A Comprehensive guide to UCAT Success
UCAT Scores and Cut-Offs: How Dental Schools Use Your Score
Applying to dental school and wondering how your UCAT score will be used? You’re in the right place. Whether you're aiming for a high-ranking dental school or just trying to maximise your chances of interview success, understanding how each university uses the UCAT can help you make confident, strategic choices in your UCAS application.
Just like with medicine, every dental school uses the UCAT differently. Some place significant emphasis on your total score, while others consider it alongside academic grades such as your GCSEs and A-levels. A few may even weigh specific sections—such as Verbal Reasoning or Situational Judgement—more heavily in their decision-making process.
By understanding how each school assesses your UCAT, you can select the right four options and avoid squandering an application on a university where you might not meet the cut-off.
How Do Dental Schools Use the UCAT?
Dental schools across the UK employ a range of approaches when evaluating UCAT scores. Here's what you need to know:
Fixed UCAT Cut-Off Scores
Some dental schools set a minimum UCAT score each year. If your score falls below this cut-off, your application won’t be considered.Variable Cut-Off Scores (Post-Application)
Other universities don’t publish a set cut-off in advance. Instead, they wait until all applications are in and set the threshold based on that year’s applicants.Ranking by UCAT Score
Several schools rank applicants based on their raw UCAT scores and invite the top candidates to interview. For example, they may shortlist the top 300–500 applicants based on UCAT results.Points-Based Selection
Some dental schools use a scoring system where the UCAT is worth a certain number of points, which are then combined with academic achievements, such as GCSEs and predicted grades.Situational Judgement Test (SJT)
Most universities will reject applicants with a Band 4 in the Situational Judgement section, and some are cautious about Band 3. However, international applicants may occasionally be held to different standards.Emphasis on Specific Sections
A few schools place extra weight on certain sections of the UCAT, especially Verbal Reasoning, as they believe it reflects communication and comprehension skills critical in dentistry.Graduate, EU, and International Applicants
Cut-off scores and selection criteria may differ for graduate entry, EU, and international applicants—always check the specific criteria for your application route.BMAT Replacement
Since the BMAT has now been discontinued, several former BMAT dental schools are switching to the UCAT, which may slightly increase competition at specific institutions.Transparency and Updates
Dental schools are becoming increasingly transparent about how they utilise the UCAT, but policies can still change from year to year. That’s why it’s essential to check each university’s admissions page.
Why It Matters
When you apply to study dentistry, your UCAT score plays a significant role in whether you will be shortlisted for an interview. Choosing universities that align with your academic profile and UCAT performance provides you with the best possible chance of success.
For instance, if you score lower in the UCAT, you should prioritise universities that place more emphasis on academic results or use a points-based approach. If you have performed well in the UCAT, schools that rank solely by UCAT score could work in your favour.
By making informed decisions, you are not just enhancing your chances of securing interviews—you are also alleviating stress, time, and financial burdens.
Disclaimer
We have created this UCAT Universities Guide to help you make informed choices when applying to dental schools. Although we have endeavoured to maintain the accuracy and relevance of the information for 2025 (2026 entry), you must check each dental school’s official website for the most current and detailed admissions criteria before making any decision.
Dentistry schools UCAT cut-off scores
University of Aberdeen
A minimum UCAT cut-off score is not applied. A score is allocated based on your overall UCAT performance compared to all other applicants (academic – 60%, UCAT – 40%). The SJT will not be scored; however, it may be considered in the offer-making process when there are applicants with similar scores. For 2023 entry, the lowest UCAT scores invited to interview were 2110 (for home students) and 2460 (for the rest of the UK).
University of Birmingham
There is no minimum UCAT cut-off score. Your UCAT results, excluding the band result for the SJT, will be used if your application meets the criteria for academic and non-academic requirements. The band score for the SJT will not be considered at any stage, although this may change in the future.
University of Bristol
The combined score from all UCAT subtests, except for the 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. However, this threshold may change from year to year.
Cardiff University
Points will be attributed to the total UCAT score and SJT score during the scoring process. There is no minimum cut-off for UCAT and SJT scores. If applicants have the same score, priority will typically be given based on UCAT score.
University of Central Lancashire
Your UCAT score will be utilised to rank your application before the interview.
University of Dundee
Selection for interview will be based on academic achievement and UCAT score, excluding the Situational Judgement section. There is no minimum cut-off score.
University of Glasgow
For applicants who meet the criteria, the UCAT score is used to select the required number for interview. The score considered for the interview varies each year as the performance of each cohort changes and is not disclosed by Glasgow during the application cycle.
King's College London
The overall UCAT score, averaged across the three subtests, is given more consideration than the individual subtest scores, and the Situational Judgement Test is also considered when shortlisting. For undergraduate entry, applicants will be ranked based on GCSE/IGCSE performance, UCAT score and contextual information. For graduate entry, ranking will be based on the UCAT score. The rest of the application will then be reviewed (academic achievement, personal statement, reference).
University of Leeds
Your application will be reviewed based on academic performance, including past and predicted grades, as well as your UCAT score.
University of Liverpool
There is no UCAT cut-off score, as UCAT scores will be considered alongside the Non-Academic Information Questionnaire. Applicants with an SJT score of Band 4 are unlikely to be considered.
University of Manchester
Applicants will be ranked according to their overall UCAT score. Additional information may also be considered in the selection process, such as academic achievement. Applicants who achieve a Band 4 in the SJT will not be taken into account. Those with SJT Band 3 are welcome to apply, but priority will be given to applicants in Bands 1 and 2.
Newcastle University
The UCAT threshold varies each year, as it depends on the number of applicants and their average scores.
After fulfilling the minimum academic requirements, you will be ranked by UCAT score, and those with the highest scores will be invited for an interview.
Plymouth University
UCAT test results will be used in conjunction with A-levels and GCSEs to select interview candidates.
The UCAT threshold score can change annually, as it is influenced by the overall performance of candidates in the UCAT and the number and quality of applications received.
The cut-off scores for previous years are as follows:
2025 entry: 2690
2024 entry: 2610
2023 entry: 2650
Queen Mary University of London
Applicants will be selected for interview based on a weighted score in comparison to other applicants applying in the same year. This may include your UCAT score and UCAS tariff of entry qualifications (predicted or achieved).
You will not be offered an interview if you obtained a total UCAT score below the fourth decile or if you scored an SJT Band 4.
It is not possible to predict the threshold for any individual year.
Queen's University Belfast
Your UCAT score will be evaluated and used in conjunction with an academic score to rank for an interview.
UCAT scoring is based on the overall results from three papers, and applicants can obtain up to a maximum of 6 additional points.
GCSEs will be scored using a points system, which will then be added to the UCAT score. You will subsequently be ranked on the combined GCSE/UCAT scores – the threshold necessary for an interview varies from year to year and cannot be predicted.
The threshold for previous years is as follows:
2024 entry: 38 points and above
2023 entry: 37 points and above
2022 entry: 33 points and above
2021 entry: 33 points and above
University of Sheffield
The UCAT is utilised alongside an existing selection procedure to identify applicants with potential for success at the undergraduate level.
The cognitive sections of the UCAT support the predicted grades in the screening process. Applicants must achieve a total score that is average or above to be successful. Those with a high score in the Verbal Reasoning section are prioritised when applicants are equal in other selection criteria.
The SJT is also employed in screening applicants. You need a score of Band 1, 2, or 3 to be successful. Those who scored Band 1 or 2 will be given preference.