Scarborough TEC and East Riding College Students Get Opportunity to Study Abroad

Scarborough TEC and East Riding College have been successful in their bid to take part in the Government's new Turing Scheme.

The Government has announced which schools, colleges and higher education providers have been awarded a share of £110m to enable up to 40,000 students from across the UK to study abroad as part of a new student exchange programme.

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.

Catering & Hospitality and Beauty Therapy students who qualify from Scarborough TEC and East Riding College will be invited to apply for a place on two study programmes in Thailand during the 2021/22 academic year. The programmes will either cover Thai Cuisine or Thai Massage and students will also be given the opportunity to take part in enrichment activities, giving them life experiences that would never have been possible without the Turing Scheme.

Ann Hardy, Principal of Scarborough TEC, said:

"We are absolutely thrilled that we are going to be able to offer our students this incredible opportunity thanks to the Turing Scheme.

"I cannot wait for us to be able to share our plans with the students and staff over the coming months as we develop the Catering & Hospitality and Beauty Therapy programmes that will be offered to the students.

"For our students to be able to travel to Thailand and gain experience in their chosen industries is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will be invaluable to them all in their future careers. Our staff will also benefit from discovering different ways of teaching and the cultural differences between education in the UK and Thailand."

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."

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.

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."