Apprenticeship funding rules for 2025

The 2025 to 2026 apprenticeship funding rules will be have been published, with no draft version released first, the government has announced. 

A draft is usually made available in March, but this year the Department for Education (DfE) Has changed its approach so it can incorporate latest policy developments before publication. 

The DfE has said it will engage with the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP), the Association of Colleges (AoC) and its expert providers to ensure the rules are as clear as possible. 

It says the changes for 2025 to 2026 will focus on several priority areas, including operational developments such as finalising the implementation of new foundation apprenticeships and off-the-job policy.  

The 2025 to 2026 funding rules will, says the DfE introduce updates across: 

• active learning policy, with adjustments to support more flexible delivery models and maintain learner engagement 
• prisoner apprenticeships, clarifying processes and eligibility to expand apprenticeship access for prisoners 
• changes to end-point assessment (EPA), implementing modifications following announcements made during National Apprenticeship Week 
• eligibility criteria, updating eligibility guidelines to ensure greater clarity and consistency 
• English and maths clarifications, providing further guidance on English and maths requirements to support all apprentices 

These funding rules will apply to both training providers and employers who employ apprentices, as stated here:  

• main providers and employer-providers receiving funding for delivering apprenticeship training and on programme assessment in England 
• employers of apprentices accessing apprenticeship funding in England 

All apprenticeships starting on or after 1 August 2025 will be subject to these rules unless otherwise specified, says the DfE.