Canadian High School to UCAS Points: What Converts

Quick answer: Most Canadian high school qualifications are not on the UCAS Tariff, so they carry no fixed points. UK universities instead assess your provincial diploma and Grade 12 percentages directly, usually asking for an overall average (often 70–85%+) for entry.

If you studied in Canada and you are eyeing a UK degree, that is the honest starting point — and it is genuinely fine. Your grades still count; they are just read in a different way. Below we explain exactly how it works, where you *do* pick up real UCAS Tariff points, and the next step to take so you can apply with confidence.

Do Canadian grades give you UCAS Tariff points?

Canadian provincial diplomas do not carry UCAS Tariff points. The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), the BC Dogwood Diploma, the Alberta High School Diploma, the Quebec DES and the rest are not listed on the UCAS Tariff, so there is no grade-to-points table to read off.

Why? The Tariff was built mainly to score UK Level 3 qualifications — A-levels, BTECs, Scottish Highers, the Welsh Bacc — plus a short list of international ones it has formally mapped (the IB, Advanced Placement and Cambridge Pre-U). Canadian high school courses simply were never given a Tariff value.

In practice this means:

• No fixed points are attached to your diploma or your Grade 12 marks.
• Universities read your percentages against their own published entry requirements instead.
• Many UK courses do not work in points at all — they ask for specific grades. See which qualifications carry UCAS points and do all universities use UCAS points.

So a missing points total is not a problem — it just means the assessment happens a little differently.

How UK universities assess Canadian Grade 12 grades

UK universities assess Canadian Grade 12 grades as percentages, looking at your overall average across your strongest senior academic courses. Admissions teams are familiar with provincial diplomas and will judge your transcript on its own terms, paying close attention to the subjects that matter for your chosen degree.

Treat those percentages as typical ranges that vary by course and university, not as a guaranteed cut-off. Competitive degrees ask for higher averages and stronger marks in prerequisite subjects. To see roughly where different totals sit, browse how many UCAS points you need and read what the UCAS Tariff is for the full picture.

When Canadian study DOES earn UCAS points (IB, AP, A-levels)

If you sat the IB Diploma, Advanced Placement exams, or A-levels while in Canada, those *are* on the Tariff and do earn UCAS points — no matter where in the world you took them. Many Canadian schools offer these alongside the provincial diploma, and they can add real, countable points to your application.

Here is how the points stack up:

• IB Diploma — Higher Level subjects score H7=56, H6=48, H5=32 points each, with Standard Level and the core adding more on top. Convert your IB score or use the IB points calculator.
• Advanced Placement (AP) — AP exams sit on the Tariff, so each strong AP result adds points. See our AP conversion guide to add them up.
• A-levels — On the standard scale, A*=56, A=48, B=40, C=32. If you hold A-levels, you can calculate a precise total.

What to check with each university

Before you apply, confirm a few things directly with each course — requirements differ from one university and one degree to the next, so a quick check now saves stress later.

• Points or specific grades? Check whether the course works in UCAS points or asks for set grades and a minimum average.
• English language — most universities ask for proof such as IELTS, even if you studied in English in Canada.
• Subject prerequisites — make sure your Grade 12 courses cover the required subjects (for example sciences for nursing or engineering).
• UCAS International qualifications page — UCAS publishes guidance on how Canadian qualifications are viewed; use it as your reference point.
• Calculate any tariffed quals — if you also hold IB, AP or A-levels, work out those points first.

See courses by your points

You can also keep the A-level points reference handy for comparing offers, since UK requirements are often quoted in A-level terms.

Planning your move to a UK university

*Supplementary guidance for international applicants — beyond grade conversion.*

Once your offer is on track, the practical side of moving to the UK comes next. A little early planning makes the transition smoother:

• Understand the process with how the UCAS application works.
• Sort where you will live using our student accommodation guide.
• Set up your money with help on student bank accounts.

None of this needs to happen at once. Get your application and grades sorted first, then work through the rest step by step.