SEC · Ireland · on the UCAS Tariff

Leaving Cert UCAS points

A H1 in the Leaving Certificate is worth 36 UCAS points, down to 9 for a H6. Ordinary Level O1 to O4 carry 12 to 6. These are UCAS Tariff points for applying to the UK, not CAO points: a H1 is 100 CAO points in Ireland but 36 on the Tariff.

Checked against the UCAS 2027 Tariff tables on 26 October 2026how we check

Higher Level and Ordinary Level

Higher Level

Grade	UCAS points	CAO points
H1	36	100
H2	30	88
H3	24	77
H4	18	66
H5	12	56
H6	9	46

Ordinary Level

Grade	UCAS points	CAO points
O1	12	56
O2	10	46
O3	8	37
O4	6	28

Source: UCAS 2027 Tariff tables, Irish Leaving Certificate sheet (grading first awarded in 2017). CAO points from the CAO scale for comparison only. H7, H8 and O5 to O8 carry no UCAS points.

What a set of six Highers adds up to

Six Higher Level grades	UCAS points
H1 H1 H1 H1 H1 H1	216
H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H2	192
H2 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3	168
H2 H2 H3 H3 H3 H4	150
H3 H3 H3 H3 H4 H4	132
H3 H3 H4 H4 H4 H5	114
H4 H4 H4 H4 H5 H5	96

A UK university that takes points may not count all six subjects. Some count only your best four or five Higher Level grades.

Why a H1 is only 36

The Tariff measures size as well as grade. A Higher Level subject is 240 guided learning hours on the UCAS tables, size band 3. An A level is 360 hours, size band 4. So a H1 is 3 × 12 = 36, while an A* at A level is 4 × 14 = 56. Ordinary Level subjects are 180 hours, size band 2.

That evens out because Leaving Cert students take six or seven subjects where A level students take three. Six H1s come to 216 points, more than A*A*A* (168).

Applying to the UK from Ireland

Many UK universities publish their own Leaving Certificate entry requirement in grades, usually across four to six Higher Level subjects, sometimes with a minimum grade in a named subject. Where a course gives only a points figure, the numbers above are what UCAS uses.

The pre-2017 grades (A1 to D3) are still on the Tariff tables: A1 is 36, A2 and B1 are 30, B2 and B3 are 24, down to D2 and D3 at 9.

Applying through the CAO as well? CAO points work differently, with 100 for a H1 and a 25-point bonus for Higher Level maths. Our sister site pointscalculator.ie adds those up.

Leaving Cert questions

How many UCAS points is a H1?

A H1 at Higher Level is 36 UCAS Tariff points. H2 is 30, H3 24, H4 18, H5 12 and H6 9. H7 and H8 get none.

Do Ordinary Level grades get UCAS points?

O1 to O4 do: 12, 10, 8 and 6. O5 and below get none.

Is the Leaving Cert on the UCAS Tariff?

Yes, and it is the only international qualification that is. UCAS lists it in its own sheet of the Tariff tables.

Do UK universities use UCAS points for the Leaving Cert?

Some do, but many publish a separate Leaving Certificate requirement in grades across a set number of Higher Level subjects. Look for an “Irish Leaving Certificate” line in the entry requirements or the international section of the university site.

Does the bonus for Higher Level maths count for UCAS?

No. The 25 bonus points for Higher Level maths are part of the CAO system in Ireland. The UCAS Tariff gives maths the same points as any other subject.