Turing Scheme

What is the Turing Scheme?

The Turing Scheme offers education providers the opportunity to apply for funding to support students with study and work placements around the world.

What is Turing?


We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded Turing Scheme funding for the second year running! 

On Course South West has been awarded £252k to carry out placements and projects abroad for our students between 1st September 2025 and 31st August 2026. The Turing Scheme 2025 aims to provide UK students with international study and work opportunities. Its core goals are to:

  • Boost skills: Equip students with the experience and skills needed for the global workforce.

  • Increase social mobility: Make international placements accessible to students from all backgrounds, especially those who are underrepresented or face disadvantages.

  • Deliver value: Ensure public funds are used effectively to create high-quality, impactful projects for students.

For 2025/26 the entire funding allocation is for disadvantaged participants (see definition below). We also have a specific allocation for participants with SEND per trip and this will be taken into account during the application process.  Please note participants must be aged 19+ to be eligible for Turing courses/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.

Turing - Your Future Iceland trip, December 2024 - Read full story here

2025/26 Turing trips

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.

Please note if you have previously attended Turing trips with On Course you can still apply for 2025/26. 

The following courses and trips have been scheduled for 2025/26:

  • Qualification: NCFE Certificate in Personal and Social Development (Entry level 3)

    Course detail

    This 12-week program aims to equip participants with foundational Spanish language skills, cultivate cultural awareness and develop the confidence and independence necessary for a successful international experience. It also focuses on fostering a supportive and cohesive group environment, preparing participants to be effective ambassadors for On Course South West. The course includes:

    • Accessible Spanish Language tuition: By the end of the course, participants will be able to comprehend, use, and form basic Spanish phrases and sentences for everyday situations, developing a foundational vocabulary and the ability to engage in simple conversations.

    • Cultural awareness and EDI: Participants will develop an understanding of Spanish culture, whilst also reflecting on their own biases and fostering a more inclusive and empathetic worldview in line with the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion.

    • Confidence and independence: Participants will be able to confidently and independently navigate a Spanish-speaking environment, using practical tools and problem-solving skills to manage challenges and actively engage in cultural immersion.

    • Community: Participants will foster group cohesion and support by effectively communicating, collaborating, and acting as positive ambassadors while navigating shared experiences and challenges together.

    For more info please click here.

  • Qualification:  NCFE Certificate in Personal and Social Development (Entry level 3)

    Course detail

    This 12-week program aims to equip participants with foundational Italian language skills, cultivate cultural awareness and develop the confidence and independence necessary for a successful international experience. It also focuses on fostering a supportive and cohesive group environment, preparing participants to be effective ambassadors for On Course South West. The course includes:

    • Accessible Italian Language tuition: By the end of the course, participants will be able to comprehend, use, and form basic Italian phrases and sentences for everyday situations, developing a foundational vocabulary and the ability to engage in simple conversations.

    • Cultural awareness and EDI: Participants will develop an understanding of Italian culture, whilst also reflecting on their own biases and fostering a more inclusive and empathetic worldview in line with the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion.

    • Confidence and independence: Participants will be able to confidently and independently navigate an Italian-speaking environment, using practical tools and problem-solving skills to manage challenges and actively engage in cultural immersion.

    • Community: Participants will foster group cohesion and support by effectively communicating, collaborating, and acting as positive ambassadors while navigating shared experiences and challenges together.

    For more info please click here.

  • Qualifications:

    NCFE Level 1 Award in Sustainability & 

    NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Climate Change and Environmental Awareness

    Course detail:

    This course is designed to provide learners with an introduction to the principles of climate change and environmental awareness. It will ensure learners understand the nature of climate change and the role they can play in helping to reduce carbon emissions. Through achieving the qualification, learners will gain the knowledge and understanding to act as drivers of positive change within the workplace and at home.

    Level 1 Award in Sustainability

    This qualification introduces the learner to key issues in sustainability, raising awareness of the topic and encouraging them to consider their role in helping to make sustainable choices.

    The qualification will be used as an induction to the programme and will provide an understanding of the wider vocational context of sustainability. 

    NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Climate Change and Environmental Awareness

    This qualification aims to: 

    • Focus on the study of environmental awareness and carbon footprint reduction associated with a wide range of workplaces and linked to the lifestyles of individuals

    • Offer breadth and depth of study, incorporating a key core of knowledge that is relevant, and can be applied, across a variety of sectors 

    For more info please click here.

  • Qualification:  NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Interactive Media & NCFE Level 1 Award in Employability Skills

    Course detail

    This course aims to provide learners with a combination of core employability skills and an introduction to the exciting world of interactive design through participation in a games design project. Learners will design, develop and deliver a working computer game as part of their course. 

    Interactive Media

    This qualification aims to:

    • enable learners to develop basic skills in the use of interactive media and the underpinning knowledge of interactive media processes

    • provide a basis for progression to other areas of study and enable learners to make more informed career choices.

    The objectives of this qualification are to enable learners to:

    • develop a basic understanding of health and safety relevant to interactive media

    • use equipment and software competently and safely.

    Employability

    This qualification aims to develop and enhance skills required for the working environment and improve learners’ confidence and communication skills in order to prepare them for employment or for a change in employment. We will focus on:

    • Mindset & Motivation

    • Understanding Customers

    • Creative Thinking

    For more info please click here.

  • Course detail:

    Throughout this course learners will be expected to develop their communication, interpersonal and customer service skills through hands-on, practical work and classroom activity. The focus will be on developing a mindset which will allow learners to thrive in customer service roles and to develop the confidence to apply for roles across a variety of industries.  

    Employability

    This qualification aims to develop and enhance skills required for the working environment and improve learners’ confidence and communication skills in order to prepare them for employment or for a change in employment. We will focus on:

    • Mindset & Motivation

    • Understanding Customers

    • Creative Thinking

    Customer Service

    This qualification aims to:

    • provide learners with the skills and knowledge required to successfully work in customer services

    • develop learners’ skills in communication, resolving queries and meeting customers’ needs

    • build learners’ knowledge of the principles of customer service.

    The objectives of this qualification are to help learners to:

    • develop customer service skills that can be relied upon by employers in a range of industries

    • provide learners with the skills and knowledge needed to communicate effectively with customers and provide effective customer service.

    For more info please click here.

Supported Interns

Please note if you are on one of our Supported Internships you will have separate Turing trips scheduled within your programme, these are not listed above. Please speak to the Supported Internship team for more information.

Turing - Your Future Paris trip, March 2025 - Read full story here

How to apply

Eligibility

All participants must be aged 19 or over and be classed as disadvantaged as per the Turing Scheme definition. Participants must also not have completed the same qualification previously as this will mean you are not fundable for that particular course. Depending on the trip we may be able to put you on a higher level if you have completed the stated course, i.e. if Entry 3 is planned you may be able to do Level 1. We encourage you to express interest so that we can discuss this with you individually. 

Application

Step one: Application 

Complete the application form here.

Step two: Interview

All applications are reviewed to ensure they meet our criteria. If your application is successful and you meet the eligibility requirements, you will be invited for an interview with a member of the On Course South West team, subject to space availability.

Step three: Induction

You will be required to attend some mandatory induction sessions, content will vary per course. 

Step four: Enrolment

Upon successful completion of the above 3 you will be offered a place on the programme. At this point you will be invited to enrol.

Please note - if the course you are interested in doesn’t yet have its dates and timings listed you can still apply. When we release the dates, if they don’t work for you we can remove your application. Please do not hesitate applying for the course you are interested in as spaces are limited and will likely be filled quickly.

Website FAQS

  • All Turing Scheme participants must meet the funding criteria. For 2025/26, all participants must be classed as disadvantaged. You can find the definition for this on the left hand side of this page. On top of this, 69% of places are reserved for SEND participants.

  • 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.

  • Turing scheme funding contributes to the study placement, trips, transport and living costs including accommodation and food. There is also funding available for passports and travel insurance. As 100% of spaces will be going to disadvantaged participants this year, On Course South West will be supplementing the Turing funding to make the entire placement free for participants. Some participants previously have taken spending money but this is not a requirement.

  • The Turing Scheme does not cover the tuition fees for your OCSW Course, however it is likely you will be eligible to access your chosen course at little or no cost. Please contact our learner services team for more information on this 01752 660713.


  • Please contact OCSW directly with any specific questions relating to the Turing Scheme and we will be happy to assist you with your query.