Level 7 Apprenticeships Funding Changes

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced a major change to the funding rules for Level 7 apprenticeships (equivalent to master’s degree), which will take effect very soon, from January 2026.

Whilst apprenticeship providers across the country have been preparing for changes to Level 7 apprenticeships, this particular amendment – and more importantly, the timeframe in which the change will be happening – has been rather unexpected for all, so employers are encouraged to take speedy action to take advantage of the current funding before January.

So, what exactly is changing? We have put together a short and easy-to-understand guide to allow businesses to prepare for this change and take advantage of the short time employers and providers have left before the change is implemented:

What’s Changing?

Currently, learners of any age can begin a government-funded Level 7 apprenticeship. However, under the new government guidelines, from 1st January 2026, only learners aged 21 and under at the start of their apprenticeship or under 25 for care leavers and those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) at the start of their apprenticeship in England will be eligible for funding at this level. This means that:

• Learners aged 22 and over or NOT on a EHCP, will no longer be eligible for apprenticeship funding for Level 7 programmes from this date.
• Learners who start their apprenticeship before 1^st January 2026 will remain fully funded regardless of age.

These changes are part of a broader government effort to rebalance apprenticeship funding and redirect support specifically towards young people and school leavers.

Important Deadline for Applications

To ensure eligible learners can begin a Level 7 apprenticeship before the new rules take effect, we would suggest that businesses work with their preferred apprenticeship provider partner as soon as possible to ensure enough time for applications to be processed and apprentices to be onboarded before the 1^st January 2026 cut-off.

Current Learners Remain Unaffected

Any learner currently enrolled on a Level 7 apprenticeship, or who begins their apprenticeship before 1^st January 2026, will continue to receive full funding until the end of their programme – no changes will be made to existing agreements.

Our Commitment

EMA Training is committed to supporting employers in navigating recent and ongoing government changes to apprenticeship funding across the East Midlands. We remain highly focused on providing clear guidance and continued support for both learners and employers.

We understand that these changes may raise several questions. If you are an employer with a level 4 apprentice or looking to enrol a current employee on our Level 7 ACCA or CIMA qualifications, or if you’re looking to start your level 7 apprenticeship, get in touch. We are here to help you make informed decisions about training and development.

If you have any concerns or questions, please let us know on 01332 371666 or email us on [email protected].