UCAS Points and ISTD Dance Qualifications
What are UCAS tariff points?
UCAS Tariff points are a way of measuring and comparing different qualifications in the UK. They’re used by UK universities and some colleges to help decide who is offered a place on a course.
The higher the grade a learner achieves in a qualification, the more UCAS points they will earn.
Why do UCAS points matter?
Some higher education courses use UCAS points in their entry requirements. This helps make things fairer by allowing universities to compare qualifications they may not know well - like dance exams - with more common ones like A-levels or BTECs.
Universities make offers using UCAS points in two ways:
- Grade-based offers - where they might ask for specific grades (e.g. AAB).
- Points-based offers - these allow more flexibility (e.g. 120 points can be made up from different grades and qualifications).
Even if a course doesn’t list UCAS points, having them can still strengthen a learner’s application.
How do ISTD exams count towards UCAS points?
ISTD graded and vocational graded dance exams at Level 3 (on the Regulated Qualifications Framework, or RQF) do carry UCAS Tariff points.
At the ISTD Grade 6 and Intermediate are regulated at Level 3 and carry UCAS points. That means your dance training can directly support your university application.
Please note that Advanced 1 and 2 do not have any UCAS points allocated to them. This is because they are Level 4 qualifications and so are already on the same level as university study.
| Grade 6 | Tariff Points |
| Distinction | 14 |
| Merit | 10 |
| Pass | 8 |
| Intermediate | Tariff Points |
| Distinction | 33 |
| Merit | 27 |
| Pass | 24 |
These points apply to exams taken from 1st September 2010 onwards.
What genres do these UCAS points apply to?
The above tariff points apply to all theatre genres including:
- Cecchetti Classical Ballet
- Classical Greek
- Classical Indian
- Contemporary
- Imperial Classical Ballet
- Modern Theatre
- National
- Tap
How can I work out my UCAS points?
You can combine points from ISTD dance qualifications with other qualifications to meet course requirements. To calculate your total, use the UCAS Tariff Calculator or visit the UCAS website for more information.
