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Application Guide 2024:
Dentistry
How To Get Into Dentistry With Low Grades UK In 2024
Dental Admissions Expert
Introduction
Click here: UCAT Cut Offs - Dental Universities (2024 Entry Updated)
The decision to study Dentistry is an amazing choice however, it can be difficult with low grades or qualifications. Due to the highly competitive nature of applying to dental school, low grades may result in not gaining an offer.
This may be due to low GCSE / A Level grades or even low scores in the UCAT exam. Below we tell you how to think and apply strategies to help get you into dental school with low grades.
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Dentistry Entry Requirements
Every dental university has different entry requirements. Some universities focus on one aspect more than others such as some focusing on A-Levels more and others focusing on your UCAT score. It is definitely worth looking at all university entry requirements and seeing which one matches your grades. For example, if you have a very low UCAT score it may be worth applying to universities that do not look at the UCAT (such as Leeds Dental School).
Every university has a different entry requirement for A Levels with most requiring A-Levels in Biology, Chemistry and one other A-Level. These range from A*AA to AAA with the occasional few accepting AAB. This means if you are predicted AAA but apply to a university offering A*AA this will weaken your application and can reduce your chance of getting into a dental university. Contact our UCAT Tutors to help prevent this from happening.
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How to strengthen your dentistry application if you have a low score
Dental Schools look at several aspects of your application before giving an interview and offer. This includes your A Levels, GCSE grades, Personal Statement, Work Experience, Extra-Curricular activities, Volunteering and Admission tests (UCAT).
If one part of your application is weak such as your grades then you must heighten other parts of your application to strengthen your whole application.
Personal Statement: If you have low grades for Dentistry you must make sure your personal statement is beyond amazing. This is a chance for you to really sell yourself to the university whilst showing why you are passionate and driven to pursue a career in dentistry. Find out more about how to write a perfect dental personal statement.
Work Experience: Having a lot of work experience in a variety of dental fields will show your commitment and determination to dentistry. Find out about what dental work experience will make you stand out.
Extra-curricular and Volunteering Activities: Being an all-rounded individual is something that dental universities want to see. Doing sports, playing musical instruments and volunteering within the community will show this clearly and can help balance out the low grades. It is also imperative that you manage to expand your dentistry wider reading to boost your application.
UCAT - This admission tests is very important when it comes to applying to Dentistry. Having a strong UCAT score can help make up for weaker grades as several universities balance both the admission tests and grades before providing offers. If you require further assistance with these all-important admission tests then please contact our expert UCAT Tutors on the contact page.
You may also be called for a dentistry interview. To help, take a look at 230 Dentistry Interview Questions.
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Contextual Offers For Dentistry in 2024
You can get a place at a dental school with slightly lower grades if you are eligible for a contextual offer. To be eligible you must look at the individual dental websites to see if you come under the criteria. This can involve:
Attending an aspiring state school that may have performed below the national average over multiple years
Live in an area with low progression to higher education
Completed the university’s outreach program
Spent time in care
Refugee status
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Gateway to dentistry / Foundation Year / Pre-dental year
Gateway to dentistry/foundation year / pre-dental year is designed for students who have high ability and potential but who may also have had barriers during their education. This could either be due to their socioeconomic and/or educational circumstances hence students who do not meet the academic entry criteria to apply directly to the five-year Dentistry undergraduate course.
The gateway to dentistry is open to UK students who have lower grades. The gateway to dentistry program is an extra year of study but after completing this year you are guaranteed a place on the dentistry course. This is an excellent option if you have low grades and fit their criteria.
For more information about the gateway to dentistry and what each university looks for check out other pages on our website.
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Graduate Entry Dentistry Programme 2024
Applying for another degree that has a medical background can be another route to dentistry if you have lower grades. Other degrees such as the popular biomedical sciences or biochemistry have lower entry requirements.
After completion of the 3-year degree you then have the option to reapply for dentistry as either an undergraduate or as a graduate.
The graduate entry tends to have lower A level requirements seeing as you now have another degree. Check the information below to see which university offers a lower A Level requirement if applying as a graduate.
👉🏼 Read more: Top 5 Books To Boost Your Dentistry Personal Statement
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Dental Schools with low grade requirements in 2024
The easiest dental school to get into in the UK is difficult to list as each university looks for different aspects of your application. Below is a list of universities that offer lower grade requirements for dentistry.
University of Plymouth Peninsula Dental School BDS 5 year course
A Level: A*AA – AAB
Contextual offer: AAB
GCSEs: 7 GCSE passes at grades A-C
University of Leeds Dental Institute Dental Surgery MChD/BChD 5 year course:
A Level: AAA - alternative conditions for ABB
GCSEs: Minimum of 6 GCSEs at grade B /6 or higher
UCAT: Required
Newcastle University Dental School BDS 5 year course:
Contextual offer for A Levels: BBB
Queens’ Belfast Dental School
Graduates: minimum A Level requirement is BBB at first attempt, ie: prior to commencing degree studies for those with a 2:1 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
University of Manchester School of Dentistry BDS 5 year course
Graduates: Predicted or achieved a 2:1 degree with a minimum of BBB at A-level (32 in IB) in their first sitting.
Contextual offer for A Levels: AAB
University of Liverpool School of Dentistry BDS 5 year course
Graduates: Predicted or achieved a 2:1 degree with a minimum of ABB at A-level (32 in IB) in their first sitting.
Contextual offer for A Levels: ABB
King’s College London Faculty of Dentistry BDS 5 year course
Graduates: Minimum 2:1 in any subject, with a grade B in Biology or Chemistry and a B in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology at A-Level (or equivalent
University of Bristol Dental School BDS 5 year course:
Graduates: A 2:1 in the degree and BBB at A-level including Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics.
Cardiff University School of Dentistry BDS 5 year course:
Graduates: A 2.1 Honours degree and have ABB at A level including Biology and Chemistry. Level 2 requirements (GCSE or equivalent) must also be met.
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Dentistry Clearing in 2024
If you have not been successful when applying for Dentistry due to your low grades you may be able to gain a place through clearing. This can especially be the case if you did better than your predicted grades. We recommend that on results day once you know which grades you have achieved, ring every dental university and see if they have an available place for you.
Due to dentistry being one of the most competitive courses, it is really important that you are organised and act fast as spaces get filled up quickly! Have a list of the contact details from every university, your UCAS Personal ID, your Clearing Number, personal statement, and GCSE grades written down or to hand. For further information, read our Dentistry Clearing page to know how you can be organised and gain a place at dental school through clearing.
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Retake The year
If you have taken all the steps mentioned above but are still unable to gain a place at university you may need to retake your A-Level exams to gain better grades and heighten your chance of gaining a place at university. By retaking your exams you will be in a better position next year when applying to Dentistry so it is definitely worth considering.
If you do decide to retake your exams, check each dental school to see if they accept retake A-Level grades as some do not.
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Study Dentistry Abroad
Doing dentistry abroad is another great option. There are several European countries that offer this, including Spain, Budapest, Georgia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Armenia, and Romania. More and more people are choosing to study abroad and some of the reasons may include:
Lower accepted grades
Lower living costs
Lower competition
Lower tuition fees
Most of the above courses are taught in English and degrees from these countries are recognised internationally. Most of these countries also offer graduate-entry dentistry courses.
Living in a new country and having the chance to study abroad is amazing and sometimes can even be a once in a lifetime opportunity! You can embrace yourself in a different culture, meet new people from different parts of the world and travel to neighbouring countries more easily (especially with the lower tuition fees).
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Courses Other Than Dentistry
If the above does not suit you, there are several other dental courses/healthcare courses you can consider.
This includes and is not limited to:
Dental nursing
Dental materials
Dental technician
Dental hygiene and therapy
Medicine
Nursing
Optometry
Pharmacy
We hope this helps! If you have any further questions about your grades and need help applying to Dentistry, please contact our helpful team at TheUKCATPeople.
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