Apprenticeships & UCAS Points Explained

Quick answer: Yes — but only Level 3 apprenticeships, and only from 2026 entry. UCAS added Level 3 apprenticeships to the Tariff as a brand-new category, with points based on duration. Lower-level apprenticeships and most degree apprenticeships do not carry Tariff points. If yours is a Level 3, it can count — and we will show you exactly how.

This is a genuinely new part of the Tariff, so it is easy to feel unsure. Stick with us for a few minutes and you will know exactly where your apprenticeship stands and what to do next.

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a real, paid job that comes with structured training built in. You work for an employer, earn a wage, and spend part of your time learning — usually with a college or training provider — so you finish with a nationally recognised qualification.

Apprenticeships are sorted by level, and the level tells you how advanced the study is:

• Level 2 (Intermediate) — roughly GCSE level.
• Level 3 (Advanced) — roughly A-level level. This is the one that matters for UCAS points.
• Levels 4 and 5 (Higher) — beyond A-level, similar to the first stages of a degree.
• Levels 6 and 7 (Degree apprenticeships) — degree and master's level.

The key thing to remember is that "Level 3" is the dividing line for what UCAS points are when it comes to apprenticeships. Everything below it sits under the Tariff, and most things above it are scored a different way. Keep your own level handy — it is the single most useful fact for the rest of this guide.

Do apprenticeships count for UCAS points?

Here is the direct answer: yes, but only Level 3 apprenticeships in England, and only from 2026 entry. If you completed a Level 3 apprenticeship, it can now earn UCAS Tariff points. If you did a Level 2, it does not — and degree apprenticeships sit outside the Tariff entirely.

We want to be honest about the boundaries, because this is exactly where people get caught out. The UCAS Tariff covers Level 3 only — that is the rule that decides everything here. A Level 2 apprenticeship is below Level 3, so it carries no Tariff points, in the same way a GCSE earns none. Degree apprenticeships at Levels 6 and 7 are well above Level 3; they are a route straight into a degree while you work, not a Tariff-bearing qualification, so they do not convert into points either.

So before you do any maths, the first question is simply: was your apprenticeship a Level 3? If yes, you are in scope. If no, your apprenticeship is still valuable — it just is not the part that feeds the Tariff. Understanding how the Tariff is calculated makes the rest of this much clearer.

How the new Level 3 apprenticeship Tariff works

Level 3 apprenticeships were added to the UCAS Tariff as a new category for 2026 entry. That is recent — so if it feels unfamiliar, that is because it genuinely is. For years apprenticeships had no place in the Tariff at all, and now Level 3 ones do.

What makes this category different is how the points are decided. Most qualifications you know — A-levels, BTECs, Highers — award points based on a grade. An A-level A is worth 48 points, a B is worth 40, and so on. Apprenticeships do not work like that.

Instead, points are awarded by the duration of the apprenticeship rather than a single overall grade. The longer and larger the apprenticeship, the more Tariff points it is worth. Because of this:

• There is no single grade to convert.
• The Tariff database holds many duration-based records, so different apprenticeships earn different totals.
• Two people who both "passed" their apprenticeship may end up with different point values.

This is why it helps to think of apprenticeships as their own kind of Tariff entry, separate from grade-based routes. If you want the wider picture, our guide to new UCAS Tariff qualifications covers what else has changed recently.

How many UCAS points does an apprenticeship give?

The honest headline: it depends on the duration of your specific Level 3 apprenticeship, so there is no one number that fits everyone.

We know "it varies" is not the tidy answer you were hoping for, but quoting a single number would be misleading. A short Level 3 apprenticeship and a longer one are recorded differently in the Tariff, and your offer will be based on your actual record — not a rough average. The good news is that finding your precise total is quick.

The fastest, most accurate route is our apprenticeship UCAS points calculator — pop in your details and it returns your exact figure. If you would rather see the full breakdown of how duration maps to points, the full apprenticeship points table lays it out. Get your real number first; everything else — what you can study, which offers are in range — flows from there.

Apprenticeships vs A-levels for university

Both Level 3 apprenticeships and A-levels sit at the same study level — Level 3 — so on paper they are equals. The difference is in how you get there and how universities treat them.

A-levels remain the most widely recognised Tariff route into university, which is worth knowing if you are weighing your options. But that does not make an apprenticeship a lesser choice — it earns you a wage and real workplace experience that A-levels cannot.

You do not always have to pick one or the other, either. Many applicants combine routes, and you can mix qualifications to build a stronger total. If you want a closer look at the academic side, our guide to A-levels explained breaks it down.

Can you go to university with an apprenticeship?

Yes — a Level 3 apprenticeship can take you to university. The Tariff points it earns can count toward entry, just like points from A-levels or a BTEC.

There are two honest caveats. First, not every university uses UCAS points in the same way — some set offers in points, others ask for specific qualifications or grades. It is always worth checking whether all universities use UCAS points and reading the entry requirements on the actual course page, because some courses still want particular subjects (a science for nursing, maths for engineering, and so on).

Second, if your goal is a degree but you also want to keep earning, a degree apprenticeship is a different door into the same building. It is a Level 6 or 7 programme where you study for a full degree while working — no Tariff points needed, because you apply directly. So whether you have Level 3 Tariff points or you are eyeing a degree apprenticeship, university is genuinely on the table. To see what your total opens up, check how many UCAS points you need.

Your next step

You now know the rule — Level 3 apprenticeships count from 2026, points scale with duration, and university is realistic. The next move is simple: get your exact number, then see what it unlocks.

Start by working out your precise total with the calculator, then explore what you can study with your points. With your real figure in hand, you can line up courses that are genuinely in range and apply with confidence rather than guesswork.

Helpful next steps after an apprenticeship

*The section below is supplementary — handy once you have your points sorted.*

If your total is close but not quite where you want it, a few small moves can help. You can top up with a short, Tariff-bearing course, or sort the practical side of student life early so results day is less stressful.

• Look into point-boosting courses to add to your total.
• Get to grips with student finance basics before you apply.

Frequently asked questions

Do apprenticeships count for UCAS points?

Yes, but only Level 3 apprenticeships, and only from 2026 entry. UCAS added Level 3 apprenticeships to the Tariff as a new category. Level 2 apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships do not carry Tariff points.

How many UCAS points does an apprenticeship give?

A Level 3 apprenticeship earns points based on its duration rather than a single grade, so the exact figure varies. Use the apprenticeship UCAS points calculator to find your precise total before you apply.

Do degree apprenticeships give UCAS points?

No. Degree apprenticeships sit at Levels 6 to 7 and fall outside the UCAS Tariff, which covers Level 3 only. They are a direct route into a degree while you work, not a Tariff-bearing qualification.

Can you go to university with an apprenticeship?

Yes. The Tariff points from a Level 3 apprenticeship can count toward university entry. Some courses still ask for specific subjects or grades, so always check the exact entry requirements on the course page first.

Is an apprenticeship equivalent to A-levels?

A Level 3 apprenticeship is the same study level as A-levels, but the two routes work differently — apprenticeships pay you to train on the job, while A-levels are the most widely accepted academic Tariff route. Many applicants can combine both.

Why don't all apprenticeships give UCAS points?

The UCAS Tariff only covers Level 3 qualifications. Level 2 apprenticeships are below that level, so they earn no Tariff points, and higher apprenticeships above Level 3 are scored differently or sit outside the Tariff. Keep an eye on the key UCAS dates 2026 as you plan.