Applying to Dental School Strategically Part 1: Where to Apply With a High UCAT Score
Posted: October 02, 2026 by Chris
With the UCAS October 15th deadline approaching, narrowing the UK's dental schools down to four choices is a difficult decision. To improve your chances of securing a place, it is important to use your UCAT score, predicted or achieved A-Level grades and GCSE results strategically, applying to dental schools where you are most likely to be invited to interview.
In this blog series, we explore how your UCAT score should guide which dental schools you apply to. This first part covers the dental schools to consider with a high UCAT score.
Older figures are shown as originally published on the pre-2025 four-subtest scale (out of 3600). Unmarked figures are displayed on the current three-subtest scale (out of 2700).
Which UK dental schools require the UCAT?
The following dental schools require the UCAT for undergraduate entry:
- Barts and The London (Queen Mary University of London)
- Cardiff University
- King's College London
- Newcastle University
- Queen's University Belfast
- University of Birmingham
- University of Bristol
- University of Dundee
- University of East Anglia (from 2027 entry)
- University of Glasgow
- University of Leeds
- University of Liverpool
- University of Manchester
- University of Plymouth
- University of Portsmouth (home students from 2027 entry)
- University of Sheffield
King's College London, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Lancashire also require the UCAT for their graduate entry dentistry courses.
What does my UCAT score mean?
A high UCAT score generally means placing in the 8th decile or above of that year's cohort. Decile and percentile boundaries are published after the UCAT testing period ends each cycle and shift slightly year to year. See Part 1 of our medicine series for score thresholds by decile across recent years.
A high UCAT score, alongside strong predicted A-Level grades and GCSE results, gives you the best chance at the dental schools that place the heaviest emphasis on UCAT.
Where should I apply with a high UCAT score?
Here are some dental schools where you should consider applying with a high UCAT score. Tap a university to see its full breakdown:
University of Birmingham School of Dentistry
| Typical grades | AAA (AAB contextual) |
| Required subjects |
Both must be obtained in one sitting, in the same exam period of the same year. Biology and Human Biology are not accepted together. General Studies and the EPQ are not accepted. A-Level resits are not accepted. |
| GCSE requirements |
GCSE grade 8/A* in Biology and Chemistry, and 7/A in Mathematics and English Language or Literature. GCSE resits are not considered. |
| How UCAT is used | Applicants who meet the academic requirements are ranked by UCAT score, with the highest scorers invited to interview. |
| UCAT threshold |
2025 entry, UCAT of applicants invited to interview:
|
| Situational Judgement | Not used. |
| Work experience | At least three days in an NHS or mixed NHS and private dental practice is normally required. Private-only or hospital experience is valued but is not a substitute. For 2027 entry, a range of volunteering is also accepted if it shows a realistic understanding of dentistry. |
University of Bristol Dental School
| Typical grades | AAA (AAB contextual) |
| Required subjects |
A-Level resits are accepted. |
| GCSE requirements | GCSE grade 7/A in Mathematics and 4/C in English |
| How UCAT is used | Applicants who meet the academic requirements are ranked entirely on UCAT score, with the highest scorers invited to interview. |
| UCAT threshold |
2026 entry, UCAT cut-off:
|
| Situational Judgement | Not used. |
| Work experience | Encouraged but not required. Bristol runs its own three-day work experience placements that students can apply for. |
University of Manchester Dental School
| Typical grades | AAA (AAB contextual) |
| Required subjects |
A-Level resits are accepted if BBB was achieved at the first sitting, with A*AA required after the resit. |
| GCSE requirements |
Seven GCSEs at grade 7/A or above, including English Language, Mathematics and at least two sciences at grade 6/B or above. GCSE resits are accepted. |
| How UCAT is used | Applicants who meet the academic requirements and achieve SJT Band 1 or 2 are ranked by UCAT score for interview. |
| UCAT threshold |
2026 entry, UCAT cut-off:
|
| Situational Judgement | Band 1 or 2 required. Bands 3 and 4 are excluded. |
| Work experience | Some relevant work experience is expected, with no minimum number of hours. |
King's College London Faculty of Dentistry (A205)
| Typical grades | A*AA |
| Required subjects |
The EPQ is not considered. A first A-Level resit is accepted; a second resit is only accepted with mitigating circumstances. |
| GCSE requirements | GCSE grade 6/B in English Language and Mathematics |
| How UCAT is used | GCSEs, UCAT score and contextual information are combined to shortlist applicants for interview. |
| UCAT threshold | No fixed threshold. King's has not published UCAT data on the current scale. |
| Situational Judgement | Taken into account when shortlisting. |
| Work experience | Some work experience in a caring environment and/or observation in a clinical setting is normally expected. |
King's College London Faculty of Dentistry (A202, Graduate Entry)
| Typical grades | Minimum 2:1 degree |
| Required subjects | A bioscience degree, usually with substantial modules in Biology or Chemistry, and in at least one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Psychology |
| GCSE requirements | No specific GCSE requirements |
| How UCAT is used | UCAT score and degree classification are used to shortlist applicants for interview. |
| UCAT threshold | No fixed threshold. King's has not published UCAT data on the current scale. |
| Situational Judgement | Taken into account when shortlisting. |
| Work experience | Some work experience in a caring environment and/or observation in a clinical setting is normally expected. |
Newcastle University School of Dental Sciences
| Typical grades | AAA (up to three grades lower for contextual applicants) |
| Required subjects |
A-Level resits are only accepted from applicants who have previously applied to Newcastle. |
| GCSE requirements | GCSE grade 4/C in English and Mathematics |
| How UCAT is used | Applicants who meet the academic requirements are ranked by UCAT score for interview. |
| UCAT threshold |
2025 entry, UCAT cut-off:
|
| Situational Judgement | Not used. |
| Work experience | Ideally at least ten days, with selectors looking specifically for dental work experience. |
Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry (Queen Mary University of London)
| Typical grades | A*AA (AAA contextual) |
| Required subjects |
A-Level resits are not accepted. |
| GCSE requirements | Six GCSEs at grades 777666/AAABBB, including Biology, Chemistry, English Language or English Literature and Mathematics. Double Award Science may substitute for all sciences. |
| How UCAT is used | Applicants at or above the 4th decile are ranked by UCAT score, with interview places filled from the highest score down. |
| UCAT threshold |
Minimum: 4th decile. 2026 entry, UCAT cut-off for interview:
|
| Situational Judgement | Band 4 leads to automatic rejection. |
| Work experience | Applicants should have experience working, volunteering or observing in healthcare, particularly in general dental practice. |
University of Plymouth Peninsula Dental School
| Typical grades | A*AA (AAB contextual) |
| Required subjects |
Applicants can apply with resit results pending if ABB was achieved at the first sitting; otherwise, they must meet the entry requirements before applying. |
| GCSE requirements | Seven GCSEs at grade 4/C or above, including English Language, Mathematics and two sciences or Double Award Science |
| How UCAT is used | Applicants who meet the academic requirements are shortlisted on UCAT score. |
| UCAT threshold |
2026 entry, UCAT cut-off:
|
| Situational Judgement | Not used. |
Note: UCAT score thresholds do change year-to-year and are impossible to predict with certainty until after the UCAS October 15th deadline.
Check out other blogs in this series:
Last updated: October 2026
