Dentistry · Dental School Profile
Dentistry at the University of Portsmouth Dental School (B758 BDS)
Online or on-campus interviewUCAT requiredUpdated 24 June 2026
Reviewed by Dr Sonal Gandhi, BDS (Hons), King's College London
Trusted UK dentistry admissions specialists since 2012 · 2700+ students taught
At a glance
- Location
- Portsmouth, England
- Founded
- 2026 (university founded 1992)
- Degree awarded
- BDS (UCAS code B758)
- Course length
- 5 years
- International fee
- £43,000 per year (international, 2026/27 entry)
- Annual intake
- ~25 places per year
- Interview format
- Online or on-campus
- UCAT required
- Yes
Overview of the University of Portsmouth Dental School
The University of Portsmouth is creating the South East of England's first dental school. Following the Department of Health and Social Care's June 2026 expansion of dental training, the Office for Students allocated Portsmouth 25 new dental places, with the first students due to begin the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) in September 2027.
The five-year programme (UCAS course code B758, institution code P80) is designed to train NHS-ready dentists for a region where many patients have struggled to access NHS dental care. Teaching is built around the University's Dental Academy, with early patient contact in dedicated primary care clinics, team-based learning alongside dental hygiene and dental therapy students, and placements in specialist hospital settings.
The University of Portsmouth has been granted dental authority status by the General Dental Council (GDC), the body that quality-assures dental education in the UK. You can compare it with the other UK dental schools in our directory.
What makes the Portsmouth Dental School unique?
A few things set Portsmouth apart as a new dental school:
- The first dental school in the South East of England.
- A purpose-built Dental Academy with early, hands-on patient contact in primary care clinics.
- Team-based education alongside dental hygiene and therapy students, reflecting how NHS dental teams work.
- A widening-access mission focused on 'dental desert' regions, training dentists who are more likely to stay and work locally.
Portsmouth Dentistry course structure
The BDS at Portsmouth is a five-year, full-time programme leading to a Bachelor of Dental Surgery.
Students gain early patient contact in primary dental care clinics within the University's Dental Academy, learning in multidisciplinary teams alongside dental hygiene and dental therapy students. Later stages of the course include placements in specialist and hospital-based settings.
All offer-holders must complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and meet occupational health requirements before starting the course.
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Portsmouth Dentistry entry requirements
A-Levels
Portsmouth's typical A level offer for the BDS is AAA (144 UCAS tariff points from three A levels). This must include grade A in Biology and grade A in one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology.
GCSEs
Portsmouth also sets specific GCSE subject requirements. Confirm the exact grades on the University's official course page before you apply.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
The International Baccalaureate offer is 30 points overall with 666 at Higher Level, including 6 points at Higher Level in Biology and one other science subject.
English language requirements
Applicants who need to demonstrate English language proficiency require IELTS 7.0 overall, with no individual component below 6.5.
Most useful
Admission tests at Portsmouth
Does Portsmouth Dentistry require the UCAT?
Yes. All applicants to the Portsmouth BDS must sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in the year they apply.
As a brand-new dental school, Portsmouth has not yet published a UCAT cut-off score or details of how the test is weighted against your grades and GCSEs. We will update this page as the University confirms its selection process.
Portsmouth Dentistry interviews
Shortlisted applicants are invited to interview, held either as an individual online interview or an on-campus interview at Portsmouth.
As this is a new programme, the detailed interview structure and dates for 2027 entry are still to be confirmed by the University. Our qualified dentists can help you prepare for dental school interviews in any format, with a free mock interview and structured 1-1 coaching.
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FAQs
Portsmouth dentistry FAQs
What are the A-Level requirements for Dentistry at Portsmouth?
Portsmouth's typical A level offer for the BDS is AAA (144 UCAS tariff points from three A levels). This must include grade A in Biology and grade A in one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology.
What are the GCSE requirements for Dentistry at Portsmouth?
Portsmouth also sets specific GCSE subject requirements. Confirm the exact grades on the University's official course page before you apply.
Does Portsmouth require the UCAT for Dentistry?
Yes, Portsmouth requires the UCAT for entry to Dentistry.
What UCAT score do you need for Dentistry at Portsmouth?
Yes. All applicants to the Portsmouth BDS must sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in the year they apply.
As a brand-new dental school, Portsmouth has not yet published a UCAT cut-off score or details of how the test is weighted against your grades and GCSEs. We will update this page as the University confirms its selection process.
What type of interview does Portsmouth use for Dentistry?
Portsmouth uses a Online or on-campus interview format for Dentistry interviews.
Where is Portsmouth based?
The Portsmouth Dental School is based at the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy in Portsmouth, on the south coast of England, with early patient contact in primary care dental clinics.
Is Portsmouth a new dental school?
Yes. The University of Portsmouth is opening the South East of England's first dental school, with its first BDS students starting in September 2027 after the Office for Students allocated it 25 new dental training places.
What degree do you get from Portsmouth?
Graduates are awarded the BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), the standard UK dental qualification. The course, UCAS code B758, lasts five years.
Do you need work experience for Dentistry at Portsmouth?
Dental work experience or shadowing is strongly recommended and helps you show insight into the profession in your personal statement and at interview. As a new school, Portsmouth will confirm its exact requirements before applications open.
