Key facts
9.6%
A Level results graded A* in summer 2026 (England, Wales, Northern Ireland)
28.5%
A Level results graded A* or A in summer 2026
56 to 16 points
UCAS Tariff points for A Level grades A* down to E
Source: UCAS Tariff tables
Figures checked on against the official sources linked.
A Levels are graded A*, A, B, C, D and E, with E the lowest pass and U meaning ungraded. Your grade comes from your total raw mark across all the exams and any non exam assessment, compared with grade boundaries the exam board sets each year.
A Level grades are the single most important currency in UK university admissions. They sit on a six-grade scale from A* down to E, plus U for ungraded. This guide explains what each grade means, how grade boundaries are set, and how grades convert into UCAS Tariff points.
Subject choice matters, too. See which A Levels are considered hardest.
Whatever grade you're aiming for, our online A-level courses give you the structure to reach it.
The A Level grading scale
Since the linear A Level reform was completed in England (first awards from 2017 to 2020), every A Level is graded on the same six grade scale, A*, A, B, C, D and E, with U for ungraded. There are no AS Level results bolted on, your A Level grade reflects only the A Level papers and any non-exam assessment.
Swipe to compare →Scroll sideways to compare →
| Grade | What it means | UCAS points |
|---|---|---|
| A* | Outstanding performance | 56 |
| A | Excellent | 48 |
| B | Strong | 40 |
| C | Sound | 32 |
| D | Adequate | 24 |
| E | Minimum pass | 16 |
| U | Ungraded, no certificate awarded | 0 |
There is no fixed percentage for each grade. Exam boards (AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel and WJEC Eduqas) set the boundaries every August after senior examiners review the difficulty of each paper. In June 2026, for example, AQA A Level Maths needed 260 out of 300 for an A*, 219 for an A and 72 for an E; Pearson Edexcel Maths needed 254, 210 and 64. See every subject in our A Level grade boundaries guide.
How grade boundaries are set
Grade boundaries are not fixed at, say, 80% for an A*. Each year the awarding body decides the minimum raw mark needed for each grade in each paper, based on:
- How difficult the paper turned out to be in practice
- The mark profile of the cohort, to keep standards stable year to year
- Statistical comparison with prior cohorts (especially at the key A and E boundaries)
The same process applies at GCSE. Our guide to how GCSE grade boundaries are set each year explains why the mark needed for each grade moves between exam series.
For the latest board-by-board figures, see our guide to A Level grade boundaries.
Whether you are aiming for an A* or improving on a previous grade, you can prepare with online A Level courses and enter as a private candidate at an approved exam centre.
A Level grades to UCAS points
Universities use the UCAS Tariff to convert grades into points for offer-making. Here is the standard A Level conversion (Tariff post-2017 reform):
Swipe to compare →Scroll sideways to compare →
| A Level grade | UCAS Tariff points |
|---|---|
| A* | 56 |
| A | 48 |
| B | 40 |
| C | 32 |
| D | 24 |
| E | 16 |
A typical AAA offer is therefore 144 UCAS points. AAB is 136. BBB is 120. See our guide to UCAS points for a full explainer.
What grades do you need for university?
Different courses require different grade profiles. As a rough guide:
- Russell Group / top-tier courses: AAB to A*A*A*
- Mid-tariff competitive courses: BBB to ABB
- Standard university entry: CCC to BBC
- Foundation year entry: typically CDD or DDD
What if your A Level grades are not what you hoped?
You have options:
- Apply through Clearing for a different course
- Resit the exams in the next available series
- Take an Access to HE Diploma, a faster route into university for adults
- Consider a foundation year, which can lower entry requirements
Read our full guide: What happens if you fail A Levels?