IB UCAS Points: Every Grade, What It's Worth in 2026

Quick answer: UCAS does not turn your IB into one number. It adds up each part instead. A Higher Level 7 is worth 56 points and an HL 6 is 48; a Standard Level 7 is 28; and each core grade (TOK and the Extended Essay) is worth 4 to 12. Add them together for your total.

That one fact clears up the question almost every IB student asks: no, your 24-to-45 diploma score is not your UCAS points total. The IB is a per-component sum. UCAS looks at each Higher Level subject, each Standard Level subject, and your core grades, gives each one a value, and totals them. It sounds fiddly, but it is just simple addition, and the calculator just above this page does it for you in a few taps. Below you will find every value, a worked example with the running sum laid out, and the honest truth about how universities actually use these numbers for IB applicants.

IB UCAS points calculator

The calculator above this page is the fastest way to get your number. Add each of your Higher Level subjects, each Standard Level subject, and your TOK and Extended Essay grades, and it shows your live UCAS total as you go. It starts with the most common setup ready (three HL rows, three SL rows, plus TOK and EE) so the typical full IB Diploma is one tap away. Want a dedicated version with more room to experiment? Use the full IB UCAS points calculator.

How to use this IB points calculator

It takes under a minute:

1. Pick each Higher Level subject grade (7 down to 1) from your three HL subjects.
2. Pick each Standard Level subject grade (7 down to 1) from your three SL subjects.
3. Add your TOK and Extended Essay grades (A down to E) — these are your core.
4. Read your live total at the bottom. That is your IB UCAS points.

If you study a different mix of qualifications too, the convert grades to UCAS points guide shows how everything fits together.

How does the IB convert to UCAS points?

The IB converts to UCAS points as a per-component sum, not as your overall 24-to-45 diploma score. UCAS gives each Higher Level subject, each Standard Level subject and each core grade its own value, then adds them up. The headline numbers to remember are: an HL 7 is 56 points, an SL 7 is 28 points, and a core A is 12 points. For the full method behind every qualification, see how UCAS points are calculated.

IB Higher Level grade to UCAS points table (2026)

Your Higher Level subjects carry the most weight, so they make up the bulk of your total. Here is exactly what each HL grade is worth.

These values have not changed since the current Tariff began in 2017, and they are valid for 2026 entry. Notice the jumps are not even: moving from a 5 to a 6 is a big leap (32 to 48), so a single grade can shift your total more than you might expect.

IB Standard Level grade to UCAS points table (2026)

Your Standard Level subjects count too, just at lower values than Higher Level. Here is the full SL table.

This is why the level matters as much as the number: an SL 7 (28 points) is worth less than an HL 5 (32 points). If you are choosing where to push for a higher grade, an extra point at Higher Level usually does more for your total.

IB core (TOK and Extended Essay) UCAS points table

Your core — Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay — is not just there to top up your diploma score. Each core grade adds UCAS points on its own.

TOK and the EE are graded together as a block in the IB, but for the Tariff each one contributes points, and the calculator above adds both into your total. So strong core work is worth real points, not just diploma bonus points. If you want the bigger picture of how the qualification is built, see the IB explained.

Worked example: adding up a strong IB Diploma

Let us run a realistic profile rather than a perfect one. Imagine you finish with Higher Level 6, 6 and 5, Standard Level 6, 5 and 5, and a B in both TOK and the Extended Essay. Here is the running sum:

That comes to 204 UCAS points. To put it in A-level terms, that sits comfortably above A*A*A*, which is worth 168 points. A solid IB profile produces a big Tariff number, which is one reason the totals can look surprisingly high. If you want to see what a number like this opens up, check how many UCAS points you need.

Why your IB diploma score and your UCAS points are different

This is the myth worth busting clearly: your 24-to-45 diploma score is not the Tariff number. A 38 is not "38 UCAS points." The two are measured completely differently. Your diploma score is the IB's own grading system, while UCAS ignores it and totals each component separately. That is why the example above scores 204 even though the diploma score behind it would be in the high 30s. To understand the system that produces these values, see what the UCAS Tariff is.

A few things to know before you trust the total

Your number is real, but read these caveats first so you use it sensibly:

• The Tariff only covers Level 3 qualifications. Your GCSEs (Level 2) do not count toward UCAS points — only your IB does. More on this: do GCSEs count for UCAS points?
• Failed or ungraded components score zero. An HL 1 or 2, or an SL 1 or 2, adds 0 points, so they do not drag your total down but they do not help it.
• No double-counting. Each subject and each core grade is counted once. The calculator handles this for you.
• Most importantly: many universities offer in IB points, not Tariff. A large share of IB-recognising unis make offers in IB points plus specific Higher Level grades, rather than UCAS Tariff points. So treat your total as a realistic guide, not a guarantee. See do all universities use UCAS points?

What your IB UCAS points mean for your next step

Now you have a realistic number, the question becomes what it qualifies you for. Most courses publish either a UCAS points figure or an IB requirement, so you can quickly tell whether you are in range. Start by checking how many UCAS points you need for the kind of course you want, then explore what you can study with your points to see your realistic options. From there, the clear next step is matching your total against the courses on your shortlist.

See what you can study with your points

Related qualification points tables

Studying alongside other qualifications, or comparing the IB to them? These tables help:

• A-level UCAS points table — the most common comparison, grade by grade.
• IB to UCAS points conversion — the international view of the IB in the Tariff.
• BTEC UCAS points table — for vocational qualifications and mixed profiles.

The IB and the UCAS Tariff, explained

Want the background rather than just the numbers? Read the IB explained for how the diploma is structured, and what are UCAS points? for how the Tariff works across every qualification. Together they explain why the IB is added up the way it is.

Frequently asked questions

How do you convert IB points to UCAS points?

You don't convert the whole diploma as one number. UCAS adds up each part: each Higher Level subject (a 7 is 56, a 6 is 48), each Standard Level subject (a 7 is 28), plus your TOK and Extended Essay grades (4 to 12 each). Add them together for your total.

How many UCAS points is a 7 in the IB?

It depends on the level. A Higher Level 7 is worth 56 UCAS points, the same as an A-level A*. A Standard Level 7 is worth 28 UCAS points. The level matters more than the number alone.

How many UCAS points is a full 45-point IB diploma?

A perfect IB (three HL 7s at 168, three SL 7s at 84, and full core at 24) comes to roughly 276 UCAS points. The 24-to-45 headline score is not the Tariff; UCAS totals each component separately instead.

Does the IB core (TOK and Extended Essay) count for UCAS points?

Yes. Each core grade adds points on its own: an A is 12, a B is 10, a C is 8, a D is 6 and an E is 4. The calculator above adds your TOK and Extended Essay grades into your total.

Do universities use UCAS points for IB students?

Often not directly. Most universities that accept the IB make offers in IB points and Higher Level grades rather than Tariff points. Use your UCAS total as a realistic guide, but always check each course's exact IB requirements.

How many UCAS points is an IB Higher Level 6?

An IB Higher Level 6 is worth 48 UCAS points, the same as an A-level A. A Standard Level 6, by comparison, is worth 24 points.