How Are UCAS Points Calculated? The Simple Rule, With Worked Examples

Quick answer: UCAS points are calculated by adding up a fixed Tariff value for each of your Level 3 grades. An A-level A* is 56 points, an A is 48, a B is 40. Three Bs come to 120 points. GCSEs don't count.

It's one simple sum: every Level 3 grade has a set points value, and you add them up. Here's exactly how it works — with real examples — then a tool to do the sum for you in the calculator.

The simple rule: add up a set value for every grade

Working out UCAS points is simpler than it looks. There's just one rule: every Level 3 grade is worth a fixed number of points, and you add those values together to get your total. That total is your UCAS Tariff score.

That's the whole mechanic. There's no weighting, no averaging, and no hidden formula — a grade is worth what it's worth, and you sum them up. If you want the bigger picture first, here's what UCAS points actually are and what the UCAS Tariff is.

How much is each grade worth? The 2026 Tariff values

Each qualification has its own scale, but they all work the same way: pick your grade, read off the points. Here are the current 2026 A-level values — the most-asked-about scale of all.

So an A-level A* = 56, A = 48, B = 40, C = 32, D = 24 and E = 16. Notice each step up the grades is worth another 8 points. You can see every combination on the full A-level points table.

Other qualifications sit on their own scales, but the values are deliberately lined up so you can compare them. A few quick anchors:

Want the complete grids? See the BTEC points table, the Scottish Highers table, or the IB points table. Each one lists every grade so you can read off your exact value.

Worked examples: how the points add up

This is where it clicks. Below are three real combinations — three A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma, and a mix of qualifications — with the actual arithmetic shown. Once you've seen the sum, you can do your own in seconds.

Example 1: three A-levels

Say you're predicted three Bs. Each B is worth 40 points, so:

That's BBB = 120 points — a number plenty of courses ask for. For reference, A*A*A* = 168, AAA = 144, ABB = 128 and CCC = 96. Run your own grades through the A-level points calculator, or see what ABB UCAS points and BBB UCAS points unlock.

Example 2: a BTEC Extended Diploma

A BTEC Extended Diploma is graded as one big qualification with three grades, so it carries the same weight as three A-levels. The arithmetic:

So a triple Distinction (DDD = 144) matches AAA at A-level. Try the BTEC points calculator, or check DDD BTEC UCAS points and DMM BTEC UCAS points.

Example 3: a mix of qualifications (A-level + EPQ + BTEC)

Studying a mix? Each grade still has its own value, and we just total them. Here's an A-level, an EPQ and a BTEC Extended Certificate together:

That's 96 points from three different qualifications — and mixing like this is completely normal. The calculator does it automatically: see the mix qualifications calculator, read can you mix qualifications, or look at how to combine A-level and EPQ points.

The rules that change your total (so your number is right)

The sum is simple, but three rules decide which grades go into it. Get these right and your total will match what universities see. Here's how to calculate your own total accurately.

Only Level 3 counts — GCSEs don't

Only Level 3 qualifications carry Tariff points. That means A-levels, BTECs, Highers, the IB, the EPQ and similar — but not GCSEs, which are Level 2 and worth 0 points.

If you were hoping your strong GCSEs would top up your total, that's not how the Tariff works, and that's completely fine — everyone's in the same position. Some courses still ask for specific GCSE grades (like a 4 or 5 in English or Maths) as a separate entry requirement, but those don't add to your points. See do GCSEs count for UCAS points and the maximum UCAS points you can get.

You can't count the same subject twice

You can't double-count the same subject. If you sat an AS and then completed the full A-level in that subject, only the full A-level counts — the AS isn't added on top. The same goes in Scotland: an Advanced Higher replaces the Higher in the same subject rather than stacking with it.

A standalone AS in a subject you didn't take to A-level does still count. The AS-level points table and the Advanced Highers points table show those values, and the calculator applies the no-double-counting rule for you so your total stays accurate.

Not every university adds up points the same way

Here's an honest one. The Tariff is one clear, common way to compare qualifications — but not every university uses it. Many selective courses ask for specific grades instead of a points total. That's typical for lots of Russell Group degrees, Medicine, Dentistry, Law, and most IB and Scottish offers, where an offer might read "AAB including Chemistry" rather than "128 points".

So your points total is a brilliant starting point for seeing where you're in range — just always read each course's exact requirements too. More detail here: do all universities use UCAS points.

Got grades from outside the UK? Convert them first

If your qualifications were taken outside the UK, you can still get a straight answer — you just convert them to the UK Tariff scale first. For example, an International Baccalaureate Higher Level 7 maps to 56 points, the same as an A-level A*.

Start with our convert your grades to UCAS points gateway, then go straight to your system — for instance IB to UCAS points or Indian grades (CBSE/ISC) to UCAS points. Once converted, the same simple sum applies: add up the value of each grade for your total.

Now you've got your number — what's it worth?

So you've added it up — say you landed on 120 points (the equivalent of BBB, or ABB-ish once you factor in extras). What does that get you? Quite a lot, actually. 120 points is in range for a wide spread of courses across many universities, from business and psychology to sports science and more.

The honest framing is this: your number tells you which courses you're realistically in range for right now. If a goal sits above your total, that's useful to know early — there are clear ways to close the gap, and we'll point to them next. To turn your number into options, see how many UCAS points you need, browse what you can study with your points, look at exactly what 120 UCAS points can study, and check what's a good UCAS points score.

Want to add to your total? (Helpful next step)

*Helpful next step — this part is optional.* If your number is a little short of a course you love, you may be able to add to it before you apply. Point-bearing extras like an EPQ (an A is worth 24 points), Core Maths, or an additional qualification can nudge your total up. None of this is about quick fixes — it's about a realistic, planned next step.

• How to get more UCAS points — your options, laid out clearly.
• Point-boosting courses — extras that carry Tariff points.
• What an EPQ is worth — the full EPQ values.