The UCAS Tariff allocates numerical points to post-16 qualifications achieved by students in the UK (such as A-Levels, T-Levels, BTEC Nationals, EPQ, and Scottish Highers).
Many UK universities express their undergraduate entry requirements as a total UCAS Tariff score (for example, demanding 120 UCAS Tariff points for admission onto a degree course). Calculating your combined UCAS points allows you to verify whether your predicted or achieved grades meet university entry criteria.
⚙️ Rules & Thresholds
- Official A-Level UCAS Tariff Points:
- A*: 56 Points
- A: 48 Points
- B: 40 Points
- C: 32 Points
- D: 24 Points
- E: 16 Points
- Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) Points:
- A* (28 pts), A (24 pts), B (20 pts), C (16 pts), D (12 pts), E (8 pts).
- BTEC National Extended Diploma (Triple Unit) Points:
- D*D*D* (168 pts), D*D*D (160 pts), DDD (144 pts), DDM (128 pts), DMM (112 pts), MMM (96 pts).
- T-Level Distinction* (168 pts), Distinction (144 pts), Merit (120 pts), Pass (96 pts).
📊 Practical Examples
- A-Level 1 (Grade A): 48 Points
- A-Level 2 (Grade B): 40 Points
- A-Level 3 (Grade C): 32 Points
- EPQ Qualification (Grade A): 24 Points
Calculation: 48 + 40 + 32 + 24 = **144 Total UCAS Points**.
Degree Course Target: Exceeds a 120-point university offer requirement by 24 points.
📑 Common Pitfalls
- Assuming All Universities Use UCAS Tariff Points: Selective Russell Group universities (e.g. Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE) state entry requirements as specific letter grades (e.g. A*AA) rather than tariff points.
- Double Counting Overlapping Subjects: Universities will not accept UCAS points from two qualifications in the same subject (e.g. A-Level Maths and BTEC Applied Maths).
- Counting AS-Levels Alongside Completed A-Levels: AS-Level points cannot be added to an A-Level score in the exact same subject.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The UCAS Tariff is a points system used by UK universities to measure post-16 qualifications. It assigns a numerical score to grades achieved in A-Levels, BTECs, T-Levels, and EPQs, helping universities set course entry requirements.
Under official UCAS Tariff rules, an A-Level grade A is worth 48 UCAS points. Grade A* is worth 56 points, grade B is worth 40 points, grade C is worth 32 points, grade D is 24 points, and grade E is 16 points.
No. Approximately one-third of UK universities use UCAS points tariff offers (e.g. "112 points required"). Other institutions (especially competitive research universities) specify exact grade requirements, such as AAB or ABB.
Yes. Completing an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) awards up to 28 additional UCAS points (Grade A* = 28 pts, A = 24 pts, B = 20 pts). Many UK universities also lower their standard A-Level offer by one grade if you achieve a high EPQ grade.