UCAS Points Calculator

UCAS Points Calculator | How Many Points Do I Have?

UCAS Points Calculator

Add your qualifications and grades to calculate your total UCAS Tariff Points and see if you meet university entry requirements.

Total UCAS Points
Updates as you add qualifications
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Your Total UCAS Tariff Points
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Point-by-point breakdown
How your points compare to common entry requirements
Your points on the entry requirements scale
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How UCAS Points Are Calculated

UCAS Tariff Points are a standardised numerical value assigned to each grade in every UK qualification. Adding them together gives your total points, which universities use as one factor when assessing your UCAS application.

// UCAS Points = Sum of all qualifying grades’ point values
Total Points = A Level Grade Points + AS Level Points + BTEC Points + …

// A Level examples:
A* = 56 pts | A = 48 pts | B = 40 pts | C = 32 pts | D = 24 pts | E = 16 pts

// Example: A in Chemistry + B in Maths + C in History
Total = 48 + 40 + 32 = 120 UCAS points

// BTEC example: D*D* Extended Diploma = 168 pts
Total = 168 UCAS points (equivalent to three A* at A Level)
Not all qualifications count: Only qualifications on the UCAS Tariff list are included. GCSEs do not carry UCAS points. Resits of the same qualification only count once (you cannot add points from both an original and resit of the same subject). The UCAS website holds the full list of accepted qualifications.

Full UCAS Tariff Points Reference

QualificationGradeUCAS Points
A LevelA*56
A LevelA48
A LevelB40
A LevelC32
A LevelD24
A LevelE16
AS LevelA20
AS LevelB16
AS LevelC12
AS LevelD10
AS LevelE6
BTEC National Extended DiplomaD*D*D*168
BTEC National Extended DiplomaD*D*D160
BTEC National Extended DiplomaD*DD152
BTEC National Extended DiplomaDDD144
BTEC National Extended DiplomaDDM128
BTEC National Extended DiplomaDMM112
BTEC National Extended DiplomaMMM96
Scottish HigherA33
Scottish HigherB27
Scottish HigherC21
Scottish HigherD15
Scottish Advanced HigherA56
Scottish Advanced HigherB48
Scottish Advanced HigherC40
IB Diploma45168
IB Diploma38128
IB Diploma3296
EPQA*28
EPQA24
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Table of Truth: Common Grade Combinations and Their Points

QualificationsGradesTotal PointsTypical entry level
3 A LevelsA*AA152Top Russell Group (medicine, law, Oxbridge)
3 A LevelsAAA144Competitive Russell Group
3 A LevelsAAB136Russell Group / strong pre-92
3 A LevelsABB128Mid-tier universities
3 A LevelsBBB120Most pre-92 and newer universities
3 A LevelsBBC112Many universities
3 A LevelsBCC104Post-92 universities
3 A LevelsCCC96Lower-tariff universities
BTEC Extended DiplomaDDD144Equivalent to AAA
BTEC Extended DiplomaDMM112Equivalent to BBC
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Do Universities Actually Use UCAS Points?

This is a more complicated question than most students expect. Some universities and courses specify entry requirements in UCAS Tariff Points (for example, “120 points from three A Levels”). Others specify entry requirements using specific grade combinations (for example, “ABB”) without mentioning points at all.

When points matter

Points-based requirements are most common at newer universities and post-92 institutions, which use the tariff as a flexible gateway for students with mixed qualification types. A student with BTEC qualifications, Scottish Highers, and an AS Level might find points-based requirements easier to meet than grade-specific ones.

When points do not matter

Many Russell Group universities specify required grade combinations rather than points. Oxford and Cambridge, and medical schools, typically list exact grade requirements by subject. Having 160 points does not help if the offer requires A*AA and you have three Bs plus a distinction.

Points are additive but not always interchangeable: Universities that specify 120 points “from three A Levels” will not accept 120 points from six AS Levels or a mixture of smaller qualifications. Always check whether the requirement specifies which qualification types must contribute to the points total.
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EPQ points are often accepted separately: Many universities award an additional grade offer benefit for completing the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). A student predicted AAB who completes an EPQ with a high grade might receive an offer of ABB + EPQ grade A. This is worth checking for courses where you are close to the entry requirement.

BTEC and Mixed Qualification Entry

Students with BTEC qualifications can calculate their UCAS points using this calculator and compare them directly to A Level equivalents. A BTEC Extended Diploma with DDD is 144 points, equivalent to three A grades at A Level. This makes it competitive for the same courses as AAA A Level applicants on points-based entry criteria.

However, not every course accepts BTECs. Law and medicine at competitive universities typically require A Levels. Always check the specific course entry requirements on the UCAS course search tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do GCSEs count toward UCAS points?
No. GCSEs are not included in the UCAS Tariff and do not contribute points. They are assessed separately by universities as entry requirements (for example, “Grade 4 or above in English and Maths”). Your UCAS Tariff Points come only from Level 3 qualifications such as A Levels, AS Levels, BTECs, Scottish Highers, IB, and other qualifications on the UCAS Tariff list.
Can I count the same subject twice if I resit?
No. You can only count each qualification once in your UCAS Points total. If you resit a subject and improve your grade, only the higher grade counts. You cannot add points from both your original and resit result for the same subject.
How many UCAS points do I need for a Russell Group university?
It depends entirely on the course and university. Most Russell Group courses require between 120 and 160 points, but many do not use points at all, specifying grade requirements like ABB or A*AA instead. For competitive courses like Medicine, Law, and Oxbridge subjects, points are largely irrelevant since the entry requirements are highly specific. Use UCAS course search to check each programme individually.
Does an EPQ count toward UCAS points?
Yes. The EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) is on the UCAS Tariff. An A* EPQ is worth 28 points, an A is worth 24 points. Many universities also consider EPQ grades separately from the Tariff when making conditional offers. It is worth checking whether your target courses have a specific EPQ policy.
How do BTEC points compare to A Level points?
BTEC Extended Diplomas are worth up to 168 points (D*D*D*), which is equivalent to three A* grades at A Level (168 points). A DDD result is 144 points, equivalent to AAA at A Level. On a points basis, BTECs can be highly competitive. The key limitation is that not all universities and courses accept BTECs as an alternative to A Levels. Always check course-specific entry requirements.
Do AS Levels still count toward UCAS points?
Yes, AS Levels taken after 2017 still appear on the UCAS Tariff if they are standalone AS qualifications rather than the first year of a full A Level. However, in England, AS Levels are no longer part of A Level assessment, so many schools do not enter students for them. If you have standalone AS Level certificates from a separate qualification, they count. The first year of an A Level that you did not complete to full A Level does not contribute points.

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