What is changing?
Level 7 apprenticeships will continue to be funded for all learners, of any age, who start their apprenticeship before January 2026. Thereafter, funding for new Level 7 apprenticeships will only be available to learners aged 21 and under at the start of their apprenticeship. Learners aged 22 and over will not be eligible for apprenticeship funding.
This is part of the government's initiative to 'rebalance' apprenticeships and skills, to redirect funding more towards programmes which affect those Not in Education Employment or Training (NEETs).
When do the changes take effect?
After January 2026 Level 7 apprenticeships will only be funded for learners who are aged 21 and under at the start of their apprenticeship.
To ensure Level 7 apprenticeship applications can be fully processed for learners aged 22 and over before the upcoming funding changes come into effect, all necessary information must be submitted as part of the application form no later than Friday 21 November 2025.