UCAS points (the UCAS Tariff) turn grades from Level 3 qualifications into a number that some universities use in their entry requirements. 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 AAA is 144 points and BBB is 120.
Quick answer: UCAS points (the UCAS Tariff) turn grades from Level 3 qualifications into a number that some universities use in their entry requirements. 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 AAA is 144 points and BBB is 120. A BTEC National Extended Diploma at DDD is also 144, and an Access to HE Diploma gives up to 144 points from its 45 graded credits. GCSEs carry no UCAS points. To add points as an adult, Lift College's online A Levels start at £49.99 a month, and its QAA approved Access to HE Diplomas cost £79.99 a month, both when you pay today (£59.99 and £89.99 after a 7-day free trial). Use the UCAS points calculator to add up your own grades.
A Level and AS Level points
Swipe to compare →Scroll sideways to compare →
| Grade | A Level | AS Level |
|---|---|---|
| A* | 56 | (no A* at AS) |
| A | 48 | 20 |
| B | 40 | 16 |
| C | 32 | 12 |
| D | 24 | 10 |
| E | 16 | 6 |
Three A Levels add up like this: A*A*A* 168, AAA 144, AAB 136, ABB 128, BBB 120, BBC 112, CCC 96. If you are unsure how many A Levels you take for a standard offer, three is the number universities build offers around. An AS is worth about 40% of an A Level at the same grade, and if you take the full A Level in a subject, the AS in that subject does not count as well.
BTEC National points
Swipe to compare →Scroll sideways to compare →
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | Points | BTEC National Extended Certificate | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D*D*D* | 168 | D* | 56 | |
| D*D*D | 160 | D | 48 | |
| D*DD | 152 | M | 32 | |
| DDD | 144 | P | 16 | |
| DDM | 128 | |||
| DMM | 112 | |||
| MMM | 96 | |||
| MMP | 80 | |||
| MPP | 64 | |||
| PPP | 48 |
The Extended Diploma is the same size as three A Levels; the Extended Certificate is the same size as one.
T Level points
Swipe to compare →Scroll sideways to compare →
| T Level overall grade | Points |
|---|---|
| Distinction* | 168 |
| Distinction | 144 |
| Merit | 120 |
| Pass (C or above on the core) | 96 |
| Pass (D or E on the core) | 72 |
Access to HE Diploma points
An Access to HE Diploma has 60 credits, and only the 45 graded Level 3 credits earn UCAS points, graded Distinction, Merit or Pass. All 45 at Distinction gives 144 points, the most available; all 45 at Pass gives 48.
Swipe to compare →Scroll sideways to compare →
| Grade profile (45 graded credits) | Points |
|---|---|
| 45 Distinction | 144 |
| 30 Distinction, 15 Merit | 128 |
| 30 Distinction, 12 Merit, 3 Pass | 125 |
| 15 Distinction, 30 Merit | 112 |
| 45 Merit | 96 |
| 15 Merit, 30 Pass | 64 |
| 45 Pass | 48 |
Many universities make Access offers in credits rather than points, for example "30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit". QAA says Access to HE students are accepted at over 140 universities every year. See UCAS points for Access to HE explained and UCAS points for nursing.
What common offers mean
Swipe to compare →Scroll sideways to compare →
| Points | A Levels | BTEC Extended Diploma | Access to HE (45 credits) | T Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96 | CCC | MMM | 45 Merit | Pass (C or above) |
| 112 | BBC | DMM | 15 Distinction, 30 Merit | |
| 120 | BBB | Merit | ||
| 128 | ABB | DDM | 30 Distinction, 15 Merit | |
| 144 | AAA | DDD | 45 Distinction | Distinction |
| 168 | A*A*A* | D*D*D* | Distinction* |
A blank cell means no single grade profile gives exactly that total.
How to work out your total
- Find the points for each Level 3 qualification you hold or are taking, using the tables above.
- Add them together. Do not count an AS and an A Level in the same subject.
- Check the course entry requirements. Many universities also name required subjects or grades, or count only your best three qualifications, so the total alone may not be enough.
GCSEs, Functional Skills and other Level 2 qualifications carry no UCAS points; universities use them as separate minimum requirements, often grade 4 or 5 in English and maths.
How adults can add UCAS points
- A Levels: study one or more online and sit the exams as a private candidate. Lift College's A Level courses are from £49.99 a month when you pay today (£59.99 after a 7-day free trial), typically 12 to 18 months per subject.
- Access to HE Diploma: one diploma, studied online, typically over 12 to 18 months, worth up to 144 points. Lift College offers 13 Access to HE pathways, including nursing, midwifery and psychology.
For how A Level grades are awarded, see A Level grades explained.