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 £28,470 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 £26,065. 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.
About Our Education Calculators
Our education tools are developed with input from UCAS advisors and university admissions professionals. Student finance calculators reflect current Student Loans Company rates and are updated when thresholds change each April. While we strive for accuracy, always verify important figures with official sources including UCAS, GOV.UK Student Finance and your university's admissions office before making decisions.
Last updated: February 2026 | UCAS Tariff 2025 entry | Plan 5 loan rates included
The UK Education System: A Comprehensive Overview
The United Kingdom operates one of the most recognised education systems in the world, with qualifications accepted by universities and employers globally. The system is structured in distinct stages: primary education (ages 5-11), secondary education (ages 11-16 leading to GCSEs), further education (ages 16-18 covering A-Levels, BTECs, T-Levels, and Scottish Highers), and higher education (undergraduate and postgraduate university degrees). Each nation within the UK -- England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland -- administers its own education policies, resulting in some important differences in qualifications, grading systems, and funding arrangements.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) plays a central role in UK higher education by managing applications to virtually all undergraduate courses. UCAS operates a tariff point system that converts qualifications from different awarding bodies into a common currency, enabling universities to set entry requirements that students with different qualification types can meet. For 2025/26 entry, A-Level grades convert from 16 points (grade E) to 56 points (grade A*), while equivalent vocational qualifications such as BTEC Extended Diplomas can yield up to 168 points for D*D*D* -- the same as three A*s at A-Level.
Student finance in the UK is administered by different bodies depending on your home nation. Student Finance England (SFE), Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS), Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI each manage tuition fee loans and maintenance support for their respective students. Since the introduction of Plan 5 loans for English students starting from September 2023, the student finance landscape has become more complex, with different repayment thresholds, interest rates, and write-off periods applying depending on when you started your course. Understanding these differences is essential for making informed decisions about university attendance and long-term financial planning.
Exam boards including AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, WJEC (Wales), and SQA (Scotland) set and mark qualifications at GCSE, A-Level, and vocational levels. Grade boundaries vary between boards and examination series, making grade prediction and conversion tools valuable for students and teachers. Our education calculators incorporate the latest tariff values, repayment thresholds, and grade conversion scales to help you navigate every stage of the UK education journey -- from choosing A-Level subjects to planning postgraduate loan repayments.
How to Use Our Education Calculators
Our education calculators are designed to support students, parents, and educators at every stage of the academic journey. Here is a practical guide to getting the most from each tool:
UCAS Points Calculator: Select your qualification type (A-Level, BTEC, Scottish Higher, T-Level, or other recognised qualifications), enter your predicted or achieved grades, and the calculator instantly shows your total UCAS tariff points. Compare your total against typical university requirements -- Russell Group universities generally ask for 128-168 points, while many courses accept 64-96 points. Use this tool during Year 12 to set realistic targets and refine your university choices.
Student Loan Calculator: Enter your expected starting salary and select your loan plan type (Plan 1, 2, 4, or 5). The calculator shows your monthly repayments, total amount repaid over the loan term, and how much gets written off. Plan 5 graduates (starting from 2023) should pay particular attention to the 40-year repayment window and lower threshold of £25,000, which means repayments begin at a lower salary than Plan 2. This tool helps you understand the real cost of your student loan and whether voluntary overpayments make financial sense.
Grade Calculator: Input your module grades and credit weightings to calculate your current degree average and predict your final classification. Most UK universities weight final-year modules more heavily (typically 60-70% of the total), so this tool helps you identify which modules will have the greatest impact on your degree class. Focus on improving grades in high-credit modules for maximum effect on your overall average.
Budget Calculator: Plan your student finances by entering your maintenance loan, any bursaries or scholarships, part-time work income, and expected expenses (rent, food, transport, books, social). The calculator helps you identify whether your income covers your costs and where savings can be made. Average annual student living costs range from £9,000 to £15,000 depending on location, with London significantly higher than other cities.
Education Calculator FAQs
What is the difference between Plan 2 and Plan 5 student loans?
Plan 2 applies to English and Welsh students who started university between September 2012 and July 2023. The repayment threshold is £28,470 for 2025/26, with 9% of earnings above this amount deducted. Plan 2 loans are written off 30 years after entering repayment, and the interest rate is RPI plus up to 3% depending on income. Plan 5 applies to English students starting from September 2023 onwards. It has a lower repayment threshold of £25,000, the same 9% repayment rate, but extends the write-off period to 40 years. Plan 5 interest is set at RPI only (no additional margin), making it lower than Plan 2 but over a longer period. The total amount repaid depends heavily on your salary trajectory over your career.
How do Scottish Highers compare to A-Levels for UCAS points?
Scottish Higher qualifications carry UCAS tariff points as follows: Higher A = 33 points, Higher B = 27 points, Higher C = 21 points, Higher D = 15 points. Advanced Highers are valued similarly to A-Levels: Advanced Higher A = 56 points (same as A-Level A*), Advanced Higher B = 48 points (same as A-Level A), and Advanced Higher C = 40 points (same as A-Level B). Scottish students typically sit five Highers in S5 (age 16-17), potentially adding Advanced Highers in S6. When applying to English universities, four or five Highers at A-B grades plus one or two Advanced Highers typically satisfy entry requirements for competitive courses. Scottish universities often make offers based on specific Higher grades rather than total tariff points.
Is tuition free in Scotland for Scottish students?
Yes, Scottish-domiciled students studying at Scottish universities do not pay tuition fees for their first undergraduate degree. This is funded by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS), which pays tuition fees directly to the university on the student's behalf. However, Scottish students studying at universities in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland do pay tuition fees (up to £9,250 per year in England). Students from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland studying in Scotland pay fees up to £9,250 per year, while EU and international students have separate fee structures. Scottish students are still eligible for maintenance loans to cover living costs, which are repayable under Plan 4 (threshold £32,745 for 2025/26).
How is the degree classification calculated at UK universities?
Most UK universities calculate degree classification using a weighted average of module marks across years two and three (for three-year degrees) or years two, three, and four (for four-year degrees). Year one marks typically do not count towards the final classification but must be passed. The most common weighting splits are 40:60 or 30:70 (second year to final year). Classifications are: First (70%+), Upper Second or 2:1 (60-69%), Lower Second or 2:2 (50-59%), Third (40-49%), and Pass (35-39%). Some universities use a "best of" algorithm, calculating your average using either all qualifying modules or your best-performing modules, and awarding whichever classification is higher. Borderline cases (e.g., 68-69% for a First) may be reviewed by exam boards using additional criteria such as the proportion of modules achieving the higher classification.
Can I use the UCAS calculator for T-Level qualifications?
Yes, T-Levels are fully recognised on the UCAS tariff and carry significant point values reflecting their equivalence to three A-Levels. A T-Level with a Distinction* grade awards 168 UCAS points (equivalent to A*A*A* at A-Level), Distinction awards 144 points (equivalent to AAA), Merit awards 120 points (equivalent to BBB), and Pass awards between 72-96 points. T-Levels combine classroom learning with a substantial industry placement (minimum 315 hours), making them particularly valued by universities for vocational courses. Our UCAS Points Calculator includes T-Levels alongside A-Levels, BTECs, and other qualifications so you can accurately calculate your total tariff from mixed qualification types.
Explore Related Calculator Hubs
Our education calculators connect with tools from other hubs to support your complete student journey -- from budgeting and tax planning to health and career decisions.