A-Level Grade Calculator UK 2026 - UCAS Points & Grade Boundaries

How A-Level Grades Work

A-Levels (Advanced Level qualifications) are the most widely recognised qualifications for university entry in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. They are typically studied over two years in sixth form or college, with most students taking three or four subjects.

The Grading Scale

A-Levels are graded on a letter scale from A* (highest) to E (lowest pass). A U grade means "ungraded" or "unclassified" and is a fail.

AS-Levels

AS-Levels (Advanced Subsidiary) cover the first year of A-Level content and are standalone qualifications since the decoupling reforms of 2015. They are graded A to E and carry half the UCAS points of a full A-Level (A=20, B=16, C=12, D=10, E=6). AS results no longer contribute to the final A-Level grade in England, though they still do in Wales.

Use our A-Level grade calculator to instantly convert your grades to UCAS points.

UCAS Tariff Points System

The UCAS Tariff is the system that assigns numerical points to qualifications used for university entry. It allows universities to compare applicants with different combinations of qualifications fairly.

A-Level UCAS Tariff Points

Other Qualifications in the Tariff

How to Calculate Your Total UCAS Points

Grade Boundaries Explained

Grade boundaries are the minimum number of marks (out of the total available) that you need to achieve each grade. They are one of the most misunderstood aspects of the A-Level system.

How Grade Boundaries Are Set

Grade boundaries are NOT fixed in advance. They are determined after all papers have been marked, through a process called "awarding":

1. Marking is completed: All exam papers are marked by trained examiners
2. Statistical analysis: The exam board analyses the overall distribution of marks
3. Script review: Senior examiners review scripts at key grade boundaries, looking at the quality of work
4. Standards comparison: The awarding committee compares the standard to previous years
5. Boundaries are set: The final grade boundaries are published on results day

Why Boundaries Change Each Year

Grade boundaries can vary significantly from year to year for several reasons:

• Paper difficulty: If an exam is harder, boundaries are typically lowered so the same proportion of students achieve each grade
• Cohort ability: The overall ability of students sitting the exam can vary
• Syllabus changes: New specifications may produce different mark distributions
• National policy: Ofqual may direct exam boards to adjust grade distributions (as happened during post-pandemic return to normal grading)

Exam Boards

There are four main exam boards in England and Wales, each setting their own grade boundaries:

• AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) - The largest exam board
• Pearson Edexcel - Widely used, especially for STEM subjects
• OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA) - Includes Cambridge International
• WJEC/Eduqas - The Welsh exam board, also used in England

While the syllabuses differ between boards, Ofqual ensures that a grade A from AQA represents the same standard as a grade A from Edexcel or OCR.

A-Level Grade Distribution Statistics

Understanding the typical distribution of A-Level grades helps put your results in context. Here are the key statistics from the 2025 results (the most recent full year of data):

Overall A-Level Grade Distribution (2025)

Subject-Level Variations

Pass rates and top grade proportions vary significantly by subject. Subjects with the highest proportions of A*/A grades tend to be those taken by more academically selective students:

• Further Mathematics: ~60% achieve A*/A (very selective cohort)
• Mathematics: ~45% achieve A*/A
• Modern Foreign Languages: ~35-40% achieve A*/A
• Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology): ~30-35% achieve A*/A
• English Literature: ~25% achieve A*/A
• Business Studies: ~20% achieve A*/A

These statistics are important when understanding grade boundaries, as subjects with higher-achieving cohorts may have higher mark thresholds for each grade.

Predicted Grades vs Actual Grades

Predicted grades play a crucial role in the UK university application process. Understanding how they work and their reliability is essential for managing expectations.

What Are Predicted Grades?

Predicted grades are your teachers' professional estimates of the A-Level grades they expect you to achieve. They are:

• Submitted to UCAS as part of your university application (typically by January of Year 13)
• Based on your AS results (if applicable), mock exam performance, coursework, and classroom engagement
• Used by universities to make conditional offers
• Separate from your target grades (what you are aiming for) and minimum expected grades

How Reliable Are Predicted Grades?

What This Means for Your Application

Because predicted grades are often optimistic, universities factor this into their offer-making. A university that typically requires AAB may make offers to students predicted AAA, knowing some will achieve AAB on results day. This is why:

• Your predicted grades should be ambitious but realistic
• Having a conversation with your teachers about predictions is important
• Your firm and insurance choices should allow for the possibility of lower results
• Some universities now use post-qualification admissions (PQA) pilot schemes, where offers are made after actual results are known

How Universities Use UCAS Points

Different universities use UCAS points in different ways. Understanding this distinction is crucial for choosing the right courses and making realistic applications.

Grade-Based Offers

More selective universities (including most Russell Group institutions) typically make offers based on specific grades in specific subjects:

Tariff-Based Offers

Many universities, particularly post-1992 institutions, make offers based on total UCAS tariff points:

Typical Entry Requirements by University Type

Calculate your points total with our A-Level grade calculator to see which universities match your results, and estimate your future student loan repayments with our student loan calculator.

Clearing and Adjustment Explained

If your results are not what you expected - whether better or worse - UCAS provides mechanisms to find the right university place.

Clearing

Clearing is the process for finding a university place if you do not hold an offer. You enter Clearing if:

• You did not meet the conditions of your firm or insurance offer
• You declined all your offers
• You applied late (after 30 June)
• You did not receive any offers

How Clearing works:

1. UCAS publishes available Clearing vacancies from results day (typically mid-August)
2. You search for courses with vacancies that interest you
3. You contact universities directly by phone to discuss your application
4. If the university offers you a place, you add it through UCAS Track
5. The process continues until late September/October

Adjustment

Adjustment is the opposite of Clearing - it is for students who exceeded their firm offer conditions and want to "trade up" to a more selective university:

• Available for a short window after results day (typically 5 days)
• You keep your existing offer while exploring alternatives
• If you find and accept a new place, your original offer is released
• If you do not find a better option, your original place remains confirmed

BTECs and T-Levels: Equivalent UCAS Points

A-Levels are not the only route to university. BTECs and the newer T-Levels carry UCAS tariff points and are accepted by most universities.

BTEC UCAS Points

T-Level UCAS Points

T-Levels are the newest qualification, equivalent to 3 A-Levels and designed with employers. They include a 45-day industry placement.

Subject Combination Strategies

Choosing the right A-Level subjects is one of the most important decisions students make. Your subject combination affects which university courses are open to you.

Facilitating Subjects

The Russell Group previously published a list of "facilitating subjects" - those that keep the widest range of degree options open. While the official list is no longer published, these subjects remain highly valued:

• Mathematics - Required or preferred for many STEM, economics, and finance degrees
• English Literature - Valued for humanities, law, and social science degrees
• Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) - Essential for medicine, engineering, and science degrees
• Modern Foreign Languages - Valued for languages, international relations, and many humanities
• History - Demonstrates analytical and essay-writing skills
• Geography - Valued for its combination of analytical and fieldwork skills

Common Subject Combinations for Popular Degrees

Frequently Asked Questions

How many UCAS points is an A* at A-Level?

An A* grade at A-Level is worth 56 UCAS tariff points. This is the highest number of points available from a single A-Level qualification. By comparison, an A is worth 48 points, a B is 40, a C is 32, a D is 24, and an E is 16 points.

How do I calculate my total UCAS points?

Add up the tariff points for each of your qualifications using the UCAS tariff table. For A-Levels: A*=56, A=48, B=40, C=32, D=24, E=16. For example, grades of A*AB give you 56+48+40 = 144 points. You can also include AS-Levels, BTECs, EPQ, and other recognised qualifications. Use our A-Level grade calculator for instant results.

What are A-Level grade boundaries?

Grade boundaries are the minimum marks required for each grade and are set after papers are marked. They vary by subject, exam board, and year. Senior examiners review scripts at key grade boundaries to ensure standards are maintained. Approximate ranges are A* (90%+), A (80%+), B (70%+), C (60%+), D (50%+), E (40%+), though these can differ significantly by subject.

Do all universities use UCAS points for entry requirements?

No. More selective universities, particularly Russell Group members like Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, and UCL, specify required grades in specific subjects rather than a points total (e.g., AAA or A*AA). Less selective universities often make offers based on total UCAS tariff points (e.g., 112 points). Always check individual course requirements.

What is the EPQ and how many UCAS points is it worth?

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is an independent research project worth up to 28 UCAS points (for A*). It involves a 5,000-word essay or an artefact with a 1,000-word report. Many universities value the EPQ highly, and some will make reduced grade offers if you achieve an A or A* in it alongside your A-Levels.

How are predicted grades different from actual grades?

Predicted grades are teacher estimates submitted to UCAS before you sit your exams. They are based on mock exams, coursework, and classroom performance. Research shows only about 50% of predictions are accurate, with around 40% being over-predicted. Universities factor this inaccuracy into their offer-making process.

Can I resit A-Levels to improve my grades?

Yes, you can resit A-Level exams in the next available exam series (usually the following summer). There is no limit on resits. Most universities accept resit grades, though some competitive courses may prefer first-sitting results. Resitting typically means studying for another year, either independently or at a college.

What is Clearing and how does it work?

Clearing is a UCAS process running from July to October that matches students without university places to courses with vacancies. If you miss your grades, applied late, or changed your mind, you can search for available courses and contact universities directly. Over 40,000 students find places through Clearing each year, including at Russell Group universities.

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