If you’re wondering how the UCAS points system works, you’re not alone.

You might have seen university offers based on grades such as AAA or ABB, which is reasonably easy to grasp. After all, three As are three As… right?

But what about if you’ve excelled in one subject (achieving an A*) but fell short with a B in another. In this instance, would the A* be enough to lift-up the B? What about an impressive performance in an additional AS subject? It’s a bit of a head scratcher.

As well as grades, some universities also offer places based on a points system. You might have seen stipulations like a “minimum of 112 points” for popular courses.

So, what does all this mean?

Here’s everything you need to know about UCAS points and university offers…

Is A*AB the same as AAA?

The short answer is it depends.

Universities either base offers on minimum specific grades per subjects, or overall UCAS points. Whilst A*AB is the same as AAA in terms of UCAS points (a score of 144), universities are under no obligation to accept candidates with grades that don’t match their entry requirements.

To understand the system better, it’s worth explaining how UCAS points are calculated.

How does the UCAS points system work?

UCAS points are awarded for most qualifications studied between the ages of 16 and 18.

According to UCAS, only a third of universities use points to advertise their course requirements. For those that do however, it allows greater flexibility over grade combinations than “standard” grade-based offers.

If your offer is based on 128 UCAS points (for instance), you can use any mixture of grades to meet this threshold. Conversely, for an “ABB” offer, you have to achieve a minimum of an A and two Bs. Any slips below this might jeopardise your place.

Generally speaking, more traditional universities are likely to make offers based on grades, not points. Even if a university uses points, they may also request minimum grades in specific subjects.

If you’re applying for an Economics degree (for example), a university might ask for “128 points from a minimum of three A Levels” – which must include an A in A Level Mathematics.

It’s also important to remember there’s no double counting for UCAS points. If you’ve taken AS Levels building towards A Level qualifications, only your A Level grades (your highest level of achievement) will be counted.

Despite this, if you took four AS Levels (dropping a single subject to focus on three A Levels) – your additional AS might be considered alongside your three A Levels.

How can I work out my UCAS points?

With a firm understanding of what UCAS points are – the next challenge is calculating your UCAS Tariff Score.

We’ve created a handy table, so you can convert your A Level and AS Level grades into UCAS points:

 

A Level	UCAS Points
A*	56
A	48
B	40
C	32
D	24
E	16

 

AS Level	UCAS Points
A	20
B	16
C	12
D	10
E	6

 

Let’s explore how this works in practice:

Student 1

Student 1 achieved fantastic results of AAB in their A Level exams. In addition, they achieved an extra A in the previous year’s AS exams. This gives a UCAS score of 156.

Some universities might specify a specific target based on A Level exams alone however. In this instance, the student’s usable UCAS score would be 136.

Student 2

Student 2 has an offer for Comparative Literature, based on 144 points (equivalent to AAA). This includes a minimum of an A Grade in English Literature A Level.

They’re predicted an A*AB however, which would also total 144 points. In this instance, it’s important English Literature isn’t the B Grade – and contacting their chosen university to discuss the application.

For more information, take a look at the UCAS website where you can use their tariff calculator.

What happens next?

If you’re getting started with university applications, research potential courses with your predicted grades and UCAS points in mind.

Once you have a shortlist of courses and institutions, it’s a great idea to visit universities in person, talk to current students and get a feel for the town or city.

If you’re still unsure about your applications, here’s a few commonly asked questions:

Is it worth applying to a course asking for AAA – but I’m predicted A*AB?

Universities making grade-based offers are clear A*AB is not equivalent to AAA. This means they have no obligation to accept students falling below specified grade requirements.

It doesn’t mean they’ll automatically reject you though…

If you’re in a strong position, for instance you have high AS Level grades, plenty of extra-curricular activities, high admission-test scores and a genuine passion for the subject – the admissions team might look favourably on your application.

If your B is in the subject you’re applying for however, this will result in a less-favourable view. Ultimately, it’s a good idea to get in touch with your chosen university to discuss your application. They’ll be happy to advise.

Should I apply for a course with higher requirements than my predicted grades?

If you feel your predicted grades are too low, it may be worth applying to a university with higher entry requirements.

This can be a risky tactic, however. For instance, if your course is highly competitive (like Medicine or Law), this might be a wasted application if you don’t match (or surpass) entry requirements.

Again, it’s worth contacting your chosen university, asking if they feel your application would be reasonable.

As a rule of thumb, it’s advisable to opt for courses whose entry requirements match your predictions. If you’re truly unhappy with your predicted grades, speak to your teachers – explaining why you disagree and exploring whether there’s any possibility for adjustments.

What can I do if my chosen university doesn’t accept my grades?

If your chosen university doesn’t accept your final grades, don’t panic! There are still plenty of options, for instance UCAS Clearing, exam resits, a gap year or calling universities to discuss your application.

Especially if you’ve achieved an A*AB (missing the offer by one grade that you’ve made up elsewhere), it’s definitely worth having a discussion with university admissions teams.

UCAS clearing is also a particularly good option. Plenty of highly ranked and well-respected universities have clearing places. Indeed, over 13% of all students in 2020 achieved their place through clearing.

If you’re unsure exactly how clearing works, UCAS has an in-depth guide to the clearing process.

There are so many factors to consider when it comes to university applications. From understanding the UCAS Tariff points system to choosing a course and institution that’s right for you – it’s essential to do your research and talk with friends, family and experts.

If you’d like assistance with your current studies, choosing a university course or career advice, speak to us. Our friendly team has guided many students towards the best courses and further educational opportunities. We’d be delighted to help.