What Is a Good A-Level Score? Your Grades, Decoded

A-level results day feels massive, right? Everyone’s buzzing about their grades and whether they’re ‘good enough.’ But what does a good A-level score even mean? It’s honestly not as simple as just getting all A*s—what’s good for you could be totally different for someone else.

First things first, A-levels aren’t marked out of 100 like earlier school tests. The grades run from A* (top) down to E (still a pass). In the past, some universities would only give out offers to A*AA students, but now it’s less black-and-white. Different courses, colleges, and even years will have different entry requirements. That’s why it matters to know what’s ‘good’ for the path you’re interested in—not just what sounds impressive.

Here’s a practical tip: check the grade requirements for the courses you’re looking at—maybe on UCAS or straight from the uni websites. If you’re aiming for medicine at Oxford, you’ll need the stars. For other degrees and unis, a mix of Bs and Cs can open just as many doors. Comparing your predicted grades with typical offers is way more helpful than worrying about what your mates are sitting on.

• What Do A-Level Grades Mean?
• What Scores Do Top Universities Want?
• Setting Realistic Targets and Staying Sane
• What If My Results Aren’t What I Expected?

What Do A-Level Grades Mean?

Let’s break down what A-level grades actually look like. Grades go from A* (the top) down to E (still a pass). There’s also U, which stands for “unclassified”—basically, you didn’t reach the minimum for an E. But if you get between E and A*, your results are officially considered a pass and count toward university or job requirements.

Each grade matches a range of marks, not a fixed number. Exam boards set boundaries each year depending on how tough the exam was. So, the percentage you need for, say, a B can shift a little bit, but here’s a typical guide for the raw marks needed:

Some people think only A* and A grades matter, but universities and employers usually look at your whole bundle of grades—not just the highest. Three A-level passes (even at grade E) are often enough for entry to foundation or vocational courses.

Here’s something not everyone knows: your A-level grades get converted into UCAS points, which most UK universities use to make offers. For example, an A* is worth 56 points, an A is 48, a B is 40, and so on. Sometimes, a course just wants a total number of points, rather than specific grades, giving you some wiggle room if one result is lower than expected.

• If your course needs 'BBB', that means three B grades.
• If it asks for '120 UCAS points,' you could get those with a mix—like one A (48), one B (40), and one C (32).

At the end of the day, your scores are more flexible than you might think. It’s not all or nothing—lots of paths open up even if you don’t nail every exam.

What Scores Do Top Universities Want?

Here’s where things get serious: the UK’s top universities, like Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, and Imperial, usually set the bar high for A-level applicants. For most courses at Oxbridge, you’ll see offers for A*AA or AAA. Medical schools are even tougher—places like Imperial College London and UCL often want A*AA, and at least one top grade has to be in a science.

It’s not just about grades, though. Universities have been clear in the last few years that they look at personal statements, references, and sometimes extra tests or interviews. Still, your A-level grades are the main door-opener. According to UCAS (the university admissions service), about 80% of students accepted to Oxford in 2024 had grades between A*AA and A*A*A. Pretty wild, right?

The University of Cambridge states on their website: "A typical offer for most courses is A*AA at A-level, although offers for some courses may differ."

Other Russell Group unis (think Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh) tend to ask for AAA down to ABB, depending on the course. Engineering and science courses usually want the A-levels in maths or science subjects—if you’re thinking of these fields, double-check your subject choices early. For creative or humanities courses, some places might even consider ABB or BBB, but you’ll want to show strong skills or a killer portfolio to stand out.

Here’s a quick idea of A-level scores for a few popular courses at top UK universities in 2025:

• Medicine or Dentistry: A*AA or higher (sometimes A*A*A, with Chemistry required)
• Law: AAA or A*AA (some require LNAT tests too)
• Engineering: A*AA to AAA (with Maths and often Physics)
• Humanities: AAA or sometimes ABB, but check if specific subjects are needed

The punchline? If you know which course you want, check the typical offer for that subject at several unis. Don’t just focus on one—put together a range of options. Make sure your goals fit the real offers out there, not just what you hear on social media.

Setting Realistic Targets and Staying Sane

Chasing high A-level scores is a big deal, but going for perfection can really wear you out. It’s way better to set targets that match your strengths and plans than to aim blindly for straight A*s. A 2023 survey from UK exam regulator Ofqual found that only about 9% of A-level entries scored an A*, while around 27% got an A. So, expecting all A*s from yourself is actually not typical—even for top students.

One thing loads of people get wrong is not comparing their current grades with uni entry requirements. For example, getting AAB when your dream course asks for BBB means you’re already ahead. But if you’re sitting at mostly Cs and the course wants ABB, it might be time to tweak your revision plan or consider slightly different courses.

Here’s how to set yourself up without burning out:

• List the entry grades needed for your final uni choices. Pin them up so you always know what you’re aiming for.
• Ask your teachers for honest feedback about your predicted grades and what goes into moving up a level.
• Break stuff into small goals: aiming for an A in biology? Tackle one topic per week instead of cramming before exams.
• Schedule time for breaks and sleep. Your brain needs it way more than another late-night cram session.
• Stay flexible. Sometimes you’ll have off days. Missing one target doesn’t mean you ruin your shot.

Here’s a quick look at the percentage of students achieving each grade in 2023. You’ll see that Bs and Cs are much more common than A*s, so don’t stress if you’re not at the very top—most applicants aren’t either.

Your best move is to balance ambition with reality—knowing your stats, setting meaningful goals, and keeping your mental health in check. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being honest with yourself and doing your best, one deadline at a time.

What If My Results Aren’t What I Expected?

If your A-level grades aren’t what you hoped for, it’s not the end of your story at all. Seriously, thousands of students find themselves in this spot each year and still go on to do awesome things. Even if you missed a university offer, you have more options than you might think.

First, look at the UCAS Clearing system. Every summer, universities post unfilled courses here, and plenty of good universities take students whose grades fell just short. Last year in the UK, over 30,000 students found a place through Clearing by results day. A-level scores aren’t the only thing that unis look at—sometimes, your personal statement or a quick chat with the admissions team can tip things in your favour.

Don’t just accept your grades without checking them. If you think your marks are way off what you expected, consider asking your school for a remark. In 2023, Ofqual said about 17% of review requests led to an improved grade, so it’s not a shot in the dark.

Here’s what to do if you’re hit with results you didn’t plan for:

• Check UCAS Track right away—sometimes offers still stand, even if you missed by a small margin.
• Explore Clearing options. Make a list of courses and contact unis directly. Be polite and enthusiastic—first impressions matter.
• Talk to your teachers or careers advisor for quick advice tailored to your plans.
• Consider postponing uni for a year and retaking one or two subjects if you’re set on a specific course or uni.
• If you don’t want to retake, think about foundation years, apprenticeships, or other routes. Loads of students find a better fit outside the straight-to-uni track.

Don’t take my word for it—here’s a quote from Clare Marchant, the Chief Executive of UCAS:

“Results day can bring lots of surprises, but there are more routes than ever for students who don’t get their expected grades. Keep calm, use Clearing, and remember this isn’t the end.”

Biggest thing? Take a breath, look at your options, and remember plenty of folks end up loving a path they didn’t plan for. Grades open doors, but they never set your whole future in stone.