Dentistry is one of the most highly sought-after courses of study in the UK. The interviewees on this blog are all actual members of the National Health Service. They help to show you what they did, in order to get accepted into their chosen course of study. It will give you a step-by-step look at how to successfully maneuver your way through obtaining your education in dentistry. As it’s already known, preparing for dentistry school can be fun and at the same time, quite tasking. However, there is really nothing like finally seeing your dreams come true; your dreams of being a dentist in this case. Moving on, how much do you know though, about how to get into dentistry uk? Read on to find out more.
The article below brings you the latest information on how to get into dentistry uk, how to get into dentistry with low grades uk, how to become a dentist without a levels, how competitive is dentistry uk, easiest dental schools to get into uk & dentistry foundation year. You will also find related posts on how to get into dentistry uk on koboguide.
About Dentistry Foundation Year
Ten tips for applying to Dentistry
The Dentistry application process is complex and lengthy. Here are some top tips to help you through it.
CHOOSING A COURSE UNDERGRADUATE
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Resalat Rasheed
10 Mar 2020
Busy dentists at work
- Always apply through UCAS
No dental school in the UK accepts direct applications, so you have to apply through the standard UCAS procedure. The deadline for medical and dental applications through UCAS is 15 October. - Have good reasons for choosing Dentistry
Universities will be looking for reasons why they should give you – out of hundreds of applicants – an interview. Don’t say you’re applying because the money is good, or because one of your parents/guardians does it. If those are your reasons, maybe have a rethink about what you want to do in the future. - Get as much work experience as possible
For medical subjects, universities will want to know that you have the relevant knowledge and you’re aware of what you’re getting into. Get plenty of work experience – two weeks should be the bare minimum before you apply, but aim for more. Try and gain experience in different areas, for example, endodontics, paediatrics or general surgery. - Be interesting
Universities don’t want people who can’t offer leadership qualities and the ability to think on the spot. You won’t necessarily gain these skills if you’re only shadowing one dentist for a month. If you play a sport, are in a theatre group, play a musical instrument, or have any hobby at all, shout about it. You’ll have gained transferrable skills through these activities, so they’ll work in your favour.
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Dentistry guide
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Dentistry subject table
Applying for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Dentistry
- Be passionate
Similar to tip 2, make sure to show off your dental knowledge and prove that you really care about the subject. Express this in your application, and don’t be modest. - Prepare for the UKCATs
Every university has clinical aptitude tests that determine your suitability to study the subject. These come very late in the process, usually after interviews. Some universities don’t regard them as important as interviews, but failing the tests won’t be helpful. - Run through your academic references with your school
All departments will expect good references from schools for the students they select. Talk through your application with someone relevant from your school – there should be a member of staff who takes care of careers and university applications. - Top grades are essential
You can have perfect experience and references, ace the UKCATs, dazzle with your wit and charisma at the interview stage – but if you get BBB in your A Levels, you’re unlikely to get accepted onto a Dentistry course. So revise hard. - Practice your interview technique
There are interviews for Dentistry applications. Relax and don’t be scared – the university is interested in you and wants you to be there.
Find someone to practise interviews with you. Plan questions to ask the interviewers. This demonstrates your knowledge and interest (but don’t answer a question with a question).
- Research, research, research
Look around the internet and speak to different people to get advice. UCAS has extra tips for applications to Dentistry courses, and university websites usually offer help.
How To Get Into Dentistry UK
About How to Get into Dentistry with Low Grades UK
You’ve decided you want to become a dentist – that’s great, congratulations! But sometimes, if you’ve got low grades, especially at GCSE or A-levels, you might not be offered a place. No matter how badly you want it. So let’s look at how to get into Dentistry (Dental School) with low grades.
There are some important points that you must consider:
CHECK WHAT THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR UNIVERSITY CHOICES ARE
Firstly, you should check what the entry requirements for your chosen universities are. Then you should compare them to your predicted grades. Most universities require AAA in Biology, Chemistry and one other A-level. In recent years, Dental Schools do not place as much emphasis on GCSE grades, but you should still check your individual choices.
If your grades are just off the required grades (for example, you have been predicted ABB), you must reconsider some of the universities you have applied to. Some Dental Schools accept AAB or even in rare instances ABB grades, so you should apply to those universities to give yourself the best chance. Applying to 4 Dental Schools that all want AAA when you only have ABB predicted grades will weaken your application.
If your grades are nowhere near the required grades, then you may need to consider some of the options below.
STRENGTHEN YOUR APPLICATION
Dental Schools want all-rounded candidates to study dentistry. That means they want more than just academic (A-level) success. One way to get into Dentistry (Dental School) with low grades is to boost the rest of your application to stand out from the crowd. We recommend you focus on the following areas to strengthen
UCAT Score: a very strong UCAT score will make up for slightly weaker academic grades. Many Universities use a “weighted” system, where they allocate you points based on your UCAT and your A-Level grades. The higher your UCAT score, the more points you will be allocated. Check out our Universities Package to find out which Dental Schools offer interviews based on this “weighted” system
Personal Statement: if you have low grades, your Personal Statement must be outstanding. This means you will need expert help to boost your application and impress Dental Schools. Many candidates have been able to get into Dentistry (Dental School) with low grades by working with our Admissions Specialists to strengthen their Personal Statements.
Work Experience: More work experience than the average applicant will prove to the Dental School that you are passionate and motivated to study dentistry. Get in touch with our Admissions Specialists today to help arrange work experience anywhere in the UK!
Extra-curricular activities, sports, voluntary work and paid work: As we said earlier, Dental Schools want all-rounded individuals. You need to demonstrate that you have more to offer than just A-level grades, and that the activities that you have chosen demonstrate passion, determination, teamwork, leadership and a care for the community.
PRE-DENTAL YEAR
In recent years, many Dental Schools have made it possible to get into Dentistry with low grades. They have introduced a “Pre-Dental Year” or “Gateway Year to Dentistry”. Essentially, this is an extra year of study before you start Dentistry that covers biology and chemistry that will be required for Dentistry. You will be guaranteed a place on the Dental Course the following year once you have passed the Pre-Dental year.
It is an excellent option for those with low grades.
Dental Schools that have started offering this additional year include University of Bristol and University of Manchester, among others. For a full explanation of their application criteria and requirements, you should visit our Universities Guide here.
CLEARING
If you have been rejected from Dental School due to your low grades, there may be some hope on Results Day. If you score better than your predicted grades, even by one grade, you can phone Dental Schools on Results Day and ask them to reconsider you. Most Dental Schools will have up to 10 extra spaces available for candidates who do this, and you could be one of the lucky ones!
We recommend you spend the night before collecting all the relevant details and phone numbers of the Dental Schools you wish to call, and then be ready to make these calls as soon as you receive your results.
RETAKE
Unfortunately for some candidates, even these steps may not be possible to get into Dentistry (Dental School) with low grades. It may be necessary to boost your application by retaking your exams.
It proves to Dental Schools that you are determined and motivated to improve yourself and get into Dental School, even though you will have an extra year of study for the retakes. This is an admirable and respectable quality to have.
About How Competitive is Dentistry UK
UK Dentistry Courses
Introduction to Dentistry
Dentistry courses in the UK generally last five years (six if a foundation year is required) and are demanding at both an academic and technical level. Dentistry students will study the cause, prevention, management and treatment of oral and dental disease.
Dentistry is one of the most competitive courses in the UK to apply for and successful applicants will require strong academic grades, the commitment to complete a long degree and the practical and mental skills needed to concentrate over long periods of time. Dentistry graduates will complete their course with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) award. Dentistry is the oly subject in which graduates are paid more than £30,000 in professional jobs six months after finishing university.
Applying for a Dentistry course?
SI-UK can help with your Dentistry application. Arrange your free consultation online or at our offices in London or Manchester today.
The first year of study will concentrate on basic medical and clinical knowledge in the areas of anatomy, physiology, oral biology and biochemistry. These academic studies will continue throughout the degree, but practical work under supervision will begin to be carried out towards the end of the first year. State of the art simulation dummies are provided to practice practical work.
Graduate Dentistry Careers and Salary
Dentistry graduates initially begin employment as trainees in the NHS or the private sector. Because of the highly specialised skill set that Dentistry graduates have, they can choose to specialise in a particular area early in their career, before making changes later on.
Careers include dental nurses, dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental technicians and dental support, whilst becoming a Dental teacher is also hugely rewarding.
Average starting professional salary: £31,000
Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency, Destination of Leavers from Higher Education 2016-17.
Dentistry Entry Requirements
Typical International Baccalaureate requirements: 37 points.
Typical A-levels requirements: AAA including Chemistry and Biology.
Typical IELTS requirements: 7.0 overall, with no lower than 6.5 in any one component.
IELTS Preparation Classes
If you need to improve your IELTS score ahead of beginning a Dentistry degree, sign up for flexible part-time IELTS classes in central London today.
Please note that entry requirements vary for each UK university.
UK Clinical Aptitude Test
The UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is part of the selection process of some UK medical and dental schools. It is an online test designed to test cognitive abilities, attitudes, critical thinking, and logical reasoning. There are four reasoning tests and a situational judgement test.
- Verbal reasoning. Assesses ability to think logically about written information and arrive at a reasoned conclusion: 21 minutes, with 11 passages to read and 44 questions.
- Quantitative reasoning. Assesses ability to solve numerical problems: 24 minutes, 9 tables, charts, graphs etc. as information and 36 questions.
- Abstract reasoning. Assesses ability to infer relationships from information by convergent and divergent thinking: 13 minutes and 55 questions.
- Decision analysis. Assesses ability to deal with various forms of information to infer relationships, make informed judgements, and decide on an appropriate response: 32 minutes, 1 scenario full of information and 28 questions (basic calculator provided)
- Situational judgement. Measures your responses in situations, and your grasp of medical ethics: 27 minutes and 67 questions on 20 scenarios.
The test is taken at your local test centre, with each subtest in a multiple choice format. Past papers are not available but there are specimen questions on the UCAT website. The UCAT can be taken by applicants at the following universities:
University of Aberdeen
Cardiff University
University of Dundee
Durham University
University of East Anglia
University of Edinburgh
University of Exeter
University of Glasgow
Keele University
King’s College London
University of Leicester
University of Manchester
Newcastle University
University of Nottingham
University of Sheffield
University of Southampton
University of St Andrews
Queen’s University Belfast
University of Warwick
Please note that entry requirements vary for each UK university.
Where can I study Dentistry?
To learn more about the best Dentistry courses in the UK, find details on the top ten ranking Dentistry universities in the Guardian University Guide 2021 below:
University of Aberdeen
Plymouth University
University of Dundee
University of Glasgow
Queen’s University Belfast
Queen Mary, University of London
University of Leeds
Newcastle University
University of Birmingham
University of Sheffield
Do you need assistance in applying to a Dentistry course in the UK? The Medicine Service can fully prepare you in your application to a UK Dentistry School with interview practice and personal statement assistance.
Study Dentistry in the UK
If you are interested in studying Dentistry in the UK, arrange your free consultation with SI-UK London or Manchester today
About Easiest Dental Schools to get into UK
What are the easiest Dental Schools to get into? What makes them easier than the rest? We take a look at this today. There are a few factors that we must consider in regards to what makes a Dental School “easy” to get into.
First and foremost, it is important to realise that no Dental School is truly “easy” to get into. They are all tough and competition is very extreme. However, it can be argued that some Dental Schools are slightly easier than others.
LOCATION
The first factor to consider in which Dental Schools are easier to get into is the location. Dental Schools in highly populated areas of the country, such as major cities, have more applicants applying to them. Major cities such as London, which is home to King’s London and Barts & the London, are social hubs of nightlife, tourism, activities and adventure. Naturally, more students want to apply to these cities to experience the “city life” and what it offers. The same is true for culturally buzzing cities such as Birmingham or Manchester. Therefore, there are far more applicants to these Dental Schools, making the competition for those few places extremely tough. The easiest Dental Schools to get into in terms of location usually tend to be those in slightly more remote locations, such as Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle.
PRESTIGE
The next factor to consider is the “prestige” of the Dental School. Many applicants want to say they have studied and graduated from “the best Dental School”, and so will look to find this information through sites such as The Complete University Guide’s Dental Rankings. Whilst these can give an indication of which Dental Schools have done well that year, it is by no means an accurate method of finding out which is the best Dental School. The honest answer is that there is no way to tell who the best Dental School is – it is impossible to accurately rank Schools based on their teaching, cultural experience, sporting activities, Student Society and much more.
Our research at Become A Dentist has found, however, that applications to the Dental Schools ranked in the Top 5 of each year’s Dental Rankings triples! We highly recommend you consider applying to some Dental Schools outside the Top 5 to boost your chance of acceptance. These Dental Schools tend to be the easiest Dental Schools to get into that year.
SIZE OF DENTAL SCHOOL
Each year, there are over 9000 applicants competing for roughly 1500 places at Dental Schools across the UK. Our Admissions Specialists have worked with thousands of applicants all over the country, and our advice has always been consistent. You need to consider how many places are available at each Dental School, and whether you truly believe you are one of the top candidates to get those places.
For example, competition for places at Sheffield is extremely tough. The school only offers between 65 to 75 places per year, but has over 4000 applications to consider. This gives you a ratio of 1 place for every 57 applicants!
By contrast, King’s London offers somewhere in the region of 150 places, and has around 5000 applicants. This gives you a ratio of 1 place for every 33 applicants, boosting your chances considerably!
Therefore, the easiest Dental Schools to get into in terms of size are those which have more places offered to applicants.
GRADE REQUIREMENTS (INCLUDING UCAT)
The next aspect to consider for the easiest Dental Schools to get into in the UK is the entry requirements.
Let’s look at the UCAT first. On average, candidates scored 640 in the UCAT. Some Dental Schools have a minimum cut-off of 650. Therefore, these schools are much harder to get into. Other schools have no or lower cut-off scores, such as 600. More importantly, some rare schools do not use the UCAT as a means of assessment at all!
It is very important that you discuss this with our Admissions Specialists and review the UCAT requirements for each Dental School you are applying to.
Secondly, we must consider your academic grades. Again, some Dental Universities require minimum GCSE grades, along with a minimum of AAA at A-level. This is a very strict criteria and it must be met in order to secure your place. However, other Dental Schools are much more relaxed in terms of the academic criteria. They are often quite flexible in terms of GCSE and A-level grades, and some also accept other qualifications such as BTEC.
This gives you a better chance of getting a place as they are the easiest Dental Schools to get into in regards to grades. Our Universities Package covers this content in more depth and analyses exactly what the requirements are for each Dental School.
DISADVANTAGED BACKGROUND
Finally, some Schools want to improve the chances of those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This gives some applicants a better chance of getting into Dental School. This is especially important if your background and life circumstances has prevented you from securing top school grades or disrupted your education in any way.
These Dental Schools are not necessarily easier to get into, but they give your application greater consideration and weighting.
CONCLUSION
If you have any queries in regards to specific Dental Universities, we recommend you get in touch. The information changes annually, and is constantly updated by our Admissions Specialists. They will be able to give you an insight into the specific Dental Schools and which of your choices is the easiest!
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