If you have spent any time looking at university entry requirements, you have seen courses asking for "112 UCAS points" or "120 to 136 points" and probably wondered how on earth you are supposed to collect them. The good news is that you do not chase points like a video game score. You earn them automatically through the qualifications you already take, and there are a few smart, legitimate ways to add more.

This guide explains how to get UCAS points in 2026, what each qualification is worth, how to get more or extra points if you are short, and even how to pick some up while studying from home. One important thing up front: the UCAS Tariff values have not changed since 2017 and apply to both the 2025/26 and 2026/27 cycles, so any figure here is current. Just remember that points are only half the story, which we will come back to.

Quick overview: what your grades are worth

What UCAS points actually are

UCAS Tariff points are a way of turning very different qualifications into a single number, so a university can compare an applicant with three A-levels against one with a BTEC, an Access course or Scottish Highers. Each grade in each qualification is assigned a value, and you add them up to get your total.

The system exists to be fair. A student who took BTECs at college and a student who took A-levels at a sixth form can both be measured against the same threshold, even though their courses look nothing alike. That is the whole point of the Tariff.

How to get UCAS points: the main qualifications

For most students, the bulk of your points come from your main Level 3 qualifications.

A-levels are the common route. Each one is worth 56 points at A*, 48 at A, 40 at B, 32 at C, 24 at D and 16 at E. Three A-levels at AAA gives you 144 points, and BBB gives you 120.

BTEC Nationals are worth serious points and are treated as equivalent to A-levels by size. A BTEC Extended Diploma, equal to three A-levels, tops out at 168 points for DDD*, which matches three A* grades at A-level. A BTEC Diploma, equal to two A-levels, reaches 112 points at DD.

T Levels, the newer technical qualifications, also carry full Tariff value, with an overall Distinction* worth 168 points.

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers, the International Baccalaureate, the Welsh Baccalaureate and Access to HE Diplomas all convert into the Tariff too, so wherever you studied, your qualifications can be counted.

How to get more UCAS points

If your main qualifications leave you a little short of a target, several add-ons can top you up.

The Extended Project Qualification, or EPQ, is the most popular. It is a standalone research project worth up to 28 points at A*, and a lot of universities like it so much they will drop a grade in their offer if you do well in it. That is two wins from one qualification.

AS-levels still carry points, with an A worth 20, so an extra AS subject can nudge your total upward. Core Maths, a Level 3 qualification taken alongside A-levels, works in a similar way and is valued by some courses for the numeracy it shows.

Graded music and dance exams are an underrated source. From around Grade 6 upward, recognised exams from boards like ABRSM and Trinity earn Tariff points, with a Grade 8 practical at Distinction worth 30. If you already play an instrument seriously, those points may be sitting there unclaimed.

How to get extra UCAS points by combining qualifications

The Tariff is designed to be mixed and matched, which is the key to getting extra points. You are not limited to one qualification type. You can combine A-levels with a BTEC, add an EPQ, and count your music grades, and UCAS simply adds the lot together.

For example, one A-level at A (48 points) plus a BTEC Diploma at DD (96 points) reaches 144 points, the same as three A grades at A-level. Or two A-levels and a strong EPQ might get you over a 112-point threshold that two A-levels alone would miss. This flexibility is genuinely useful for students who took a less traditional route.

New for 2026: apprenticeships count

A notable change for the 2026 cycle is that some Level 3 apprenticeships now attract UCAS points, recognising the skills and study they involve. Reported values rise with length, so a longer apprenticeship is worth more. If you have done or are doing an apprenticeship and are now considering university, this is worth checking on the official UCAS Tariff calculator, since it is a recent addition and the detail matters.

How to get UCAS points from home

You do not have to be at a traditional school or college to earn points. Distance-learning providers offer online A-levels and other Level 3 courses that carry the exact same Tariff value as classroom versions, since the qualification is identical. The one thing to plan for is exams: most A-levels still need to be sat in person at a registered exam centre, so arrange that early.

The EPQ can also be completed fairly independently, and music theory and practical exams can be prepared for at home and taken at local centres. For a motivated student, studying from home is a legitimate way to add qualifications and points around other commitments.

The honest caveat: points are not everything

Here is the part a lot of guides skip. Not every university uses UCAS points. Many selective courses, including a large share at Russell Group universities, state their offers in specific grades like "AAB" rather than a points total, and some want particular subjects. Collecting a high points total from, say, lots of music grades will not help if a course specifically asks for A-level Chemistry and Maths.

So the smart move is to check the actual entry requirements for the courses you want first, then work out which qualifications and grades get you there. Use points to understand your position, not as a target to game.

What common point totals look like

If a course asks for a number, it helps to know what it means in grades. 112 points is roughly BBC at A-level, or a BTEC Diploma at DD, or an A and a B at A-level plus a good EPQ. 120 points is about BBB. 144 points is AAA, or an A-level A combined with a BTEC Diploma at DD. Knowing this lets you read entry requirements at a glance.

A final word

Getting UCAS points is mostly a by-product of doing well in the right qualifications, with a few clever extras like the EPQ and music grades available if you need to top up. Focus on strong grades in subjects your target courses actually want, add an EPQ if it suits you, and check each course's real requirements. Do that and the points take care of themselves.

Read Also: TMUA Grade Boundaries Explained

FAQs

How do I get UCAS points?

You earn them automatically from Level 3 qualifications such as A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and Scottish Highers. Each grade has a set value, and you add your qualifications together for a total.

How can I get more UCAS points?

Take an EPQ (worth up to 28 points), add an AS-level or Core Maths, or count graded music and dance exams from around Grade 6 upward. Combining qualifications is the main way to boost your total.

How do I get extra UCAS points if I'm short?

Mix qualification types. UCAS lets you combine A-levels, BTECs, an EPQ and music grades into one total, so an extra qualification can lift you over a course's threshold.

Can I get UCAS points from home?

Yes. Online and distance-learning A-levels carry the same Tariff value as classroom courses, and the EPQ and music exams can be prepared for at home. You usually still sit A-level exams at a registered centre.

What is 112 UCAS points in grades?

Roughly BBC at A-level, a BTEC Diploma at DD, or an A and a B at A-level plus a strong EPQ.

Do all universities use UCAS points?

No. Many selective courses state offers in specific grades and subjects instead. Always check the exact entry requirements for each course you want.

Is the EPQ worth doing for UCAS points?

Often yes. It is worth up to 28 points and many universities will reduce their grade offer if you achieve a high EPQ grade, so it can count twice in your favour.

Have UCAS points changed for 2026?

The core Tariff values are unchanged since 2017, so they still apply for 2026 entry. The main new addition is that some Level 3 apprenticeships now carry points.