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Here is a comprehensive list of the dental schools in the UK that offer an undergraduate programme and their entry requirements.
Degree: 2:1 honours (science and related degrees)
A-Levels: AAA (including Chemistry and one other from Biology, Physics, or Mathematics)
Scottish Highers: AAAAA at Highers or AB Advanced Highers & AA Highers
IB: 32 points
GCSEs: 7 and above in Mathematics, English Language/Literature, 8 and above in Biology and Chemistry or dual award science
Personal Statement: Yes
Admissions Test: UCAT
Degree: 2:1 honours
A Levels: AAA (Chemistry and or Biology/Physics/Mathematics)
Scottish Highers: AA (Chemistry and or Biology/Physics/Mathematics)
IB: 36 points
GCSEs: 7 or above in Mathematics, 4 or above in English
Personal Statement: Not used as selection criteria.
Admissions Test: UCAT
Degree: 2:1 honours
A Levels: AAA (including Biology and Chemistry)
Scottish Highers: AAAAA (including two sciences)
IB: 36 points
GCSEs: 7 or above in sciences, 6 in English Language.
Personal Statement: Yes
Admissions Test: UCAT
Degree: 2:1 honours (Science and related degrees)
A Levels: AAA (including Biology and Chemistry)
Scottish Highers: AAAAB (including Biology and preferably Chemistry)
IB: 37 points
GCSEs: 7 or above in Biology, Chemistry, English and 6 or above in Mathematics.
Personal Statement: Not used in selection.
Admissions Test: UCAT
Degree: 2:1 honours
A Levels: AAA (including Biology and Chemistry)
Scottish Highers: AAAAB (including Biology and Chemistry)
IB: 36 points
GCSEs: 7 or above in 6 subjects
Personal Statement: Yes
Admission Test: UCAT
Degree: 2:1 honours or 2:2 with a Master’s degree for postgraduate entry
A Levels: A*AA (including Biology or Chemistry and either Physics or Maths)
Scottish Highers: AAAAA
IB: 35 points
GCSEs: 6 or above in English Language and Mathematics
Personal Statement: Yes
Admission Test: UCAT
Degree: 2:1 honours (science and related degrees)
A Levels: AAA (including Biology and Chemistry)
Scottish Highers: AABBB (A in Chemistry and Biology)
IB: 35 points
GCSEs: 6 or above in Chemistry, Biology, English and Mathematics.
Personal Statement: Reviewed but not scored.
Admission Test: UCAT
Degree: 2:1 honours
A Levels: AAA (including Biology and Chemistry)
Scottish Highers: AAAAA (including Biology and Chemistry
IB: 36 points
GCSEs: 7 or above in 5 subjects, 6 or above in English Language, Maths and Science
Personal Statement: Yes
Admission Test: UCAT
Degree: 2:1 honours
A Levels: AAA (including Biology and Chemistry)
Scottish Highers: AAAAA (including Biology and Chemistry
IB: 37 points
GCSEs: 7 or above in 7 subjects, 6 or above in English, Maths and two sciences.
Personal Statement: Online Form
Admission Test: UCAT
Degree: 2:1 honours (science and related degrees)
A Levels: AAA (including Biology and Chemistry)
Scottish Highers: AAAAA (including Biology and Chemistry
IB: 37 points
GCSEs: –
Personal Statement: Yes
Admission Test: UCAT
Degree: Not accepted, GAMSAT required
A Levels: AAA (including Biology and Chemistry)
Scottish Highers: AAAAA (including Biology and Chemistry)
IB: 36-38 points
GCSEs: 7 GCSEs, grades 9-4
Personal Statement: Not scored.
Admission Test: UCAT
Degree: 2:1 honours (supporting science qualifications)
A Levels: A*AA (including Biology and Chemistry)
Scottish Highers: –
IB: 38 points
GCSEs: 777666 for GCSEs
Personal Statement: Yes
Admission Test: UCAT
Degree: 2:1 honours (
A Levels: AAA (including Biology and Chemistry)
Scottish Highers: –
IB: 36 points
GCSEs: Grading scale with a points-based system for the best 9 subjects
Personal Statement: Not scored.
Admission Test: UCAT
Degree: 2:1 honours (Science and related degrees)
A Levels: AAA (including Biology and Chemistry)
Scottish Highers: AAAAB (including Biology and Chemistry)
IB: 36 points
GCSEs: 7 or above in six GCSEs (including Maths, English Language and Science)
Personal Statement: Yes
Admission Test: UCAT
Some dental schools require students to have a personal statement submitted to their UCAS application. The purpose of the personal statement is to allow the university to see your passion and commitment to dentistry.
In your personal statement, you can outline your work experience, any letters of recommendation, your motivation to study dentistry as well as any other experience you have taken on to aid your application. Not every university will score the personal statement as part of their admission criteria, however, many do take it into consideration.
Furthermore, all dental schools require students to attend an interview which will be scored as part of the admissions criteria. Interviews can be in the style of MMI (multiple mini-interviews) or panel interviews. Interviews will allow students the opportunity to showcase their skills, passion and motivation to study dentistry.
Students may also have the opportunity to study dentistry as a postgraduate degree. This is when candidates would have completed a BSc (particularly, in the sciences) and want to carry out further education to complete the BDS programme. Below is a list of the universities that offer graduate entry dentistry:
Degree: 2:1 honours (in health sciences or equivalent)
Personal Statement: Yes
Admissions Test: UCAT
Degree: 2:1 (Biomedical Degrees)
A Levels: 3 A Levels at a C or above (two science subjects)
Personal Statement: Yes
Admissions Test: UCAT
Degree: 2:1 (Biosciences subject)
Personal Statement: Yes
Admissions Test: UCAT
Degree: MBBS
Personal Statement: Yes
Admissions Test: None
Degree: 2:1 (Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy only)
Personal Statement: No
Admissions Test: None
Degree: 2:1 (Biology or Chemistry based)
Personal Statement: Yes
Admissions Test: UCAT
After completing a dentistry degree, graduates have a wide range of opportunities to explore. You can choose from practising as a general dentist providing dental services, such as diagnostics and treatment of oral diseases. Some students can then go onto specialise and pursue a career in a complex field, such as orthodontics, oral surgery, and paediatric dentistry.
Dental graduates will have several accreditation requirements following their dentistry programme. All dentists will firstly have to register with the General Dental Council (GDC). Furthermore, dentists will have to complete a dental foundation training programme, working in an approved dental practice under supervision.
Finally, dentists will also have to participate in professional development and be required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of continuing professional development every few years.
Different countries will also have different requirements. For any dentists that would be interested in moving abroad, they will have to pass the regional licensing examination for that country.
Carrying on education, licensing and specialisations is important to maintain the standard that this career requires. Lifelong learning is essential as the dental field is constantly evolving, meaning that dentists have to stay on top of the advancements, training, and certifications. This can also help graduates specialise in a variety of specialities, such as orthodontics, periodontics, maxillofacial surgery, prosthodontics, pathology, and public health.
After the dental foundation training programme, dentists can complete a speciality training programme which typically lasts from three to five years (depending on the speciality).
Dentists will also be required to complete the Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery which will involve sitting exams set by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons. Once the training programme is complete, students will receive a Certificate of Completion of Speciality Training, which allows them to practice in their chosen speciality.
Q: What is being a dentist like?
A: Dentistry can be challenging, not only as a profession but during the BDS programme as well. It is important to understand the realities of pursuing a career in dentistry. Dentistry involves the complex knowledge of human anatomy alongside various different pathologies and patient interaction. Dentistry also involves a high level of manual dexterity. It can also be a stressful degree with many deadlines and difficult situations! Carrying out work experience may help you see the realities of being a dentist!
Q: What skills would a dentist need?
A: Dentistry encompasses multiple skills that you will learn along the way such as:
– Academic knowledge
– Communication
– Patient Interaction
– Honesty and Integrity
– Manual Dexterity
– Commitment
– Time Management
Q: What type of work experience would I need?
A: Work experience is usually through shadowing in a dental setting which allows students to understand the daily job of a dentist. This can be through a dental practice or in a hospital. The experience will show universities that the student is dedicated and committed to pursuing dentistry.
Q: Can international students apply to UK dental schools?
A: Yes! International students are welcome to apply but may have additional requirements such as IELTS or TOEFL. More information can be found on individual university pages.
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