What Is a Good A-Level Score? Real Talk on Grades, Universities, and Careers

Think all that matters in A-levels is getting straight As? Not quite. The truth is, what counts as a 'good' A-level score totally depends on your goals—like which university you’re after, or even which course. For most unis in the UK, ABB is decent, but some want so much more, especially for courses like medicine or law.

Don’t get stuck on the idea that only perfect scores open doors. As weird as it sounds, sometimes a combination like A*AC can get you further than straight Bs, depending on your subject choices and where you apply. It all comes down to what each university wants and the subject requirements for your course. So the first step? Check the entry requirements for your top unis and courses, then aim a bit higher for a cushion—cut-offs can move from year to year.

• Breaking Down A-Level Grades
• What Universities Want
• How Your Score Shapes Your Choices
• Beyond the Numbers: Subject Weight
• Tips for Securing Strong Marks
• When Your Score Isn’t What You Hoped

Breaking Down A-Level Grades

Alright, let's make sense of those letters teachers keep talking about. A-levels are graded from A* (the highest) down to E (the last pass). If you get below an E, you’re looking at a U, which means ungraded. Each grade translates into UCAS points, which is how universities compare applicants.

Here’s a quick breakdown to keep things clear:

• A-levels have six grades: A*, A, B, C, D, and E.
• A* is only given if you score at least 80% overall and 90% or higher in your A2 modules.
• Most unis ask for grades between ABB and CCC, though top courses (think medicine) may want at least AAA or even A*AA.

If you like seeing things lined up, here's how the grades convert into UCAS points:

Straight talk: There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to what’s “good.” For some apprenticeships or less competitive courses, Cs and Ds are fine. But if you’ve got your eye on a Russell Group uni, think AAB or higher. Always check what’s needed for where you want to go so you don’t shoot in the dark.

What Universities Want

If you want to get into uni, you’re probably wondering what grades you actually need. Here’s the straight-up truth: it really depends on the course and the university. There’s no magic number that works for every application, but some clear patterns do show up across the country.

For starters, Russell Group universities and top courses—think Oxford, Cambridge, medicine, and law—set the bar seriously high. Offers of A*AA or AAA are common for the most competitive spots. For example, Cambridge regularly asks for at least A*A*A for science subjects, while UCL’s law course usually looks for A*AA. On the flip side, some solid unis—Nottingham, Leicester, or Kent—might accept three Bs for certain programs, especially if it’s not a hot-ticket subject.

It’s not just about grades, either. Some courses want you to take specific A-levels. Economics at LSE? They’ll want A in Maths. Medicine anywhere? Chemistry and often Biology are non-negotiable. So if you’re aiming for a particular degree, check the required subjects early, so you don’t get caught out later.

If you’re not sure, have a look at the UCAS website or each university’s admissions page. There you’ll find entry requirements for every course. Remember, some unis publish two sets of grades: 'typical offers' and 'minimum offers'. Typical is what they want most years, while minimum is the absolute lowest you might get away with—usually as part of an Access or Contextual offer.

One last thing: unis can be flexible if you have loads of work experience, killer personal statements, or you’re coming from a background the university wants to support. But for most, hitting the grade is priority number one.

How Your Score Shapes Your Choices

When you get your A-level results, you’re not just looking at a bunch of letters. Those grades carve out what’s actually possible next—whether that’s your dream uni, your backup plan, or a completely different route like apprenticeships or taking a gap year.

Each university—and even different courses at the same university—can have totally different grade demands. For example, Russell Group universities, like Oxford or Cambridge, usually ask for A*A*A or A*AA if you want in on their most competitive courses. Cities like Manchester or Leeds might ask for ABB or BBB depending on the subject. Medicine is a whole other story: most med schools in the UK set their minimum at AAA, no matter where you apply.

Not all courses look at your full grade spread the same way. Some want specific high grades in certain subjects (think A in Chemistry for Medicine), while others are more about your overall UCAS points. Here’s a quick example of how your options widen or narrow:

And it’s not just universities. Major employers and even degree apprenticeships sometimes check your grades, especially if they’re running big schemes in banking, engineering, and tech. Some want you to hit at least three Cs; others focus more on your attitude and soft skills, but grades get your foot in the door.

Bottom line: your scores open some doors and slam others shut. If you really want to keep as many paths open as possible, treat those A-levels as your ticket. Don’t ignore subject requirements—double-check specifics before you even start applying. And if you’re worried you didn’t hit the scores you hoped for, things like Clearing, retakes, or career routes outside of uni are worth a look. The grades matter, but they’re not the whole story.

Beyond the Numbers: Subject Weight

It’s tempting to think all A-level subjects are created equal, but that’s just not how it works. Universities and employers pay extra attention to what you actually studied, not just the grades you walked away with. Some subjects are called ‘facilitating subjects’—think Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English, History, and Languages. These are favourites for loads of degree courses at top universities because they show you’ve got solid academic skills.

Here’s a truth bomb: not all courses look at subjects like Media Studies, Art, or Business in the same way as they do with the sciences or classic humanities. For example, if you’re dreaming about engineering, universities will want A-levels in Maths and Physics. For Medicine, Chemistry is basically a must, and usually Biology too. Even if you score all A*s, having them in the wrong subjects could block you from certain courses.

Some top universities—including Oxford and Cambridge—will straight up list which A-levels they don’t accept for specific courses, or which ones they’ll only count if paired with a more traditional subject. So before you pick your line-up, check out the course pages on uni websites or contact admissions directly. Here’s a quick look at how universities treat different subjects:

Here’s the bottom line: picking the right subjects is just as important as how well you do in them. A* in a so-called ‘softer’ subject doesn’t always carry the same weight as a B in Maths or Chemistry. It might seem unfair, but that’s how the system works, especially with competitive unis. If you're aiming for a top course, double-check those requirements—don’t just rely on a strong A-levels score.

Tips for Securing Strong Marks

Getting good A-levels isn’t about being a genius—it’s about smart habits and using what actually works. If you want those high grades, you can’t just wait until revision week and hope for the best. Here’s what makes the real difference:

• Know Your Exam Board: Each exam board—AQA, Edexcel, OCR—does things their own way. Check the spec. Teachers hammer this, but it’s easy to ignore. The mark scheme is basically a cheat sheet on how to get marks; use it, don’t just read your textbook.
• Past Papers Are Gold: Doing actual past papers is the closest thing to the real thing. Don’t just answer them—mark your answers using the mark scheme so you can see exactly what you missed and how they word questions.
• Active Recall Beats Re-reading: Instead of just reading your notes, cover up the facts and try to write or say them without looking. Flashcards (like Anki or Quizlet) help drill this in. It feels slower but sticks way better.
• Make a Revision Plan Early: Spacing it out is less stressful (and you don’t forget everything after a week). Build in mini-tests and clear blocks for each subject, don’t just aimlessly revise what you like most.
• Ask for Help When Stuck: Don’t waste days on something confusing. Friends, teachers, or online forums can save you a ton of time if you get help quickly.
• Mind the Little Mistakes: Most exam marks are lost on careless errors. Practice writing under time, use a highlighter for command words in questions (like ‘explain’, ‘evaluate’), and make sure your answer fits what the question really asks.

If you want to see the impact of these habits, check out this breakdown based on recent studies from the UK:

That last bit matters: more time spent (if you’re using it right) usually means better results. But you don’t need to lose your mind. Review a bit every week and treat your future self to less exam stress.

When Your Score Isn’t What You Hoped

So your A-level results came in and, well, they're not exactly what you dreamed of. It sucks—there’s no sugarcoating it. But loads of people end up in this boat and still find ways to land on their feet. First of all, don't panic. There are a bunch of routes to keep your plans on track.

One of the most common paths is UCAS Clearing. Every summer, tons of students find uni places this way after not hitting their first-choice grades. In 2024, over 60,000 students used Clearing to get a spot somewhere new. It’s quick—sometimes you can get a verbal uni offer on the same day you call.

• A-levels are important, but they aren't the end of the line. Plenty of universities lower their requirements during Clearing or for specific courses that need more students.
• Apprenticeships are another solid option. Many big UK employers now accept school leavers with decent—but not top—grades and train you up on the job.
• Think about retakes if you’re really set on a certain course. A one-year gap to boost your grades isn’t rare, and universities usually accept retake results.

Worried about your offers being withdrawn? As soon as you know your grades, call your chosen university. Sometimes, they’ll still honor your offer, especially if you only just missed the mark. Don’t wait for them to contact you—just pick up the phone.

Lots of careers and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) don’t even ask for the highest grades. For example, many healthcare, tech, or business courses want mostly Cs and Bs, not all As or A*s.

If things didn’t pan out, don’t compare yourself to friends. Focus on what works for you, whether that’s a different course, a new uni, or even a different route altogether. There’s real power in keeping your options open and being flexible. Most people end up changing their plans at some point—sometimes, that’s where things get interesting.