Where to Apply to Dentistry with a Low UCAT Score (UK 2026 Entry)
Applying to dental school with a low UCAT score can feel daunting, but it’s not impossible. Many UK dental schools take a holistic approach in admissions, meaning strong academics or other factors can offset a lower UCAT.
In this guide, focused on 2026 entry, we’ll explore where home applicants (and graduate applicants) can apply strategically with a low UCAT. We’ll define “low” as around the 5th decile (mid-2400s on the ‘old’ scale) in recent years – roughly the average UCAT score– and highlight dental programs known for lower UCAT requirements.
What to Consider If Your UCAT Is Low
Dental schools often weigh more than just UCAT. Here are key points to keep in mind (and leverage to your advantage):
Strong Academics: Excellent GCSEs and A-Levels can bolster your application at schools that value academics over UCAT. For example, some universities weigh academics at 60% and UCAT at 40%, allowing high grades to compensate for a lower UCAT.
Personal Statement & Work Experience: Dental schools tend to scrutinise personal statements closely. A compelling statement showcasing your work experience, motivation for dentistry, and relevant qualities can help offset a subpar UCAT.
No or Low UCAT Cut-Offs: Many dental programs don’t have a strict UCAT cut-off or have historically low threshold scores. Others use a point system combining UCAT with academics, so a lower UCAT still earns points if other areas shine
Situational Judgement Test (SJT): Some schools place extra emphasis on the UCAT’s SJT band. Scoring well in SJT can boost a low overall UCAT – for instance, Cardiff allocates almost as many points to the SJT band as to the total UCAT score. Conversely, note that Band 4 SJT can be an automatic rejection at certain schools.
Holistic or Post-Interview Consideration: Certain dental schools evaluate candidates holistically, or even consider UCAT after interviews. This means a stellar interview performance could balance out a low UCAT.
Keep these factors in mind as we explore specific dental schools. Below, we break down which UK dental schools are considered “low UCAT-friendly” and why, followed by options for graduate-entry dentistry.
With the removal of Abstract Reasoning from the UCAT exam in 2025, your total score will now be the aggregate of your marks in Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, and Quantitative Reasoning, ranging from 900 to 2700. This blog will often use the historical marks range.
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Low UCAT? Consider These UK Dental Schools (Undergraduate Entry)
If your UCAT score is on the lower side, focus on universities known for lower UCAT requirements or holistic admissions. The following dental schools have historically been accessible to applicants with below-average UCAT scores.
Important disclaimer: Always verify the most recent admissions policies with the relevant dental school. Dental schools can, and do, alter their UCAT entry requirements, sometimes during the academic year.
Cardiff University School of Dentistry
Why Cardiff? Cardiff uses a holistic selection process that heavily weighs academics and the SJT alongside UCAT performance. Cardiff doesn’t set a fixed UCAT cut-off – a cut-off is only applied if too many applicants have top academic scores. This means a strong academic record can compensate for a low UCAT.
The average UCAT for Cardiff interviewees in recent cycles was around the mid-2600s, and candidates with scores as low as ~2310 have been invited to interview. Cardiff also gives “particular attention” to the Situational Judgement Test (SJT), allocating substantial points to it.
Bottom line: If you excelled in SJT or have excellent GCSEs but a mediocre UCAT, Cardiff is a great option. It’s one of the few schools where a ~2400 UCAT (around 5th decile) could still secure an interview, provided your academics are strong and other materials (personal statement, references) are solid.
University of Dundee School of Dentistry
Why Dundee? Dundee is known for balancing academic achievement with UCAT in its selection. For school-leaver applicants, academics are weighted 60% and UCAT 40% – meaning high grades can significantly boost a lower UCAT score (Notably, for graduate applicants, this weighting flips to 60% UCAT and 40% academics, but we’ll address graduate-entry separately.)
Dundee does not have a strict UCAT cut-off, and its interview selection is truly holistic, considering all academic achievements to date. In the 2023 cycle, the average UCAT of Dundee interviewees was about 2579 for rest-of-UK applicants, and the lowest UCAT scores invited were 2320 (RUK) and 2310 (Scottish) – firmly in the “low” UCAT range. In fact, Dundee’s admission stats show that some Home applicants with UCAT scores under 2000 still received interviews (likely due to contextual flags or exceptional academics).
Bottom line: If your UCAT is low but you have strong or above-average grades, Dundee should top your list. It’s one of the most accommodating dental schools for low UCAT, thanks to its heavy academic weighting and lack of a hard cut-off.
University of Liverpool School of Dentistry
Why Liverpool? Liverpool employs a holistic review process and has one of the lowest UCAT requirements of all UK dental schools There is no formal cut-off; instead, Liverpool assesses the whole application, including academic grades, a detailed academic/non-academic questionnaire, and the UCAS personal statement (Do note: Liverpool will not consider applicants with an SJT Band 4 but Bands 1–3 are accepted.)
Historically, Liverpool’s threshold for interview has been very low – the average UCAT among interviewees was ~2593, and some with UCAT ~2090 (very low) still received interviews. In fact, ~2100 has been cited as the average minimum UCAT needed for an interview, which is remarkably low. This makes Liverpool a prime choice if your UCAT is significantly below average. It’s crucial, however, to have strong supporting credentials – good A-levels/GCSEs and a compelling personal statement – to make your case. Liverpool’s holistic philosophy means they “look at all aspects” of candidates and will give due credit if you shine in other areas.
Bottom line: Applicants with a low UCAT but high motivation, relevant experiences, and solid grades have a real shot at Liverpool. This program is often mentioned as the most forgiving UCAT-wise in the UK.
Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) School of Dentistry
Why Queen’s Belfast? QUB explicitly places minimal emphasis on UCAT scores in selecting dental students. There is no official UCAT cut-off at Belfast. Instead, QUB uses a scoring system that is overwhelmingly academic-focused: GCSE results account for 87.5% of the selection score, and UCAT just 12.5%. In practical terms, this means a stellar set of GCSEs can almost entirely make up for a poor UCAT. (They score the top 9 GCSEs, converting grades to points, and give a smaller number of points based on broad UCAT score bands.)
For 2023 entry, it was reported that a score of 37/42 (from GCSE+UCAT) was needed for an interview, up from 33 the year before. This implies that an applicant with somewhat lower UCAT can succeed if their GCSE score is near-max. The typical UCAT range of those invited to interview at QUB is reported around 2300–2650, which spans the low to average range.
Bottom line: If you have strong GCSEs (especially a majority of A*/8-9 grades) but your UCAT is lacking, Queen’s Belfast is an excellent option. It is arguably the most academically weighted dental school in the UK, giving hope to low-UCAT applicants who worked hard in school. Just remember that competition is still stiff, and you’ll need to meet the minimum A-level requirements (typically AAA including sciences) and other criteria.
What about other UK dental schools?
You might notice we haven’t listed every program. Generally, schools like Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, King’s (standard 5-year), etc., tend to have higher UCAT thresholds or more UCAT-driven selection and may not be ideal if you’re below the mid-decile. (For example, Newcastle’s cut-off in recent cycles was around 2790– too high for a “low UCAT” strategy.)
One exception is Leeds, which historically used the BMAT instead of UCAT; however, from 2024 entry onwards, Leeds now requires the UCAT. Early indications show Leeds also uses a holistic approach, but without data yet, it’s safer to focus on the schools above for a low UCAT scenario. Plymouth is another to mention: it technically has a low UCAT cut-off (~2300) but in practice often needs around 2600+ to be competitive, so it’s more of a mid-tier choice.
In summary, Cardiff, Dundee, Liverpool, and Queen’s Belfast consistently stand out as dental schools where a low UCAT score (e.g. in the 2300s) does not automatically derail your chances. They either don’t heavily weigh the UCAT or have had low interview thresholds historically. If applying with a sub-2500 UCAT, applying tactically to these programs maximises your chances. Just be sure you meet their academic requirements and make the rest of your application as strong as possible.
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Graduate Entry Dentistry with Low UCAT (Options for Graduates)
For applicants who already hold an undergraduate degree (or are in their final year) and are seeking Graduate Entry Dentistry, the landscape is a bit different. Graduate-entry (often 4-year) dental programs are limited and highly competitive, but there are a few key points for those with low UCAT scores:
University of Aberdeen – Graduate Entry BDS (4-year)
Aberdeen’s Institute of Dentistry offers a 4-year BDS designed for graduates (often requiring a 2:1 in a relevant science degree). The good news: Aberdeen uses a 60/40 weighting (Academics 60%, UCAT 40%) and has no minimum UCAT cut-off. They’ll score your UCAT relative to the applicant pool, but a stellar academic record can carry a lot of weight. In 2023, Aberdeen interviewed graduate applicants with UCAT scores as low as 2110 (Scottish applicants) and 2460 (Rest of UK)– indicating that even a very low UCAT could succeed here if other aspects shine. The SJT is not scored at Aberdeen except as a tiebreaker. Note: This programme is exclusively for graduates, so competition is among fellow grads (with fewer seats available than undergrad courses).
UCLan (University of Central Lancashire) – Graduate Entry Dentistry
UCLan’s 4-year graduate-entry BDS is extremely friendly to low-UCAT applicants because it does not require UCAT at all. Instead, applicants must meet academic criteria (usually a minimum 2:1 in a biomedical discipline, plus certain A-level and GCSE requirements). If you have the required grades and degree, you are invited straight to interview regardless of your UCAT score. This makes UCLan a prime option if standardised tests aren’t your strength. Keep in mind, however, that places are few and you’ll still need to excel in the interview to secure an offer.
King’s College London – Graduate/Professional Entry Programme (BDS 4-year)
King’s offers an accelerated dentistry degree for graduates with a biomedical or health-related degree. Unlike UCLan, King’s does use the UCAT in selection (as of 2025 entry and likely for 2026). Being a very competitive program, a higher UCAT is advantageous, but King’s also looks at your academic profile and relevant experience. (Exact cut-offs aren’t published; as a guideline, aim for above-average UCAT if possible). The cohort is small (around 25 places) and open to graduates, including healthcare professionals. If your UCAT is low, King’s is a bit of a reach unless you have a truly exceptional academic record or other mitigating strengths. Still, it’s worth noting as one of the few grad-entry options in England.
University of Liverpool – Graduate Entry Dentistry
In addition to its standard 5-year course, Liverpool has a shortened dental program for graduates. Similar to King’s, applicants need a science or healthcare degree (and Liverpool may even consider applicants with a prior medical degree, given some grad entrants are qualified doctors). Liverpool’s grad course likely uses UCAT in selection, but as with its 5-year program, they may consider a range of factors. There is limited official data, but given Liverpool’s holistic ethos, a moderate UCAT might be acceptable if you have a substantial degree (e.g. first-class honours) and perhaps relevant work experience. Since this route is competitive, treat a low UCAT cautiously – strengthen other areas of your application accordingly.
Tip: According to the British Dental Association, there are only 16 dental schools in the UK, of which two are graduate-entry only (Aberdeen and UCLan) and a couple of others (King’s and Liverpool) offer accelerated graduate routes alongside their standard courses. This means the graduate-entry space is small. If you’re a graduate applicant with a low UCAT, consider prioritising universities like Aberdeen and UCLan, where UCAT is not a deal-breaker. Be sure to highlight your academic achievements and any relevant healthcare experience. You might also sit the GAMSAT if applying to programs in Australia/Ireland or as a backup, but for UK dentistry, UCAT remains key in most cases.
Strengthening Your Application for 2026 Entry
Finally, whether you’re applying as a school-leaver or a graduate, remember that a lower UCAT score means you should maximise every other part of your application:
Academics: Ensure you meet (or exceed) the required grades for each program. If your grades are borderline, a high UCAT is usually needed – but if UCAT is low, your grades really must shine. Some schools, such as Cardiff and QUB, rank by GCSEs, while others, like Dundee and Aberdeen, give heavy weight to achieved grades. Highlight any academic prizes or a strong degree classification if you have one.
Personal Statement: Use it to convey your commitment to dentistry. Reflect on your work experience, volunteering, manual dexterity hobbies, and what you learned from dentists you’ve shadowed. A thoughtful, genuine personal statement can sway readers that you’ll make a great dentist. Some schools (e.g. Liverpool) formally assess the statement, and others use it in borderline cases so that it can make a difference.
Interview Prep: If you secure interviews, a low UCAT will be irrelevant at that stage – it’s all about your interview performance. Practice common MMI scenarios, ethical questions, and manual dexterity stations. Showing excellent communication skills, empathy, and knowledge of the dental profession can win offers even if your UCAT was weak. (Some universities may even use your UCAT only as a post-interview tiebreaker, so once you’re at the interview, focus on acing it.)
Apply Strategically: Use all four UCAS choices wisely. Consider choosing two or three low-UCAT-friendly schools, such as the ones listed above, and possibly one “reach” school if you’re feeling hopeful. Avoid any university whose recent UCAT cut-offs are well above your score – that would likely be a wasted choice in 2026’s competitive cycle. It’s worth checking official admission stats or emailing admissions offices if in doubt.
In conclusion, a low UCAT score is not the end of your dentistry dreams. By targeting the right dental schools – those with holistic admissions or historically lower UCAT thresholds – and by strengthening the other aspects of your application, you can still secure that coveted dental school interview. For 2026 entry, pay attention to updated admission policies (for example, the UCAT format change removing Abstract Reasoning, which means future score distributions will differ). Stay informed through official sources and make sure to double-check each university’s 2026 entry requirements. With a strategic approach and determination, you can overcome a low UCAT and achieve your goal of studying dentistry. Good luck!
