The UCAS Tariff (formerly called UCAS Points System) is used to allocate points to post-16 qualifications. Universities and colleges may use it when making offers to applicants. A points total is achieved by converting qualifications such as A levels (and many others) into points, making it simpler for course providers to compare applicants. It is used as a means of giving students from the United Kingdom places at UK universities.
Common ways for UCAS points to be calculated are through the UCAS Tariff Calculator, official tariff tables, or through third-party software and websites.
The UCAS Tariff was first introduced in 2001. Since then, however, both the range of qualifications held by applicants, and the variety of progression routes into higher education have increased. Therefore a new Tariff was introduced. The new UCAS Tariff points are based on a different methodology. The change to new UCAS Tariff will not in itself change entry requirements for university or college courses. Universities and colleges are independent organisations and each year they decide how to set their entry requirements. Those universities and colleges that use UCAS Tariff points to express their entry requirements will simply set their requirements using the new number system.
The following qualifications can count towards the tariff:
GCE A levels
These Tariff points will be used for applications submitted for the 2017 admissions cycle onwards (i.e. for students making applications from September 2016 for full-time courses starting from September 2017).
GCE AS levels
These Tariff points will be used for applications submitted for the 2017 admissions cycle onwards (i.e. for students making applications from September 2016 for full-time courses starting from September 2017).
AVCEs
Ranging from 32 (Grade EE) to 112 (Grade AA)
Higher Level subjects
Ranging from 12 (Level 3) to 56 (Level 7)
Standard Level subjects
Ranging from 6 (Level 3) to 28 (Level 7)
TOK and EE bonus points
Ranging from 4 (Grade E) to 12 (Grade A)
Full Diploma or each of its components.
Ranging from 12 (Grade 1) to 28 (Grade 5)
National Award
Ranging from 16 (Pass) to 48 (Distinction)
National Certificate
Ranging from 32 (Double Pass) to 96 (Double Distinction)
National Diploma
Ranging from 48 (Triple Pass) to 112 (Triple Distinction)
BTEC Nationals in Children’s Play, Learning and Development (NQF)
Ranging from 32 (Double Pass) to 112 (Double Distinction*)
BTEC National Certificate in Children’s Play, Learning and Development
Ranging from 48 (Triple Pass) to 168 (Triple Distinction*)
BTEC National Award in Children’s Play, Learning and Development
Ranging from 16 (Pass) to 56 (Distinction*)
Higher Level
Ranging from 9 (D3 Grade) to 36 (A1 Grades)
Ordinary Level
Ranging from 6 (B3 Grade) to 12 (A1 Grade)
SQC Nationals Advanced Highers
Ranging from 32 (Grade D) to 56 (Grade A)
SQC Nationals Higher
Ranging from 15 (Grade D) to 33 (Grade A)
These are only counted if at grade 6 or above.
Theory
Ranging from 4 points (Grade 6 Pass) to 10 (Grade 8 Distinction)
Practical
Ranging from 6 (Grade 6 Pass) to 30 (Grade 8 Distinction)
These are only counted if at grade 6 or above.
Ranging from 8 points (Grade 6 Pass) to 30 (Grade 8 Distinction)
Individuals who complete the LAMDA Certificate in Performance Studies with merit or distinction can earn more points than are available for graded exams (8 for pass, 16 for merit, 24 for distinction)
The Welsh Baccalaureate is worth from 16 (Grade E) to 56 points (Grade A*).
An Advanced Extension Award can either be worth 12 for a Merit or 14 for a distinction (this is on top of the A level tariff)
Foundation Art and Design ranges from 80 for a pass to 112 for a distinction
Free-standing Mathematics Qualifications points range from 3 points for a grade E up to 10 points for a grade A.
ASDAN Certificate of Personal Effectiveness CoPE, offers 16 points.
