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University of the Arts London Awarding Body · Level 3

UAL UCAS points

A UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma is worth 168 UCAS points at Distinction, 120 at Merit and 72 at Pass. The one-year Diploma is half that. The Foundation Diploma in Art & Design, the classic art foundation year, is 112, 96 or 80.

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

Extended Diploma and Diploma

UAL grades its Level 3 diplomas on one of two scales: three grades (Pass, Merit, Distinction) or five (adding High Pass and High Merit). Your results statement shows which one you’re on. The top and bottom grades are worth the same on both.

Extended Diploma, five grades

1140 guided learning hours

GradeUCAS points
D168
HM144
M120
HP96
P72

Extended Diploma, three grades

1080 guided learning hours

GradeUCAS points
D168
M120
P72

Diploma, five grades

540 guided learning hours

GradeUCAS points
D84
HM72
M60
HP48
P36

Diploma, three grades

540 guided learning hours

GradeUCAS points
D84
M60
P36

Source: UCAS 2027 Tariff tables, rows “UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma” and “UAL Level 3 Diploma”. The Extended Diploma is about two years of study (size band 12), the Diploma about one (size band 6).

In A level terms

A UAL Extended Diploma is the same size on the Tariff as three A levels or a BTEC Extended Diploma. Distinction at 168 matches A*A*A*, High Merit at 144 matches AAA, Merit at 120 matches BBB, High Pass at 96 matches CCC and Pass at 72 matches DDD.

Because there’s a single grade for the whole qualification, the jumps are big: 48 points between Merit and Distinction on the three-grade scale. On a points offer of 128, a Merit (120) falls just short and only a Distinction gets you there.

Foundation Diploma in Art & Design

Foundation Diploma in Art & Design

680 guided learning hours

GradeUCAS points
D112
M96
P80

This is the one-year course many art and design students take after A levels or a Level 3 diploma, before a degree. Its 680 hours put it in size band 8, the same as two A levels, so a Pass already carries 80 points.

Admissions tutors for art and design usually judge on the portfolio and interview first. Some count foundation points on top of your A levels, some only ask that you pass it. The older UAL Diploma in Art & Design (Foundation Studies) is still on the 2027 tables with the same 112, 96 and 80; the BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (510 hours) is smaller and tops out at 84.

UAL questions

How many UCAS points is a UAL Extended Diploma?

Distinction is 168, Merit 120 and Pass 72. On the five-grade scale High Merit is 144 and High Pass 96.

How many UCAS points is an art foundation?

The UAL Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design is worth 112 at Distinction, 96 at Merit and 80 at Pass.

Is a UAL Extended Diploma equal to three A levels?

On points, yes. A Distinction (168) matches A*A*A*, Merit (120) matches BBB and Pass (72) matches DDD. Whether a course accepts it in place of A levels is up to the university, and art and design courses usually do.

Do universities add foundation points to my A level points?

Some do, many don’t. Art and design courses often care more about the portfolio and the foundation grade than any points total. If the course page lists a points offer, check whether it says which qualifications count.

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