Calculating UCAS points, explained like a human
Some offers come as a number (“120 points”) rather than just grades. The UCAS Tariff turns different post-16 routes into a shared scale so you can add everything cleanly and see where you stand. Below: the rules, the tables you actually need, worked examples, and a tiny helper to total your points.
Mindset: Points help you compare routes. They don’t cancel course rules. If a course says “120 points including A level Chemistry at B,” you need both the total and that specific grade.
The rule of the road
- The Tariff covers Level 3 qualifications (e.g., A levels, T Levels, BTEC Nationals, Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers, EPQ).
- Each qualification has a size; each grade has a band. Official tables combine them into points.
- GCSEs don’t carry Tariff points.
What providers might cap
- Counting only the “best three A-level equivalents.”
- Not accepting AS Levels toward totals.
- No double-counting the same subject at different levels (e.g., Higher + Advanced Higher).
Quick reference: common Tariff values
A levels & AS levels
A level (per subject)
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| A* | 56 |
| A | 48 |
| B | 40 |
| C | 32 |
| D | 24 |
| E | 16 |
AS level (per subject)
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| A | 20 |
| B | 16 |
| C | 12 |
| D | 10 |
| E | 6 |
Some courses don’t count AS toward totals.
T Levels (overall grade)
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| Distinction* | 168 |
| Distinction | 144 |
| Merit | 120 |
| Pass (Core A*–C) | 96 |
| Pass (Core D–E) | 72 |
BTEC Nationals (typical)
Extended Diploma (3 A-level size)
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| D*D*D* | 168 |
| D*DD | 152 |
| DDD | 144 |
| DDM | 128 |
| DMM | 112 |
| MMM | 96 |
| MMP | 80 |
| MPP | 64 |
| PPP | 48 |
Diploma (2 A-level size)
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| D*D* | 112 |
| D*D | 104 |
| DD | 96 |
| DM | 80 |
| MM | 64 |
| MP | 48 |
| PP | 32 |
Extended Certificate (1 A-level size)
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| D* | 56 |
| D | 48 |
| M | 32 |
| P | 16 |
Other vocational routes (e.g., Cambridge Technicals) map similarly by size/grade.
Scottish Qualifications
Highers (per subject)
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| A | 33 |
| B | 27 |
| C | 21 |
| D | 15 |
If you take an Advanced Higher in the same subject, many providers won’t also count the Higher.
Advanced Highers (per subject)
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| A | 56 |
| B | 48 |
| C | 40 |
| D | 32 |
EPQ (Extended Project Qualification)
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| A* | 28 |
| A | 24 |
| B | 20 |
| C | 16 |
| D | 12 |
| E | 8 |
How to calculate your total (clean workflow)
- List every Level 3 qualification you’ll present, with grades.
- Use the tables to find the points per qualification.
- Add them to get your headline total.
- Re-read your course page to check caps and subject rules (e.g., “best three,” “Maths at B”). Adjust your total if something won’t count.
- Scenario-plan: what’s the easiest uplift—one grade bump, an EPQ upgrade, or a different mix?
Worked examples (sanity checks)
AAB at A level
48 + 48 + 40 → 136 points
BBB at A level + EPQ A
40 + 40 + 40 + 24 → 144 points
BTEC Ext. Diploma DMM
DMM → 112 points
If your number seems off, check level/grade, table value, and whether a provider cap applies.
Common gotchas
- Subject requirements beat totals. Points won’t rescue a missing required subject/grade.
- AS Levels may not count. Policies vary.
- No double-counting same subject across levels.
- GCSEs don’t add points.
Use points to plan, but let subject requirements guide your choices. One clean plan beats ten half-plans.