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While much of the UCAT guidance focuses on medical school applications, the UCAT is equally important for dentistry applicants. Many dental schools are part of the UCAT Consortium and use UCAT scores in their admissions process. This lesson covers everything you need to know about using your UCAT score for dentistry applications.
The following UK dental schools (among others) use the UCAT as part of their selection process:
| Dental School | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Aberdeen | BDS programme; UCAT weighted in scoring matrix |
| Birmingham | BDS programme; threshold-based UCAT usage |
| Bristol | BDS programme; relatively high UCAT threshold |
| Cardiff | BDS programme; UCAT contributes to overall score |
| Dundee | BDS programme; UCAT weighted in selection |
| Glasgow | BDS programme; UCAT within scoring matrix |
| King's College London | BDS programme; competitive London dental school |
| Leeds | BDS programme; UCAT weighted in selection |
| Liverpool | BDS programme; UCAT contributes to ranking |
| Manchester | BDS programme; threshold-based approach |
| Newcastle | BDS programme; UCAT threshold used |
| Plymouth (Peninsula) | BDS programme; holistic review including UCAT |
| Queen Mary (London) | BDS programme; UCAT threshold used |
| Queen's Belfast | BDS programme; UCAT within scoring matrix |
| Sheffield | BDS programme; UCAT contributes to selection |
Note: Not all UK dental schools use the UCAT. Some do not require any admissions test, and a few may use alternative assessments. Always check each dental school's specific requirements.
Dental schools use UCAT in broadly the same ways as medical schools — through thresholds, scoring matrices, or holistic review. However, there are some important differences:
Dental school UCAT thresholds are generally lower than medical school thresholds at the same university. This is because:
| University | Medicine Threshold (Approx.) | Dentistry Threshold (Approx.) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | ~1980–2010 | ~1875–1910 | ~105 lower |
| Bristol | ~2000–2030 | ~1910–1950 | ~90 lower |
| Manchester | ~2025–2055 | ~1890–1935 | ~120 lower |
| Newcastle | ~1980–2010 | ~1845–1890 | ~120 lower |
| King's College London | ~1965–1995 | ~1875–1920 | ~75 lower |
Warning: These figures are approximations based on historical data. Actual thresholds vary each year and should be verified on each university's website.
Yes. Within your four UCAS choices (for medicine/dentistry combined), you can apply to a mixture of medical and dental schools. For example:
However, you should be aware that admissions tutors at medical schools can see that you have also applied to dental schools (and vice versa). Some admissions teams may view a mixed application as indicating less commitment to one profession.
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Strongly prefer medicine but want a backup | Apply to 3 medical schools + 1 dental school (but be prepared to explain your interest in dentistry at interview) |
| Genuinely interested in both | Apply to 2 medical schools + 2 dental schools, and have genuine reasons for interest in both |
| Prefer dentistry | Apply to 3 or 4 dental schools; your UCAT score may be more competitive |
| Low UCAT score, love medicine | Consider whether dental school (with typically lower thresholds) might be a pragmatic choice |
If you apply to both medical and dental schools, your UCAS personal statement must work for both. This is challenging because:
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