Apprenticeships offer a flexible, accessible, and inclusive way to become an architect.
In September 2024, the government announced plans to reform apprenticeships in England. A new Growth and Skills Levy will replace the current Apprenticeship Levy, and businesses will be asked to fund Level 7 apprenticeships outside of the levy.
Level 7 apprenticeships, equivalent to a Masters degree, are a key point of architectural education. The Architects Registration Board (ARB) has recently made significant changes to the regulation of architectural education, resulting in only the recognition of masters-level and professional qualifications. This makes the Level 7 architecture apprenticeship more important than before.
Disappointingly, in May 2025, the Department for Education announced that funding for Level 7 apprenticeships will cease from January 2026 for all but those aged 16 to 21, or whose who are already undertaking an apprenticeship. Read President, Muyiwa Oki’s response to the announcement.
Architects are also key to delivering the UK’s growth ambitions, including delivering 1.5 million homes, creating new towns, and achieving net zero. Skills England’s own analysis of current and future skills demands highlights that the government’s growth ambitions will require an increased number of architects.
However, without continued levy funding, many practices have told us that they will be unable to employ architecture apprentices.
What are we doing now?
Following the defunding announcement we are now calling on the government to:
- conduct a full impact assessment to evaluate the long-term implications for the architecture profession and wider built environment sector
This would allow government to properly assess the long-term effect on the architectural talent pipeline, potential impacts on diversity and inclusion, and the knock-on effects on the viability of Level 6 apprenticeships which rely on Level 7 as a progression route. Without this assessment, there is a risk of undermining both the skills and housebuilding agenda.
- extend the phased transition period to give employers, universities and apprentices greater certainty and time to adapt to new programmes
This phased approach would give universities, employers, and learners greater certainty around future provision and apprenticeship numbers. It would also allow time to adapt and create space to observe any unintended consequences before full withdrawal of funding takes effect.
- change student finance eligibility to ensure those progressing from Level 6 apprenticeships are not inadvertently disadvantaged in accessing further study
A change to student finance eligibility is needed so those completing a Level 6 apprenticeship can access full undergraduate student finance if they continue via a full time Part 2 architecture course.
What action did RIBA take to try to protect Level 7 funding?
We engaged with government and key decision makers to highlight the impact of defunding Level 7 architecture apprenticeships and advocate for continued funding by:
- writing to the Skills Minister outlining the impact of defunding Level 7 architecture apprenticeships
- giving evidence at the House of Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, where RIBA President Muyiwa Oki highlighted the role of Level 7 apprenticeships in ensuring the sector has the capacity to help deliver 1.5 million homes to high design and sustainability standards
- raising the issue with civil servants at the Department for Education (DfE), the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
- submitting evidence to the House of Commons Education Committee inquiry into Further Education and Skills, with the recommendation that funding for Level 7 architecture apprenticeships be included within the Growth and Skills Levy
- attending Skills England and DBT roundtables and voicing our concerns
- briefing Members of Parliament and Peers to raise awareness of the issue. Shadow Education Minister, Neil O'Brien MP, raised our appeal in Parliament for apprenticeships in the built environment to be exempt from funding cuts
- issuing a joint statement with the Chartered Institute of Builders (CIOB), Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Royal Town Planners Institute (RTPI)calling for an exemption from proposed changes
- showcasing the importance of apprenticeships during National Apprenticeships Week 2025, and using this as an opportunity to call on DfE to continue funding for architecture apprentices
- briefing Members of Parliament and Peers to raise awareness of the issue. Shadow Education Minister, Neil O'Brien MP, raised our appeal in Parliament for apprenticeships in the built environment to be exempt from funding cuts
- meeting with Lords to discuss how they can support our work
- publishing a story in Dezeen which outlines the impact on apprentices and architecture practices
- tabling parliamentary questions to press for further clarity on the government’s position
- co-signing a University Alliance letter to the Treasury, alongside over 600 other organisations, outlining the risks of removing funding
- engaging with the education sector to showcase the value of apprenticeships in diversifying the profession
"There is growing evidence that apprenticeships are improving access for individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds who might not have pursued an architectural education otherwise - we're finally seeing progress."
Daniel Goodricke, Assistant Professor in Architecture, Northumbria University
Further information
If you would like to learn more about apprenticeships, plenty of insights can be found in the Architecture Apprenticeship handbook, by Daniel Goodricke and Luke Murray, featuring advice, ‘need-to-know’ tips and case studies from employers, academics and recent graduates and current Level 7 apprentices, all with the aim to demystify the key stages of the apprenticeship.
Whether would like to become an apprentice, if you’re from a chartered practice interested in employing apprentices, or are a university who would like to become a RIBA validated apprenticeship training provider, we can support you.
