School travel funding is changing: Here’s what you need to know about Erasmus+
If you’re planning a student travel experience in the next year or two, funding is likely to be at the forefront of your mind.
Faculty budgets, fundraising efforts and student contributions are a good starting place, but they can only take you so far. If you need to stretch your budget further, you might be looking at additional government funding schemes.
Until recently, schools and colleges in the UK could apply for the Turing Scheme to receive financial support for student travel. This scheme started back in 2021 to replace the EU's Erasmus Programme but will soon be closing for good at the end of the 2026/2027 academic year.
So what are your funding options now?
In this guide, we’re going to take a look at what the end of the Turing Scheme means, how to make use of existing grants and what new funding options are available for education travel experiences.
What’s changed and what are your funding options now?
As we’ve said, the Turing Scheme is ending, and in fact, the final applications for this have already closed.
But this does not mean that funding is no longer available. In 2027, the UK will officially rejoin the EU's Erasmus+ programme, having left in 2021.
The UK's official association with Erasmus+ will start in January, with student placements and experiences starting in the second half of 2027.
However, the application process is currently expected to open in November 2026, so you can begin planning ahead for the 2027/2028 academic year.
Are the Turing and Erasmus+ Schemes the same?
Erasmus+ is not simply a case of renaming the Turing Scheme; it will instead have some meaningful differences. The key differences are highlighted below:
Turing Scheme:
Funded UK students and participants going abroad but did not contribute towards reciprocal placements for incoming overseas students
Was an international program where students can study and work in any country worldwide
Does not pay foreign tuition fees and is instead set up for funding living costs, travel expenses and additional costs like visas for eligible student groups
Erasmus+ Programme:
This programme is centred primarily on EU member states and associated non-EU countries
This is a two-way reciprocal scheme that funds both outbound students and inbound international students and staff
It will typically cover reciprocal waivers so students do not pay extra tuition fees if they are studying abroad
What is the Erasmus+ programme?
The current guidelines from the UK government for the Erasmus+ Programme set out a few criteria for these travel experiences, referred to as group mobilities. Erasmus+ will support school pupils and staff for trips that:
Involve up to 30 pupils plus staff
The trips last from 2 days up to one month
They must ensure educational, structured activities
Involve participants from at least two countries
These trips have no minimum age for the pupils
It’s worth noting that for schools to be eligible for this funding, the trip must be strategic and contribute to a wider set of educational objectives. It cannot simply be a tourist or recreational trip, such as a skiing holiday.
The benefits of Erasmus+
For pupils, Erasmus+ can open doors to new cultures, languages, ideas and life-changing experiences. Taking part in these group travel experiences can:
Help to build confidence
Develop key skills like independence
Understand other cultures
Work with students from different countries to exchange ideas and learn from one another
Learn new languages
And it’s not just the students either, there are benefits for staff going on these trips. For teachers, school leaders and other staff, Erasmus+ offers opportunities for international professional development.
As part of spending time in a partner school or organisation, staff can learn new approaches to teaching and bring back new ideas to their own classroom.
What if you’ve already secured Turing funding?
If you’ve already secured funding from the Turing Scheme, that’s not going anywhere. It just means that new applications for that particular programme can no longer be submitted.
If your school was granted funding from the Turing Scheme in June, it’s important you get the most from your budget.
If you haven’t already, it’s a good time to take the next step towards booking group flights, finding the perfect accommodation and booking in your chosen activities.
With a better idea of your budget, get in touch with group travel agents and flight specialists like BTG Travel Management to get the most of every penny.
And it’s not too early to start planning your 2027/28 school trip either
We understand that 2028 might feel like a long way off, but with the 2026/2027 academic year already underway, there’s no better time to start planning.
And you don't have to wait until the Erasmus+ application window opens in November. Planning early gives you more time to:
Think about where you’d like to take your students
Consider educational objectives
Set out a realistic budget
Get internal approval
Start researching travel providers like group flight specialists and travel agencies
Start looking for the right partner school - the government specifically recommends using Erasmus+ platforms to find partners
Consider any additional SEN and inclusion requirements
Establish who will manage the Erasmus+ application when the time comes
Erasmus+ can make your trip more meaningful
The move from the older Turing Scheme to the Erasmus+ Programme represents a change in how schools can and should approach international travel. It has created an opportunity to think more strategically about what pupils can gain from their time abroad.
Erasmus+ isn't just about booking recreational trips. International travel like this should be used as part of the wider educational programme, providing a chance to learn new languages, take part in cultural exchanges and enrich students’ learning and development.
How BTG Travel Management can help
If you’re ready to plan your next educational trip abroad, it’s never too early to start! There is no better time to start planning than right now.
At BTG Travel, we can help you turn your travel plans into a practical programme, whether you’ve secured Turing funding or you’re preparing for Erasmus+ to come into effect.
From deciding on the right destination to tackling group transport and group flight logistics, we can get the ball rolling. Some of the benefits of working with BTG Travel include:
We can book group flights for 10+ passengers
We offer direct airline group contracts and the best airfares
Our UK-based team of group flight specialists have over 20 years of industry experience
You’ll be given a dedicated group travel manager
You get support for amendments and last-minute changes
We ensure clear, consolidated invoicing
So, if you’ve already begun planning your next exciting educational experience, get in touch today to work with our expert team.