Do All Universities Use UCAS Points?

Quick answer: No — not all universities use UCAS points. Many courses make point-based offers, but selective courses ask for specific grades instead, so you need to check each course you like.

If you have just worked out your points total and you are wondering whether it even counts, you are not alone — and the good news is this is normal and easy to check. Some courses will tell you exactly how many UCAS points they want; others skip the number and name the grades they expect. This guide explains who uses what, how to tell which applies to you, and what to do next. Want your number first? You can calculate your exact total in a minute, and if the Tariff itself is new to you, here is what the UCAS Tariff is.

The short answer: no, not every course does

No — not all universities use UCAS points. Many courses make point-based offers, especially post-1992 universities, foundation years, Clearing, and vocational routes. But selective courses — most Russell Group, Medicine, Law, and most IB and Scottish offers — ask for specific grades instead.

Think of it this way: the UCAS Tariff is one of two ways a university can write an offer. Some courses set a points threshold, like "112 UCAS points". Others set grade requirements, like "BBB". Both methods are completely standard, and neither is better or worse for you — they simply suit different courses. Knowing what UCAS points are helps you read either kind of offer with confidence, because even grade-based offers can usually be translated into points for comparison.

Which universities and courses use UCAS points

Plenty of courses use the Tariff, so a points total is far from useless. The Tariff is especially common for:

• Post-1992 and modern universities — many write offers in points rather than fixed grades.
• Foundation years and foundation degrees — these often use a lower points threshold to widen access.
• Clearing offers — courses with space frequently advertise a points figure so you can apply fast.
• Art, design, and vocational courses — where a portfolio or practical skill matters alongside the number.
• BTEC, T-Level, and mixed-qualification applicants — points let universities compare very different qualifications fairly.

The key word is *many*, not *all*. A points total opens a wide range of doors, particularly across modern universities and during Clearing. To see where you stand, check how many points you need for your subject, then find courses that match your points. That reverse search is often the quickest way to discover real, in-range options you had not considered.

Which universities ask for specific grades instead

Now the honest part: a large group of selective courses do not use points at all. Most Russell Group offers, and almost all courses in Medicine, Law, Dentistry, and Veterinary, are made in specific grades — for example AAA or A*AA — rather than a Tariff figure. Most International Baccalaureate and Scottish Higher offers are also written in grades or points within those systems, not the general Tariff.

Why? Because these courses want precise control over your exact profile. A points total can be reached in many different ways — strong grades in easier combinations, or a mix of qualifications — but a competitive Medicine or Law course needs to know you achieved the right grades in the right subjects. Naming the grades removes any doubt.

This is not bad news; it just changes what you focus on. If you are aiming at one of these courses, look at the named subjects and grades. You can see typical expectations on our Medicine requirements and Law requirements pages, and if your circumstances mean you may qualify for a reduced offer, read about contextual offers.

Points or grades? How to tell which your course uses

You never have to guess. Every course page on the university's website lists its entry requirements, and a quick read tells you which method it uses:

• If it lists a number like "112 UCAS points" or "104 points", it uses the Tariff.
• If it lists grades like "BBB" or "AAB", it wants specific grades.
• If it lists both — for example "AAB or 136 UCAS points" — either route can satisfy the offer.
• Watch for subject conditions, such as "including Maths at grade B", which apply on top of the headline requirement.

Even when a course names grades, your points still help you compare options side by side and spot in-range alternatives. To translate a grade combination into a number, see what each grade combo is worth, and for the full method behind the figures, read how points are calculated.

What it means for your application

Here is the reassuring bit: knowing your points is useful either way. If a course uses the Tariff, your number is the offer. If it uses grades, your number still lets you compare courses, judge whether you are in range, and move quickly in Clearing, where offers are often point-based.

It helps to be able to translate between the two. Using the authoritative A-level Tariff (A*=56, A=48, B=40, C=32, D=24, E=16), here is how common three-A-level combinations map to points:

These figures are exact, but course thresholds vary, so always confirm each course's own requirement. If you study other qualifications, the same translation idea applies — see BTEC points, Scottish Highers points, or IB points. One quick note: GCSEs and other Level 2 qualifications never count toward the Tariff, so your points total reflects your Level 3 study only.

What to do next

You now know the answer is "no, not all do" — and you know how to check. Here is a calm, three-step plan:

1. Calculate your exact total so you have a firm number to work from.
2. Check each shortlisted course's requirements — note whether it lists points or grades.
3. Act on what you find — if a course names grades, focus on the grades it asks for; if it uses points, explore what fits.

Start by getting your number with the UCAS points calculator, then see what you can study with your points. If your total looks a little short of your first-choice course, do not panic — there are clear, realistic routes forward, and our guide on what to do if you are short on points walks you through them step by step.

Make every point count before results day

*This section is supplementary and points to optional, commercial resources for readers whose courses do use the Tariff.*

If your shortlisted courses make point-based offers, the months before results day are a good time to top up your total and prepare. A focused short course can add Tariff points through routes like the EPQ or recognised qualifications, and a little planning makes results day far less stressful. Learn about point-boosting courses and get ready with our results day 2026 guide.

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions about whether your course uses the Tariff? Around results day, our Clearing 2026 guide and our explainer on a good UCAS points score are useful next reads.