The Henley College secures Turing Scheme funding for international work placements

Students at The Henley College will have the opportunity to live and work overseas after the College successfully secured funding through the UK Government’s Turing Scheme for 2026/27.

The programme will give selected students the opportunity to undertake supported international industry placements in Poland, Portugal, Greece and Italy, gaining practical workplace experience while experiencing life and work in another country.

The Turing Scheme is the UK Government’s programme supporting international study and work placements. Competition for funding is significant. Of 954 applications submitted across the UK for 2026/27, 484 were successful, with £76.6 million allocated nationally.

At The Henley College, the programme will initially be open to first year students, with opportunities available across IT and Digital, Engineering, Business, Creative Arts, Sport and Health and Social Care.

Successful applicants will complete an industry placement overseas, developing skills including communication, teamwork, adaptability and problem solving. The programme is designed to help students return with greater confidence, independence and practical experience that can strengthen future university, apprenticeship and employment applications.

The Turing Scheme has a particular focus on widening access to international opportunities. The College is particularly keen to encourage applications from students from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds who may not otherwise have considered an overseas work placement.

Simon Spearman, Principal and Chief Executive of The Henley College, said:

“We want a Henley education to open doors for our students, both academically and professionally, and opportunities like this extend those horizons beyond the UK. Securing Turing Scheme funding means our students can gain meaningful international workplace experience, develop their independence and see where their skills could take them."

“I am particularly pleased that the programme helps make international opportunities accessible to students who may never previously have imagined that working abroad was an option for them.”

Simon Wright, Vice Principal for Student Experience and Skills, said:

“This is about much more than travelling overseas. Students will be working in real organisations, experiencing different workplace cultures and developing the skills employers value, including communication, adaptability, teamwork, confidence and problem solving.

“They will return to Henley with experiences they can talk about at interviews and include in future applications, but also with a greater understanding of themselves and what they are capable of.”

The opportunity complements The Henley College’s wider focus on preparing students for their next steps through careers education, personal and professional development and meaningful engagement with employers.

Students are being encouraged not to rule themselves out of applying. The College’s message to potential applicants is: “We are looking for curiosity, potential and a willingness to learn.”

The opportunity has already attracted significant interest, with 21 applications received shortly after applications opened.

Applications close on Friday 16 October 2026, with interviews taking place on Thursday 5 November 2026.