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A government plan to limit funding for some degree-level apprenticeships to those under the age of 21 borders ¡°on the ridiculous¡±, according to critics who are still pushing for a full reprieve.

Times Higher Education understands the government is considering maintaining funding for level 7 degree apprenticeships for those who start studying between the ages of 16 and 21, instead of cutting the programmes out of the new growth and skills levy altogether, as was initially proposed.

But lobby groups have criticised the policy revision, given that under-21s are rarely qualified to enrol in level 7 programmes, which are the equivalent of a master¡¯s degree.

¡°If what is being reported comes to fruition, then the decision is bordering on the ridiculous,¡± said Vanessa Wilson, chief executive of University Alliance.

¡°Limiting funding for the highest level of apprenticeship to an age group that typically hasn¡¯t even finished level 6 education, most of whom wouldn¡¯t even qualify for level 7, is hardly a concession.¡±

Rachel Hewitt, chief executive of MillionPlus, said while maintaining funding for these courses for younger students ¡°will bring small benefit to some individuals and institutions¡±, on the whole, applicants are likely to be older, ¡°meaning in effect that the overall impact of such a provision would differ little from wholesale defunding¡±.

The government has said it is keen to divert funding raised via the levy ¨C a tax on the payroll of larger employers ¨C away from older skilled workers and towards younger, entry-level workers by increasing lower-level apprenticeship opportunities, but departments are thought to be at odds with one another over the policy.

In particular, changes to level 7 funding could impact nursing apprenticeships, potentially further harming the already understaffed NHS. The Department of Health is thought to have pushed back on the proposals, although the Department of Education (DfE) has previously denied any rift.

A lack of clarity on the future of higher-level apprenticeships has been described as a ¡°headache¡± for university leaders.

The DfE declined to comment on the latest policy changes. Last week, skills minister Jacqui Smith said the government had been ¡°very clear¡± about its intention to shift funding ¡°that is currently supporting level 7 apprenticeships to respond to the challenge that we¡¯ve seen of falling numbers of young people starting apprenticeships¡±.

Wilson said universities recognised ¡°the government is operating in difficult fiscal circumstances¡± but hoped ¡°that any decisions made will reflect the needs of employers and learners and that the decisions are first and foremost grounded in common sense, with a focus on delivering on the promised skills agenda¡±.

Hewitt added that the policy appears to contradict the government¡¯s plans for lifelong learning, with new tuition fee loans set to come into force from September 2026 for over-18s to use to upskill and reskill throughout their working lives.

¡°These courses are often in key sectors of the economy such as healthcare and construction in which there are long-standing staff shortages and which, again, tend to attract older applicants,¡± she said.

¡°If the government is committed to people upskilling throughout their lives, as seems clear from their ongoing support of the LLE, it seems to run counter to this objective to defund training for one age cohort at the expense of another.¡±

helen.packer@timeshighereducation.com