Applying to Dental School Strategically Part 3: Where to Apply With a Low 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 third part covers the dental schools to consider with a low 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).
What does my UCAT score mean?
A low UCAT score generally means placing in the 5th decile or below 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.
This is generally too low for the dental schools covered in our high and medium UCAT score blogs, but a place at dental school is still very much possible.
Combined with strong academic grades and a strong application, a UCAT score in the 5th decile or below can still secure an interview at dental schools that place less emphasis on UCAT, so long as your choices are made strategically.
Where should I apply with a low UCAT score?
Here are some dental schools where you should consider applying with a low UCAT score. Tap a university to see its full breakdown:
Queen's University Belfast School of Dentistry
| Typical grades | AAA (AAB for Pathway Opportunity Programme applicants) |
| Required subjects |
A-Level resits are only considered for applicants who applied to Queen's at the first attempt and held a conditional firm offer. |
| GCSE requirements |
The best nine GCSEs at first attempt are scored: 4 points for grade 9/A*, 3 for 7-8/A, 2 for 6/B and 1 for 4-5/C. Only GCSEs taken in Years 10 and 11 count. Mathematics at grade 4/C is required if not taken at AS or A-Level. |
| How UCAT is used | Applicants are ranked on a score out of 45: up to 36 points for GCSEs and up to 9 for UCAT by decile. A strong GCSE score can make up for a lower UCAT. |
| UCAT threshold | No figures have been published since the 45-point system was introduced. |
| Situational Judgement | Used as a tie-break before and after interview. |
Cardiff University School of Dentistry
| Typical grades | AAA (not lowered for contextual applicants) |
| Required subjects |
A pass in the practical element is required for science A-Levels. A-Level resits are not accepted, except that applicants who firmly accept Cardiff and miss their offer have their place held for the following year while they resit. AS-Level and GCSE resits are accepted. |
| GCSE requirements | English Language at grade 6/B and six other GCSEs at grade 7/A, including 77/AA in Double Award Science or 7/A in Biology and Chemistry |
| How UCAT is used |
Applicants are scored on achieved qualifications only: GCSEs for applicants in Year 13, or A-Levels for gap year applicants. Each 8-9/A* is worth 4 points, 7/A 3 points, 6/B 2 points and 4-5/C 1 point. UCAT is only used if more applicants reach the top academic scores than there are interview places. |
| UCAT threshold |
No fixed threshold. 2025 entry: average UCAT of non-contextual interviewees 2737/3600 |
| Situational Judgement | Not published. |
| Work experience | No formal requirement, but applicants are expected to show evidence of work experience or knowledge of the dental profession, commitment to it and the qualities needed for healthcare. |
University of Dundee School of Dentistry
| Typical grades |
SQA Highers: AAAAB in S5, plus BBB in S6 (AAABB and BB for Widening Access) A-Levels: A*AA |
| Required subjects |
SQA Highers:
S5 Highers must be achieved in one sitting. S6 must include Biology or Chemistry at Advanced Higher. Widening Access applicants need an A in Higher Chemistry or Biology. A-Levels:
A-Levels must be achieved in the same sitting. |
| GCSE requirements |
National 5 (Highers route): English and Mathematics at grade B. Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Mathematics. GCSE (A-Level route): English and Mathematics at grade 6/B. |
| How UCAT is used | Interview selection combines UCAT with academic record, including GCSEs and predicted grades. |
| UCAT threshold |
No minimum cut-off. 2024 entry, average UCAT invited to interview:
|
| Situational Judgement | Not used. |
University of Leeds School of Dentistry
| Typical grades | AAA (ABB contextual via Access to Leeds, with the A in Chemistry or Biology) |
| Required subjects |
One A-Level resit attempt is permitted. |
| GCSE requirements | Six GCSEs at grade 6/B or above, including Chemistry and Biology (or Double Science), English and Mathematics |
| How UCAT is used | Academic grades (predicted and achieved) and UCAT are combined to shortlist for interview, so strong grades can make up for a lower UCAT and vice versa. |
| UCAT threshold |
2026 entry, lowest UCAT shortlisted:
|
| Situational Judgement | Not used. |
University of Portsmouth Dental Academy (new for 2027 entry)
| Typical grades | AAA (adjusted offers may be made in some cases) |
| Required subjects |
A-Level resits are accepted. |
| GCSE requirements | GCSE grade 7/A in English and Mathematics, and two sciences at grade 6/B, all achieved before applying |
| How UCAT is used | Academic record, personal statement and UCAT are expected to be weighted equally when shortlisting for interview. |
| UCAT threshold | No data yet. 2027 entry is the first intake of home students. |
| Situational Judgement | Not published. |
University of Lancashire School of Dentistry (A202, Graduate Entry)
| Typical grades | 2:1 degree, plus three A-Levels at grade C or above |
| Required subjects |
General Studies is not accepted. |
| GCSE requirements | GCSE grade 6/B in English and Mathematics |
| How UCAT is used | Applicants are shortlisted for interview on UCAT score. |
| UCAT threshold | Not published. |
| Situational Judgement | Not published. |
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
