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Rockley’s Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport provides a robust and accessible pathway to higher education, equipping students with the necessary UCAS points to meet or exceed the entry requirements for a wide range of university courses. In this blog, we break things down to help you fully understand the UCAS points system and how the grades compare to A-Levels.
LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN SPORT UCAS POINTS:
- PASS: Achieving a Pass grade awards 48 UCAS points, equivalent to achieving a three E grades at A-Level.
- MERIT: Achieving a Merit grade awards 96 UCAS points, roughly equivalent to achieving three C grades at A-Level.
- DISTINCTION: Achieving a Distinction grade awards 144 UCAS points, equivalent to achieving three A grades at A-Level.
- DISTINCTION*: Achieving a Distinction* grade awards 168 UCAS points, equivalent to achieving three A* grades at A-Level.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR CHILD
If your child completes the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport, they can earn UCAS points equivalent to three A-Levels, depending on their overall grade. This can be highly advantageous when applying for university courses that require specific UCAS point thresholds. For example, if they achieve a Distinction*, they will have 168 UCAS points, which is more than the maximum possible points from three A-Levels at grade A*.
UNIVERSITY ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Universities set specific UCAS tariff point requirements for their courses - examples of university expectations are listed below:
- Bournemouth University: The BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science course requires 112–128 UCAS points for September 2025 entry.
- University of Portsmouth: The BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science course requires 112–120 UCAS points
- University of East London: The BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science course requires 112 UCAS points.
UNIVERSITY PATHWAY
Achieving a Distinction (144 points) or Distinction* (168 points) in the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport exceeds the entry requirements for these courses, providing a strong position for university applications. This course provides a great pathway to university and is highly valued by admissions teams.
If you have any further questions or would like advice on how UCAS points align with specific university entry requirements, please visit the UCAS website for the most up to date information.
ADVANTAGES OF A ROCKLEY COLLEGE DIPLOMA COURSE
One key advantage of Rockley's Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport & Physical Activity (Outdoors) is that the qualification combines both practical and classroom learning. Students often find that the coursework and practical elements of the Extended Diploma provide a more manageable and engaging route to achieving high grades compared to traditional A Levels. This is especially beneficial for those who excel in applied and vocational learning environments. As a result, many students achieve higher UCAS point totals than they might through purely academic routes, opening doors to competitive university courses.By combining academic rigour with practical experience, the Extended Diploma supports students not only in securing a university place but also in gaining valuable skills for their future careers.