REG 6.1 BUCS Points A breakdown of all BUCS Points available can be found in Appendix 1 (‘BUCS Competition Offer and Associated BUCS Points’). The following should also be noted:
REG 6.1.1 Team Championships (Leagues/Knockouts) Whilst Appendix 1 (‘BUCS Competition Offer and Associated BUCS Points’) states the BUCS Points available for league finishing positions, as well as those awarded for reaching certain stages of knockout competitions, institutions/Playing Entities should be aware that these may be reduced or removed completely if teams have conceded walkovers during the season. Please refer to REG 13.7 for further details on the concession of walkovers and the subsequent impact on BUCS Points.
REG 6.1.2 Individual and Team Championships (Events)
REG 6.1.2.1 Individual Championships
REG 6.1.2.1.1 BUCS Points for eligible 'individual' categories at Individual Championships are distributed to the top four individuals/teams.
REG 6.1.2.1.2 Where the Championships is listed in Appendix 1 (‘BUCS Competition Offer and Associated BUCS Points’) as offering BUCS Points for overall/extracted team results, these are distributed to the top eight overall/extracted teams. Overall/extracted team results are calculated using performances from the 'individual' categories. This can be either a selection of individuals/teams to count, or all competitors from an institution/Playing Entity able to contribute. Please see the relevant BUCS sport specific regulations, entry information and/or pre-event information associated with each event for further details.
REG 6.1.2.1.3 The number of sets of BUCS Points which can be earned by an institution/Playing Entity for eligible 'individual' categories will be dependent on the restrictions imposed by the specific event. Restrictions will be clearly stated in the relevant BUCS sport specific regulations, entry information and/or pre-event information.
REG 6.1.2.1.4 Institutions/Playing Entities can only earn one set of overall/extracted team BUCS Points, regardless of their finishing positions, unless stated otherwise in the relevant BUCS sport specific regulations, entry information and/or pre-event information.
REG 6.1.2.1.5 Where individuals/teams are tied on finishing position, the total amount of the BUCS Points set(s) allocated to the positions they would have occupied if the tie were broken will be combined and split equally among the joint individuals/teams. For example, if two individuals tie for 2nd place, the BUCS Points sets for 2nd and 3rd place will be combined, and the total amount of BUCS Points split equally among them.
REG 6.1.2.1.6 Where an individual/team not eligible to earn BUCS Points finishes in a position allocated a set of BUCS Points, the set of BUCS Points allocated to this position shall be reallocated to the next position occupied by an eligible individual/team. If that next position had an allocated set of BUCS Points, these will be reallocated following the same principle, which shall continue to be applied until all affected sets of BUCS Points have been reallocated and/or there are no remaining individuals/teams eligible to earn BUCS Points that have not earned a set.
REG 6.1.2.1.7 BUCS Points will not be allocated where the minimum number of individuals/teams has not been reached, or where there are not enough individual results to extract a team result.
REG 6.1.2.1.8 An individual/team (except for overall/extracted teams) must have beaten or tied with another individual/team (not including any guest entrants) to earn BUCS Points. For example, if three individuals/teams compete in an event with the results confirming distinct 1st place, 2nd place and 3rd place finishers, only 1st and 2nd place will earn BUCS Points. For an individual/team to be classed as having been beaten or tied with they must have competed.
REG 6.1.2.1.9 Individuals/teams who are disqualified or listed as ‘DNF’ will not be eligible to earn BUCS Points.
REG 6.1.2.1.10 Notwithstanding REG 6.1.2.1.7 and REG 6.1.2.1.8, a para athlete competing in a para category featuring no other individuals (not including any guest entrants) shall be eligible to earn BUCS Points subject to the following performance-based conditions:
REG 6.1.2.1.10.1 In a Championships for which official BUCS Para Records are maintained, a para athlete shall be awarded the BUCS Points allocated for 1st place in a category provided their performance surpasses a pre-existing BUCS Para Record for the category. A BUCS Para Record for a category may be either a multi-classification record for all eligible para athletes of all eligible classifications or a single-classification record for a specific eligible classification within the category.
REG 6.1.2.1.10.2 In a category for which no applicable BUCS Para Record as per REG 6.1.2.1.10.1 yet exists, a para athlete shall be awarded the BUCS Points allocated for 1st place provided their performance meets or exceeds a National Governing Body (NGB) benchmark, subject to this benchmark having been established prior to entries opening for the relevant Championships, in direct collaboration with, and verified by, the relevant NGB. A category may have either a multi-classification benchmark for all eligible para athletes of all eligible classifications or a single-classification benchmark each specific eligible classification within the category.
REG 6.1.2.1.10.3 The performance of a para athlete who competes in a category for which no applicable BUCS Para Record as per REG 6.1.2.1.10.1 exists shall automatically be established as an inaugural BUCS Para Record, regardless of whether the relevant NGB benchmark has been met or exceeded, except where the individual has been disqualified or listed as ‘DNF’.
Note to REG 6.1.2.1.10.3: The establishment of an inaugural BUCS Para Record does not guarantee BUCS Points for that specific performance. To earn BUCS Points, the individual’s performance must have met or exceeded the NGB benchmark outlined in REG 6.1.2.1.10.2.
REG 6.1.2.1.10.4 Once an inaugural BUCS Para Record has been successfully established under REG 6.1.2.1.10.3, that record shall immediately supersede the relevant NGB benchmark.
REG 6.1.2.1.10.5 For the avoidance of doubt, the application of REG 6.1.2.1.10 is strictly limited to para categories that are allocated BUCS Points and either have official BUCS Para Records or NGB benchmarks established in accordance with REG 6.1.2.1.10.2.
REG 6.1.2.1.10.6 Subject to REG 6.1.2.1.10.5, Championships in which there are conditionally eligible para categories for the 2026-27 season are:
- Athletics: Indoor Championships and Outdoor Championships
- Cycling: 10 Mile Time Trial Championships, 25 Mile Time Trial Championships, Hill Climb Championships, and Track Championships
- Powerlifting and Weightlifting: Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting Championships
- Rowing: Indoor Championships
- Swimming: Long Course Championships and Short Course Championships
- Taekwondo: Championships
REG 6.1.2.2 Team Championships
REG 6.1.2.2.1 BUCS Points will be allocated to the top 24 places of a global ranking produced for each gender category at a Championships from the results of all levels of competition (Championship/Trophy/Shield) within the respective gender category. Where there are separate levels of competition (Championship/Trophy/Shield) within a gender category throughout a Championships, Championship teams will always be ranked above Trophy teams and Trophy teams always ranked above Shield teams. Where all teams within a gender category start at the same level of competition before some or all teams later progress into separate levels of competition (Championship/Trophy/Shield), Championship teams will always be ranked above Trophy teams, Trophy teams will always ranked above Shield teams, and Shield teams will always be ranked above any teams which do not progress to any of these separate levels.
REG 6.1.2.2.2 Institutions/Playing Entities entering more than one team in a gender category at a Championships may have multiple teams given a final ranking and therefore earn multiple sets of BUCS Points, unless stated otherwise in the relevant BUCS sport specific regulations, entry information and/or pre-event information.
REG 6.1.2.2.3 Where teams are tied on ranking position, the total amount of the BUCS Points set(s) allocated to the positions they would have occupied if the tie were broken will be combined and split equally among the joint teams. For example, if two teams tie for 2nd place, the BUCS Points sets for 2nd and 3rd place will be combined, and the total amount of BUCS Points split equally among them.
REG 6.1.2.2.4 The following teams will not be included in a global ranking:
- Teams not eligible to earn BUCS Points (for example guest entrants)
- Teams that are disqualified
- Teams that were entered but did not compete
REG 6.2 BUCS Medals
REG 6.2.1 Team Championships (Leagues/Knockouts)
REG 6.2.1.1 BUCS Medals are not awarded in Team Championships (Leagues). League winning teams will receive a digital BUCS League Plaque for their institution/Playing Entity to commemorate their success.
REG 6.2.1.2 BUCS Medals are awarded in Team Championships (Knockouts). The maximum medal allocation per team per sport for Team Championships (Knockouts) are listed in Appendix 13 (‘BUCS Team Championships (Knockouts) – Maximum Medal Allocations’). Final winning teams will receive Gold Medals and the losing team will receive Silver Medals. If a team concedes a walkover in a Final, they shall not be eligible to receive BUCS Medals. Should the format of a Team Championships (Knockouts) enable a third placed team to be recognised, then they will receive Bronze Medals.
REG 6.2.2 Individual and Team Championships (Events)
REG 6.2.2.1 BUCS Medals for eligible categories at Individual and Team Championships are distributed to the top three individuals/teams.
REG 6.2.2.1.1 BUCS Medals are only awarded for the overall/extracted team results at Individual Championships where the team consists of a fixed number of individuals.
REG 6.2.2.2 The number of BUCS Medals which can be earned by an institution/Playing Entity will be dependent on the restrictions imposed by the specific event. Restrictions will be clearly stated in the relevant BUCS sport specific regulations, entry information and/or pre-event information.
REG 6.2.2.3 Where individuals/teams are tied on finishing position, BUCS Medals will be awarded according to their joint position. For example, if two individuals tie for 2nd place, they will both receive a Silver Medal and no Bronze Medal will be awarded.
REG 6.2.2.4 Where an individual/team not eligible to earn a BUCS Medal finishes in a position allocated a BUCS Medal, the BUCS Medal allocated to this position shall be reallocated to the next position occupied by an eligible individual/team. If that next position had an allocated BUCS Medal, this will be reallocated following the same principle, which shall continue to be applied until all affected BUCS Medals have been reallocated and/or there are no remaining individuals/teams eligible to earn a BUCS Medal that have not earned one.
REG 6.2.2.5 BUCS Medals will not be awarded where the minimum number of individuals/teams has not been reached.
REG 6.2.2.6 An individual/team is not required to have beaten or tied with another individual/team in order to be awarded a BUCS Medal, but must have competed against another individual/team (not including any guest entrants). For example, if only two individuals/teams compete in an event, both Gold and Silver medals will be awarded, subject to REG 6.2.2.7.
REG 6.2.2.7 Individuals/teams who are disqualified or listed as ‘DNF’ will not be eligible to receive a BUCS Medal.
REG 6.2.2.8 Notwithstanding REG 6.2.2.5 and REG 6.2.2.6, a para athlete competing in a para category featuring no other individuals (not including any guest entrants) shall be eligible to receive a BUCS Gold Medal subject to the following performance-based conditions:
REG 6.2.2.8.1 In a Championships for which official BUCS Para Records are maintained, a para athlete shall be awarded a Gold Medal in a category provided their performance surpasses a pre-existing BUCS Para Record for the category. A BUCS Para Record for a category may be either a multi-classification record for all eligible para athletes of all eligible classifications or a single-classification record for a specific eligible classification within the category.
REG 6.2.2.8.2 In a category for which no applicable BUCS Para Record as per REG 6.2.2.8.1 yet exists, a para athlete shall be awarded a Gold Medal provided their performance meets or exceeds a National Governing Body (NGB) benchmark, subject to this benchmark having been established prior to entries opening for the relevant Championships, in direct collaboration with, and verified by, the relevant NGB. A category may have either a multi-classification benchmark for all eligible para athletes of all eligible classifications or a single-classification benchmark each specific eligible classification within the category.
REG 6.2.2.8.3 The performance of a para athlete who competes in a category for which no applicable BUCS Para Record as per REG 6.2.2.8.1 exists shall automatically be established as an inaugural BUCS Para Record, regardless of whether the relevant NGB benchmark has been met or exceeded, except where the individual has been disqualified or listed as ‘DNF’.
Note to REG 6.2.2.8.3: The establishment of an inaugural BUCS Para Record does not guarantee a Gold Medal for that specific performance. To be awarded a Gold Medal, the individual’s performance must have met or exceeded the NGB benchmark outlined in REG 6.2.2.8.2.
REG 6.2.2.8.4 Once an inaugural BUCS Para Record has been successfully established under REG 6.2.2.8.3, that record shall immediately supersede the relevant NGB benchmark.
REG 6.2.2.8.5 For the avoidance of doubt, the application of REG 6.2.2.8 is strictly limited to para categories that are allocated BUCS Points and either have official BUCS Para Records or NGB benchmarks established in accordance with REG 6.2.2.8.2.
REG 6.2.2.8.6 Subject to REG 6.2.2.8.5, Championships in which there are conditionally eligible para categories for the 2026-27 season are:
- Athletics: Indoor Championships and Outdoor Championships
- Cycling: 10 Mile Time Trial Championships, 25 Mile Time Trial Championships, Hill Climb Championships, and Track Championships
- Powerlifting and Weightlifting: Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting Championships
- Rowing: Indoor Championships
- Swimming: Long Course Championships and Short Course Championships
- Taekwondo: Championships.
REG 6.3 BUCS Trophies
REG 6.3.1 All perpetual trophies awarded for BUCS competitions and at the annual BUCS Awards remain the property of BUCS.
REG 6.3.2 Unless specifically indicated otherwise, all perpetual trophies must be returned to a BUCS representative (or a representative of the host organisation where a BUCS representative is not present) immediately following the conclusion of any presentation (with allowance for photographs).
REG 6.3.3 Any institution found to have vacated a venue with a perpetual trophy in their possession, without permission, will incur a fine of £300 if the trophy is not returned within 10 workings days of its return being requested in writing by BUCS. The institution shall be responsible for any costs incurred in the return of said trophy, including appropriate insurance cover. Furthermore, should the trophy not be returned, or is damaged, the institution responsible shall incur the cost of repair/replacement. Institutions are advised that some of the historical trophies currently in use have a value in excess of £4000.
