The IB Diploma is on the UCAS Tariff and accepted by UK universities, which usually make offers in IB points rather than tariff points. Here’s how the IB and UCAS fit together, and how HL grades compare to A Levels.
The IB Diploma is on the UCAS Tariff. Higher Level, Standard Level, TOK and the Extended Essay each earn points because each is accredited. CAS earns no tariff points — it isn’t an assessed-for-points component.
Most UK universities make offers in IB points (e.g. “36 including 6,6,6 at HL”) rather than tariff points, and set their own requirements per course.
Sources: UCAS — IB Diploma Qualification Information Profile · UCAS Tariff points. Verified 10 July 2026.
It depends on the grade at each level. The precise UCAS points per IB grade are published in the UCAS Tariff tables: Higher Level, Standard Level, TOK and the Extended Essay each earn their own points, while CAS earns none. Most universities make offers in IB points anyway — for example “36 including 6,6,6 at HL” — so check the current tables, or ask us, before relying on a specific figure.
Source: UCAS — UCAS Tariff points. Verified 10 July 2026 — exact point values per grade not captured; see the current tables.
Yes. The IB Diploma is on the UCAS Tariff, listed by its parts — Higher Level, Standard Level, TOK and the Extended Essay each earn points because each is accredited. CAS does not carry tariff points. Exact per-grade values are published in the UCAS Tariff tables.
Most UK universities make offers in IB points rather than tariff points — for example “36 points including 6,6,6 at Higher Level”. They set their own requirements per course, so always check the specific course page before deciding on subject levels.
In UK context, a Higher Level grade 7 is broadly equivalent to an A* at A Level, and around 39 IB points roughly equates to A*AA (per UK DfE 16–19 comparisons). These are guides — universities express their own IB-point requirements.
As a rough guide, UK Department for Education 16-19 comparisons put a maximum 45-point IB Diploma at around five A*s, and the minimum 24 points at about five grade Ds. These are third-party equivalences, not IB-official, and are only a guide - UK universities set their own requirements and usually state offers in IB points.
In UK Department for Education 16-19 comparisons, a Standard Level grade 7 is broadly equivalent to an AS-level A, and a Standard Level grade 3 to an E. Higher Level grades map higher - an HL 7 sits near an A-level A*. These are third-party guides, not IB-official; universities express their own requirements in IB points.
It depends on the course. The IB Diploma is scored out of a maximum 45 points and is awarded at a minimum of 24, but UK universities set their own entry requirements - often well above that minimum - and express them in IB points. Competitive courses ask for more, so always check the specific programme.
Yes. Since the IB removed its old three-session limit in 2023, a candidate can retake any subject in a future exam session - held each May and November - at any IB World School offering the Diploma. The highest grade you achieve counts towards the award, which can help you meet or improve a UK offer.
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