Where do I apply with a low UCAT score for dentistry in 2025?
Not satisfied with your UCAT score? There are still dental schools where you can apply with a lower UCAT score. You can learn more on this page.
Most aspiring dentists must take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) when applying to UK dental schools. While some universities place significant weight on UCAT scores when selecting interview candidates, others emphasise additional factors, such as academic achievement or lower UCAT requirements.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Dental School with a Low UCAT Score
Personal Statement: Dental schools often scrutinise the personal statement more closely than medical schools. A strong personal statement can help offset a lower UCAT score.
UCAT Cut-Off Scores: Some universities have established UCAT cut-off scores, but these tend to be traditionally relatively low. However, past cut-off scores are only a guideline, as they may increase with more applications.
Holistic Approach: Some dental schools evaluate applicants holistically, considering UCAT scores alongside academic achievements like A-levels and GCSEs. If the UCAT score weighting is low, strong academic performance can compensate.
Post-Interview UCAT Consideration: Certain schools may consider the UCAT score after the interview as part of a holistic assessment, allowing candidates to offset a lower UCAT score with a strong interview performance.
Dental Schools to Consider with a Low UCAT Score
🎓 Cardiff Dental School
Average UCAT Score for Interview (2023): 2637, with a minimum of 2310.
Admissions Approach: Cardiff takes a holistic approach, considering both GCSEs and UCAT scores, with particular attention to the Situational Judgement Test (SJT).
Recommendation: Cardiff could be a strong option if you excelled in the SJT and have strong GCSEs if your overall UCAT score is lower.
🎓 Dundee Dental School
Average UCAT Score for Interview (2023): 2579, with the lowest scores being 2320 (Rest of UK) and 2310 (Scottish applicants).
Admissions Approach: Dundee emphasises academic achievement, weighting it 60% compared to 40% for the UCAT. Academic solid performance can offset a lower UCAT score. This weighting shifts to 60% UCAT and 40% academics for graduate applicants.
Recommendation: If your UCAT score is lower but your academic grades are strong, Dundee should be a top consideration.
🎓 Liverpool Dental School
The Average UCAT Interview score (2023) is 2593, with the lowest score of 2090.
Admissions Approach: Liverpool assesses the application, including academics, personal statement, and a specific non-academic questionnaire. Applicants with an SJT score of Band 4 are automatically rejected.
Recommendation: If you have a lower UCAT score but solid academics and a compelling personal statement, Liverpool is a good option, given its holistic approach and lower minimum UCAT requirements.
🎓 Queen's Belfast Dental School
UCAT Score Information: Specific UCAT statistics have yet to be released, but Queen's Belfast has no formal UCAT cut-off score.
Admissions Approach: Queen's Belfast places minimal emphasis on UCAT scores, weighing them at only 12.5%, with 87.5% of the score based on GCSE results.
Recommendation: If you have strong GCSE grades but a lower UCAT score, Queen's Belfast is an excellent choice due to its heavy reliance on academic results.
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