Understanding the UCAS Tariff Point Calculator

By Steph Ryan

The UCAS Tariff Point is used by universities and colleges in the UK to work out the value of your qualifications and compare them to other applicants. This is done by assigning you one easy figure, following calculations using a universal scale.

UCAS points measure the relative value of all post-16 qualifications in the UK, including BTEC and A-Level.

Not all institutions use the Tariff Point System. Some universities are quite specific about applicants receiving particular grades in certain subjects. For example, many engineering applicants must have achieved an A* in either maths or physics to be accepted.

However, if you’ve applied to a university or college that does use the system, your application will be treated with much greater flexibility than if it was only being assessed on grades.

For example, rather than having to get BBB in your A-Levels, you can do better in one subject and worse in another, receiving grades of ABC, and still get the same number of UCAS points.

As a result, UCAS points allow for much greater diversity when universities are selecting students for enrolment.