic development,” she said. “Every year, students come back to the University of York with friends from around the world and a passion for an area of their subject they didn’t even know existed. It’s great that students can now benefit from funding for their year abroad through the Turing Scheme.”

Range of opportunities

In order to maximise the Turing Scheme’s benefits, the University of York is offering students the opportunity to apply to take part at a broad range of eligible partner summer schools, international internships, volunteering and independent projects, including research and fieldwork placements for post-graduates.

Students will be studying and gaining work experience in partner institutions and with employers in the United States, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong, Spain, Finland and France among others.

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