This document explains how to calculate a course grade for a Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma, which is equivalent to 3 A-levels. The course consists of 18 units that are each graded and worth credit points. Students must pass all 18 units to receive the Extended Diploma. A student's total credit points are calculated and correspond to an overall grade ranging from PPP to D*D*D*. This grade can then be converted to UCAS points for university entrance, with higher grades earning more points and a D*D*D* profile earning 420 points.

1. Calculating your
Course Grade
LEVEL 3 BTEC QUALIFICATION
EXTENDED DIPLOMA

2. The standard
 The course is a 2 year Level 3 course
 That’s equivalent to A levels
 It is studied over 2 years
 The course has 18 units
 Each unit has a ‘Credit Value’
 All 18 of our units have a value of 10

3. Unit Grades
 Units are graded PASS, MERIT or DISTINCTION
 Each unit grade earns Edexcel points
PASS = 7 points
MERIT = 8 points
DISTINCTION = 9 points

4. Course qualification
 You have to complete ALL 18 units
 You will be awarded the
EXTENDED DIPLOMA
 Grade range is PPP – D*D*D*

5. Working out the grade
 Each unit grade’s points is multiplied by the Credit
Value
 For example
 A MERIT in a unit earns 8 x 10 = 80 Edexcel points
 The points for the 18 units are totalled
 This determines the qualification grade

6. The grading scheme
Points earned in the 18 units Profile Grade Awarded
> 1590 D*D*D*
1560 - 1589 D*D*D
1530 - 1559 D*DD
1500 - 1529 DDD
1460 - 1499 DDM
1420 - 1459 DMM
1380 - 1419 MMM
1340 - 1379 MMP
1300 - 1339 MPP
1260 - 1299 PPP

7. What’s it worth?
 This is a FULL LEVEL 3 qualification
 It is equivalent to ‘A’ Levels
 It earns UCAS points
 UCAS points are used by universities as entry standards
 The requirements for each course will be published by the
university
 There are more students entering through BTEC
than ‘A’ Level!

8. Working out UCAS points
 Each BTEC Profile grade earns some UCAS points
 There are more BTEC grade bands than in ‘A’ Level
 This may change in the future
 BTEC might grade from A* to E
 The next slide shows the grade equivalence

9. UCAS Points Earned
Edexcel points Edexcel Grade Profile UCAS POINTS EARNED
> 1590 D*D*D* 420
1560 - 1589 D*D*D 400
1530 - 1559 D*DD 380
1500 - 1529 DDD 360
1460 - 1499 DDM 320
1420 - 1459 DMM 280
1380 - 1419 MMM 240
1340 - 1379 MMP 200
1300 - 1339 MPP 160
1260 - 1299 PPP 120

10. UCAS Points: BSc/BA
Minimum Entry Thresholds
Edexcel points Edexcel Grade UCAS POINTS
Profile EARNED
> 1590 D*D*D* 420
1560 - 1589 D*D*D 400
1530 - 1559 D*DD 380
1500 - 1529 DDD 360
1460 - 1499 DDM 320
1420 - 1459 DMM 280
1380 - 1419 MMM 240
1340 - 1379 MMP 200
1300 - 1339 MPP 160
1260 - 1299 PPP 120