Table of Contents
How are UCAS tariff points calculated?
What qualifications contribute to UCAS tariff points?
How do UCAS tariff points affect university admissions?
UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) is the central admissions service that processes all applications for full-time undergraduate courses at British Higher Education institutions.
In this article, we explore the UCAS tariff points system relating to university entry requirements as well as the UCAS tariff points calculator. We also breakdown the UCAS tariff points associated with the most common qualifications and grades.
What are UCAS tariff points?
UCAS’s tariff points system translates a range of post-16 qualifications and grades into one standard numerical value.
With a range of different level 3 qualifications available these days (A-levels, International Baccalaureate, BTECs to name a few) the UCAS tariff points system was introduced with the aim of helping admissions officers to measure each result more accurately against each other.
For example, using the system, it is possible to see that an A grade at A-level, is worth the same as an H6 in an International Baccalaureate, as they both carry 48 points.
How are UCAS tariff points calculated?
With the UCAS tariff, each qualification (eg A-level, Scottish Higher etc) is allocated a size band value from 1-4, based on the number of learning hours.
Each qualification is also allocated a grade band point from 3-14. By multiplying the two together (size x grade), you can work out the number of UCAS points a qualification is worth.
For ease, the UCAS website has a dedicated tariff points calculator, which is updated every year with qualifications that have been added to the UCAS Tariff. The calculator provides an indicative guide to students of the total number of points allocated to their qualification(s).
All students have to do is enter all the qualifications they currently hold, or are predicted to hold, along with their grades, and then hit ‘Enter.’ The calculator will then determine how many UCAS points they currently have, or are predicted to achieve by the time they finish their A-levels or other course.
It only takes a couple of minutes to do, and is very easy to use.
What qualifications contribute to UCAS tariff points?
UCAS tariff points only apply to Level 3 qualifications/SCQF Level 6 qualifications,, not Level 2 qualifications such as GCSEs. These include A levels, Advanced Highers and the International Baccalaureate. It's worth noting that some music and dance qualifications accrue tariff points too, for example RQF level 3 qualifications.
The tables below show the UCAS tariff points associated with the most common UK qualifications and grades.
A-levels and Highers
A-Levels (Advanced Level qualifications) are a UK subject-based qualification for students aged 16 and above. They are usually completed over two years, leading to qualifications recognised for entrance to higher education institutes in the UK and many others worldwide. Most higher education institutes require a minimum of 3 subjects, and A-level grades range from A* (top) to E.
The Scottish Higher qualification is roughly the equivalent to the A-Levels pupils take in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The average amount of Advanced Highers students sit are two or three.
| Grade | A-levels | Scottish Highers | AS Levels | Advanced Highers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A* | 56 | - | - | - |
| A | 48 | 20 | 33 | 56 |
| B | 40 | 18 | 27 | 48 |
| C | 32 | 12 | 21 | 40 |
| D | 24 | 10 | 15 | 32 |
| E | 16 | 6 |
BTEC Nationals
BTEC Nationals are level 3 vocational qualifications in the UK that provide specialist, work-related learning across a range of sectors.
| National Extended Certificate | National Diploma | National Extended Diploma | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D* | 56 | D*D* | 112 | D*D*D* | 168 |
| D | 48 | D*D | 104 | D*D*D | 160 |
| M | 32 | DD | 96 | D*DD | 152 |
| P | 16 | DM | 80 | DDD | 144 |
| MM | 64 | DDM | 128 | ||
| MP | 48 | DMM | 112 | ||
| PP | 32 | MMM | 96 | ||
| MMP | 80 | ||||
| MPP | 64 | ||||
| PPP | 48 | ||||
T-levels
T Levels are new 2-year courses which are taken after GCSEs and are broadly equivalent in size to 3 A-levels. Launched in September 2020, these courses have been developed in collaboration with employers and education providers so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for entry into skilled employment, an apprenticeship or related technical study through further or higher education.
T Levels offer students practical and knowledge-based learning at a school or college and on-the-job experience through an industry placement of at least 315 hours – approximately 45 days.
| Overall grade | |
|---|---|
| Distinction* |
168 |
| Distinction |
144 |
| Merit |
120 |
| Pass (C or above) |
96 |
| Pass (D or E) |
72 |
International Baccalaureate (IB)
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an academic programme regarded as a good alternative to A levels. It's taught in 143 countries around the world and has two levels of study for students aged 16-19.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma itself does not attract UCAS points but the components which make it up do. To achieve the IB Diploma, students have to pass each component and achieve a total IB point score of 24 or more.
| Higher Level | Standard Level | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| H7 | 56 | S7 | 28 |
| H6 | 48 | S6 | 24 |
| H5 | 32 | S5 | 16 |
| H4 | 24 | S4 | 12 |
| H3 | 12 | S3 | 6 |
| Extended Essay | Theory of Knowledge | |
|---|---|---|
| A | 12 | 12 |
| B | 10 | 10 |
| C | 8 | 8 |
| D | 6 | 6 |
| E | 4 | 4 |
Welsh Baccalaureate
The Welsh Baccalaureate, or Welsh Bacc for short, is unique to Wales.
It has been introduced to prepare students between the ages of 14 and 19 for employability, further study and life. A student is awarded the Welsh Bacc by completing the Skills Challenge Certificate - an innovative skills-based qualification along with achieving a specified combination of qualifications.
| Welsh Baccalaureate | |
|---|---|
| A* | 56 |
| A | 48 |
| B | 40 |
| C | 32 |
| D | 24 |
| E | 16 |
EPQ
The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is a Level 3 course which can be taken alongside A-levels. Students are required to complete a project on a topic of their choice. The project can be in the form of an essay or report or an artifact.
| EPQ | |
|---|---|
| A* | 28 |
| A | 24 |
| B | 20 |
| C | 16 |
| D | 12 |
| E | 8 |
How do UCAS tariff points affect university admissions?
According to UCAS, two-thirds of university courses don't use the UCAS tariff to advertise course requirements, but for those that do, it allows greater flexibility over the grade/course combinations needed to meet the requirements.
For example, a student whose chosen degree course has an entry requirement of 104 UCAS tariff points could attain that in some of the following ways:
- 3 A-levels – Grades BCC, or ACD.
- 2 A-levels plus 1 AS plus Extended Project – Grades BC+b+C, or BB+d+C.
- BTEC Extended Diploma – Grades DMM.
Generally, universities will state whether they accept UCAS points on their website. The more traditional universities are more likely to make an offer stipulating grades and not points.
Need Help With Preparing for Uni Admissions?
If you are interested in completing your degree at a UK university, you may wish to consider completing your schooling with Kings.
With small class sizes, personalised study plans and dedicated UCAS support, you will maximise your potential, and be sure of a place at the best possible UK university.
At Kings, we offer A-level courses and a range of Foundation courses for international students at our four colleges in the UK — Kings Brighton, Kings Bournemouth, Kings London, and Kings Oxford.
The one-year Advanced Level Foundation is based on A-level syllabuses, assessed against A-levels and taught by A-level teachers, many of whom hold a PhD or equivalent. It is validated by Pearson (the awarding body that owns Edexcel, the exam board).
Final results for the Advanced Level Foundation course are given as a percentage out of 100. Typical university offers are based on their normal university A-level offers. Many Kings students achieve grades equivalent to A*A*A* at A-level.
|
Typical A-level offer |
Typical Kings Foundation offer |
|
A*A*A* |
80% |
|
AAA |
75% |
|
AAB |
70% |
|
ABB |
65% |
|
BBB |
60% |
|
CCC |
50% |
University partnerships
As the Kings Foundation is not affiliated to any one institution, it offers students the chance to spend a year in the UK with time to research their options, visit potential universities, and explore different places themselves before they make a final decision on the next steps.
That said, we acknowledge students and their families want reassurance that they will progress to university after our Advanced Level Foundation.This is why we work towards getting special agreements with key university partners.
These partners acknowledge the Kings' Advanced Level Foundation as equivalent to A-levels, providing students with an alternative pathway to higher education. Students who meet the specified foundation grades are offered a place at the university, giving them the opportunity to pursue their academic goals and excel in their chosen field.
Next steps
We hope that this article has helped you understand more about the UCAS tariff points system.
If you would like receive more detailed information about the Kings and our programmes, please get in touch with us at enquiries@kingseducation.com.
