A Level grades are the single most important currency in UK university admissions. They sit on a six-grade scale from A* down to E, plus U for ungraded. This guide explains what each grade means, how grade boundaries are set, and how grades convert into UCAS Tariff points.
The A Level grading scale
Since the linear A Level reform was completed in England (2017–2019), every A Level is graded on the same six-grade scale: A*, A, B, C, D, E, and U (ungraded). There are no AS Level results bolted on — your A Level grade reflects only the A Level papers and any non-exam assessment.
| Grade | What it means | Typical raw mark range |
|---|---|---|
| A* | Outstanding performance | ~80%+ |
| A | Excellent | ~70–79% |
| B | Strong | ~60–69% |
| C | Sound | ~50–59% |
| D | Adequate | ~40–49% |
| E | Minimum pass | ~30–39% |
| U | Ungraded — no certificate awarded | Below E threshold |
Raw mark ranges are indicative. Real grade boundaries are set by Ofqual-regulated exam boards (AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel, WJEC) every August, after senior examiners review the difficulty of each paper.
How grade boundaries are set
Grade boundaries are not fixed at, say, 80% for an A*. Each year the awarding body decides the minimum raw mark needed for each grade in each paper, based on:
- How difficult the paper turned out to be in practice
- The mark profile of the cohort — to keep standards stable year to year
- Statistical comparison with prior cohorts (especially at the key A and E boundaries)
A Level grades to UCAS points
Universities use the UCAS Tariff to convert grades into points for offer-making. Here is the standard A Level conversion (Tariff post-2017 reform):
| A Level grade | UCAS Tariff points |
|---|---|
| A* | 56 |
| A | 48 |
| B | 40 |
| C | 32 |
| D | 24 |
| E | 16 |
A typical AAA offer is therefore 144 UCAS points. AAB is 136. BBB is 120. See our guide to UCAS points for a full explainer.
What grades do you need for university?
Different courses require different grade profiles. As a rough guide:
- Russell Group / top-tier courses: AAB to A*A*A*
- Mid-tariff competitive courses: BBB to ABB
- Standard university entry: CCC to BBC
- Foundation year entry: typically CDD or DDD
What if your A Level grades are not what you hoped?
You have options:
- Apply through Clearing for a different course
- Resit the exams in the next available series
- Take an Access to HE Diploma — a faster route into university for adults
- Consider a foundation year, which can lower entry requirements
Read our full guide: What happens if you fail A Levels?