How many UCAS points is an A at A-Level worth?

An A* at A-Level is worth 56 UCAS tariff points. An A is worth 48 points. B is worth 40, C is worth 32, D is worth 24, E is worth 16. These are the standard values per A-Level subject. AS Levels contribute separately (maximum 20 points for an A at AS).

How do UCAS points work for IB Diploma?

The full IB Diploma is worth UCAS tariff points based on the total diploma score. A score of 45 (maximum) is worth 720 UCAS points. A score of 24 (minimum passing) is worth 260 points. Individual IB certificates (not the full diploma) are also tariffed separately.

How are BTEC UCAS points calculated?

BTEC National qualifications are tariffed based on the overall grade. A BTEC National Extended Diploma at DDD (three Distinctions) is worth 168 UCAS points, equivalent to roughly three A-Level B grades. A BTEC at MMM (three Merits) is worth 96 points. The exact value depends on which BTEC qualification and the size.

Do all universities use UCAS tariff points?

No. Many universities, particularly selective ones, express entry requirements in terms of specific A-Level grades (AAB, ABB, etc.) rather than UCAS points. Russell Group universities and Oxbridge almost always use grade conditions rather than points. Post-1992 universities and some mid-tier institutions are more likely to use tariff points.

How do I calculate my UCAS tariff points?

Add up the tariff value of each qualifying qualification you hold. Use the UCAS tariff calculator at ucas.com, which covers all recognised qualifications. Note that only qualifications from the current or immediately previous academic year typically count for entry — check individual university requirements.

UCAS Points Calculator 2026: How Many UCAS Points Do You Have?

UCAS tariff points convert A-Level, IB, BTEC, and other qualifications into a common scale used by some universities to set entry requirements. This guide covers how UCAS points are calculated, which qualifications contribute, why some universities use points and others use grade conditions, and how to calculate your total.

What the Points Are For

UCAS Tariff points turn different post-16 qualifications into one numerical scale. Some universities use that scale to express entry requirements, for example "128 points from three A-levels". Many others, particularly the most selective, write offers as specific grades such as AAB, so check the course page before you spend time on a total.

Only Level 3 qualifications count. GCSEs and equivalent Level 2 qualifications carry no points.

A-Level Points

Each A-level grade has a fixed value, and your total is the sum across subjects:

A* = 56
A = 48
B = 40
C = 32
D = 24
E = 16

A few common three-subject totals: AAA is 168, AAA is 152, AAA is 144, AAB is 136, ABB is 128, BBB is 120, BBC is 112, BCC is 104 and CCC is 96.

AS-levels, where taken as a stand-alone qualification, have their own smaller values: A is 20, B is 16, C is 12, D is 10 and E is 6.

IB Points

The IB Diploma as a whole does not carry points. Points come from the individual subjects. A 7 at Higher Level is worth 56, matching an A*, and a 7 at Standard Level is worth 28. Lower grades scale down from there, so use the UCAS calculator for the full table. Because of this, most universities that accept the IB state an IB total, such as 36 points with specific Higher Level grades, instead of converting to Tariff points.

BTEC and Other Qualifications

BTEC National qualifications are on the Tariff, and the size of the qualification matters. A BTEC National Extended Diploma, which is the size of three A-levels, gives 168 points at DDD*, 144 at DDD, 128 at DDM and 112 at DMM. T Levels and other Level 3 qualifications are also on the Tariff. Use the official calculator for exact values, because they are updated when qualifications change.

Working Out Your Own Total

List each qualification you will complete in the entry year.
Look up the points for each predicted or achieved grade.
Add them up.
Compare the total with the course requirement, and read how it is worded. Some courses ask for points from three A-levels only. Others allow a mix, such as BTEC plus an A-level.

Example: a student taking a BTEC Extended Diploma at DDM and one A-level at B would count 128 plus 40, which is 168.

Why Points Can Mislead

Equal points are not equal in the eyes of a department. A BTEC DDD and A-level AAA both give 144, but a selective course might still require particular A-level subjects. Subject requirements and the grades in them usually matter as much as the total.

Extra points from additional qualifications do not always count either. Many universities specify the number of qualifications they will count, so an extra AS-level may not lift you over the line.

Oxford, Cambridge and most Russell Group courses make offers in grades. Points are more common among universities that take a wider range of qualifications, and they also come into play during Clearing.

Questions Students Often Ask

Do predicted grades count? Universities can use predicted grades to decide whether to make you an offer. Your final points are calculated from actual results, and the offer conditions are checked against those.

Does an EPQ add points? The Extended Project Qualification does carry Tariff points, but many universities make a lower offer for it instead of counting the points, or ignore it for the main requirement. Read the course page for the exact wording.

Can I mix qualifications? Often yes, for example A-levels with a BTEC, but the course page will say how many of each the university will count.

What if my total is a few points short? Contact the admissions team before you assume it is a no. If you narrowly miss an offer, universities sometimes still confirm a place, and Clearing gives you other routes.

What to Do With Your Number

Treat your total as a way to compare yourself against published requirements, not as a prediction. Look at the exact wording on each course page, note any subject conditions, and when you are unsure, email the admissions team. Remember, too, that offers depend on your results, not your predictions, so the real numbers arrive in August.