Do You Get UCAS Points for GCSEs?

Reviewed by: Liam Taft

Published

24 June 2025

Contents

If you're studying GCSEs and thinking ahead about your path to university, you might be wondering how your GCSE qualifications fit into the picture. While GCSEs are important, they don't directly contribute to your UCAS points.

Here’s what you need to know about GCSE UCAS points, and how the system works.

So, Do You Get UCAS Points for GCSEs?

In short, no. GCSEs do not earn you UCAS points.

UCAS points are awarded for qualifications at Level 3 or above, such as A-levels, BTECs, and other post-16 courses.

The GCSEs you’re currently studying are Level 2 qualifications, so they don't count towards your UCAS tariff. However, you will need to achieve certain grades in your Level 2 qualifications to show you’re ready to study Level 3 courses.

You can ask your subject teachers about what they expect students to achieve at GCSE level to be able to take Level 3 courses, such as A Levels in their subject. For example, as a Religious Studies teacher, we required our students to earn at least a grade 5 at GCSE level in the subject. This was to show they were ready to study the more demanding philosophical and ethical theories covered on the A Level course.

Which Qualifications Earn UCAS Points?

UCAS points are assigned to various Level 3 qualifications. Here are some examples:

A-levels: An A* grade earns 56 points, an A earns 48, and so on.
AS-levels: An A grade earns 20 points, a B earns 16, etc.
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ): An A* earns 28 points.
BTECs: Depending on the size and grade, BTECs can earn a range of points. A Distinction in a BTEC National Diploma earns 56 points.
International Baccalaureate (IB): The IB Diploma and individual subjects carry UCAS points based on scores achieved.
Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers: These qualifications also contribute to your UCAS tariff.
Music and Dance Qualifications: Grades 6 to 8 in music exams (like ABRSM) can earn UCAS points.

Generally, UCAS points are added together to give an overall total. You can use the UCAS Tariff Calculator to see how different Level 3 qualifications translate into points.

How Do GCSEs Influence University Applications?

While GCSEs don't provide UCAS points directly, they play a significant role in university admissions:

Course Requirements

Many university courses require minimum grades in specific GCSE subjects or higher grades. Often a minimum Grade 4 (equivalent to a C) in English and Maths is demanded for many courses.

Predicting Future Performance

Because you apply for courses before sitting your final A Level exams, universities often use your GCSE results to predict A Level outcomes. This can influence conditional offers.

Competitive Courses

For highly competitive courses, such as medicine or law, strong GCSE grades are essential.

Therefore, performing well in your GCSEs sets a solid foundation for your future studies and university applications.

How Do UCAS Points Work?

UCAS points provide a way for universities to compare different qualifications. Each qualification is assigned a numerical value based on its size and the grade achieved.

Universities may set entry requirements based on UCAS points, specific grades, or a combination of both. When you look at potential university courses, you’ll probably see a numerical value listed on the entry requirements. This is the UCAS points requirement, and it’s a guide to the minimum number of points you’ll be expected to achieve to have a good chance of acceptance onto the course.

It's important to note that not all universities use the UCAS Tariff system. Some prefer to list specific grade requirements instead. Always check the entry requirements for each course you're interested in.

In summary, while GCSEs don't contribute to your UCAS points, they are still important for meeting university entry requirements and essential for setting the stage for your post-16 education. Focus on achieving strong GCSE results to keep your future options open.

Boost Your Grades With Save My Exams

Feeling stressed ahead of your exams? Join over 2 million students who use Save My Exams, the leading online revision platform.

On average, students who use Save My Exams improve by two grades thanks to our comprehensive resources. From past papers and revision notes to exam-style questions tailored to your specific course, our revision tools help you to study smarter, not harder.

Created by teachers and examiners who know exactly what you need to revise to achieve the best grades, our resources help students to save time and get straight to the content you need.

Explore Our GCSE Revision Resources