Program Overview

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Introduction to the Bachelor of Dental Surgery Program

The Bachelor of Dental Surgery program at the University of Liverpool is a five-year course with approximately 70 places available, including up to 4 places for International students.

Admissions Procedures

Applications should be made through UCAS by 15th October 2025. Late applications will not be considered. It is the applicant's responsibility to complete the UCAS form fully, and failure to do so will result in rejection.

Factors Assessed on an Application Form

• Academic attainments, to ensure that they meet the minimum entry criteria
• Predicted grades for examinations/degrees still to be taken or awarded
• References should be clearly supportive and preferably indicate that the applicant has the necessary attributes for the chosen career

Academic Qualifications

A Levels

• Grades AAA in 3 A levels taken together at one sitting, after 2 years of study
• Biology and Chemistry are essential, and the 3rd subject may be from the Arts or Sciences
• General Studies, Critical Thinking, and Vocational/Applied A levels are not accepted

Scottish Higher and Advanced Higher

• AAAAB at Higher level and AA at Advanced Higher level, including Chemistry and Biology
• National 5 qualifications are also taken into account, with a minimum of 5 subjects at grade A and 3 at grade B, including Maths, English Language, and Science

Irish Leaving Certificate

• H1, H1, H2, H2, H2, H2, including H1 in Chemistry and Biology
• Junior Cycle results are also taken into account, with a minimum of 8 subjects at Higher Merit, including Maths, English Language, and Science

International Baccalaureate

• A total of 36 points, including at least 6 in Higher level Chemistry and Biology

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced

• Will be accepted in place of one A level, in addition to Biology and Chemistry A levels

GCSE Requirements

• A minimum of 8 GCSEs, to include at least 5 subjects at grade A/grade 7 and 3 at grade B/grade 6
• Applicants are required to have achieved a minimum of grade B/grade 6 in English Language, Maths, and Science
• Vocational/Applied GCSEs, such as BTECs, Cambridge Nationals, etc., are not accepted

Degree Candidates

• Applying for A200 Degree in any subject, at the discretion of the Admissions Tutor, at a minimum of a 2:1 classification
• Only the first full degree that the applicant is awarded is considered
• Foundation degrees are not accepted

Access Course Candidates

• Further information will be requested from the applicant at the time of application to ensure the Access Course being taken meets the required academic criteria
• Not all Access Courses meet the required entry criteria
• We consider Access Courses to be suitable for adult learners who should normally have been out of education for at least 5 years

European and International Qualifications

• The onus is on the applicant to demonstrate equivalence of International and European qualifications
• We would expect achieved or predicted grades to be equivalent to our GCSE and A level entry requirements

Application Shortlisting Procedure

• When shortlisting for interview, we would first check that the academic criteria have been met
• Applicants who fulfill this criterion would then progress to stage two of our shortlisting, where we would look at their UCAT scores in conjunction with their non-academic information questionnaire

Personal Statement/Work Experience

• The Personal Statement is assessed to ensure that the applicant has knowledge of and insight into the profession, with emphasis on work experience/observation
• Evidence of a caring attitude and awareness of the values embedded within the NHS constitution is also sought

UCAT

• All applicants are required to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test in the year of application
• We do not have a set UCAT cut-off score, as the UCAT scores are considered along with the Non-Academic Information Questionnaire

Non-Academic Information Questionnaire

• All applicants who meet our minimum academic criteria will be sent an information questionnaire with respect to non-academic activities
• The questionnaire can be thought of as an expanded UCAS Personal Statement and is the applicant's opportunity to provide more information

Interviews

• Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) are held from mid-January through to the end of February
• Applicants are required to produce the original certificates for all completed qualifications listed on their UCAS form

Decisions and Feedback

• All applicants will be notified of our decision by the end of March
• Requests for feedback should be made in writing before the end of May 2026

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check

• Students will be required to complete a successful Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before admission to the course

Occupational Health Check

• All potential undergraduate dental students must undergo additional health clearance before acceptance onto the course
• The health screening requires the completion of a detailed health questionnaire and attendance at an appointment with the University's Occupational Health Department in Liverpool

Other Department-Specific Information

• All applicants must be 18 years old by 1st October in the year of entry to the program
• We use GCSE grades, or equivalent, when shortlisting for interview, so it is essential to provide full details of these examinations
• If an applicant has commenced a degree but not completed it, full details of the circumstances for non-completion should be submitted by 15th October 2025