Program Overview

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Course summary

In September 2023, we moved into our new Dental School building with the latest facilities and equipment, designed with input from our current students and staff to provide an exceptional educational experience.

This five-year degree has a strong core of clinical training supported by integrated learning of relevant sciences and technical skills. You will progress personally, academically, clinically and professionally, applying taught communication and teamworking skills when providing supervised dental care to a diverse range of patients in and around Bristol. You will learn to work within dental and wider healthcare teams and networks, demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and behaviours so you graduate as a safe practitioner.

The course structure comprises four main themes of development:

• Practitioner
• Scholar and scientist
• Professional and agent of change
• Person and citizen

You will be introduced to basic concepts in the healthy patient before progressing to apply your knowledge and skills to prevent and treat a range of oral diseases. In the first year, you will become familiar with the clinic environment through peer group activities and observations. You will begin your dental practice under supervision in clinics after completion of simulated skills training undertaken in our new state-of-the-art facilities. From year two, you will treat patients with a wide variety, and increasing complexity, of oral and dental diseases in preparation for practice beyond graduation.

After the third year, you can choose to intercalate in a subject of personal interest to obtain a BA, BSc, or even a Master's degree.

Student welfare is central to our programme and you will have access to a wide range of support, starting with our well-developed in-house personal tutor and senior tutor network, alongside support from the wider University.

Health and Disclosure and Barring Service check

Certain health conditions may be incompatible with careers in dentistry. Before starting your degree, you will need to complete a health assessment questionnaire and pre-course screening for blood-borne viruses. These blood tests are to identify the few individuals whose health status may place them and/or future patients at risk. As part of your training, you will come into contact with human and animal cadaveric material.

Dentistry demands the highest standards of professional and personal conduct. In accordance with General Dental Council guidelines, dental students must complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. For more information, please visit our guidelines for students on the DBS disclosure page.

Accreditations

Our Dentistry BDS is accredited by GDC.

Overview

Typical offer

• A-level standard offer: AAA
• A-level contextual offer: ABB
• Go to entry requirements for the full entry criteria and contextual offer eligibility.

Programme duration

• 5 year(s) full-time.
• Part-time study is not available for this course.

Application deadline

• The closing date for Dentistry UCAS applications is 15 October. UCAS advises that no more than four choices from a possible five are used for Dentistry.

Application method

• UCAS (Code: A206)

Location

• Clifton campus, Placements

Fees

• £9,535 per year, home students
• £48300 per year, international students
• More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Fees quoted are for 2025 entry only. Fees for 2026 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2025.

Course structure

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

A-level standard offer

• AAA including Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics. Graduates are required to obtain a 2:1 in their degree and BBB at A-level including Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

A-level contextual offer

• ABB including A in Chemistry and B in one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

BTEC

• DDD in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in five specified Chemistry units.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• 36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6, 6 at Higher Level in Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations).

International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer

• 32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in Chemistry and 5 at Higher Level in one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations).

European Baccalaureate

• 85% overall, with 8.5 in Chemistry and either Biology, Physics or Mathematics.

Scottish Qualifications Authority

• Advanced Higher: AA in Chemistry and either Biology, Physics or Mathematics, and Standard Higher: AAAAB.

Access to HE Diploma

• Access to HE Diploma in Science, Biomedical/Medical/Health Science or Psychology (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above; and at least 12 credits at Distinction from Chemistry units; and at least 12 credits (with 9 at Distinction) from one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics.

Welsh Baccalaureate

• Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Cambridge Pre-U

• Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.

International qualifications

• The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Selection process

• Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
• If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
• Full information about our selection processes for Dentistry can be found in the Admissions Statement.

Applicants must also meet these requirements

GCSE profile requirements

• Advanced numeracy requirement (7 or A in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent) and Standard literacy requirement (4 or C in GCSE English or equivalent).

English language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
  • IELTS 7.5 overall with 7.0 in all skills
  • GCSE English Language grade B or 6
  • an alternative qualification outlined in our Profile level A.

Additional requirements

• UCAT: The University Clinical Aptitude Test (formerly UKCAT) is required. Bursaries are available to cover the cost of taking the UCAT; please see the UCAT website for details. The combined score from all subtests, with the exception of Situational Judgement, will be used to select applicants for interview. For 2025 entry, the final UCAT threshold score to be invited to interview was 3070 for home applicants and 3040 for overseas applicants. However, the number used as a threshold for interview is subject to change year-on-year. Work experience is not a requirement for this course, but it is encouraged. Please see the Admissions statement for further details.