Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle potential barriers to progression for learners completing Level 6 architecture apprenticeships who are unable to access Level 7 apprenticeship funding due to age eligibility requirements.

This Government is investing in young people’s futures and reversing the sharp decline in apprenticeship starts amongst young people – which have fallen by 40% over the last decade

Since January 2026, the government no longer funds level 7 apprenticeships, equivalent to master’s degree level, except for young apprentices under the age of 22, and those under 25 who are care leavers or have an Education, Health and Care Plan. This will create more opportunities for those entering the labour market and help apprenticeships opportunities to be rebalanced towards young people.

This decision was informed by a range of evidence, including Skills England’s analysis of official apprenticeship statistics and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. Skills England’s evidence suggested there was unlikely to be a significant or unavoidable fall in the supply of these skills in the long term, post-defunding. Skills England have published a report on their findings: Skills England: evidence on defunding of level 7 apprenticeships - GOV.UK.

We are encouraging more employers to invest in upskilling their staff over 22 to level 7 where it delivers a benefit to the business and the individual. It will be for employers to determine the most appropriate training. There are alternative training options available to employers at level 7 including non-apprenticeship routes. The department has published guidance on privately funded apprenticeships, which will enable employers to privately fund level 7 apprenticeships for staff aged over 22:  Privately funded apprenticeships: rules and guidance - GOV.UK.

Where a student has studied architecture at level 6 via an apprenticeship route, they are unable to access undergraduate support for a level 7 masters’ qualification in architecture. Students may be eligible for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan for a Master’s in Architecture. This is subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan.