Students aiming to get into university know they'll need to achieve decent A-Level grades to get there, and alongside that, the amount of UCAS tariff points they accrue could also be crucial to making it.

Each A-Level grade, or equivalent Level 3/SCQF Level 6 qualifications, are worth a certain amount of UCAS tariff points.

This allows universities and colleges to draw comparisons between the wide range of qualifications they see on their applications.

On the UCAS website, it says: "Being able to compare qualifications they are less familiar with against more common ones such as A levels encourages a fairer decision-making process when it comes to making offers."

Some universities and colleges refer to UCAS Tariff points in their course entry requirements, so it can sometimes be important in how many you get.

How many UCAS points are A-Level grades worth?

Purely breaking down A-Level grades, they are worth the corresponding amount of UCAS points:

  • A* = 56
  • A = 48
  • B = 40
  • C = 32
  • D = 24
  • E = 16

The points for other qualifications can be calculated on the UCAS Tariff Calculator here, which includes BTECS and T Levels.

Not all universities and colleges use the Tariff when making offers, as many just use the qualifications themselves instead.

UCAS adds: "Some universities and colleges limit the qualifications they accept. For example, they may only accept Tariff points from the highest scoring three A levels or Scottish Highers."

Additionally, some may exclude qualifications if content is duplicated in other qualifications.

It goes on: "Universities and colleges generally only count the highest level of achievement.

"For example, they may not count a BTEC Award if you have achieved the BTEC Certificate in the same subject, or an AS level if you have an A level in the same subject."