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UCAS Tariff

The UCAS Tariff (formerly called UCAS Points System) is used to allocate points to post-16 qualifications (Level 3 qualifications on the Regulated Qualifications Framework). 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.[1]

Points system

The following qualifications can count towards the tariff:

GCE qualifications

New tariff

  • GCE A levels
    • These Tariff points are 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).
A level UCAS points table (New Tariff)[2]
Grade UCAS Points
A* 56
A 48
B 40
C 32
D 24
E 16
  • GCE AS levels
    • These Tariff points are 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).
AS level UCAS points table
Grade UCAS points
A 20
B 16
C 12
D 10
E 6
  • AVCEs
    • Ranging from 32 (Grade EE) to 112 (Grade AA)

Original 2001 UCAS Points Tariff

UCAS initially introduced a university points tariff which created a points system to cover the GCE A-Level and AS-Level qualification for students starting higher education in September 2001. (GCE A and AS Levels awarded before 2001 do not attract UCAS points).

A level UCAS points table (Original 2001 Tariff)[1]
Grade UCAS Points
A 10
B 8
C 6
D 4
E 2
AS level UCAS points table (Original 2001 Tariff)
Grade UCAS points
A 5
B 4
C 3
D 2
E 1

Old tariff (2002-2016)

UCAS revamped the original tariff to a single points system which included the majority of post-16 academic qualifications (including the allocation of points to Advanced GNVQS and Key Skills). This change applied to students starting courses in 2002. Additional post-16 qualifcations were allocated points after this date.

A level UCAS points table (Old Tariff)[3]
Grade UCAS Points
A* 140
A 120
B 100
C 80
D 60
E 40
Grade UCAS points
A 60
B 50
C 40
D 30
E 20

International Baccalaureate

  • Higher Level subjects:
IBO Certificate in Higher Level UCAS points table[4]
Grade UCAS Points
H7 56
H6 48
H5 32
H4 24
H3 12
H2 0
H1 0
  • Standard Level subjects:
IBO Certificate in Standard Level UCAS points table
Grade UCAS Points
S7 28
S6 24
S5 16
S4 12
S3 6
S2 0
S1 0
  • Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay bonus points:
IBO Certificate in Theory of Knowledge/Extended Essay UCAS points table
Grade UCAS Points
A 12
B 10
C 8
D 6
E 4

Full Diploma or each of its components.

Advanced Placement exams

Advanced Placement UCAS points table[5]
Grade UCAS Points
5 28
4 24
3 20
2 16
1 12

BTECs

  • 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*)

Irish Leaving Certificate

  • Higher Level:
Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Level UCAS points table[6]
Grade UCAS Points
H1 36
H2 30
H3 24
H4 18
H5 12
H6 9
  • Ordinary Level:
Irish Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level UCAS points table
Grade UCAS Points
O1 12
O2 10
O3 8
O4 6

Scottish Qualifications Authority Qualifications

Main article: Scottish Qualifications Certificate
See also: Education in Scotland
Advanced Highers UCAS points table
Grade UCAS Points
A 56
B 48
C 40
D 32
Highers UCAS points table
Grade UCAS points
A 33
B 27
C 21
D 15

Music exams

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)

Speech & Drama exams

These are only counted if at grade 1 or above.

  • Ranging from 8 points (Grade 1 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 a pass, 16 for merit, 24 for distinction)

Others

  • 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.
  • Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) grades are worth up to 28 points.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Tariff 2017". UCAS. 2014-10-08. Retrieved 2016-11-10.
  2. ^ "The new Tariff for Advanced GCE and Advanced VCE 2017". UCAS. Retrieved 2016-06-16.
  3. ^ "Teach First: Calculating your UCAS points" (PDF). ucas.com. n.d.
  4. ^ "International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma". UCAS. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  5. ^ "USA: Advanced Placement (AP)". UCAS. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  6. ^ "Irish Leaving Certificate (new grading scheme from 2017)". UCAS. Retrieved 2018-08-18.
  7. ^ "EPQ: Performance tables". AQA. Retrieved 2020-12-01.

External links

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