Changes to Level 7 apprenticeship funding

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.

Routes to achieve full qualification

When Level 7 funding changes come into effect, there are several routes for employers to support their employees aged 22 and over to become fully qualified in the profession. It’s worth noting that employers aren’t limited to choosing one route and may choose a combination of the following options to best support their employees.

The revised funding band is £12,000 for levy payers. Levy-paying employers can use their levy, and non-levy paying employers contribute 5%. In any event, apprentices will be exempt from National Insurance Contributions (as long as the apprentice earns less than £50,270 a year) until the age of 25.

Starting on programmes from January 2026, Kaplan has enhanced this Level 4 apprenticeship by incorporating at least one additional professional level subject course at no extra cost to employers.

We’ve developed fact sheets to help employers understand the pathways in more detail.

To further develop essential professional skills, all ACA, ACCA, CIMA and CTA courses now include access to our award-winning OnDemand skills and behaviours modules. Covering leadership, problem-solving, communication, and acting ethically and professionally, these complement our expert technical accountancy training.

Sponsored learners will receive comprehensive guidance at the start of their qualification to ensure a clear understanding of their pathways and milestones.

Kaplan closely monitors learner progress and provides support to keep them on track through automated interventions within their online learning platform, expert tutors in class, and an academic support team via email, live chat, and request a call back. Learners who are unsuccessful in their exams are offered one-to-one phone calls with a tutor to discuss their results and receive personalised recommendations and guidance for where and how to improve.

Kaplan offers unmatched study flexibility to fit any learning style or schedule, with OnDemand, Classroom, and Live Online courses available on weekdays, evenings, and weekends. Students enrolled on scheduled courses also get free OnDemand access, enhancing their learning experience and setting us apart from other providers.

These enhancements are in addition to our existing professional qualification offerings, which include a pass guarantee, subject to terms and conditions.