Reply 1
Original post by Snailsq
I am in year 11 and so many people have mentioned UCAS points in every event that has to do with university etc . What is UCAS point though? And I think the most confusing part is how do you gain them
UCAS points are basically irrelevant now, unis just look at A level/GCSE grades instead. Don't even know why they still exist tbh.
UCAS points explained - but be aware that most Unis have entry requirements that are 3 specific A level grades, and don't accept 'equivalent UCAS point'.
Original post by pagan-scimitar
UCAS points are basically irrelevant now, unis just look at A level/GCSE grades instead. Don't even know why they still exist tbh.
A lot of unis still publish their entry requirements in UCAS points so they are not irrelevant. It gives more flexibility on results day as students need to meet the requirement from all their qualifications and aren't usually held to a specific grade in a specific subject.
Reply 4
Original post by normaw
A lot of unis still publish their entry requirements in UCAS points so they are not irrelevant. It gives more flexibility on results day as students need to meet the requirement from all their qualifications and aren't usually held to a specific grade in a specific subject.
Really? But you can still just meet the requirements with grades... Or is it for unis that count A*AB and AAA as the same?
Original post by pagan-scimitar
Really? But you can still just meet the requirements with grades... Or is it for unis that count A*AB and AAA as the same?
Top Unis are not going to automatically accept points-equivalent grades on Results Day - the above post is totally misleading.
Original post by pagan-scimitar
Really? But you can still just meet the requirements with grades... Or is it for unis that count A*AB and AAA as the same?
If a uni makes an offer in grades, you are expected to achieve those grades. Unis that give offers in UCAS points (e.g. 120 points from 3 A levels) would accept BBB or ABC as meeting the 120 point requirement. UCAS point offers tend to be given by less competitive unis.
Reply 7
Hi there,
UCAS points are essentially a number given to a certain grade:
A* = 56
A = 48
B = 40
C = 32 ..... and so on
Some Universities accept UCAS points instead of a set of grades, like LJMU! For example, a course requiring 120 UCAS points for entry may accept grades BBB, ABC, potentially even AAD. As well, LJMU only requires a minimum of 2 A-levels for entry so you can gain the UCAS points for entry through other qualifications.
You can gain UCAS points through different qualifications - I personally got some extra UCAS points from a first aid certification, as well as music performance grades. To see what qualifications give UCAS points, there is a great tool called UCAS calculator - if you google that, then you can input your qualifications and grades (ABC, pass/merit etc) and it will give you your overall number of points. Going back to the above example, grades BBC would be 112 points, so would just miss the entry requirement of 120 points. However, music grades 6+ give UCAS points, starting at 8 points for a pass grade, so this would increase your points up to 120.
As said above, not all Universities will accept UCAS points, and many will require 3 A-levels or equivalent for entry, so you would need to check individual Uni requirements!
Hope this was helpful and makes sense!
Jorja (LJMU Student Rep)
UCAS points are essentially a number given to a certain grade:
A* = 56
A = 48
B = 40
C = 32 ..... and so on
Some Universities accept UCAS points instead of a set of grades, like LJMU! For example, a course requiring 120 UCAS points for entry may accept grades BBB, ABC, potentially even AAD. As well, LJMU only requires a minimum of 2 A-levels for entry so you can gain the UCAS points for entry through other qualifications.
You can gain UCAS points through different qualifications - I personally got some extra UCAS points from a first aid certification, as well as music performance grades. To see what qualifications give UCAS points, there is a great tool called UCAS calculator - if you google that, then you can input your qualifications and grades (ABC, pass/merit etc) and it will give you your overall number of points. Going back to the above example, grades BBC would be 112 points, so would just miss the entry requirement of 120 points. However, music grades 6+ give UCAS points, starting at 8 points for a pass grade, so this would increase your points up to 120.
As said above, not all Universities will accept UCAS points, and many will require 3 A-levels or equivalent for entry, so you would need to check individual Uni requirements!
Hope this was helpful and makes sense!
Jorja (LJMU Student Rep)
Original post by Snailsq
I am in year 11 and so many people have mentioned UCAS points in every event that has to do with university etc . What is UCAS point though? And I think the most confusing part is how do you gain them
Hi there,
In simple terms, UCAS points are a way to turn your exam results into a score that universities use to compare applicants; for example, getting a high grade in an A-level might earn you 56 points while a lower grade earns fewer, and similarly, qualifications like BTECs have their own scoring, so as you achieve better grades, you collect more points to meet the requirements for your chosen course.
You can read more here: https://www.ucas.com/applying/you-apply/what-and-where-study/entry-requirements/ucas-tariff-points
Let me know if you have questions,
Ilya,
Second year Cyber Security student
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- UCAS points for Access course
- If I do a Level 3 apprenticeship, can i still apply to a russel group university?
- UCAS points
- Going to uni with a level 2 BTEC
- Application to EPQ rejected - what do I do?
- Will I get into the University of Nottingham?
- Ucas points
- Low grades university or clearing and Ucas
- Confused about conditional offer
- EPQ or AS for UCAS points?
- Ucas points
- UCAS
- Confused about clearing (York St John)
- Struggling with apprenticeships due to concerns of grades
- Can you get into a University with just a BTEC and an EPQ?
- Can I do psychology with BTEC level 3 applied science?
- 32 UCAS points
- Do you know anyone that got into Oxford Brookes even though they missed their grade?
- ucas points or grades?
- Tariff points BTEC Extended Diploma in Art and Design Level 3
Latest
Trending
Last reply 1 day ago
UCAS Applications + Uni Applicant Thread Directory for 2025 **Official Thread**Last reply 2 weeks ago
Official Offer Holder Thread Directory 2025 EntryLast reply 2 months ago
Fastest and Slowest Offer Holders Thread for 2025 EntryLast reply 2 months ago
i'm studying psychology but i don't know where to apply toLast reply 2 months ago
How do I get a buzzword for UCAS application?Last reply 3 months ago
My teacher wrote me an horrible reference, even when telling her I'm applying for medLast reply 3 months ago
I got an offer but haven’t met gcse requirementLast reply 3 months ago
Year 13s: where are you at in your university decision making?Last reply 3 months ago
havent sent off my ucas yet and i have low-ish predicted grades dont know what to do
