Douglas Olsen
The UK is a popular destination for international students, with its world-class universities and diverse range of courses. UCAS, a non-profit organisation, simplifies the application process for international students by centralising applications to British universities and colleges. While UCAS does provide a tariff calculator to translate qualifications and grades into numerical values, international qualifications are not included. International students with queries about their qualifications are advised to contact their chosen universities directly, as requirements vary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| UCAS application process for international students | Same as for UK applicants |
| Number of courses that can be applied to at one time | 5 |
| Number of international student applications processed by UCAS in 2019 | 140,000 |
| Number of international students in the UK | 430,000+ |
| International qualification recognised in entry requirements | IB |
| UCAS tariff points | Translate qualifications and grades into a numerical value |
| UCAS tariff calculation | Not possible for international qualifications |
| UCAS tariff applicability | Only for Level 3/SCQF Level 6 qualifications |
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What You'll Learn
UCAS Tariff points: translating qualifications and grades into numerical values
UCAS Tariff points are used to translate qualifications and grades into numerical values, allowing universities and colleges to compare applicants with different qualifications on a standardised scale. This system is particularly useful when comparing applicants with A-Level qualifications to those with BTEC qualifications.
The UCAS Tariff calculator is an indicative guide that covers Level 3 UK qualifications regulated by Ofqual, Qualifications in Wales, CCEA, and QAA, as well as SCQF Level 6 qualifications accredited by SQA and SCQF. It's important to note that not all qualifications are included in the Tariff, and universities and colleges set their own entry requirements. They don't have to accept a qualification simply because it appears in the Tariff tables or assign the same Tariff value as UCAS. Therefore, applicants should refer to the entry requirements listed in the UCAS search tool or consult directly with the course provider to ensure their qualifications are accepted.
To calculate your UCAS Tariff points, you can use the UCAS Tariff points calculator or refer to the Tariff tables. First, select your qualification type and grade from the drop-down list, and the corresponding Tariff points will be displayed. If your qualification is not listed, you can search for it by its awarding body, type, subject, or unique number.
While UCAS Tariff points can provide valuable guidance, they are not the sole factor in the admissions process. Universities and colleges may also consider other factors, such as predicted grades, personal statements, and reference letters. Additionally, some institutions may only accept Tariff points from the highest-scoring qualifications or exclude qualifications with duplicated content. Therefore, it is essential to carefully review the entry requirements for each course and institution you are interested in applying to.
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International qualifications: no UCAS calculation
International qualifications do not have a UCAS calculation. If UCAS Tariff points are listed as an optional entry on a form, it is advisable to leave it blank or enter 'N/A' or '0'. The UK has multiple educational systems, and students can study A-levels, the International Baccalaureate, or Scottish Highers, depending on where they live.
International students applying to UK universities should include their high school grades as they know them and not try to convert them. Universities may not be able to list every international qualification in their entry criteria, so students should contact the university directly to find out if their qualification is accepted for the course they wish to study. The university will be able to give guidance on the type of grades the student will need to achieve to obtain a place.
International students may be required to prove their English language skills if English is not their first language. They may need to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) if they require a student visa. IELTS and Trinity's ISE are approved SELTs for UK study visas.
UCAS is a non-profit charity that centralises applications to British universities and colleges for higher education. International students can use the UCAS course search to explore courses and find course descriptions. At the undergraduate level, international students can apply to a maximum of five courses at one time.
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UCAS application process for international students
UCAS is a non-profit charity that centralises applications to British universities and colleges for higher education. It also offers valuable advice and information on the application process. The UK attracts the world's second-largest number of international students – more than 430,000 each year. This is because the UK has some of the best and oldest universities in the world, with degrees that are highly respected and recognised globally.
The UCAS application process for international students is the same as for UK applicants. However, there are a few things to bear in mind. Firstly, international students can only apply to a maximum of five courses at one time. Secondly, UCAS Tariff points only apply to Level 3/SCQF Level 6 qualifications, not Level 2 qualifications such as GCSEs. Universities and colleges set their own entry requirements and do not have to accept a qualification because it is included in the Tariff tables. Therefore, it is important to check the entry requirements listed in UCAS' search tool or with the course provider to find out if your qualifications are accepted.
When filling in the qualifications section of the application, you can select 'all qualifications' and search for your specific qualification. If you have a statement of comparability for an international qualification to a UK equivalent, enter the name of your international qualification. You will also need to add your English Language Test (ELT) numbers here. Additionally, you will need to include your high school grades as they are known; do not try to convert them, as you cannot.
The UCAS search tool can be used to find courses that best suit your interests and career goals. Course descriptions will give you an idea of what to expect, and you can find out more by visiting the university website. It is important to research the place, attend events, and be clear about what you want to do before proceeding with your application.
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UK institutions: rankings, reputation and academic standards
The UK is home to some of the world's best and oldest universities, with reputations and academic standards to match. Degrees from the UK are highly respected around the world. The UK attracts the world's second-largest number of international students, with more than 430,000 international students each year. There is also an incredible amount of choice in what to study. At the undergraduate level, there are over 300 universities and colleges with around 40,000 courses to choose from.
University rankings in the UK are compiled by various institutions, including the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, and the Academic Ranking of World Universities. These rankings take into account various criteria, including academic and employer surveys, the number of citations per faculty, the proportion of international staff and students, and faculty and alumni prize winners. National rankings, on the other hand, tend to focus more on the undergraduate student experience, considering factors such as teaching quality, learning resources, and graduate prospects.
One example of a ranking system is the UK's Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), which found that global rankings heavily emphasise research performance, with research-related measures accounting for over 85% of the weighting in the Times Higher Education and QS rankings, and 100% in the ARWU ranking. HEPI also noted that the ARWU does not consider the size of an institution, and there are concerns about the data quality and reliability of reputation surveys.
Another ranking system uses ten criteria, with a statistical technique called the Z-score applied to the results. The ten Z-scores are then weighted and summed to give a total score out of 1,000 for each university. The criteria include academic services spend, degree completion, entry standards, facilities spend, good honours, and student-staff ratio.
University league tables for 2026 are also available, ranking the best universities in the UK overall and across 74 subject areas. These tables allow prospective students to compare universities based on various factors such as region, entry standards, student satisfaction, and graduate prospects.
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UCAS points and predicted grades
UCAS Tariff points are used by UCAS to simplify the process of comparing applicants with different qualifications. Each grade for each qualification is assigned a set number of points. However, UCAS points cannot be calculated for international qualifications as there is no official calculation. If it is an optional field, it is recommended to leave it blank or fill in "N/A" or "0".
If you are unable to provide predicted grades, universities will make offer decisions based on the other information in your application. Cambridge, for example, asks international students to submit a transcript of their grades. You should also enter any exam results from earlier in your education into UCAS.
UCAS Tariff points only apply to Level 3/SCQF Level 6 qualifications, not Level 2 qualifications such as GCSEs. The UCAS Tariff calculator is an indicative guide, and the university or college offering the course will have the final say on entry requirements. Universities and colleges generally only count the highest level of achievement. For example, they may not count a BTEC Award if you have achieved the BTEC Certificate in the same subject, or an AS level if you have an A level in the same subject.
The IB diploma is achieved by passing each of the required components and achieving a total IB point score of 24 or more. The UCAS tariff points for an IB diploma can be calculated by adding together the points for each of its components.
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Frequently asked questions
UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) is a UK-based organization that processes applications for students applying to higher education institutions in the UK. International students, including those from the EU, applying for undergraduate and some further education courses will need to apply through UCAS.
The UCAS Tariff is a way of converting qualifications (including international ones) into a numerical value, helping to streamline the application process. You can use the UCAS Tariff calculator on their official website to calculate your points. Enter your qualification type, grade, and country of origin, and the calculator will provide the UCAS points equivalent.
If your qualifications are not listed, you will need to contact the universities you are applying to directly. They will be able to advise you on how your qualifications match up to UK standards and what the equivalent UCAS Tariff points might be. It is useful to have your official transcripts and any other relevant documentation ready to send to the universities.
Different courses and universities will have varying entry requirements, so it is important to check the specifics for your chosen course on the UCAS website or the university's own webpage. The entry requirements will list the necessary UCAS Tariff points and any other specific qualifications or grades needed.
International students are advised to start the UCAS application process early, ideally by the previous October or November, for courses starting in the following academic year. This is to ensure there is enough time to gather all necessary documents, especially if you need to take additional tests or interviews. The deadline for applications is usually in January, but some courses may have earlier cut-off dates.
