What is the UCAS tariff
The UCAS tariff is a points system used for reporting acheivement for entry onto UK Higher Education courses such as Degrees and Foundation Degrees. The main use of the tariff is to make it easier to compare different types of qualifications at level three solving the problem when comparing applicants who have taken different routes (vocational or academic) through Further Education. If you are looking to apply for such a course the qualification requirements are likely to be stated as a tariff score with possible extra requirements such as qualifications in a particular subject.
How do I calculate my tariff score?
You need to add up the numbers for each of the qualifications you have. You can't count the same one twice (if you retake, for instance), and you can't count two levels in the same subject; you can't count an AS and an A2 in the same subject.
GCE Qualifications
These are your standard AS and A2s. If you took full A levels, back in the day, use the A2 score. AVCEs are vocational qualifications worth two A-levels.
Score AS A2 AVCE
240 AA
220 AB
200 BB
180 BC
160 CC
140 CD
120 A DD
100 B DE
80 C EE
60 A D
50 B
40 C E
30 D
20 E
BTEC Nationals
BTEC National Awards, Certificates and Diplomas are regarded as roughly equivalent to one, two and three A levels respectively. Instead of letter grades they are rated as Distinction, Merit or Pass.
Score Award Cert Diploma
360 DDD
320 DDM
280 DMM
240 DD MMM
200 DM MMP
160 MM MPP
120 D MP PPP
80 M PP
40 P
CACHE Diploma
The CACHE Diploma is a qualification offered at HE institutions for study in Childcare and Education courses. It is seen to be equivalent to three A levels split between the theory and practical components.
Score Pract Theory
240 A
200 B
160 C
120 A D
100 B
80 C E
60 D
40 E
30
20
Diploma in Foundation Studies
This is a course in Art and Design designed for continuation on to HE courses.
Score Grade
285 Distinction
225 Merit
165 Pass
Irish leaving certificate
Score Higher Ordinary
90 A1
77 A2
71 B1
64 B2
58 B3
52 C1
45 C2
39 C3 A1
33 D1
26 D2 A2
20 D3 B1
14 B2
7 B3
Scottish Qualifications
The Advanced Higher Scottish qualification is worth roughly the same as an A level.
Score Adv-Higher Higher Inter Standard
120 A
100 B
80 C
72 D A
60 B
48 C
42 D A
38 Band One
35 B
28 C Band Two
Welsh Baccalaureate Core
A passing grade fot the core of the new Welsh Baccalaureate is considered to be equivalent to an english A level at 120 points.
Key Skills
Key Skills run alongside FE courses and teach broader literacy, numeracy and ITC skills to students. They are worth 30 points at level four, 20 points at level three and 10 points at level two.