BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma Grade Calculator
Work out your BTEC Level 3 Foundation 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 Foundation Diploma grade in seconds.
Open the CalculatorThe Foundation Diploma is a 510 guided learning hours qualification, equivalent in size to one and a half A-Levels. It is often taken as the first year of a two-year programme before topping up to the Extended Diploma.
How the Foundation 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 Foundation Diploma grade boundaries
Once your Pearson points have been added together, the total is compared with the Foundation Diploma boundaries below (Pearson specification, 510 GLH).
| Foundation Diploma Grade | Minimum Pearson Points |
|---|---|
| D* | 130 |
| D | 104 |
| M | 73 |
| P | 51 |
BTEC Foundation Diploma UCAS points
Universities compare BTEC results through UCAS tariff points. Here is the tariff for each Foundation Diploma grade.
| Foundation Diploma Grade | UCAS Tariff Points |
|---|---|
| D* | 84 |
| D | 72 |
| M | 48 |
| P | 24 |
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 510 GLH Foundation Diploma.
| Unit | GLH | Grade | Pearson Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | 120 | D | 32 |
| Unit 2 | 90 | D | 24 |
| Unit 3 | 90 | M | 15 |
| Unit 4 | 90 | M | 15 |
| Unit 5 | 60 | P | 6 |
| Unit 6 | 60 | M | 10 |
| Total | 510 GLH | 102 points | |
102 points clears the 73-point Merit boundary but falls just 2 points short of the 104 needed for Distinction. Small margins matter: one unit grade higher anywhere would have tipped this result to a D.
Calculate your Foundation 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 Foundation Diploma result.
Use the Free CalculatorFAQ: BTEC Foundation Diploma grades
How many UCAS points is D in a BTEC Foundation Diploma?
D in a BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma is worth 72 UCAS tariff points, the same tariff value as one and a half A grades at A-Level.
Is a BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma equivalent to A-Levels?
For UCAS tariff purposes the Foundation Diploma (510 GLH) is treated as equivalent in size to one and a half A-Levels.
What is the highest BTEC Foundation Diploma grade?
The highest grade is D*. It requires 130 Pearson points and is worth 84 UCAS tariff points.
How do I calculate my BTEC Foundation Diploma grade?
Convert each unit grade into Pearson points using the unit's GLH, add the points together, then compare the total with the Foundation Diploma grade boundaries.