UCAS Points for Law: How Many You Need in 2026

Quick answer: Most UK law (LLB) degrees ask for 112–144 UCAS points for 2026 entry — roughly BBC to AAA at A-level.

Law is one of the most popular degrees in the UK, and the good news is that the range of courses is wide. You'll find LLB programmes that accept BBC (112) right up to the most competitive ones asking for AAA (144). One honest thing to know early: many law courses set their offers in specific grades rather than UCAS points, so the number is your starting point, not the whole story. You can calculate all your points in a minute, then read on to see exactly where law sits.

How many UCAS points do you need for a law degree?

Most law (LLB) degrees ask for 112–144 UCAS points — that's BBC to AAA at A-level. Typical entry sits around 120–128 points (BBB to ABB), while competitive and Russell Group courses usually want 144 points (AAA). If you're unsure what your own total comes to, our how many UCAS points do I need? guide walks you through it.

Typical law entry requirements by course type (2026)

Here's a realistic picture of what different types of law course tend to ask for. These are guide ranges — always check the exact offer on the course page.

A foundation-year or lower-tariff law route can start around 96 points (CCC), which makes law realistic for a lot more people than you might expect. The bulk of mainstream LLB courses cluster around BBB to ABB. At the top, the most selective universities commonly ask for AAA. Want to see what the headline grades are worth? Check see what AAA is worth or see what BBB is worth.

What those points look like in grades

The clearest way to read the law range is to translate it into grades. Across A-levels, the steps line up like this:

• BBC = 112 points — the lower end of most LLB offers
• BBB = 120 points — a very common typical offer
• ABB = 128 points — solid mid-range
• AAB = 136 points — competitive courses
• AAA = 144 points — top universities

You don't have to be doing A-levels, though. Law is widely accepted with other qualifications too. A BTEC Extended Diploma at DDM = 128 or DDD = 144 lands you squarely in range, and many courses welcome the IB and Scottish Highers as well. One thing worth noting: law admissions teams often like to see an essay-based subject in your mix — something like English, History, or Politics — because it shows you can build and argue a written case. If you want the full breakdown, see the A-level points table or the BTEC points table.

Why many law offers use grades, not UCAS points

Here's the honest caveat. A lot of law courses — especially at Russell Group universities — make their offers in specific grades, like AAA or ABB, rather than in Tariff points. That means hitting "144 points" isn't always the same as meeting the offer: a university asking for AAA wants three A grades, not any combination that adds up to 144.

UCAS points are more commonly used at post-1992 universities, on foundation routes, and during Clearing. So the points number is a brilliant way to see if you're *roughly* in range — but always read the exact wording of each offer. Our guide on whether do all universities use UCAS points? explains this in more detail.

How to check if your points are in range for law

Checking where you stand takes three clear steps:

1. Add up your points. Use the A-level calculator (or the right one for your qualification) to get your exact total.
2. Compare to the law range. Hold your number against the 112–144 band. Are you near the lower end, the middle, or the top?
3. See your matches. Pop your total into what can I study with my points? to see which courses fit right now.

If you land a few points below your dream course, don't panic. Being slightly short still leaves plenty of realistic options, and there are several ways to close the gap.

What to do if you're short of the points for law

Coming up a little short is far from the end of the road. Here are realistic next steps that keep law on the table:

• Look at contextual offers. Many universities lower their grade requirement for eligible applicants — see contextual offers.
• Consider a foundation-year LLB. These start lower (often around 96 points) and lead straight into a full law degree.
• Use Clearing. Plenty of law courses appear in Clearing, often with points-based entry.
• Add points. An EPQ can add up to 28 points (A*), and a retake can lift a single grade — see how to get more UCAS points.

If you're weighing up your choices, our not enough UCAS points guide lays out every realistic route in one place.

See which law courses match your points

Related subjects and points pages

If you're exploring law, these nearby pages are worth a look. See UCAS points for criminology for a closely related route, UCAS points for business if you're keeping options open, and what 144 points gets you to see the courses at the top of the law range.

Planning your law application

Once you know your number, the next step is the application itself. It helps to understand how the UCAS application works before you start, and law admissions teams read personal statements closely — so personal statement basics is a useful read as you write yours.

Frequently asked questions

How many UCAS points do you need for law?

Most UK law (LLB) degrees ask for 112 to 144 UCAS points for 2026 entry — roughly BBC to AAA at A-level. Typical offers sit around 120–128 (BBB–ABB), with competitive courses at 144 (AAA).

What grades do you need for a law degree?

Common law offers range from BBC (112) up to AAA (144). Many courses ask for BBB or ABB, while top universities often require AAA. An essay-based A-level subject is frequently preferred.

Do law degrees use UCAS points?

Some do, but many do not. A lot of law courses — especially at Russell Group universities — make offers in specific grades like AAA rather than Tariff points. Points-based offers are more common at post-1992 universities and in Clearing.

Can you study law with BTEC?

Yes. Many universities accept BTEC for law — for example DDM (128) or DDD (144) — sometimes alongside an A-level. Check each course, as some competitive law degrees prefer or require A-levels.

What can I do if I don't have enough points for law?

You have realistic options: look at foundation-year LLB courses, contextual offers, Clearing, or adding points with an EPQ or a retake. A few points short rarely closes every door.