BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate Grade Calculator
Work out your BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate 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 Extended Certificate grade in seconds.
Open the CalculatorThe Extended Certificate is the most common small BTEC, sized at 360 guided learning hours, the same as one A-Level. Most students take it alongside two A-Levels. It is also the size used by the new BTEC National (AAQ) qualifications that started teaching in September 2025, which carry identical UCAS points.
How the Extended Certificate 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 Extended Certificate grade boundaries
Once your Pearson points have been added together, the total is compared with the Extended Certificate boundaries below (Pearson specification, 360 GLH).
| Extended Certificate Grade | Minimum Pearson Points |
|---|---|
| D* | 90 |
| D | 74 |
| M | 52 |
| P | 36 |
BTEC Extended Certificate UCAS points
Universities compare BTEC results through UCAS tariff points. Here is the tariff for each Extended Certificate grade.
| Extended Certificate Grade | UCAS Tariff Points |
|---|---|
| D* | 56 |
| D | 48 |
| M | 32 |
| P | 16 |
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 360 GLH Extended Certificate.
| Unit | GLH | Grade | Pearson Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | 120 | D | 32 |
| Unit 2 | 90 | M | 15 |
| Unit 3 | 90 | D | 24 |
| Unit 4 | 60 | P | 6 |
| Total | 360 GLH | 77 points | |
77 points clears the 74-point Distinction boundary but not the 90 needed for D*, so the final grade is D, worth 48 UCAS points, the same as an A at A-Level.
Calculate your Extended Certificate 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 Extended Certificate result.
Use the Free CalculatorFAQ: BTEC Extended Certificate grades
How many UCAS points is D in a BTEC Extended Certificate?
D in a BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate is worth 48 UCAS tariff points, the same tariff value as an A grade at A-Level.
Is a BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate equivalent to A-Levels?
For UCAS tariff purposes the Extended Certificate (360 GLH) is treated as equivalent in size to one A-Level.
What is the highest BTEC Extended Certificate grade?
The highest grade is D*. It requires 90 Pearson points and is worth 56 UCAS tariff points.
How do I calculate my BTEC Extended Certificate grade?
Convert each unit grade into Pearson points using the unit's GLH, add the points together, then compare the total with the Extended Certificate grade boundaries.