Janice Lozano
The United Kingdom is the world's second most popular destination for international students, with over 430,000 enrolling each year. UCAS is a centralised application system for British universities and colleges, and international students can use it to apply for undergraduate and some postgraduate courses. UCAS Tariff points translate qualifications and grades into numerical values, allowing universities and colleges to compare the wide range of qualifications they see on applications. However, international qualifications do not have a UCAS Tariff calculation, so international students should include their high school grades as they are.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to calculate UCAS points | UCAS tariff points translate qualifications and grades into numerical values. The higher the grade, the more points are awarded. |
| International qualifications | International qualifications do not have a UCAS calculation. |
| Institutions that accept UCAS points | Around 70% of courses use a UCAS tariff among their entry requirements. |
| Institutions that do not accept UCAS points | Some universities and colleges limit the qualifications they accept. For example, they may only accept Tariff points from the three highest-scoring A-levels or Scottish Highers. |
| Other requirements | International students may need to take an English language test to get a place on a course and apply for a student visa. |
| UCAS application process | UCAS is a non-profit charity that centralises applications to British universities and colleges for higher education. Students can apply to a maximum of five courses at one time. |
| Benefits of studying in the UK | The UK has some of the oldest universities in the world with high academic standards. Degrees from the UK are highly respected globally. |
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What You'll Learn
- UCAS tariff points are a way of measuring the value of UK qualifications
- International qualifications do not have a UCAS calculation
- Universities may still accept qualifications without Tariff points
- Institutions vary in their use of tariff points and grade requirements
- English language skills are also required for international students
UCAS tariff points are a way of measuring the value of UK qualifications
The UCAS tariff assigns a numerical score to the possible grades that can be achieved in each type of qualification. The higher the grade achieved, the more points are awarded. Not all qualifications have a UCAS tariff value, and the tariff is only applicable to Level 3/SCQF Level 6 qualifications.
Some universities and colleges limit the qualifications they accept for UCAS tariff points, for example, only accepting points from the highest-scoring three A-levels or Scottish Highers. They may also exclude qualifications if the content is duplicated in other qualifications or if they feel the content is not fully relevant to the course.
It is important to note that not all university courses use the UCAS tariff to advertise course requirements, and even if they do, qualifications that do not receive tariff points may still be accepted. Therefore, students should carefully check the entry requirements for their chosen institutions and courses.
International students applying to UK universities through UCAS should be aware that international qualifications do not have a UCAS tariff calculation. However, one recognised international qualification is the IB (International Baccalaureate), which is accepted by many courses. International students can apply to a maximum of five courses at one time through UCAS.
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International qualifications do not have a UCAS calculation
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 UCAS Tariff points system translates qualifications and grades into numerical values, which vary depending on the qualification size and the grade achieved.
However, international qualifications do not have a UCAS calculation. If you are an international student and you come across a question about UCAS points on an application form, you should leave it blank or write "N/A" or "0" if it is a mandatory question.
Instead of converting your grades, you should include your high school grades as they are. If you are unsure whether your qualifications are accepted, you should contact the university directly. Universities set their own entry criteria and can accept any qualifications they deem relevant to the course. They will likely have a team of international qualification experts on staff who can advise on whether your qualifications meet the entry criteria.
One international qualification recognised in entry requirements for many courses is the International Baccalaureate (IB). About a third of UK universities use the tariff system, where qualifications are translated into numerical scores.
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Universities may still accept qualifications without Tariff points
International students applying to UK universities through UCAS may find that their qualifications do not have a UCAS Tariff value. This is because UCAS points are based on the UK education system, which includes A-levels, the International Baccalaureate, and Scottish Highers. However, this does not mean that their qualifications will not be accepted by universities.
Universities, colleges, and conservatoires may still accept qualifications without Tariff points. It is important to carefully check the course entry requirements, as each provider will have different requirements and may accept non-Tariff qualifications. Students can also contact the university directly to ask about their qualifications and how they will be assessed.
One recognised international qualification is the International Baccalaureate (IB). IB point scores are often listed alongside A-Level grade requirements, and about a third of UK universities use the tariff system, translating qualifications into numerical scores. However, the UCAS website recommends that students contact the university if they are unsure about how their qualifications will be assessed.
UCAS is a centralised application system for British universities and colleges, offering undergraduate and some postgraduate courses. International students can use the UCAS course search tool to explore courses and institutions across the UK, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. With over 430,000 international students each year, the UK offers a wide range of choices, allowing students to specialise early on in their degrees and pick from a variety of specialised topics.
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Institutions vary in their use of tariff points and grade requirements
UCAS Tariff points translate qualifications and grades into a numerical value. However, not all qualifications have a UCAS Tariff value. The value depends on the qualification size and the grade achieved. These points are used by higher education course providers to assess whether applicants meet their entry requirements.
While some universities, colleges, and conservatoires refer to UCAS Tariff points in their course entry requirements, others do not. Even if a provider uses Tariff points for all their course entry requirements, they may still accept qualifications that do not receive Tariff points. Therefore, it is important to check the entry requirements for the course you are interested in or contact the provider directly if you are unsure.
The use of tariff points varies between institutions and courses. Some institutions make offers based on grade and simply reference tariff points, while others make offers based on the applicant's tariff points score. Students may use any combination of grades to achieve the desired score.
Around 70% of courses currently use a UCAS tariff among their entry requirements. A grade-based offer (e.g. ABB at A-Level) means a student must achieve a certain combination of grades, whereas an offer based on UCAS points (e.g. 120) allows a student to use any combination of grades to meet the threshold.
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English language skills are also required for international students
International students applying to study in the UK through UCAS need to demonstrate English language proficiency. The level of English language skills required varies from university to university and even from course to course within the same university, especially for courses related to the medical and law professions. Therefore, it is important to check the specific entry requirements for your chosen course. University websites usually provide information on the required English language proficiency level, and you can always contact the university directly if you have any questions or specific requests.
There are several ways to demonstrate English language proficiency. One way is by achieving a certain grade in International Baccalaureate English Language subjects as part of the IB Diploma. For example, UCL accepts IB English Language A: Literature and IB English Language A: Language and Literature with a minimum grade of 5 at Level 1 and a minimum grade of 6 at Level 3. Another way to demonstrate proficiency is through English language tests such as IELTS, TOEFL iBT, and PTE (Academic). The required scores vary depending on the test and the university's requirements. For instance, UCL accepts a minimum overall score of 176 with 169 in all subtests for Cambridge English: C2 Proficiency (CPE) at Level 1, while at Level 4, a minimum overall score of 191 with 180 in all subtests is needed.
In addition to test scores, some universities may also accept other methods of demonstrating English language proficiency. For example, previous courses studied in English at school may be considered. It is important to check the entry requirements carefully to understand whether additional tests are required. Many universities offer 'pre-sessional' English language programmes for students who need to improve their language skills before starting their degree.
International students should also be aware that the UK Visa application process only accepts certification from specific English language test providers. Therefore, it is crucial to consult the accepted testing organisations for the chosen university and ensure that any language tests taken are valid for the Visa application process.
While there is no special requirement for international students applying through UCAS, they must demonstrate adequate English proficiency for university-level studies. This is typically done through recognised English language tests or qualifications, ensuring that international students can successfully handle studying abroad in the UK.
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Frequently asked questions
UCAS points cannot be calculated for international qualifications as they do not have a calculation. If it is an optional question, you can leave it blank or fill in N/A or 0.
UCAS points, also known as UCAS tariff points, are a way of measuring the relative value of all post-16 qualifications in the UK. The UCAS tariff assigns a numerical score to the possible grades that can be achieved in each type of qualification. The higher the grade you achieve, the more points you'll receive.
International students can apply to UK universities through UCAS, the same way UK applicants do. At the undergraduate level, you can apply to a maximum of 5 courses at once. You will need to demonstrate your English language skills and may need to take a specific English language test approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) if you need a student visa.
