Level 3 Diploma UCAS Points
Updated
A Level 3 diploma can be worth from 4 to 168 UCAS points. The exact number depends on the qualification's size (its guided learning hours) and your grade, so two diplomas with similar names can be worth different points. Check the QAN on your certificate to find yours.
Work out your total with the UCAS points calculatorLevel 3 diploma UCAS points examples
Tariff points for popular Level 3 qualifications, copied from the official UCAS Tariff tables. These are examples, not every qualification, so check your own QAN.
| Qualification |
|---|
| AAT Level 3 Diploma in AccountingAwarding body: AATQAN: 603/6337/XGrades and points: D 56, M 48, P 32 |
| UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma (D/M/P)Awarding body: UALQAN: –Grades and points: D 168, M 120, P 72 |
| UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma (D/HM/M/HP/P)Awarding body: UALQAN: –Grades and points: D 168, HM 144, M 120, HP 96, P 72 |
| UAL Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art & DesignAwarding body: UALQAN: 603/3138/0Grades and points: D 112, M 96, P 80 |
| OCR Cambridge Technical Extended DiplomaAwarding body: OCRQAN: –Grades and points: D*D*D* 168, D*D*D 160, D*DD 152, DDD 144, DDM 128, DMM 112, MMM 96, MMP 80, MPP 64, PPP 48 |
| OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in Health and Social CareAwarding body: OCRQAN: 601/7062/1Grades and points: D*D* 112, D*D 104, DD 96, DM 80, MM 64, MP 48, PP 32 |
| NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator)Awarding body: NCFEQAN: 601/8437/1Grades and points: A* 168, A 144, B 120, C 96, D 72 |
| NCFE CACHE Level 3 Applied General Certificate for Early Years, Childcare and EducationAwarding body: NCFEQAN: 603/2988/9Grades and points: D* 56, D 48, M 32, P 16 |
| City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (England)Awarding body: City & GuildsQAN: 610/0789/4Grades and points: Pass only: 32 |
| Active IQ Level 3 Diploma In Fitness Instructing and Personal TrainingAwarding body: Active IQQAN: 600/4941/8Grades and points: Pass only: 32 |
| 1st4sport Level 3 Diploma in Sporting ExcellenceAwarding body: 1st4SportQAN: 603/3337/6Grades and points: Pass only: 64 |
| City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Customer ServiceAwarding body: City & GuildsQAN: 500/8818/XGrades and points: Pass only: 24 |
| City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing (601/5697/1)Awarding body: City & GuildsQAN: 601/5697/1Grades and points: Pass only: 48 |
| City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment)Awarding body: City & GuildsQAN: 501/2232/0Grades and points: Pass only: 64 |
Examples checked against the UCAS tables on . A dash means the UCAS tables give no QAN for that qualification.
How UCAS points for a Level 3 diploma are worked out
Most qualifications in the UCAS Tariff have two numbers. The size band shows how big the qualification is, based mainly on its guided learning hours (GLH): the hours you spend learning with a teacher or tutor. A bigger qualification has a higher size band. The grade band depends on your grade: a better grade has a higher grade band. Multiply the two to get the UCAS points.
For example, the AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting has 400 guided learning hours, which puts it in size band 4, the same size band as an A level. A Distinction has grade band 14, so it is worth 4 × 14 = 56 UCAS points.
For a qualification with two or three grades, such as the OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma, the points for each grade are added together. A few qualifications do not follow this rule, so always check the official table.
How to find your QAN and check your points
The QAN (Qualification Accreditation Number) is the code that identifies your exact qualification. It looks like 603/6337/X.
- Find the QAN on your certificate, or ask your college for it.
- Search for it in the tables on the official UCAS Tariff page.
- Add the points to your other results. Work out your A levels, BTECs and other common qualifications in the UCAS points calculator, then add your diploma's points to the total.
Similar names can carry different points. The City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (England) (610/0789/4) is worth 32 UCAS points, but the Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF) (603/2939/7) is worth 24, because it has fewer guided learning hours (315, compared with 390).
We list examples, not every qualification. The UCAS Tariff tables list thousands of Level 3 qualifications.
NVQ UCAS points
In the UCAS Tariff tables, NVQs are Pass only: there is no Merit or Distinction. So the Tariff points depend only on the NVQ's size, and a bigger NVQ carries more points. For example:
- City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Customer Service (500/8818/X): 24 UCAS points
- City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing (601/5697/1): 48 UCAS points
- City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment) (501/2232/0): 64 UCAS points
UAL and art foundation diplomas
The UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma is worth 168 UCAS points with a Distinction, 120 with a Merit and 72 with a Pass. A Distinction is worth the same as A*A*A* at A level. Versions graded D/HM/M/HP/P add two in-between grades: HM is worth 144 and HP is worth 96.
The UAL Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (603/3138/0) is worth 112 UCAS points with a Distinction, 96 with a Merit and 80 with a Pass.
BTEC Level 3 diplomas have their own page: BTEC UCAS points.
Do apprenticeships give UCAS points?
Yes, Level 3 apprenticeships listed in the UCAS Tariff tables carry UCAS points. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the points depend only on how long the apprenticeship typically takes.
| Typical duration | UCAS points |
|---|---|
| 12 to 16 months | 48 |
| 18 to 22 months | 64 |
| 24 to 32 months | 96 |
| 36 to 48 months | 112 |
Scottish apprenticeships are listed by SCQF credits instead. Check that your apprenticeship is listed on the official UCAS Tariff page.
Qualifications with no UCAS points
These are not listed in the UCAS Tariff tables, so they carry no UCAS Tariff points:
- Level 2 diplomas and other Level 2 qualifications
- Foundation Degrees
- Level 4 and higher qualifications, such as AAT Level 4, an HNC or an HND
If you have one, ask the university directly how it treats it.
Level 3 diploma UCAS points FAQs
How many UCAS points is a Level 3 diploma?
It depends on the diploma's size and your grade. Level 3 diplomas in the UCAS Tariff tables are worth from 4 to 168 UCAS points. For example, the AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting is worth up to 56 and the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma up to 168. Check the QAN on your certificate to find your exact points.
How many UCAS points is AAT Level 3?
The AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting (603/6337/X) is worth 56 UCAS points with a Distinction, 48 with a Merit and 32 with a Pass. An older version, the AAT Level 3 Diploma In Accounting (QCF) (600/6908/9), is worth 24 (Pass only), so check the QAN on your certificate.
Do NVQs give UCAS points?
Yes, Level 3 NVQs listed in the UCAS Tariff tables carry UCAS points. NVQs are Pass only, so the points depend on the NVQ's size: for example, the City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Customer Service (500/8818/X) is worth 24 and the City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing (601/5697/1) is worth 48.
How many UCAS points is a CACHE Level 3 in childcare?
It depends on which CACHE qualification you have. The NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator) (601/8437/1) is worth from 72 with a D to 168 with an A*. The NCFE CACHE Level 3 Applied General Certificate for Early Years, Childcare and Education (603/2988/9) is worth from 16 with a Pass to 56 with a Distinction*.
How many UCAS points is a UAL Extended Diploma?
The UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma is worth 168 UCAS points with a Distinction, 120 with a Merit and 72 with a Pass. Versions with the in-between grades HM and HP give 144 and 96.
Does a Level 2 diploma give UCAS points?
No. Level 2 diplomas are not listed in the UCAS Tariff tables, so they carry no UCAS Tariff points. If you have one, ask the university directly how it treats it.
How many UCAS points is a Level 3 apprenticeship worth?
It depends on how long the apprenticeship typically takes. In the UCAS Tariff tables, a Level 3 apprenticeship in England, Wales or Northern Ireland of 12 to 16 months is worth 48 UCAS points, 18 to 22 months 64, 24 to 32 months 96 and 36 to 48 months 112. Check that yours is listed on the official UCAS Tariff page.
Add your diploma and other grades in the full UCAS points calculator