UCAS Tariff

The UCAS Tariff (formerly called UCAS Points System) is a means of differentiating students based upon grades from various post-GCSE qualifications. It is used as a means of giving students from the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland places at UK universities.

The system is not universally used by British universities. In 2010, only 4% of universities used UCAS Tariffs in their offers for all their courses, while 29% of universities didn't use UCAS Tariffs for any of their courses.^[1]

Students and schools are often not given calculated UCAS points, and so this has to be calculated manually. Two common ways for UCAS points to be calculated are through the official tariff tables, or through third-party software and websites.

Points system

The points range from 5 points for a pass at Grade 6 music theory, up to 768 points for a perfect score in the International Baccalaureate diploma. The following qualifications can count towards the tariff:

GCE qualifications

GCE A levels
- Ranging from 40 (Grade E) to 140 (Grade A*)

**A level UCAS points table**^[2]
Grade	UCAS Points
A*	140
A	120
B	100
C	80
D	60
E	40

GCE AS levels
- Ranging from 20 (Grade E) to 60 (Grade A)

**AS level UCAS points table**
Grade	UCAS points
A	60
B	50
C	40
D	30
E	20

AVCEs
- Ranging from 80 (Grade EE) to 240 (Grade AA)

International Baccalaureate

Higher Level subjects
- Ranging from 20 (Level 3) to 130 (Level 7)
Standard Level subjects
- Ranging from 13 (Level 3) to 86 (Level 7)
TOK and EE bonus points
- Ranging from 10 (0 points) to 120 (3 points)
Full Diploma
- Using the criteria mentioned above, the points are given on a linear scale, ranging from 280 (24 points) to 768 (45 points)

NB: Candidates are not given points based on individual subjects, but on the total score. However, the individual point scores show how the points for the full diploma are made up. For example, given that a score of 45 is made by attaining 7+7+7+7+7+7+3, the tariff is 130+130+130+86+86+86+120=768. Scores lower than 45 are matched on a linear scale all the way down to 24 points.

The UCAS tariff for the IB is not for use until 2008 entry, and is subject to change with the introduction of the new, 4 unit A-level in 2008.

Advanced Placement Exams

Group A subjects (Hard sciences, Calculus, Languages, History)
- 120 points for a 5, 90 points for a 4, 60 points for a 3
Group B subjects (all the others)
- 50 points for a 5, 35 points for a 4, 20 points for a 3

BTECs

National Award
- Ranging from 40 (Pass) to 120 (Distinction)
National Certificate
- Ranging from 80 (Double Pass) to 240 (Double Distinction)
National Diploma
- Ranging from 120 (Triple Pass) to 360 (Triple Distinction)
Early Years Theory Certificate
- Ranging from 40 (Double Pass) to 200 (Double Distinction)
Early Years Theory Diploma
- Ranging from 80 (Triple Pass) to 320 (Triple Distinction)
Early Years Practical
- Ranging from 40 (Pass) to 120 (Distinction)

Irish Leaving Certificate

Higher Level
- Ranging from 20 (D3 Grade) to 90 (A1 Grades)
Ordinary Level
- Ranging from 7 (B3 Grade) to 39 (A1 Grade)

Scottish Qualifications Authority Qualifications

Main article: Scottish Qualifications Certificate

**Advanced Highers UCAS points table**^[3]
Grade	UCAS Points
A	130
B	110
C	90
D	72

**Highers UCAS points table**
Grade	UCAS points
A	80
B	65
C	50
D	36

CACHE Diploma in Childcare and Early Years

Theory
- Ranging from 80 (Grade EE) to 240 (Grade AA)
Practical
- Ranging from 40 (Grade E) to 120 (Grade A)

Music exams

These are only counted if at grade 6 or above.

Theory
- Ranging from 5 points (Grade 6 Pass) to 35 (Grade 8 Distinction)
Practical
- Ranging from 25 (Grade 6 Pass) to 75 (Grade 8 Distinction)

Speech & Drama exams