Can you go to university with a T Level?
How T Level UCAS points work
Universities use the UCAS Tariff to compare qualifications. A whole T Level is worth the same points as three A Levels at the equivalent grade:
| T Level grade | UCAS points | Same UCAS Tariff points as |
|---|---|---|
| Distinction* | 168 | A*A*A* |
| Distinction | 144 | AAA |
| Merit | 120 | BBB |
| Pass (C+ core) | 96 | CCC |
| Pass (D/E core) | 72 | DDD |
So a strong T Level is a substantial academic currency — not a lightweight option. A Distinction* carries the same tariff as three A*s. Note this is points equivalence, not a guarantee of universal acceptance: universities remain free to set their own qualification and course requirements (see below).
The catch: acceptance is course-by-course
Carrying UCAS points is not the same as every course accepting the qualification. Universities set their own admissions policies, and they vary:
- Many universities accept T Levels for relevant degrees, especially where the T Level subject matches the course.
- Some competitive or highly specific courses — medicine is the classic example — may require particular A-Level subjects and may not accept a T Level.
- A few courses accept a T Level only in combination with other qualifications, or ask for a specific overall grade.
The rule to give any student: look up the exact course at the exact university and read its entry requirements, rather than assuming. Policies are still evolving as T Levels mature, so current, official course information is what counts.
University isn't the only route
A T Level can also lead to a higher or degree apprenticeship (earning while studying at a higher level), further technical study, or skilled employment straight away. For students drawn to a T Level's applied, workplace-connected style, those routes are often just as strong a fit as a traditional degree.
📊 See how each pathway is performing