<P> The UCAS Tariff (formerly called UCAS Points System) is used to allocate points to post-16 qualifications . Universities and colleges may use it when making offers to applicants . A points total is achieved by converting qualifications such as A levels (and many others) into points, making it simpler for course providers to compare applicants . It is used as a means of giving students from the United Kingdom places at UK universities . </P> <P> Common ways for UCAS points to be calculated are through the UCAS Tariff Calculator, official tariff tables, or through third - party software and websites . </P> <P> The UCAS Tariff was first introduced in 2001 . Since then, however, both the range of qualifications held by applicants, and the variety of progression routes into higher education have increased . Therefore a new Tariff was introduced . The new UCAS Tariff points are based on a different methodology . The change to new UCAS Tariff will not in itself change entry requirements for university or college courses . Universities and colleges are independent organisations and each year they decide how to set their entry requirements . Those universities and colleges that use UCAS Tariff points to express their entry requirements will simply set their requirements using the new number system . </P> <P> The following qualifications can count towards the tariff: </P>

How many ucas points for 3 a levels