Degree apprenticeship for graduates
Can graduates do a degree apprenticeship? The prior qualification rules explained, and what your real options are.
Prior degree rules apply
Key restriction
Cannot use levy to fund same or lower level qualification as one already held
Level 7 option
Main graduate route
Master's-level apprenticeships are above Level 6, graduates are eligible in principle
Same-level rule
Why Level 6 is restricted
Level 6 DAs cannot be levy-funded for those who already hold a Level 6 degree
Level 7 funding change, January 2026
Government levy funding for Level 7 apprenticeship new starts is being removed for apprentices aged 22 or over from 1 January 2026. Most graduates are over 22. Employers can still self-fund Level 7 programmes. Check with your employer before assuming levy funding is available. Read our full Level 7 guide.
The rules explained, what graduates can and cannot do
The prior qualification rule
The core rule: you cannot use the government apprenticeship levy to fund a qualification at the same or lower level than one you already hold. A graduate with a BSc (Level 6) cannot use the levy to fund another Level 6 degree apprenticeship in the same or similar subject.
Level 7 is still an option, with caveats
A Level 7 (master's-equivalent) apprenticeship is above Level 6, so graduates are eligible in principle. Common routes include the Solicitor Apprenticeship (SQE), Chartered Accountant (ICAEW Level 7), and Senior Leader / MBA. Critical caveat: government levy funding for Level 7 is being removed for over-22s from 1 January 2026. Employers must self-fund.
Level 6 in a different subject, employer-dependent
Some employers accept graduates for Level 6 degree apprenticeships if the subject is substantially different from the applicant's prior degree. For example, an English graduate applying for a data science or engineering apprenticeship. This is not universal, the training provider must agree the prior degree is sufficiently different.
Graduate schemes and alternatives
Most large employers have separate graduate recruitment pathways. Graduate schemes, direct entry professional roles, employer-funded qualifications, and part-time master's degrees are all well-established routes for graduates that do not involve the apprenticeship levy rules.
Alternatives for graduates
| Route | Description |
|---|---|
| Graduate scheme | Structured 2–3 year development programme at a major employer; the most common route for recent graduates into top firms |
| Employer-funded professional qualification | ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPD, CILEX, many employers fund these for graduate hires without using the apprenticeship route |
| Level 7 apprenticeship (employer self-funded) | Where the employer self-funds (not using the levy), graduates can join Level 7 programmes regardless of the January 2026 funding change |
| Conversion course | GDL (law), PGCE (teaching), MSc conversion, employer or self-funded pathways into new professions |
| Part-time master's degree | Employer-funded or self-funded postgraduate study at a UK university alongside employment |
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Can graduates do a degree apprenticeship?▾
Not usually for Level 6 programmes, the prior qualification rule prevents levy-funded apprenticeships at the same or lower level as a qualification already held. Graduates can apply for Level 7 apprenticeships, but levy funding for those is being removed for over-22s from January 2026.
What is the prior qualification rule?▾
The prior qualification rule means the government levy cannot fund an apprenticeship at the same or lower level as a qualification already held. A graduate with a Level 6 degree cannot use the levy to fund another Level 6 degree apprenticeship.
Can I do a degree apprenticeship in a different subject as a graduate?▾
Possibly, some employers accept graduates for Level 6 apprenticeships in a substantially different subject. This is employer and training-provider specific. Always check directly with the employer before applying.
Can graduates do Level 7 apprenticeships?▾
In principle yes, Level 7 is above Level 6, so graduates are eligible. However, government levy funding for Level 7 is being removed for over-22s from January 2026. Employers who self-fund can still run Level 7 programmes for graduates of any age.
What are the best alternatives for graduates?▾
Graduate schemes, employer-funded professional qualifications (ACA, ACCA, CIPD), employer self-funded Level 7 apprenticeships, conversion courses (GDL, PGCE), and part-time master's degrees are all well-established routes for graduates that work around the prior qualification rule.