Program Overview

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Course Information

Gateway to Dentistry (A208)

Course Summary

Gateway to Dentistry is aimed at students who have the potential to become dentists but do not meet the academic entry criteria to apply directly to our five-year undergraduate BDS Dentistry course. Our Gateway courses are widening participation initiatives for UK students who fulfil specific criteria and wish to apply for a clinical course in dentistry, medicine or veterinary science.

During the Gateway year, students will learn alongside each other, benefiting from shared interprofessional insight and the unique community of Bristol's medical, dental and veterinary schools. Students will be taught by academic teachers who are scientists and clinicians.

The Gateway course builds on core basic sciences underpinning clinical subjects (chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, anatomy and physiology). It encourages reflection and places emphasis on personal and professional development; strengthens practical, numeracy, research and library skills; and considers attributes and behaviours that enable a successful transition to university study. Successful completion of the Gateway year allows automatic progression onto BDS Dentistry.

Eligibility

This course is open to applicants from specific schools and colleges in the UK only, those who have spent three months or more in care and/or those who have received free school meals. For further information and lists of eligible schools and colleges, visit the contextual offers and Gateway courses eligibility webpages.

International students may be eligible for the International Foundation Programme for Dentistry.

The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is required for admission to this course.

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.

In accordance with General Dental Council guidelines on fitness to practice, all dental students are required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, in line with other health-related courses in the UK.

Please note that as part of your training, you will come into contact with human and animal cadaveric material.

Overview

Typical Offer

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

Programme Duration

• 6 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: A208)

Location

• Clifton campus, Placements

Fees

• £9,535 per year, home 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

Your Gateway studies will include:

• basic cell biology, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of the healthy human/animal;
• fundamental principles of chemistry;
• numeracy skills and statistics relevant to health sciences programmes;
• clinical professional attributes;
• observational placements in a clinical environment.

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

• BBC including B in Biology or Chemistry. Applicants with predicted or achieved grades of AAB or above (or points equivalent), or with A in Chemistry, are not eligible for this course.

BTEC

• DMM BTEC Extended Diploma Applied Science (RQF): Grades DMM or DMM, including five specified Biology or Chemistry units in any combination. Applicants with predicted or achieved grades of DDD or above cannot be considered for Gateway programmes but could be considered for the five-year standard entry course instead.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• 29 points overall with 14 at Higher level, including 5 at Higher Level in Biology or Chemistry. Applicants with predicted or achieved grades of 33 points overall including 16 at Higher Level, or with 6 at Higher Level in Chemistry, are not eligible for this course.

Scottish Qualifications Authority

• Advanced Higher: BB including Biology or Chemistry, and Standard Level: BBBBC. Applicants with achieved or predicted Advanced Higher grades of AA, or with Chemistry at A grade, are not eligible for this course.

Access to HE Diploma

• Not accepted for this course. Access to HE students are instead welcome to apply to the standard Dentistry course.

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.

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 Gateway to Dentistry can be found in the Admissions Statement.

GCSE Profile Requirements

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

English Language Requirements

• If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
  • IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other skills
  • GCSE English Language grade B or 6
  • an alternative qualification outlined in our Profile level B.

Additional Requirements

• The University Clinical Aptitude Test is required. Bursaries are available to cover the cost of taking the UCAT.
• Work experience is recommended.