What are UCAS points and how are they calculated?

How the UCAS Tariff works

The UCAS Tariff is run by UCAS, the central university admissions service for the UK. It assigns a points value to every grade in every Tariff-listed Level 3 qualification, so a university can say "we want 120 UCAS points" instead of listing every possible combination of qualifications.

Universities choose whether to use Tariff points or specific grade requirements (e.g. ABB at A Level). Many use both, listing a grade requirement and a Tariff equivalent.

A Level points

Three A Level grades therefore add up as follows:

• A*A*A* = 168 points
• AAA = 144 points
• AAB = 136 points
• ABB = 128 points
• BBB = 120 points
• BBC = 112 points
• CCC = 96 points

You can gain these grades at any age. Our online A Level courses let you study flexibly and sit exams as a private candidate.

AS Level points

AS Levels are worth 40% of an A Level on the Tariff:

BTEC and applied general points

BTEC Nationals (Extended Diploma, Diploma, Subsidiary Diploma) and similar applied general qualifications carry sizeable Tariff values. The Extended Diploma is roughly equivalent to three A Levels in size and points.

Access to HE Diploma points

The Access to HE Diploma carries a strong Tariff value because it covers 60 credits of Level 3 study. Every grade on the diploma maps to points:

How to calculate your total UCAS points

The quickest way is the Lift College UCAS points calculator, which adds up A Levels, BTECs and Access to HE grades for you. To do it by hand, follow the steps below.

Add up the points from every Tariff-listed qualification you have or are taking. Some rules apply:

• Don’t double-count: if your A Level subsumes an AS in the same subject, only the A Level counts
• Universities often only count your top three qualifications
• GCSEs do not count towards the UCAS Tariff (they are Level 2, not Level 3)

You can use the official UCAS Tariff calculator to add up points across multiple qualifications.

What UCAS points do universities ask for?

Typical Tariff requirements:

• Highly selective courses (medicine, Oxbridge): 152–168 points (A*AA to A*A*A*)
• Russell Group standard offers: 128–144 points (ABB to AAA)
• Mid-tariff universities: 96–128 points (CCC to ABB)
• Foundation year and inclusive entry: 48–80 points (DD to CC)

Not sure how your grades convert? Try our free UCAS points calculator. Adult learners without recent A Levels should look at the Access to HE Diploma, a one-year Level 3 route to university that awards up to 144 UCAS points. Read our full guide: UCAS points from Access to HE explained.