UCAS Tariff

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The UCAS Tariff (formerly called UCAS Points System) is used to allocate points to post-16 qualifications (Level 3 qualifications on the Regulated Qualifications Framework). Universities and colleges may use it when making offers to applicants. A points total is achieved by converting qualifications, such as A-Levels (Scottish Highers, BTECs, etc.), into points, making it simpler for course providers to compare applicants. It is used as a means of giving students from the United Kingdom places at UK universities.

Contents

While UCAS Tariff Points are often based on A-Levels, AS-Levels, Scottish Highers, etc., they can also be increased through other means, including taking extra-curricular activities, such as doing an EPQ [1] or passing a Grade 6 in an instrument. [2] Though this must remain cautionary as many universities will still have other entry requirements or expectations that they have for a student that may not be met with additional UCAS Points.

Common ways for UCAS points to be calculated are through the UCAS Tariff Calculator, [3] official tariff tables, or through third-party software and websites.

The UCAS Tariff was first introduced in 2001. Since then, however, both the range of qualifications held by applicants, and the variety of progression routes into higher education have increased. Therefore a new Tariff was introduced. The new UCAS Tariff points are based on a different methodology. The change to new UCAS Tariff will not in itself change entry requirements for university or college courses. Universities and colleges are independent organisations and each year they decide how to set their entry requirements. Those universities and colleges that use UCAS Tariff points to express their entry requirements will simply set their requirements using the new number system. [4]

Points system

The following qualifications can count towards the tariff:

GCE qualifications

New tariff

A level UCAS points table (New Tariff) [5]
GradeUCAS Points
A*56
A48
B40
C32
D24
E16
  • GCE AS Levels
AS level UCAS points table [5]
GradeUCAS points
A20
B16
C12
D10
E6
  • GCE A Level (Double Award)
A level (Double Award) UCAS points table [5]
GradeUCAS points
A*A*112
A*A104
AA96
AB88
BB80
BC72
CC64
CD56
DD48
DE40
EE32
  • GCE AS Level (Double Award)
AS level (Double Award) UCAS points table [5]
GradeUCAS points
AA40
AB36
BB32
BC28
CC24
CD22
DD20
DE16
EE12
  • GCE A Level with additional AS Level

These are only offered by AQA and Edexcel.

A Level with additional AS Level UCAS points table [5]
GradeUCAS points
A*A*80
A*A76
AA68
AB64
BB56
BC52
CC44
CD42
DD34
DE30
EE22

Original 2001 UCAS Points Tariff

UCAS initially introduced a university points tariff which created a points system to cover the GCE A-Level and AS-Level qualification for students starting higher education in September 2001. (GCE A and AS Levels awarded before 2001 do not attract UCAS points).

A level UCAS points table (Original 2001 Tariff)
GradeUCAS Points
A10
B8
C6
D4
E2
AS level UCAS points table (Original 2001 Tariff)
GradeUCAS points
A5
B4
C3
D2
E1

Old tariff (2002-2016)

UCAS revamped the original tariff to a single points system which included the majority of post-16 academic qualifications (including the allocation of points to Advanced GNVQS and Key Skills). This change applied to students starting courses in 2002. Additional post-16 qualifications were allocated points after this date.

A level UCAS points table (Old Tariff) [6]
GradeUCAS Points
A*140
A120
B100
C80
D60
E40
GradeUCAS points
A60
B50
C40
D30
E20

International Baccalaureate

IBO Certificate in Higher Level UCAS points table [5]
GradeUCAS Points
H756
H648
H532
H424
H312
H20
H10
IBO Certificate in Standard Level UCAS points table
GradeUCAS Points
S728
S624
S516
S412
S36
S20
S10
IBO Certificate in Theory of Knowledge/Extended Essay UCAS points table [5]
GradeUCAS Points
A12
B10
C8
D6
E4

Full Diploma or each of its components.

BTECs

BTEC National Award Points table [5]
GradeUCAS points
D48
M32
P16
BTEC National Certificate Points table [5]
GradeUCAS points
DD96
DM80
MM64
MP48
PP32
BTEC National Certificate Points table [5]
GradeUCAS points
DDD144
DDM128
DMM112
MMM96
MMP80
MPP64
PPP48

T Levels

T Levels UCAS points table [7]
GradeUCAS points
Distinction*168
Distinction144
Merit120
Pass (C or above)96
Pass (D or E)72

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

EPQ UCAS points table [5]
GradeUCAS points
A*28
A24
B20
C16
D12
E8

Scottish Qualifications Authority Qualifications

Advanced Highers UCAS points table
GradeUCAS Points
A56
B48
C40
D32
Highers UCAS points table
GradeUCAS points
A33
B27
C21
D15

Advanced Placement exams

Advanced Placement UCAS points table [8]
GradeUCAS Points
528
424
320
216
112

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Level UCAS points table [9]
GradeUCAS Points
H136
H230
H324
H418
H512
H69
Irish Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level UCAS points table
GradeUCAS Points
O112
O210
O38
O46

Music exams

These are only counted if at grade 6 or above.

Theory of Music UCAS points table
Level and GradeUCAS points
Grade 6 Pass4
Grade 6 Merit5
Grade 6 Distinction6
Grade 7 Pass6
Grade 7 Merit7
Grade 7 Distinction8
Grade 8 Pass8
Grade 8 Merit9
Grade 8 Distinction10
Music Practical UCAS points table
Level and GradeUCAS points
Grade 6 Pass8
Grade 6 Merit10
Grade 6 Distinction12
Grade 7 Pass12
Grade 7 Merit14
Grade 7 Distinction16
Grade 8 Pass18
Grade 8 Merit24
Grade 8 Distinction30

Speech & Drama exams

These are only counted if at grade 1 or above.

Others

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "The real story behind university entry requirements - The Uni Guide". www.theuniguide.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-10-23.
  2. "10 Brilliant Ways to Get More UCAS Points". Oxford Royale Academy. 2019-12-14. Retrieved 2022-10-23.
  3. "Calculate your UCAS Tariff points". UCAS. 2017-12-20. Retrieved 2022-10-23.
  4. "Tariff 2017". UCAS. 2014-10-08. Retrieved 2016-11-10.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Tariff tables September 2025". UCAS . Retrieved 2024-10-05.
  6. "Teach First: Calculating your UCAS points" (PDF). ucas.com. n.d.
  7. "New T-level study to be worth three A-levels". BBC . Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  8. "USA: Advanced Placement (AP)". UCAS. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  9. "Irish Leaving Certificate (new grading scheme from 2017)". UCAS. Retrieved 2018-08-18.