What grades are 56 UCAS points?

At A-level, DEE is the most even way to reach exactly 56 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 56 UCAS points with a BTEC?

Yes. D* (One A-level) is worth exactly 56 points under the UCAS Tariff, so a BTEC-only route to a 56-point offer exists.

Is 56 UCAS points a good score?

56 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 56 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 56. Some universities exclude it from points offers, so read the course entry requirements before you rely on it.

UCAS Tariff · exact matches only

56 UCAS Points in Grades

56 UCAS points is DEE at A level or D* in a BTEC National Extended Certificate. Every combination below is worth exactly 56 points under the UCAS Tariff. Nothing rounded, nothing approximate.

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

56 UCAS points at a glance

Route	Grades worth 56 points
Three A levels	DEE
A levels plus an AS	DE + AS B
A levels plus an EPQ	EEE + EPQ E, DD + EPQ E, EE + EPQ A and 2 more
BTEC Extended Diploma	no grade lands on it exactly
BTEC Diploma	no grade lands on it exactly
BTEC Extended Certificate	D* on its own
T Level	none exactly; Pass (core D-E) is 72

Three A-levels worth 56 points

Grades	Points
DEE	56

Order never matters: DEE 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 56 points

BTEC National	Size	Grade
Extended Certificate	One A-level	D*

Mixed routes to 56 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 56. Check the course page first: some universities count the EPQ towards a points offer and some do not.

Route	Points
D+D+EEPQ	56
E+E+AEPQ	56
D+E+CEPQ	56
E+E+E+EEPQ	56
D+PPBTEC Diploma	56

What kind of offers sit around 56 points?

Offers around 56 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.

56 UCAS points: questions people ask

What grades are 56 UCAS points?: At A-level, DEE is the most even way to reach exactly 56 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 56 UCAS points with a BTEC?: Yes. D* (One A-level) is worth exactly 56 points under the UCAS Tariff, so a BTEC-only route to a 56-point offer exists.
Is 56 UCAS points a good score?: 56 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 56 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 56. Some universities exclude it from points offers, so read the course entry requirements before you rely on it.