69% of UK’s Top 100 universities back Level 7 apprenticeships despite funding cuts – UVAC

The University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) found that 69% of the UK’s Top 100 universities will offer Level 7 apprenticeships this autumn, despite Government funding cuts leaving employers facing an estimated £214m increase in training costs. 

Levy funding was withdrawn for most Level 7 apprentices aged over 21 earlier this year, which has left employers struggling with skills shortages in areas like engineering, digital, health and construction.

There has been a 6% increase in top universities providing degree apprenticeships in the past two years, with overall provision across sectors rising by 73%. 

Marketing saw the biggest growth, up 150% since 2024, followed by construction, architecture and the built environment at 95%, and law at 67%. 

Other sectors with notable growth included finance and accounting at 57%, health and science at 54%, and digital and IT at 31%. 

Degree apprenticeship provision dropped 71% in agriculture, environment and animal care, and 20% in transport and logistics.

Across all sectors, 55% of degree apprenticeships at the UK’s Top 100 universities will be available at Level 6, while 45% will be at Level 7.

Dr Mandy Crawford-Lee, CEO of UVAC, said: “Although these findings provide no comfort to both the thousands of employers or apprentices aged 22 and older who were greatly impacted by the government funding cuts earlier this year, it’s clear from our research that the UK’s top universities continue to back Level 7 apprenticeships in large numbers.