UCAS points explained: what they are and when they actually matter

UCAS tariff points convert your qualifications into a single number: an A level A* is worth 56 points, an A is 48, a B is 40, and so on. Some universities make offers in points (for example, "112 UCAS points"), but many - especially the most competitive - make offers in grades instead, so points alone rarely tell you whether you qualify.

Here is the current tariff, checked against UCAS on 20 September 2026, and the detail most calculators skip.

The A level and AS level tariff tables

BTECs, T Levels, the EPQ, the IB and dozens of other qualifications also carry tariff points - the EPQ is worth up to 28 at A*. UCAS publishes the full tables in its Tariff Guide and has a calculator on its site.

The rules that trip people up

No double counting. If you have an AS level and an A level in the same subject, only the A level counts. The AS is positioned at roughly 40% of the A level's value, which is why AS points look low - they are not meant to stack.

Grade B is grade B. A high B and a low B are both 40 points. Tariff points reflect the grade, not how close you were to the boundary.

Your best qualifications count. Universities generally use your highest qualifications, so a fourth A level does not necessarily add anything to a tariff total.

The bigger truth: most offers are not in points

This is the part that matters most. Many universities - and nearly all of the most selective ones - state entry requirements as grades in named subjects: "AAA including Mathematics", not "144 points". For those courses:

• Points cannot substitute for subjects. 144 tariff points without A level Chemistry will not get you onto a medicine course asking for AAA including Chemistry.
• Points cannot substitute for grades. An AAB beats the points total of an AAA offer, but it is not AAA. Some universities will flex; many will not, particularly where the offer names a grade in a required subject.

A minority of courses do state requirements in tariff points, and those are typically more flexible about which qualifications make up the total. You will see the format in UCAS course search and on each university's course page - check before assuming either way. Our course pages list requirements per course, and our university pages link to the official sources.

Where tariff points genuinely help

• Comparing mixed qualifications. If you are taking A levels alongside a BTEC or an EPQ, points give you one common currency.
• Points-based offers. For the courses that use them, your total is what counts, so a strong EPQ or AS grade can close a gap.
• Clearing. Some universities publish Clearing vacancies in points, so knowing your total on results day speeds up phone calls.

Work out where you stand

Add up your three best A level grades (plus an EPQ or AS in a different subject, if relevant):

• AAA = 144 points
• AAB = 136 points
• ABB = 128 points
• BBB = 120 points

Then compare against the requirement format each course actually uses. If that sounds tedious across five choices and dozens of courses, that is exactly what the Tansiky matcher automates: enter your subjects and predicted grades, and the free preview shows which courses you meet the requirement for - grades, subjects and points checked together. The £9.99 full report adds a five-choice strategy and the official source link for every requirement.

Further reading: How to choose your five UCAS choices · What A levels do you need for engineering? · UCAS Clearing guide 2027

Frequently asked questions

How many UCAS points is an A* at A level?

56 points. A is 48, B is 40, C is 32, D is 24 and E is 16.

How many UCAS points is an AS level worth?

A=20, B=16, C=12, D=10, E=6 - and it cannot be counted alongside an A level in the same subject.

Do all universities use UCAS points?

No. Many make grade-based offers in named subjects instead. Check the requirement format on each course listing before relying on a points total.

Does an EPQ count towards UCAS points?

Yes, up to 28 points for an A*. Some universities also reduce grade offers for applicants with a relevant EPQ.

Are UCAS points being scrapped?

UCAS has consulted on a future replacement for the tariff, but it remains in use for 2027 entry. Check each course's requirement format.

Sources: UCAS "Calculate your UCAS Tariff points" page and UCAS Tariff Guide, plus current university course listings - checked 20 September 2026.