Understanding the UK Education System
The UK education system uses UCAS tariff points for university admissions, with qualifications from A-Levels, BTECs, Scottish Highers and more all converting to a common points scale. Student finance arrangements differ by nation - England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each have distinct loan systems, repayment thresholds and maintenance support levels.
Our calculators help you navigate university applications, understand student finance costs, calculate grade averages for degree classifications, and plan your educational journey from GCSEs through to postgraduate study. All tools reflect the latest UCAS tariff values and Student Loans Company rates for 2025/26.
UCAS Tariff Points - A-Level Conversion
| A-Level Grade | UCAS Points | Typical University Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| A* | 56 | Oxbridge, Medicine, Top 10 |
| A | 48 | Russell Group universities |
| B | 40 | Most competitive courses |
| C | 32 | Standard entry requirements |
| D | 24 | Foundation year entry |
| E | 16 | Clearing, access courses |
UCAS & University Admissions
UCAS Points Calculator
Convert A-Levels, BTECs, Scottish Highers, T-Levels and other qualifications to UCAS tariff points. See your total and compare to university requirements.
Calculate Your Points →Grade Calculator
Calculate weighted grade averages for university classification predictions. Input module grades and credits to estimate your final degree result.
Calculate Grades →Percentage Calculator
Calculate exam percentages, mark conversions and grade boundaries. Useful for understanding how raw marks translate to final grades.
Calculate Percentages →GPA Calculator
Convert UK degree classifications to US-style GPA for international applications. Understand how your 2:1 or First translates globally.
Calculate GPA →Student Finance & Loans
Student Loan Repayment Calculator
Calculate monthly repayments based on your salary, loan plan type (1, 2, 4 or 5) and see total interest over the loan term. Updated for 2025/26 thresholds.
Calculate Repayments →Salary Calculator (Graduate)
Calculate take-home pay including student loan deductions. See how Plan 2 or Plan 5 loans affect your net salary alongside tax and NI.
Calculate Salary →Tax Calculator
Understand your tax position as a student with part-time work or as a recent graduate. Calculate personal allowance usage and tax bands.
Calculate Tax →Budget Calculator
Plan your student budget including rent, food, transport and social costs. Compare maintenance loan to typical living expenses by city.
Plan Budget →Academic Planning Tools
Age Calculator
Calculate exact age for university application deadlines, exam entries and age-based eligibility requirements like apprenticeships.
Calculate Age →Date Calculator
Work out days between dates for term lengths, deadline planning and study schedules. Count working days or calendar days.
Calculate Dates →Hours Calculator
Track study hours for coursework, revision planning or part-time work limits. Students on Tier 4 visas are limited to 20 hours/week term-time.
Calculate Hours →Savings Calculator
Plan for tuition fees, accommodation deposits or gap year funds. Calculate how much to save monthly to reach your education goals.
Calculate Savings →Frequently Asked Questions
How many UCAS points do I need for university?
Requirements vary significantly by university and course. Top Russell Group universities typically require 128-168 points (equivalent to AAA to A*A*A* at A-Level). Mid-ranking universities often ask for 96-120 points (BBC-ABB), while many courses accept 64-80 points (CCC-BCC). Foundation years and some newer universities may accept lower tariffs. Always check specific course requirements on UCAS as some universities make conditional offers based on specific grades rather than total points - medical schools, for example, often require specific A-Level subjects and grades.
What are the student loan repayment thresholds for 2025/26?
For the 2025/26 tax year, Plan 2 loans (England and Wales from September 2012) have a repayment threshold of £27,295 per year - you repay 9% of earnings above this amount. Plan 5 loans (starting from September 2023) have a lower threshold of £25,000. Plan 1 loans (pre-2012 England/Wales, plus Scotland and Northern Ireland) have a threshold of £24,990. Postgraduate loans repay at 6% of earnings above £21,000, in addition to any undergraduate loan repayments. Plan 2 loans are written off 30 years after entering repayment, while Plan 5 extends to 40 years.
How do A-Level grades convert to UCAS points?
A-Level grades convert as follows: A* = 56 points, A = 48 points, B = 40 points, C = 32 points, D = 24 points, E = 16 points. AS-Level qualifications are worth half these values. BTECs and other vocational qualifications also have tariff values - a BTEC Extended Diploma with D*D*D* equals 168 UCAS points, equivalent to three A*s at A-Level. For Scottish qualifications, Higher A = 33 points and Advanced Higher A = 56 points (same as A-Level A*). T-Levels award between 72-168 points based on overall grade.
What is a good university degree classification?
UK degree classifications are: First Class Honours (1st) requiring 70%+ average, considered excellent and increasingly common (around 30% of graduates); Upper Second Class (2:1) requiring 60-69%, the most common classification expected by graduate employers; Lower Second Class (2:2) at 50-59%, still acceptable for many roles but may limit options at competitive firms; Third Class (3rd) at 40-49%; and Pass/Ordinary at 35-39% (varies by institution). Most graduate schemes and professional training contracts require a 2:1 minimum. Degree classification importance varies by industry - finance and law are stricter than creative sectors.
Last updated: January 2025 | UCAS Tariff 2025 entry | Plan 5 loan rates included