After school · 5 min read
What are UCAS points and how do they work?
How UCAS Tariff points work: the values for A level, BTEC and T level grades, how to add them up, which universities use them and what to do if you fall short.
The short answer
UCAS Tariff points turn Level 3 grades into numbers so universities can compare qualifications. An A level is worth 56 points at A*, 48 at A, 40 at B, 32 at C, 24 at D and 16 at E, so AAB is 136 and BBC is 112. A T level Distinction is 144 and a BTEC Extended Diploma DDD is also 144. Many universities make offers in grades rather than points, so always check the course page for which it uses.
Key takeaways
- A level: A* 56, A 48, B 40, C 32, D 24, E 16. AS levels are worth 40% of the full A level.
- T level: Distinction* 168, Distinction 144, Merit 120, Pass 96 (or 72 for a lower pass). BTEC Extended Diploma: D*D*D* 168, DDD 144, MMM 96, PPP 48.
- Only Level 3 qualifications count; GCSEs don't carry points. EPQ (A* 28) and some music and dance grades do.
- Roughly a third of courses make tariff offers; the rest ask for specific grades, so read the course page.
On this pageThe main values at a glance
The main values at a glance
| Qualification | Grades and points |
|---|---|
| A level | A* 56, A 48, B 40, C 32, D 24, E 16 |
| AS level | A 20, B 16, C 12, D 10, E 6 |
| T level (overall grade) | Distinction* 168, Distinction 144, Merit 120, Pass (C or above on the core) 96, Pass (D or E) 72 |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma (three A levels in size) | D*D*D* 168, D*D*D 160, D*DD 152, DDD 144, DDM 128, DMM 112, MMM 96, MMP 80, MPP 64, PPP 48 |
| BTEC National Diploma (two A levels in size) | D*D* 112, D*D 104, DD 96, DM 80, MM 64, MP 48, PP 32 |
| Extended Project Qualification | A* 28, A 24, B 20, C 16, D 12, E 8 |
| International Baccalaureate Diploma | 45 points 720 down to 24 points 260, by component |
How to add yours up
- List every Level 3 qualification you're taking, with your predicted grade.
- Look up each grade in the table and add the points. Don't count an AS level and the full A level in the same subject twice.
- Add any EPQ or graded music, dance or drama exam at Grade 6 or above.
- Compare the total with the course's typical offer, and read whether the offer says how many points must come from which qualifications.
Why universities use grades or points
A points offer lets a university take students with mixed qualifications on an equal footing, which is why it's common on vocational and broad-entry courses. A grades offer lets a department insist on a particular grade in a particular subject, which is why maths, sciences and competitive courses use it. Neither is tougher by design; they measure differently.
What points don't tell you
The Tariff says how a university counts your results, not how good a course is or whether you'd enjoy it. Two courses asking for 112 points can lead to very different jobs five years out. Use Discover Uni for outcomes, the course page for content, and the Tariff only for the arithmetic of your application.
Illustrative example: counting a mixed set
A Year 13 student is predicted B and C at A level plus a Distinction* in a one-A-level-sized BTEC Extended Certificate and an A in her EPQ. That's 40 plus 32 plus 56 plus 24, 152 points. The sports science course she wants asks for 120 points including a C in a science, which she has. The business course asks for BBB in grades, which she doesn't, so she picks courses that count the way she scores.
Questions people ask
- How many UCAS points are three A levels worth?
- It depends on the grades: A*A*A* is 168, AAA 144, AAB 136, ABB 128, BBB 120, BBC 112, BCC 104, CCC 96 and DDD 72. Add 28 for an A* in an Extended Project Qualification. Universities that make tariff offers usually ask for between 96 and 144 points, and some specify that a certain number must come from A levels.
- Do GCSEs count towards UCAS points?
- No. Only Level 3 qualifications and some graded music, dance and drama exams carry Tariff points. GCSEs matter separately: many courses require grade 4 or above in English and maths, and some ask for more in specific subjects. They're checked as conditions, not added to your total.
- Does every university use UCAS points?
- No. Many, including most Russell Group universities, make offers in grades, such as AAB with an A in maths. Others, often post-1992 universities, use points, which lets them accept a mix of A levels, BTECs and other qualifications. The course page on each university site says which; UCAS's course search shows both.
- What if I don't get enough UCAS points?
- Call the university on results day. If you've missed by a few points they may still confirm you, especially if you were close on the subject they care about. If not, Clearing lists courses with places, and many accept slightly lower totals. A foundation year or an Access course the following year are also routes in.
Exercises are practice, not evidence of career fit or a qualification. How to read our guides and report a correction.
Sources
- UCAS Tariff points · UCAS
- What is Clearing? · UCAS
How this page is written
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