Mobility programs like Turing will shape the UK’s global future
When policymakers engage directly with students, it offers a valuable opportunity to connect national strategy with real experience.
A recent meeting between IBG-facilitated Turing Scheme participants and colleagues from the British Council India with David Lammy MP underscored the positive role mobility programs continue to play in shaping globally aware graduates and strengthening the UK’s international education partnerships.
Conversations focused on the benefits students gain from studying and working abroad, from enhanced employability and intercultural skills to greater confidence and global perspective. These outcomes sit at the heart of the UK’s ambitions for international education and demonstrate the tangible value of sustained investment in mobility.
Since its introduction, the Turing Scheme has helped institutions broaden their horizons, supporting placements across a diverse range of destinations and disciplines. This global outlook has opened new pathways for collaboration and ensured that students from a wide variety of backgrounds can access international opportunities. The program has also encouraged institutions to think creatively about how mobility connects to curriculum design, skills development, and industry engagement.
As the policy landscape evolves, the prospect of renewed UK participation in Erasmus+ represents a complementary opportunity. Together, Turing’s global reach and Erasmus’s established collaborative frameworks can create a more connected and flexible ecosystem for mobility, enabling institutions to build deeper partnerships while continuing to explore new regions and thematic priorities.
Turing’s global reach and Erasmus’s established collaborative frameworks can create a more connected and flexible ecosystem for mobility
Programs like these strengthen institutional capability. Effective partnerships, clear delivery structures, and strong student support mechanisms not only enhance programme quality but also contribute to longer-term collaboration in research, innovation, and skills development.
This was evident when we facilitated a Turing cohort hosted at the British Council in India during the AI Summit 2026 in New Delhi. The visit illustrated how mobility can connect students with emerging sectors and global challenges, reinforcing the role of international experience in preparing graduates for rapidly changing labour markets.
Looking ahead, institutions have an opportunity to build on this momentum by aligning mobility with broader strategic priorities, from widening participation and graduate employability to international research collaboration. Combining the strengths of different programmes could support a more resilient and inclusive approach to global engagement.
India will continue to play an important role within this wider landscape. With its dynamic higher education sector, NEP 2020 and strong UK partnerships, it offers valuable opportunities for collaborative learning, innovation, and industry-linked experiences that complement both Turing and future Erasmus+ activity.
Ultimately, the continued focus on student mobility reflects a shared commitment across government, institutions, and partners to ensure the UK remains an open, outward-looking education nation. Engagements such as this meeting serve as a reminder that international education policy is most effective when it is grounded in the experiences and aspirations of students themselves.
As the UK moves into the next phase of mobility, the combination of established partnerships and new opportunities provides a strong foundation for continued growth, benefiting students, institutions, and the wider global education community.
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