If you've started looking at university courses, you've probably run into "UCAS points" or "tariff points", and a fair amount of confusion about what they actually mean. Here's a plain-English guide.
What the UCAS tariff is
The UCAS tariff is a points system that converts your qualifications into a single number, so universities can compare applicants who took different routes (A-levels, BTECs, Scottish Highers, the IB and more) on a common scale.
The higher the grade, the more points it's worth. For A-levels taken from 2017 onwards:
- A* = 56 points
- A = 48 points
- B = 40 points
- C = 32 points
- D = 24 points
- E = 16 points
So three A-levels at AAB come to 48 + 48 + 40 = 136 points. AAA is 144, and BBB is 120.
BTECs convert too. A BTEC Extended Diploma is roughly equivalent to three A-levels, so D*D*D* is worth 168 points, the same as A*A*A*.
Points vs. grades: why courses often ask for both
You'll see entry requirements written two ways: as grades ("AAB") or as tariff points ("128 points"). Points-based requirements are the more flexible of the two, because you can make up the total from different qualifications, including things like an EPQ or a music grade. Grade-based requirements are stricter about which subjects and grades you need.
Always check whether a course wants specific subjects as well as a points total. Points alone rarely tell the whole story.
The honest bit: entry requirements aren't offers, and offers aren't reality
This trips up almost everyone, so it's worth stating plainly:
A published entry requirement is what a university advertises. The offer they make you may differ. And the grades students actually enrolled with often span a wider range than either.
Data on real entrants shows that plenty of students get onto courses with grades below the advertised headline, through Clearing, contextual offers, adjustment, or simply because the course had places. That doesn't mean you should bank on it. It does mean you shouldn't rule yourself out of a course just because your predicted grades sit a notch under the advertised line.
The more useful question is this: where do my grades sit among the students who actually got in? If a good share of them entered with grades like yours, it's a realistic target.
How to use tariff points sensibly
- Work out your own total from your predicted or actual grades using the values above.
- Compare it to who got in, not just to the advertised offer. A course where students entered across a range that includes your grades is worth a serious look.
- Check subject requirements separately. Hitting the points total is no good if you're missing a required A-level.
- Keep a spread. A couple of ambitious choices, a couple of realistic ones and a safe option is a sensible shape for a shortlist.
StudyDecidr does step 2 for you: tell us your grades and we'll show you courses based on the entry profile of students who actually enrolled, not the advertised offer. Try it here.
Frequently asked questions about UCAS tariff points
Is there a minimum UCAS points total needed to get into university?
No single minimum applies across the board. Required points vary hugely by course and university, from under 100 points for some courses to well over 150 for highly competitive ones. The only way to know what you need is to check the specific course you're interested in.
Does the UCAS tariff cover qualifications like the IB or Scottish Highers, not just A-levels?
Yes. The tariff converts a wide range of qualifications onto the same points scale, including the International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers and vocational qualifications. Exact conversions differ by qualification, so it's worth checking UCAS's own tariff tables for yours.
What if my qualification doesn't appear in the UCAS tariff tables?
Not every qualification carries UCAS points, and some universities assess non-tariff qualifications separately. If you can't find yours listed, contact the university's admissions team directly and ask how they'll assess your application.
Does having more UCAS points guarantee an offer?
No. Points measure the quantity of your qualifications, but most courses also want specific subjects or grades alongside the total. A high points score with the wrong subject combination can still leave you short of a course's requirements.