The funding given to Leeds Trinity for the 2023/24 academic year has almost doubled from 2022/23 and will facilitate more year-long placements than previously possible, such as the exchange studies six students will begin at partner universities in Australia, Canada, Japan and Korea respectively in September. Turing-funded shorter programmes available to students include volunteering placements in Fiji, South Africa and Romania, among others. New destinations for 2023/24 are Uganda and Bali.   

The Turing Scheme was launched in 2021 as part of the government’s Global Britain agenda and provides schools, colleges and universities with funds to help address the gap in student mobility funding for studying and working abroad. 

Since then, 50 Leeds Trinity students and graduates have benefitted from the funding, with the majority of participants agreeing that the opportunities have had a profound impact on their self-discovery and career prospects. Among those were 34 students from disadvantaged backgrounds, who were able to access the life-changing benefits of a period abroad. 

Reflecting on her time abroad, Sarah Langan, a student on the Working with Children, Young People and Families degree, said: “Working in an international school in China has completely changed my attitude. I am more accepting about other cultures’ way of living and thinking, I have become more understanding and patient as well as stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things. It has made me more open to working abroad in the future and confident in working with different age ranges.” 

Professor Mohammed Arif, Pro Vice-Chancellor for External Engagement and Enterprise at Leeds Trinity University, said: “Leeds Trinity University's Strategic Plan includes a much-increased global footprint. We want to bring the world to our classrooms, and this initiative will help us achieve that. This demonstrates that the boundaries of our campus do not define the limits of our ambition.” 

Maia Sule, Global Mobility Manager at Leeds Trinity University, said: “We are thrilled to see that the UK government recognises the importance of overseas study and work, particularly for students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. The significant increase in the funding is a testament to the important work that Leeds Trinity has done in the last two cycles, where over two thirds of the Turing Scheme participants at our University have come from disadvantaged backgrounds. I am pleased that more students will now be able to benefit from these life-changing opportunities.” 

News of the increased Turing Scheme funding comes just months after Leeds Trinity took 150 of its students, split into two groups, on trips to Amsterdam and Berlin as part of its new international study trips programme, with travel and accommodation paid for by the University. After the successful pilot trips, the programme will continue across 2024 and 2025. 

As set out in the Strategic Plan 2021-26, Leeds Trinity is aiming to grow international links and make them a part of students’ learning journeys, and actively encourages its students to spend time studying abroad. Options to travel for short two to four-week programmes, a single semester or a full academic year are available.  

For more information about international study and support at Leeds Trinity, visit the website.