Turing Scheme

What is Turing?

On Course South West has been awarded £190k to carry out placements and projects abroad for our students between 1st September 2024 and 31st August 2025. The overall aim of the 24/25 Scheme is to advance social justice and enhance skills. This means the majority of the funding allocation is targeted at disadvantaged or underrepresented groups (see definitions below for more detail on these terms). Students also need to be aged 19+ to be eligible for Turing trips.

‘Disadvantaged’ student

The scheme defines these students as people who meet any of the following criteria:

• Someone with an annual household income of £25,000 or less

• Someone who receives universal credit or income-related benefits because they are either financially supporting:

  • Themselves

  • Themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them, such as a child or partner

• Someone with experience of being in care or who is a care leaver – including anyone who is or has been in care, or from a looked after background, at any stage of their life

• A carer, meaning anyone who both:

• looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, and cannot cope without their support

• is not paid for this care

• Someone entitled to free school meals

• A refugee or an asylum seeker

This list is not exhaustive. If you do not precisely meet these definitions but share similar characteristics which justify extra support, please contact us.

Underrepresented groups

In the Turing Scheme, underrepresented groups are:

• Ethnic minorities, including white minorities

• People with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), including people with additional learning needs (ALN) in Wales and people with additional support needs (ASN) in Scotland

• Part-time students - Part-time students include those recorded as studying: part-time; full-time on courses lasting less than 24 weeks; on block release; during the evenings only.
  

Turing Trips

Trips away include Italy, Iceland, Sweden and many more! To find out more please use the button below and complete the form.

Curriculum Aim

These trips run in conjunction with courses at On Course South West and aim to enrich learning and improve personal and social skills, self confidence and employability. Learners will have the opportunity to apply their learning in a different cultural context, whilst completing their studies.

Website FAQS

Am I eligible to apply for a Turing trip?
All OCSW students are eligible to apply for a space on a Turing trip. It is however worth noting OCSW has to adhere to Turing Scheme guidance which includes a targeted % of Turing funding going to applicants who are classed as disadvantaged* or underrepresented**. This % will vary annually but for 2024/25 it is 77% disadvantaged and 69% SEND. One of the aims of the project is to advance social justice so the % target figures align with this aim.

What are the benefits of a Turing trip?
Turing placements are a fantastic opportunity for OCSW students to apply their learning in an international setting and improve employability. The trips aim to increase self confidence, self esteem and self awareness as well as fostering independence. Students who attend Turing placements will gain a greater understanding of their subject and selves, as well as an enhanced ability to transfer knowledge and skills from their home country to a foreign environment.

What does the Turing scheme funding cover?
Turing scheme funding covers placement and trips, transport to and from the placement and  as well as living costs including accommodation and food. 

Is there any additional support available?
For disadvantaged and underrepresented applicants additional funding is also available such as readiness to travel which includes funding for passports, medical certificates etc. 

Does the Turing scheme cover tuition fees?
The Turing Scheme does not cover the tuition fees for your OCSW Course, however depending on your personal circumstances you may be eligible to access your chosen course at little or no cost. Please click here for more information on this.

My question isn’t here!
Please contact OCSW directly with any specific questions relating to the Turing Scheme and we will be happy to assist you with your query.