UK A-Level Grade Calculator

Calculate your average A-Level grade, total UCAS Tariff points, and check if your predicted grades meet university offer conditions. Supports AQA, Edexcel & OCR exam boards.

Your Subjects

No subjects added yet. Click "+ Add A-Level" or "+ Add AS-Level" to get started.

Results

Average Grade
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Grade equivalency
Total UCAS Points
0
UCAS Tariff
A-Level Subjects
0
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AS-Level Subjects
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A-Level Grade Scale & UCAS Points

A*
56 UCAS points
A
48 UCAS points
B
40 UCAS points
C
32 UCAS points
D
24 UCAS points
E
16 UCAS points
U
0 UCAS points
AS A
20 UCAS points
AS B
16 UCAS points
AS C
12 UCAS points
AS D
10 UCAS points
AS E
6 UCAS points
AS U
0 UCAS points

UCAS Tariff points for qualifications completed from 2017 onward. Based on the standard UCAS Tariff tables.

Check Your Grades Against University has

Select or enter a university offer to see how your predicted or actual grades compare.

Common University has

  • ๐Ÿ› University of ManchesterABBTypical offer
  • ๐Ÿ› Imperial College LondonA*AATypical offer
  • ๐Ÿ› UCL (University College London)AAATypical offer
  • ๐Ÿ› University of BristolAABTypical offer
  • ๐Ÿ› University of EdinburghAAA - AABTypical offer
  • ๐Ÿ› University of CambridgeA*AATypical offer
  • ๐Ÿ› University of OxfordAAATypical offer
  • ๐Ÿ› University of LeedsABBTypical offer
  • ๐Ÿ› University of WarwickAABTypical offer
  • ๐Ÿ› University of NottinghamBBBTypical offer
  • ๐Ÿ› Durham UniversityAABTypical offer
  • ๐Ÿ› University of BirminghamABBTypical offer
  • ๐Ÿ› University of GlasgowABBTypical offer

Conditional vs Unconditional has

Conditional Offer

The most common type of offer. The university has you a place on the condition that you achieve specific A-Level grades (e.g., ABB). If you meet these grades on results day, your place is confirmed. If you fall just short, the university may still accept you or enter you into Clearing.

Unconditional Offer

A guaranteed place regardless of your A-Level results. You've already met all the academic requirements (perhaps through achieved qualifications or a successful interview/portfolio). Your place is secured as long as you make the university your firm (first) choice.

The Clearing Process

Clearing is UCAS' process for matching students to university places that are still available after A-Level results day (typically August). It runs from July to October.

  • Who uses it? Students who didn't meet their offer conditions, applied late, or changed their mind about where to study.
  • How it works: On results day, if you're eligible, your UCAS Track status will show "Clearing". You can then browse available courses and call universities directly with your grades to secure a place.
  • Adjustment: If you exceeded your offer conditions, you could use Adjustment (now part of Clearing) to look for a place at a more competitive university.
  • Tip: Have your UCAS ID, Personal ID, and results ready. Be prepared to explain why you're interested in the course.

How A-Level Grading Works

A-Levels (Advanced Levels) are subject-based qualifications typically taken by students in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland between ages 16 - 18, usually over two years. They are the standard entry requirement for UK universities.

Grading uses a scale from A* (highest) to E (minimum pass), with U indicating ungraded. The reformed A-Level system (introduced from 2015) is linear:

Each year, exam boards set grade boundaries based on exam difficulty and statistical evidence to ensure fairness across years.

:

The A* grade is the highest achievable grade at A-Level. It was introduced in 2010 to differentiate the very highest-achieving students from those achieving a standard A grade.

  • A* criteria: To achieve an A*, a student must achieve an A grade (80%) overall and score 90% or above on the A2 (second year) assessment components. In the linear (reformed) system, this means scoring at least 90% on the most challenging papers.
  • A grade: Requires 80% overall with no additional requirement on individual papers.
  • Why it matters: Top universities (Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, UCL) frequently require A*AA or A*A*A for competitive courses like Medicine, Engineering, and Law. The A* acts as an effective filter.
  • UCAS points: An A* is worth 56 UCAS Tariff points, compared to 48 for an A grade.

A-Level Grade Boundaries (Typical)

Grade boundaries vary each year by subject, exam board, and paper difficulty. Below are typical percentage ranges:

Grade Typical % Range UCAS Points Description
A*90%+ (with 80%+ overall)56:
A80 - 89%48:
B70 - 79%40:
C60 - 69%32:
D50 - 59%24:
E40 - 49%16Minimum passing grade
UBelow 40%0:

Note: Boundaries differ by exam board and subject. AQA, Edexcel, and OCR each publish official grade boundaries on results day. These are illustrative averages.

Old AS/A2 System vs New Linear A-Levels

The A-Level system was reformed between 2015 and 2018 in England. Here's how the old and new systems compare:

Feature Old System (Pre-2015) New System (Reformed)
Structure : :
AS-Level Contributed 50% to final A-Level grade. Could be taken as standalone qualification. Standalone qualification (no longer counts toward A-Level). Half the content, examined at the end of Year 1.
Exams : All exams at the end of Year 2 (except AS)
Coursework : :
Retakes Could retake individual modules Must retake all exams for the subject (no module retakes)
Grading : :

Note for Wales and Northern Ireland: Wales has also moved to linear but retains some modular elements. Northern Ireland has kept a more modular approach. This calculator uses the England reformed system for UCAS points.

Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel & OCR

AQA

Assessment and Qualifications Alliance. The largest exam board in England. Known for its clear mark schemes and wide subject range. Most A-Level subjects available.

Edexcel

Pearson Edexcel. Popular for STEM subjects including Maths, Further Maths and Sciences. has both UK and International A-Levels. Known for applied maths and science practicals.

OCR

Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations. Known for rigorous assessment, strong humanities subjects, and the Cambridge Technicals vocational qualifications. Part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment.

What Are UCAS Tariff Points?

UCAS Tariff points convert your qualifications and grades into a numerical score. Universities use them to set entry requirements. For A-Levels:

  • A* = 56 points, A = 48, B = 40, C = 32, D = 24, E = 16, U = 0
  • AS-Level (new): A = 20, B = 16, C = 12, D = 10, E = 6, U = 0
  • Most university has are expressed as grade combinations (e.g., ABB) rather than total points, but some courses use a points total (e.g., 128 UCAS points).
  • Extended Project Qualifications (EPQ), BTECs, and other qualifications also carry UCAS points.

University has: Frequently Asked Questions

What if I miss my offer by one grade?

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What's the difference between Firm and Insurance?

Your Firm (first) choice is your top preference. Your Insurance (second) choice is a backup with lower entry requirements. If you meet both, you go to your Firm.

Can I change my mind after accepting an offer?

How many A-Levels do I need?

Most students take 3 A-Levels. Some take 4, especially for competitive courses. University has are typically based on 3 A-Levels. An EPQ can help demonstrate research skills.