Professor Jackie Dunne, Chair of the Cathedrals Group of Universities and Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham Newman University said ‘The government’s decision to withdraw funding from new Level 7 apprenticeships for those over 22 from January 2026, is deeply disappointing.

Level 7 apprenticeships are equivalent to a master’s degree and have opened up a wide range of career pathways to people from different backgrounds, often later in life.

They have been well-supported by employers who have been able to use the apprenticeship levy to support Level 7 apprenticeships. It also makes little sense to restrict future Level 7 apprenticeship funding to those under 22 since most young people will not have gained the qualifications needed to begin a Level 7 apprenticeship.

It is difficult to see how this decision will help either the government’s growth agenda or individuals to enhance their skills or change careers in the future.’