Graduate Entry Dentistry
As a graduate, entry to dentistry is slightly different. Given you have had more time to consider the career, and potentially more opportunities to distinguish yourself as the right person for the course and the role, universities will expect more of you than for an undergraduate.
Learn more about what current and former graduate entry students have to say about their experience
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Graduate Fast track (3yrs) | Graduate Fast track (4yrs) | Graduate Accepted (5yrs) | Graduate Entry Criteria Table | Standard Entry Criteria Table | Graduate Personal Statements | Tips For Graduates | Re-applying Graduates
Graduate entry pathways
If your are considering entering Dentistry as a graduate, there will be several considerations you need to make when determining the route to take.
In the UK, there are 4 year, 5 year and even a 3 year course for those graduates wishing to embark on a career in Dentistry. Pathways can be further categorised based upon those Universities which formally accept graduates into their undergraduate BDS pathway via a ‘formal’ graduate only entry pathway and those which ‘informally’ accept graduates onto their singular BDS teaching programme along with undergraduates (typically those applying directly from college).
The key difference between those University courses who formally accept graduates is that these courses are exclusively open for graduate entrants only, as such have set guaranteed vacancies for graduates. Schools that may accept graduates via an informal route, will be accepting both undergraduate applications and graduates for the same course cohort. As such, graduates will be competing for entry alongside other undergraduates. Certain schools may also open intake for graduates and undergraduates via two separate course codes for the same academic year, meaning graduates and undergraduates will not directly compete but would end up in the same year group.
Although this may sound a little confusing, we will explain this in more detail below.
What entry pathways are available?
Graduate entry pathways can be divided into:
Formally accepting graduates (Fast-track 3years)
Formally accepting graduates (Fast-track 4years)
Accepting graduates ( 5 years)
Table showing pathways into dentistry as a graduate entrant for 2021 applicants
Fast track (3 year)
Kings College London (A204) is currently the only UK institute to offer a 3 year fast track Dentistry degree programme. This is exclusive for Medical Graduates Only.
Entry criteria:
Applicants must be qualified doctors (registered with the UK General Medical Council) and completed Foundation Years 1 and 2, and wish to pursue a career in either oral and maxillofacial surgery or oral medicine/pathology.
UCAT is not needed for entry.
Universities who offer formal Fast track (4 year)
Aberdeen (A201)
Entry criteria:
Applicants must hold a good honours degree (1st or 2:1) in a medical science or health related degree from a UK university. If you are in doubt about the acceptability of your degree please contact the Dental Admissions Office (dentistry@abdn.ac.uk) for advice.
Please include details on the courses and content of your degree. For BSc Oral Health Sciences students we would look for evidence of academic excellence in their programme of study. Applicants would need to be able to demonstrate that they have achieved marks that would be at least equivalent level to an upper second/first class performance on their degree programme. This could include details of individual modules and the level of attainment achieved.Please note: that due to the large number of graduate applicants with 2:1 Honours degrees or better, an additional qualification such as an MSc will not improve the chances of acceptance for those with 2:2 Honours degrees.
UCLAN (A202)
Entry Criteria:
2:1 Degree in a Biomedical discipline, plus 3 A-Levels at grade C or above (at least 2 must be from Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics) General Studies is not counted towards A Level entry
KCL (A202)
This is one of Kings College London’s Dentistry formal pathways for Graduates, the other being the three year programme for medics only.
Entry criteria:
A minimum 2:1 (upper second class honours) undergraduate degree (or international equivalent) in a Biosciences subject or 2:2 (lower second class honours) undergraduate degree with a postgraduate degree (with at least a Merit) in a Biosciences subject.
Graduate applicants do not normally have to satisfy the usual A-level or other entry requirements (e.g. you are not expected to have A*AA at A-level at the first attempt). The minimum entry requirement is grade B at A-level in Chemistry and Biology plus an upper second class honours degree. Alternatively, a lower second class honours degree is acceptable combined with a master's degree (with at least a merit). Graduates who have a sufficient quantity of Biology or Chemistry as part of their degree may not need the A-Level in this subject.
KCL also allow graduate entrants to apply for the 5 year undergraduate programme too.Listing both A202 and A205 would maximised the chance of studying at King’s
Universities who accept graduates (5 year)
Plymouth (A206)
Entry criteria:
If applying as a graduate you will be classed as a non-direct school leaver as such previous academic profile, performance at school, college or on the first degree will not be considered – candidates are shortlisted for interview by GAMSAT score only.
The GAMSAT (Graduate Medical Admissions Test) is the only academic entry requirement for non-direct school leavers. GAMSAT thresholds will be calculated annually once all applications are received and the scores are collated, however for information, the thresholds used during the 2018 application cycle, for 2019 entry are included below:
Dentistry GAMSAT Cut off:
Section 1 - 50
Section 2 - 54
Section 3 - 52
Overall - 56
Graduates from the University of Plymouth BSc (Hons) Dental Therapy and Hygiene (DTH), who achieve a distinction, are invited to apply to join Year 2 of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree. This entry route is valid for two years post BSc completion and all applications must be submitted through UCAS between 1 September and 15 October. All eligible applicants will be subject to the standard selection interview for the BDS course and all offers will be conditional. For DTH graduates who do not achieve a distinction the current process, which requires you to sit the GAMSAT exam to apply to join Year 1 of the BDS course, will remain.
Find our more about the GAMSAT here
Barts and the London (A200)
Entry criteria:
Graduates are eligible to apply for Dentistry (A200). The minimum academic entry requirements are an upper second class honours (2:1) degree. Degrees are divided into three categories:Bioscience degrees which DO contain sufficient biology and chemistry - no further A or AS level requirements.
Science degrees which lack biology or chemistry then candidates must have a minimum A or AS level grade C for biology and/or chemistry (depending on what is missing in your degree).
Non-science degrees. Candidates must have a minimum B grade A or AS level in chemistry or biology, plus one other science also at grade B. Accepted science subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, and Psychology. You may apply with achieved or predicted grades. It is acceptable for a graduate applicant to take their required AS/A levels in order to achieve a grade B during or after their degree.
Liverpool (A200)
Entry criteria:
2:1 classification in any subject (at the discretion of the Admissions Tutor). Only the first full degree that the applicant is awarded is considered. Foundation degrees are not accepted.
Those with a degree that is not classified (MBChB etc.) should have achieved an overall grade of 70% or above A minimum of 3 A levels at grade ABB or above including Chemistry and Biology. The 3rd subject may be from the Arts or Sciences. General Studies, Critical Thinking and Vocational/Applied A levels are not accepted. A minimum of 7 GCSEs at grade B/grade 6 or above including Maths, English Language and a Science subject. Vocational/Applied GCSEs are not accepted. The GCSE requirements should be in place at the time of application. We are unable to consider pending grades at GCSE level.
KCL (A205)
This is Kings College London’s 5 year undergraduate degree programme which accepts undergraduate applications and entries from graduate students.
Entry criteria:
The same criteria for A202 applies to A205. Information on this is detailed easier in the chapter.
Graduate applicants who do not wish to be considered for A202 may apply directly to A205 and their application will be considered in the normal way. Graduate applicants can list both A202 and A205 on their UCAS form if they wish to maximise their chances of studying at King's.
Dundee (A200)
Entry criteria:
A minimum of an upper second class (2:1) Honours degree preferably in a relevant life science subject. This should be the first degree obtained.
Bristol (A206)
Entry criteria:
Graduates are required to obtain a 2:1 in their degree and BBB at A-level including Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics.
Birmingham (A200)
Entry criteria:
Graduates must have achieved 2:1 in a health sciences related degree (or 65% average if unclassified degree), and a minimum of ABB at A Level to include Chemistry and Biology plus one other.
Cardiff (A200)
Entry Criteria:
Minimum of Upper Second class Honours classification in the first degree that they have taken.
Cardiff (A204)
This 6 years course with preliminary year is for those who have attained AAA with either no science subject or a maximum of one science subject (from Biology, Chemistry or physics). For applicants taking Science A levels a pass in the practical elements is normally required, General studies and critical thinking is not acceptable.
Graduate applicants can apply for admission to either the 5-year (A200) or the 6-year (A204) Bachelor of Dental Surgery programmes, according to their previous academic experience in the sciences.
Applicants must have completed their degree or must be in the final year of their current degree programme in order for their application to be considered.
Glasgow (A200)
Entry Criteria:
The Dental School considers applications from graduates who have a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent (eg GPA of 3.0 or above) in a relevant subject, and must demonstrate the equivalence of Chemistry and Biology (Grade A, A Level/Higher) and Maths or Physics (Grade B, GCSE/Higher) obtained within the last 6 years. Please be aware that a graduate who has attained a 2.2 Honours degree will not be considered for entry, regardless if they have undertaken an additional qualification such as an MSc.
Graduate applicants who have obtained an MBChB and at least part one of the MCRS may be considered for entry to year 2 of our 5 year BDS programme. However, entry to year 2 is not guaranteed and is dependent on a space being available in year 2. If no places in year 2 were available the candidate may be offered entry to year 1 and would be expected to complete the full 5 year degree.
Due to the nature of BDS, we do not offer an accelerated entry to graduates from any other subject area.
Newcastle (A206)
Entry Criteria:
Graduates are accepted onto the full 5-year course. A degree with a 2:1 or higher is required, and must include Biology and Chemistry as a significant percentage of the degree.
Queens Belfast (A200)
Entry Criteria:
Applications from graduates or those in the final year of their degree are considered and the full academic background is taken into account. The minimum A-level threshold (or equivalent in other qualifications) is either BBB at first attempt, ie: prior to commencing degree studies for those with an Upper Second Class Honours degree, or BBC at the first attempt for those with a First Class Honours Degree or a PhD and an Upper Second Class Honours degree. Applicants must have an appropriate science background at GCSE and A-level or equivalent (see below) and at least a 2.1 Honours classification in their primary (first) degree, which can be from a wide range of different subjects. A-level Chemistry and Biology/Human Biology are required. In addition, GCSE Mathematics minimum grade C/4 is required if not offered at AS-level or A-level. Graduate applicants who fulfil these criteria are then scored with their UCAT.
Graduate applicants from a non-science background but who fulfil the conditions in terms of grades achieved at the first attempt (ie in their original choice of A-level subjects) and degree performance will be considered if they undertake the appropriate Science qualifications on completion of their degree.
Manchester (A206)
Entry Criteria:
We welcome applications from graduates or those in their final year of study towards an undergraduate degree. You should have achieved or be predicted a minimum of an upper second (2:1) honours degree and should have achieved a minimum of BBB at A-level (32 in IB) in your first sitting.
Applicants with a relevant science degree are exempted from our subject specification at A-Level, but you must still meet the BBB academic standard. Relevant subjects include most Biomedical and Life Sciences disciplines or other approved courses. Please see our FAQ pages.
Applicants offering other degrees will need to hold at least two science subjects at A-level including Biology and Chemistry.
Please note that we do not accept ordinary or ungraded degrees. If you have a non-relevant degree and don't have the requisite science A-levels you are eligible to apply for our foundation year. Alternatively, you may sit the missing A-level subject(s) and apply for the 5-year course.
Leeds (A200)
Entry criteria
Applications from graduates. To apply you’ll need a 2:1 or higher in a relevant science or healthcare subject plus GCSE maths at grade 4 or C.
We are happy to accept applications from those who have taken, or intend to take, A Level re-sits. We will only accept one resit per subject (i.e. a total of two attempts). Applicants with more than one resit in the same subject will not be considered without an exceptionally strong case of mitigating circumstances.
Sheffield (A200)
Entry criteria:
Minimum of 6 grade A's or Grade 7's at GCSE to include Maths, English Language and Science plus a 2.1 in a core science degree plus the UCAT test.
Sheffield do consider resit applicants and those applicants who reapply
Can’t find what you're looking for on the Official University website?
If the qualifications you have attained are not detailed on the University or Dental School website, it is advised to email the School with a detailed list of the qualifications you have taken, including where required, transcripts of study showing module results and year of study,
For ease, we have summarised the findings of all the criteria available online into these tables.
Standard Entry Table ( for undergraduates & graduates)
This table highlights criteria relating to the overall entry for dentistry applicants such as minimum academic requirements, whether UCAT or BMAT is required and other essential information. We advise that graduates also look through this to identify what other requirements there maybe, in addition to the degree you are taking.
Graduate Entry Table
Specific for graduates wishing to study dentistry. This table summaries to above information, highlighting the key entry criteria needed for graduates.
The Advantage Of Being A Graduate
Although you do have fewer choices, don’t let this set you back. The additional years you have taken to invest in yourself and your education will have provided a chance to develop new skills. For example, during your time at university you may have worked with many different teams, undertaken different projects and undergone challenges. Within these roles you would have acquired opportunities to develop the skills required to be a dentist such as team-working skills, communication skills and leadership skills etc.
Graduate Entry Personal Statements
As a graduate, your personal statement should cover the same points that are relevant to an undergraduate personal statement. There should also be an additional discussion of how you have used the time from completing A-levels to gain the skills necessary to develop into a young dentist and how your desire to pursue this career has been strengthened.
Evidencing career insight is a good example of this because as a graduate having had the additional 3 years, your work experience should cover multiple disciplines and not just a 2-week spell at a general dental practice. Gaining work experience in dentistry is not easy, especially if you don’t have any pre-existing contacts within dentistry. Don’t be disheartened if you initially are not successful. Use our handy template to help you gain a work experience placement. Or, if you have had work experienced cancelled use our online free course.
In addition, there will be some applicants who have applied for dentistry before and have not been offered a place. In this case you would want to demonstrate the ways in which you have strengthened your subsequent application. For example, you may have new volunteering experience, paid employment, further responsibilities within your employment, further career insight and experience, further development of manual dexterity etc.
Advice For Current Undergraduates
If you already plan to study dentistry, and are currently in your undergraduate studies, use this time to make choices that will help when it comes to your dental application.
For instance, if you can excel academically in your examinations from an earlier stage this will give you more chances of meeting the desired entry requirements for dental school. If you are able to select modules, you can try to select the modules that will help you during dentistry, for example pharmacology modules. These would help you as a dentist when trying to understand your patient’s medical history or for example local anaesthetics, sedation, etc.
Opportunities for research may arise during your undergraduate studies too, for example summer research projects. These types of projects can be incredibly useful in multiple ways. Firstly, in terms of career decisions - it can reinforce that you prefer to work more closely with people rather than independently within a laboratory. Secondly, it will help to develop your skills at working and learning independently. Critical thinking ability and understanding how to appraise scientific evidence are useful skills that will help during your career within dentistry, especially if your interest develop for specialty training or research.
Evidencing manual dexterity
If you have a particular hobby or skill then this should be demonstrated in your application. This maybe something that involves hand eye coordination, a unique talent or a skill you have. Some applicants, however, may feel as though they do not have a particular skill to demonstrate manual dexterity(although they do enjoy working with their hands). In this case you should choose something that could potentially learn and can do well enough to be able to discuss confidently as this may come up at your interview.
If you are limited by time then you could look for short courses that develop a particular skill such as model making whereby at the end of the course you will have created something that you could take along to your interview and discuss. It is important, however, that you do genuinely have a passion for working with your hands and not use this as a ‘tick box’ exercise. Manual dexterity is ultimately something you will develop at dental school, therefore it is not expected ( and you should not claim) to have the skills of a dentist.
Other relevant attributes to discuss are leadership skills, teamwork skills, communication skills, handling of difficult situations, and problem solving. Volunteering or part time employment often provide examples of these attributes.
Hobbies demonstrate that you have a way of releasing stress, which is a crucial part of work-life balance in dentistry. Learning to manage stress is vital for your own mental wellbeing because dentistry as a degree, and as a job, can be extremely stressful. Try to implement whatever you find helps with stress into your routine and keep this going.
Re-applying To Dental School As A Graduate
The first step is to work out where you went wrong. Ideally you would have done this at the time of your first application by seeking feedback from the universities you applied to. It is essential to use the time you have during your first degree to build on any skills you may have lacked during your initial application.
A concern you may have is that you missed your predicted A-level grades in school and are now worried about being unable to attain the required degree classification to re-apply. It is important to note that the approach to university examinations is often very different to A-levels, and the grades you achieve at A-level don’t determine your final university degree classification!
In terms of applying to dental school, it is key to make sure that you continue to gain work experience and career insight. If possible, perhaps in the university holidays since many dental schools like to see that you have recent work experience before applying.
Undertaking work experience outside of dentistry is also a great idea, it will allow you to consider the characteristics, traits and values exhibited by healthcare workers and may also allow you to build on other skills. If anything, work experience will allow you to reaffirm your decision to pursue dentistry.
No matter what degree course, universities provide a great environment to do a range of extracurricular activities, it is equally important for your application to maintain these or take up new activities. Your degree is just one aspect of your application, being a strong communicator, having interpersonal skills and showing altruism are key to a good dentistry application.
Keep practising for the UCAT, especially if that was a weaker point in your initial application. Each dental school differs on how they use this in their application process, but getting to know the format of the exam and what techniques work for you can go a long way to improving your score. If you need additional guidance with the UCAT find out how we can help here.
Use our advice on graduate personal statement writing and view successful previous examples
Find out more about the dentistry interview and how you can best prepare here.
