Every year many British and international students apply to universities in the UK. Despite the fact that universities want to give a chance for everyone, UCAS developed a points system to distinguish levels of student grades. This system is UCAS tariff points or A-level points.
In our guide, you will learn what the UCAS tariff points system is, understand the table, how to use it and calculate grades. Additionally, we added an example of a table for better understanding.
What are UCAS Tariff Points?
UCAS tariff points are used to give a numerical equivalence to diplomas and qualifications. The number of points depends on the diploma and the grades obtained.
Tariff points are used by universities to determine some of their entry requirements. Thus, they allow them to more easily compare the level of students to ensure that they can follow the courses they have chosen.
How do I find how many UCAS tariff points I have?
On the UCAS website, a summary table of most conversions is updated every year. You will find there the equivalences of the marks of the Bac.
Further reading
Consider reading the following UCAS guide:
- How Many Universities Can You Apply To UCAS In The UK
- Top 30 Latest UCAS Statistics and Data For UK Universities
- How Many UCAS Points To Get Into Oxford University
- UCAS Deadline 2024: Everything You Need to Know
- UCAS Application Process For 2024 Explained
- UCAS Application Process for International Students
- What Is UCAS Adjustment and How Does It Work?
- UCAS Clearing Guide
- UCAS Extra 2024: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide
- UCAS Reference Letter: Ultimate Writing Guide
UCAS Table Tariff Points
UCAS has also developed an online calculator to allow you to search for your equivalences directly.
As you can see, if you obtain a general average of 16 in the Baccalaureate (or more), you will have 168 UCAS points.
| Grade | UCAS Tariff points |
| A* | 56 |
| A | 48 |
| B | 40 |
| C | 32 |
| D | 24 |
| E | 16 |
These equivalences, whether indicated by the table or the calculator, remain indicative.
A-Level UCAS tariff points
It is common for universities and colleges to only count the A-Level if you have taken the same subject for AS and A-Level.
There is still value in AS levels! However, they are now only worth about 40% of the full A level. If you achieve an A at AS, then this is considered a B grade at A-Level, if you achieve a B in an AS subject, then this is considered a C grade at A-Level. In other words, if you took an AS subject but didn’t continue through A-Level, it will still be included, but if you did, then only the full A Level is included.
Do you take BTECs? If your BTEC is not listed in the Tariff calculator, talk to your teacher. Keeping your BTEC’s exact grade in mind will help you succeed,
The Tariff point system includes Access to Higher Education Diplomas as well. You should check the entry requirements for your course, since some require specific diplomas, such as Midwifery.
Universities and colleges do not accept certain subjects and qualifications as part of their admission requirements. Despite the fact that a subject like General Studies may well carry some UCAS Tariff points, it will not count towards your application.
Check the entry requirements of the course if you aren’t sure what subjects are accepted – they will clearly explain what subjects they expect applicants to have.
Example of grade combinations for A-level grade
Here is for better understanding a table with examples of grade combinations for A-level grades and tariff points.
| A level grade | Tariff points |
| A*A*A* | 168 |
| A*A*A | 160 |
| A*AA | 152 |
| AAA | 144 |
| AAB | 136 |
| ABB | 128 |
| BBB | 120 |
| BBC | 112 |
| BCC | 104 |
| CCC | 96 |
| CCD | 88 |
| CDD | 80 |
| DDD | 72 |
Do all universities use UCAS Tariff Points?
Don’t worry if you can’t convert your grades into UCAS tariff points. Some universities do not use the UCAS Tariff Points system. Others accept qualifications and degrees without points.
Just because you don’t have UCAS points doesn’t mean your application will be rejected.
It should also be noted that not all diplomas have equivalence, even if UCAS updates the conversions regularly by integrating new qualifications. Currently, very few international degrees are considered by UCAS.
Further reading
- How to Get Into UK University Without A-Levels
- How to Write a Personal Statement: A Step-by-Step Guide for 2024 with Examples
- How to Get into LSE: Simple Guide and Tips Follow
- Is the University of York Good?
- How to Get Into the University of York
- The Best Oxford Colleges For Students in 2024
- Top 10 Best Colleges at York University
How do I use my UCAS Tariff points?
Check selection criteria
To find out the number of UCAS tariff points required to enter a particular university or course, simply check the list of entry requirements directly on the university website. The UCAS search tool also allows you to know the prerequisites of the courses.
Some universities require a certain number of general Tariff Points while others will establish a minimum required for specific subjects.
Compare my points
If you have not yet obtained your Baccalaureate results when you apply, you are supposed to have your predictive marks, established by your academic referent. You can use this to determine how many points you will get.
Once you have checked your equivalences, you can find out if you meet the entry requirements for your course. If you do not have a sufficient number of points, keep in mind that Tariff Points are not the only selection criteria.
Your UCAS personal statement and letter of recommendation can still make all the difference.
Receive a conditional offer
After submitting your UCAS application, a university may make you an offer, conditional on a certain number of Tariff Points that you will need to obtain to be admitted.
Again, you can find out if your results correspond to the number of points expected by converting them using the calculator.
UCAS tariff points calculator
UCAS has developed a very advanced tariff points calculator for students, so they can easily calculate and convert grades into tariff points.
To calculate your points, you can visit the UCAS calculator HERE.
What if I don’t understand the UCAS tariff point table?
Finally, if you do not understand the entry requirements established by a university and do not know if you meet the admission criteria, do not hesitate to contact its administration directly for more information.
University staff will be able to advise you on exactly what to do with your grades. Remember that some universities accept applications that do not contain UCAS Tariff Points equivalencies.
What is a good UCAS score?
It’s hard to say what is a good score of tariff points for UCAS because it depends on the university and particular course. However, the majority of the universities in the UK accept students with 136 UCAS points. So, this can be a good UCAS score for students applying to less competitive courses.
UCAS points system
The Tariff Points system can be difficult to understand at UCAS. Converting your grades, final or predictive, can be scary. By following our recommendations, you will be able to obtain your number of UCAS points to know if you meet the admission criteria of the UK universities.
FAQs
The A * A * A * means you have 168 A-level points, which is the highest UCAS score.
Students applying to Oxford must have completed, or be studying for, 152 points at stage 1 or above. Read more: How many UCAS points do I need for Oxford?
There’s no doubt that UCAS tariff points are important, but that’s not all a university will ask for. In most cases, there will be other conditions as well.