2024 entry
BDS Dentistry (A206)
Course overview

Typical offer
A-level standard offer: AAA
A-level contextual offer: ABB
See entry requirements for full details and eligibility.
Course duration
5 year(s) full-time
Part-time study is not available for this course
Application method
Full-time: UCAS
The closing date for Dentistry UCAS applications is 16 October. UCAS advises that no more than four choices from a possible five are used for Dentistry.
Fees
£9,250 per year, home students
£46,500 per year, international students
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Location
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.
From September 2023, we will have 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.
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 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 second year you will treat patients with a wide variety, and increasing complexity, of oral and dental diseases in preparation for practice beyond graduation.
After third year, you can choose to intercalate in a subject of personal interest to obtain an 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. Please note that as part of your training you will come into contact with human and animal cadaveric material.
Practising dentistry demands the highest standards of professional and personal conduct. In accordance with General Dental Council guidelines, all 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.
This course is accredited by the following organisations
General Dental Council (GDC) The General Dental Council quality assures and approves qualifications for registration, for the following registrant groups: Dentists; dental hygienists; dental therapists; dental nurses; clinical dental technicians; dental technicians; and orthodontic therapists.
Course structure
Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.
Go to programme catalogueEntry 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.
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerBTEC
DDD in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in five specified Chemistry units
Find out more about our BTEC entry requirementsInternational 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)
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerEuropean 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.
Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.
Welsh Baccalaureate
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for 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.
Search international qualificationsApplicants 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)
Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.
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 English Language Profile A qualification
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
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 2023 entry, the final UCAT threshold score to be invited to interview was 2850 for home applicants and 2820 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.
More about UK qualifications.
Selection process
- We select successful applicants based on the UCAS application, UCAT and interview. If you are offered a place you will have to pass a health assessment and undergo a DBS check.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement: