What grades are 48 UCAS points?

At A-level, EEE is the most even way to reach exactly 48 points. Order does not matter: each grade carries fixed points (A* 56, A 48, B 40, C 32, D 24, E 16) and the total is the sum.

Can I get 48 UCAS points with a BTEC?

Yes. PPP (Three A-levels), MP (Two A-levels), D (One A-level) are worth exactly 48 points under the UCAS Tariff, so a BTEC-only route to a 48-point offer exists.

Is 48 UCAS points a good score?

48 points is at the accessible end of the tariff. It matches foundation years, HNC and HND courses and degrees that keep entry broad, and it is also what a single strong qualification is worth on its own.

Does an EPQ count towards 48 UCAS points?

Often, yes. The EPQ carries tariff points (A* 28, A 24, B 20, C 16) and the mixed routes above show where it closes the gap to 48. Some universities exclude it from points offers, so read the course entry requirements before you rely on it.

UCAS Tariff · exact matches only

48 UCAS Points in Grades

48 UCAS points is EEE at A level, PPP in a BTEC National Extended Diploma, MP in a BTEC National Diploma or D in a BTEC National Extended Certificate. Every combination below is worth exactly 48 points under the UCAS Tariff. Nothing rounded, nothing approximate.

Updated 22 September 2026, checked against the UCAS 2027 Tariff tables.

48 UCAS points at a glance

Route	Grades worth 48 points
Three A levels	EEE
A levels plus an AS	EE + AS B
A levels plus an EPQ	EE + EPQ C, DE + EPQ E
BTEC Extended Diploma	PPP
BTEC Diploma	MP
BTEC Extended Certificate	D on its own
T Level	none exactly; Pass (core D-E) is 72

Three A-levels worth 48 points

Grades	Points
EEE	48

Order never matters: EEE is the same total whichever subject earns which grade. The most even combination is listed first, because that is how offers usually quote it.

BTEC grades worth exactly 48 points

BTEC National	Size	Grade
Extended Diploma	Three A-levels	PPP
Diploma	Two A-levels	MP
Extended Certificate	One A-level	D

Mixed routes to 48 points

Most people do not hold three identical-sized qualifications. These mixes of A-levels with an EPQ, an AS-level or a BTEC also land exactly on 48. Check the course page first: some universities count the EPQ towards a points offer and some do not.

Route	Points
E+E+CEPQ	48
E+E+BAS	48
E+E+PBTEC Ext Cert	48
E+PPBTEC Diploma	48
PPBTEC Diploma+PBTEC Ext Cert	48

What kind of offers sit around 48 points?

Offers around 48 points sit at the accessible end of the tariff. You will see this range on foundation years, HNC and HND-style courses, and degrees that deliberately keep entry broad. It is the equivalent of modest A-level grades, so plenty of routes stay open at this level.

Holding a mix of qualifications? Add everything up in one go with our UCAS points calculator. The full grade-by-grade tables are on the A-level points and BTEC points pages, and if you are short of a target, see how to get more UCAS points.

48 UCAS points: questions people ask

What grades are 48 UCAS points?: At A-level, EEE is the most even way to reach exactly 48 points. Order does not matter: each grade carries fixed points (A* 56, A 48, B 40, C 32, D 24, E 16) and the total is the sum.
Can I get 48 UCAS points with a BTEC?: Yes. PPP (Three A-levels), MP (Two A-levels), D (One A-level) are worth exactly 48 points under the UCAS Tariff, so a BTEC-only route to a 48-point offer exists.
Is 48 UCAS points a good score?: 48 points is at the accessible end of the tariff. It matches foundation years, HNC and HND courses and degrees that keep entry broad, and it is also what a single strong qualification is worth on its own.
Does an EPQ count towards 48 UCAS points?: Often, yes. The EPQ carries tariff points (A* 28, A 24, B 20, C 16) and the mixed routes above show where it closes the gap to 48. Some universities exclude it from points offers, so read the course entry requirements before you rely on it.