BTEC Level 3 Diploma Grade Calculator
Work out your BTEC Level 3 Diploma grade, Pearson points and UCAS tariff from your unit grades.
Enter your unit grades and GLH sizes in the free calculator to see your projected Diploma grade in seconds.
Open the CalculatorThe Diploma is a 720 guided learning hours qualification, equivalent in size to two A-Levels. The final grade is a two-part grade such as MM, DM or D*D*, usually taken over two years alongside one A-Level or another course.
How the Diploma grade is calculated
Every BTEC unit has a GLH size. Larger units are worth more Pearson points at the same grade, so a Distinction in a 120 GLH unit counts more than a Distinction in a 60 GLH unit.
| Unit Size (GLH) | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 GLH | 6 | 10 | 16 |
| 90 GLH | 9 | 15 | 24 |
| 120 GLH | 12 | 20 | 32 |
BTEC Diploma grade boundaries
Once your Pearson points have been added together, the total is compared with the Diploma boundaries below (Pearson specification, 720 GLH).
| Diploma Grade | Minimum Pearson Points |
|---|---|
| D*D* | 180 |
| D*D | 162 |
| DD | 144 |
| DM | 124 |
| MM | 104 |
| MP | 88 |
| PP | 72 |
BTEC Diploma UCAS points
Universities compare BTEC results through UCAS tariff points. Here is the tariff for each Diploma grade.
| Diploma Grade | UCAS Tariff Points |
|---|---|
| D*D* | 112 |
| D*D | 104 |
| DD | 96 |
| DM | 80 |
| MM | 64 |
| MP | 48 |
| PP | 32 |
For the full comparison across every BTEC size and A-Levels, see the BTEC to UCAS points table.
Worked example: from units to final grade
Here is a student completing the full 720 GLH Diploma.
| Unit | GLH | Grade | Pearson Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | 120 | D | 32 |
| Unit 2 | 90 | M | 15 |
| Unit 3 | 90 | M | 15 |
| Unit 4 | 60 | P | 6 |
| Unit 5 | 120 | M | 20 |
| Unit 6 | 90 | D | 24 |
| Unit 7 | 90 | M | 15 |
| Unit 8 | 60 | M | 10 |
| Total | 720 GLH | 137 points | |
137 points clears the 124-point DM boundary but not the 144 needed for DD, so the final grade is DM, worth 80 UCAS points.
Calculate your Diploma grade
Use the free BTEC grade calculator to enter your own unit grades, total your Pearson points and see the UCAS tariff for your projected Diploma result.
Use the Free CalculatorFAQ: BTEC Diploma grades
How many UCAS points is DD in a BTEC Diploma?
DD in a BTEC Level 3 Diploma is worth 96 UCAS tariff points, the same tariff value as AA at A-Level.
Is a BTEC Level 3 Diploma equivalent to A-Levels?
For UCAS tariff purposes the Diploma (720 GLH) is treated as equivalent in size to two A-Levels.
What is the highest BTEC Diploma grade?
The highest grade is D*D*. It requires 180 Pearson points and is worth 112 UCAS tariff points.
How do I calculate my BTEC Diploma grade?
Convert each unit grade into Pearson points using the unit's GLH, add the points together, then compare the total with the Diploma grade boundaries.