Everything that you need to know to maximise your chances of securing a place at dental school through clearing in 2026 and 2027.
Embarking on a journey into the field of dentistry can be both exciting and challenging, especially when navigating the intricacies of the clearing process. Our comprehensive Dentistry Clearing Guide for 2026 is tailored to assist you through every step, ensuring a smooth transition into your dream dental program.
Whether you're exploring options for dentistry through clearing, seeking information on dental hygiene clearing, or curious about the possibilities of getting into dentistry via UCAS clearing, we've got you covered.
Aspiring dental students often ponder questions like 'Can you get into dentistry through clearing?' or 'Is there clearing for dentistry?' We provide clear, concise answers to these queries and more. Our guide delves into the specifics of dentistry clearing in the UK, highlighting key dates, requirements, and strategies to maximise your chances of success. We also explore the nuances of dental hygiene and dental therapy clearing for those considering alternative pathways in dental health care.
For students aiming for specific universities, we offer insights into institutions like Sheffield and Manchester, known for their outstanding dentistry programs. Our guide also touches upon the concept of early entry and foundation year options in dentistry, catering to a wide range of academic backgrounds and aspirations.
Understanding the competitive nature of dentistry admissions, our guide is designed to equip you with knowledge about the clearing process. Whether you are a student aiming for dentistry clearing or seeking last-minute options in clearing for dentistry, our resource is an invaluable tool.
We also address common concerns, such as whether dentistry goes into clearing and the dynamics of first-come, first-serve policies.
Stay ahead in your journey towards a career in dentistry with our extensive Dentistry Clearing Guide, tailored to answer all your questions and guide you towards a successful application.
Dentistry through clearing in the UK
The clearing system in the UK is a way for students who have not received any offers to gain a place at university to study a course including Dentistry. The clearing system shows students which university or college has spare places available including dentistry clearing places.
These have become available either by other students not meeting the university’s desired grades or from students rejecting the university. The clearing system shows all universities that have spaces available per subject. This can include other healthcare professional degrees or even other dental degrees such as dental materials.
The honest reality for dentistry is that very few BDS places ever reach clearing. Dental schools are heavily oversubscribed and usually fill their cohorts through firm and insurance offers, so a clearing vacancy is the exception, not the norm. If dentistry is your goal, treat clearing as a long shot and read our guide to getting into dentistry with low grades alongside this page.
Who can use the dentistry clearing process?
The following groups of individuals can apply to university through the clearing process:
- You didn’t receive any offers (or none you wanted to accept)
- You didn’t meet the conditions of your offers
- You’re applying after 30 June
- You have paid the UCAS multiple-choice application fee (£28.95 for 2026 entry, covering up to five choices)
- You’ve declined your firm place using the ‘decline my place’ button in your application
Why go through clearing to apply for dentistry?
Going through clearing will allow you to study Dentistry without taking a gap year or even allow you to start another degree that year which you may not have considered before.
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When can I apply for a dental course through clearing?
Clearing officially opens on 5 July 2026 and runs until mid-October, but the real activity happens from A-level results day, Thursday 13 August 2026. You can phone dental admissions teams from 8am that morning, but you cannot add a clearing choice in the UCAS Hub until 1pm. Exact dates can shift slightly year to year, so always confirm on the UCAS website.
What happens when you apply to dentistry through clearing?
There may still be several candidates applying for the same role. The university may invite you for a dental interview or assess your UCAS application prior to accepting.
What happens if you realise Dentistry is not for you?
Alternatively, if you realise that this dental course is not for you, you can explore other options through clearing. On the other hand, you can contact the dental university that has given you a place to see if they have any other options for you.
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How can I prepare for the dentistry clearing process?
Results Day and Clearing: What to Know and What to Do On The Day [UPDATED]
On results day, you will usually receive an email from UCAS or the university confirming whether you have secured a place. This typically comes in the morning. What happens next will depend on your situation.
A) If your place is confirmed
Congratulations! No further action is needed unless you are considering alternatives or deferring. It can still be useful to understand the clearing process in case anything changes.
B) If you have missed your offer:
- If you had an insurance choice, and you met the offer, this may now become your firm place.
- If you narrowly missed your grades, you can request a priority remark through your school if they agree this is appropriate in your circumstance
- Let the university know you have submitted a remark and wish to be considered if spaces open up. Some students are still accepted at this stage, but it is worth continuing with the steps below just in case.
C) If you do not have any offers/missed your offer with lower grades
Clearing becomes your route forward. Here are some practical steps to take:
1) BEFORE: Make a list of universities the day/week before results day:
Go through universities in advance and make a list of those you are interested in. Start with:
- Newer universities
- Universities that have entered clearing in previous years (remember there aren't many/if any traditionally for dentistry)
Key Tip: Check their websites carefully (before results day). Some will already state they are not entering clearing this year. If so, you can cross them off your list. Some will have forms that you can fill in to register for interest - it is definitely worth doing this! Have the relevant phone numbers and UCAS codes ready to go.
Universities can receive hundreds of calls on results day, so aim to get going first thing in the morning. Check the UCAS Hub and the official UCAS clearing search for any dentistry (BDS), dental therapy or dental hygiene courses that appear, but be realistic: BDS vacancies are rare and go almost immediately.
3) On the day, call universities directly & quickly
You can call:
- The clearing hotline
- The general admissions office
- The dentistry admissions team
Ask if they are accepting applicants through clearing and whether you meet their entry requirements.
4. Have your details ready
- You will usually be asked for:
- Your UCAS ID
- A level and GCSE results
- Your UCAT score
- Your Personal Statement (sometimes)
5. Other Tips
- Be ready for an interview
If you have not previously interviewed at a university, they may arrange one within the next week. These are usually quite short notice, so keep your availability flexible. - Keep checking the UCAS clearing search. New courses can appear throughout results day and, less commonly, over the following days. Refresh regularly. Note that UCAS Adjustment was scrapped in 2021: if you exceed your offer and want to move, you now use self-release (the Decline My Place button) to enter clearing.
If you do not secure a place through clearing
It is not the end of the road. There are still other options available. You may want to consider:
- Taking a gap year and reapplying (book your UCAT exam, you will need to retake it).
- Sitting your A-Levels exam (and applying to medical schools that accept resits)
- Exploring alternative entry routes
We have written a detailed article to help you understand your options and build a strong plan:
👉 No Offers for Medicine? What to Do Next (the principles also applies to dentistry)
If you would like tailored help with your next steps, our team offers free consultations and expert support. You are not alone in this there is always a way forward. We support many gap year students through their reapplications via our Ultimate Packages.
Tips for applying to dentistry in clearing
- First, research and create a list of degrees other than Dentistry you would like to study. Rank these degrees according to your preference.
- Some dental universities show vacancies on UCAS prior to results day. Check these several times before and after results day as this is updated right up until mid-September.
- If you have not received an offer from any dental university before results day ring up each university to discuss your status and what grades they are likely to accept.
- On results day, have your clearing number, UCAS Personal ID number, GCSE results, A-Level results, and your personal statement with you. Contact each dental university individually and discuss why you would be a suitable candidate at that dentistry university.
- Complete all necessary steps including adding your clearing choice in Track.
What is Clearing Plus?
- Alongside the normal Clearing, this is a tool to help find your perfect course!
- If you find yourself without any offers and in clearing this year, UCAS will match you to courses based on your application: the subjects, grades and universities you originally chose. You will see your matches on the UCAS Hub.
- You can see your matches by clicking on the button ‘ see matches’ on your application.
- It is rare to find that you are matched to a Dentistry BDS course as this is highly competitive and places go fast, so follow the steps mentioned above to heighten your chances.
Because BDS clearing places are so scarce, it is worth comparing dentistry with related routes. Some students secure a dental therapy or dental hygiene place in clearing more readily, then consider transferring or reapplying. To plan a stronger second attempt, see our gap year guide to reapplying for dentistry.
What happens if you cannot get a dental place through clearing?
Do not worry! If you are unable to gain a place during clearing, taking a gap year and reapplying to Dentistry or other degrees is a great option.
Enjoy your gap year, gain experience, better your UCAS application, and apply with a stronger application.
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Re-applying To Dentistry?
If you are planning to reapply to dentistry, we recommend reading our Ultimate Dental Gap Year Guide
Frequently asked questions
Does dentistry go into clearing?
Dentistry rarely goes into clearing. Most UK dental schools fill their BDS places through firm and insurance offers well before results day, so vacancies are uncommon and disappear quickly. A small number of universities occasionally release places, and dental therapy or hygiene courses appear more often than BDS. Treat clearing as a long shot rather than a reliable route into dentistry.
Can you get into dentistry through clearing?
Yes, but it is uncommon. It is possible to secure a dentistry (BDS) place through clearing in occasional years when a university releases spaces, but these are very limited and competitive. You will usually still need to meet entry requirements, hold a UCAT score and may face an interview at short notice. Always have a backup plan such as a gap year and reapplication.
Is there clearing for dentistry in 2026?
Clearing technically applies to dentistry in 2026, but available BDS places are scarce. Clearing opens on 5 July 2026 and the main activity starts on results day, Thursday 13 August 2026. Check the UCAS clearing search and call dental admissions teams from 8am, while keeping realistic expectations, as most dental schools do not enter clearing at all.
When is A-level results day and clearing in 2026?
A-level results day is Thursday 13 August 2026, with results usually available from 8am. Clearing officially opens on 5 July 2026 and runs until mid-October. You can phone universities from 8am on results day, but you cannot add a clearing choice in the UCAS Hub until 1pm. SQA (Scottish) results day is earlier, on 5 August 2026.
Which universities offer dentistry through clearing?
There is no fixed list, because dental schools rarely enter clearing and any vacancies change yearly. Newer or smaller dental programmes are slightly more likely to have spaces than highly ranked schools, and some publish in advance whether they are taking clearing applicants. Check each university's website before results day and the UCAS clearing search on the day itself.
What is the difference between clearing and UCAS Adjustment?
UCAS Adjustment was scrapped in 2021, so it no longer exists. It used to let students who exceeded their offer trade up without losing their place. Now, if you do better than expected and want to move, you use self-release (the Decline My Place button) to enter clearing. Clearing is the single route for finding a new place after results.
What do I need ready for dentistry clearing on results day?
Have your UCAS Personal ID and clearing number, your GCSE and A-level (or equivalent) results, your UCAT score and your personal statement to hand. Prepare a shortlist of universities and courses, including non-dentistry backups, and be ready for a short-notice interview. Start calling dental admissions teams from 8am, as places go quickly.
Is dental therapy or dental hygiene easier to get in clearing?
Dental therapy and dental hygiene places do appear in clearing more often than BDS dentistry, because there are more providers and they are sometimes less oversubscribed. They are still competitive. Some students use a dental therapy or hygiene course as a stepping stone, gaining experience before reapplying to a BDS programme. Check entry requirements carefully, as they differ from dentistry.
What UCAT score do I need for dentistry clearing?
There is no single clearing cut-off, but you will usually need a UCAT score that meets the university's standard entry threshold for dentistry. The UCAT is scored out of 2700 across four subtests (Abstract Reasoning was removed for 2025 entry). Strong scores help in clearing because spaces are limited and competitive, so admissions teams can still be selective.
Can you get into dentistry through clearing as an international student?
It is rare. International dentistry places are very limited and capped, so most are filled long before clearing. A small number of universities may consider international applicants for any clearing vacancies, but expect strict entry requirements and high fees. Contact international admissions teams directly and early, and prepare alternatives, as international dentistry clearing places are exceptionally hard to secure.
What should I do if I cannot get a dental place through clearing?
It is not the end of the road. Many strong dentists reapply after a gap year. Use the time to gain dental work experience, retake the UCAT, improve grades if needed and strengthen your personal statement. You could also consider a related course such as dental therapy or biomedical science, then reapply to dentistry with a more competitive application.
Can I use clearing if I have not applied through UCAS yet?
Yes. If you have not yet applied for the current cycle, you can submit a UCAS application specifically for clearing once it opens. You will pay the application fee (£28.95 for 2026 entry, covering up to five choices) and can then contact universities about available places. For competitive subjects like dentistry, applying fresh in clearing is challenging, so manage expectations.
How do I prepare for a dentistry clearing interview at short notice?
Dental schools that take clearing applicants may interview you within days. Review common MMI stations, NHS dentistry hot topics, the GDC standards and your motivation for dentistry. Keep your availability flexible and have a quiet space ready for an online interview. Practising a few core questions in advance means you can perform well even with little notice.
Is it better to go through clearing or take a gap year for dentistry?
For most applicants, a planned gap year and reapplication gives a stronger chance than relying on scarce dentistry clearing places. Clearing is worth trying on results day, but because BDS vacancies are so rare, a gap year lets you boost work experience, retake the UCAT and reapply with a sharper application. Weigh both options against your results and circumstances.
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