Graduate entry dentistry in the UK is a shortened Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) route open only to applicants who already hold a degree. For 2027 entry the Dental Schools Council records exactly four such courses — and knowing which they are (and which will accept your degree) is the essential starting point.
The four dedicated programmes are Aberdeen (A201, 4 years), University of Lancashire/UCLan (A202, 4 years), King’s College London (A202, 4 years) and King’s A204 (3 years, for GMC-registered doctors only). Beyond these, around 15 standard five-year BDS courses also admit graduates — an important and often-overlooked option.
| UCATScore expertise — UK Graduate Entry Dentistry Prepared by the UCATScore admissions team — graduate-entry dentistry specialists — and verified against UK Dental Schools’s official guidance for 2027 entry. Looking for the admissions-test threshold? See our dedicated UK UCAT cut-off page. Our UCAT and GAMSAT preparation is built for graduate-entry applicants. |
UK Graduate Entry Dentistry at a Glance (2027 Entry)
| Dedicated GEM dentistry courses | Exactly FOUR for 2027 entry (per the Dental Schools Council) |
| Aberdeen | A201 — 4 years, UCAT, MMI, UK applicants only |
| University of Lancashire (UCLan) | A202 — 4 years, UCAT, MMI + group tasks, UK AND overseas applicants |
| King’s College London | A202 — 4 years, UCAT, UK applicants only (bioscience degree) |
| King’s (medical graduates) | A204 — 3 years, NO admissions test, panel interview, GMC-registered doctors only |
| Non-science degrees | NOT accepted on any of the four dedicated courses |
| Alternative | ~15 standard 5-year BDS courses also admit graduates |
| Only course open to international students | UCLan (A202) |
| Only course with no admissions test | King’s A204 (for qualified doctors) |
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Graduate Entry Dentistry UK: How UK Selects Graduate Entry Dentistry Applicants
The single most important fact: all four dedicated graduate-entry dentistry courses require a science degree. King’s A202 requires a Biosciences degree, Aberdeen requires a biosciences or allied-health-profession degree, and UCLan requires a Biomedical discipline. You cannot do dedicated graduate-entry dentistry with a non-science degree.
Three of the four require the UCAT (Aberdeen A201, UCLan A202, King’s A202). The exception is King’s A204 — the only UK dentistry course requiring no admissions test at all — but it’s restricted to GMC-registered doctors who have completed Foundation Years 1 and 2.
If your degree doesn’t fit these gates, don’t give up: around 15 standard five-year BDS courses admit graduates, including Barts/Queen Mary, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Dundee, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield, Glasgow and Plymouth (via internal routes). Many are more flexible on degree subject.
Graduate Entry Dentistry UK: UK Graduate Dentistry Degree & Academic Requirements
A-levels still matter on several graduate-entry dentistry courses:
- UCLan: three A-levels at grade C or above, at least two from Biology, Physics, Chemistry or Maths (General Studies excluded)
- King’s A202: grade B in Biology or Chemistry, plus a B in a second science/Maths/Psychology
- Aberdeen: degree-led (A-levels not the primary route)
- King’s A204: no A-level or admissions-test requirement (GMC-registered doctors)
GCSE requirements on the dedicated courses:
- UCLan: GCSE English Language and Maths at grade B/6
- King’s A202: grade 6 in English Language and Mathematics
- Aberdeen: confirm on Aberdeen’s page
- BTEC Extended Diplomas are not accepted at UCLan
Graduate Entry Dentistry UK: UK entry routes at a glance
| Route / requirement | Detail |
| Aberdeen A201 | 4 yrs · UCAT · MMI · 2:1+ biosciences or allied health · UK only |
| UCLan A202 | 4 yrs · UCAT · MMI + group tasks · 2:1 biomedical + A-levels + GCSEs · UK & overseas |
| King’s A202 | 4 yrs · UCAT · 2:1 biosciences (or 2:2 + Merit PG) · UK only |
| King’s A204 | 3 yrs · NO test · panel · GMC-registered doctors (post-FY2) · UK fee status |
| Standard 5-yr BDS | ~15 courses admit graduates — often more flexible on degree subject |
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Graduate Entry Dentistry UK: UK Admissions Test (UCAT (except KCL A204))
Three of the four dedicated courses require the UCAT; one requires no test at all.
- UCAT required: Aberdeen A201, UCLan A202 and King’s A202
- No admissions test: King’s A204 — the only UK dentistry course with none (GMC-registered doctors only)
- No GAMSAT option exists on any dedicated graduate-entry dentistry course
- Standard five-year BDS courses that admit graduates also use the UCAT
| Course | Admissions test |
| Aberdeen A201 | UCAT |
| UCLan A202 | UCAT |
| King’s A202 | UCAT |
| King’s A204 (doctors) | None |
| UCATScore admissions-test strategy Graduate entry dentistry is far more restricted than graduate entry medicine: just four dedicated courses, all requiring a science degree, and no GAMSAT route anywhere. Sit the UCAT early and aim high — with so few places, it’s the main differentiator. And seriously consider the ~15 standard five-year BDS courses that admit graduates: they roughly quadruple your options and are often more flexible on degree subject. |
Graduate Entry Dentistry UK: UK Work Experience & Manual Dexterity
Dental work experience and manual dexterity matter across all routes.
- Dental shadowing or observation showing insight into the realities of the profession
- Manual dexterity — evidence through hobbies requiring fine motor skills
- Communication, empathy and teamwork, reflected on genuinely
- Requirements vary by school — confirm each one’s expectations
Graduate Entry Dentistry UK: UK Interview Format
Interview formats across the four dedicated courses.
- Aberdeen A201: Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
- UCLan A202: MMI plus group tasks
- King’s A202: MMI / panel (format for 2027 to be confirmed)
- King’s A204: panel interview
Graduate Entry Dentistry UK: UK Graduate Dentistry — Places & Competition
| Metric | Detail |
| Dedicated courses | 4 (Aberdeen, UCLan, King’s A202, King’s A204) |
| Standard 5-yr courses admitting graduates | ~15 |
| Open to international students | UCLan A202 only |
| Requiring no admissions test | King’s A204 only |
Graduate Entry Dentistry UK: UK Entry Requirements for International Students
International options in graduate-entry dentistry are very limited.
- UCLan (A202) is the only dedicated graduate-entry dentistry course open to overseas applicants
- Aberdeen A201 and King’s A202 are UK applicants only
- King’s A204 requires UK fee status and GMC registration
- International graduates should also consider standard five-year BDS courses that accept overseas applicants
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Graduate Entry Dentistry UK: Prepare Your UK Graduate Entry Dentistry Application with UCATScore
Graduate entry is the most competitive route into medicine, and UK has its own distinctive requirements. UCATScore helps graduate applicants get every element right:
- UCAT preparation with graduate-entry score targets
- UK-format interview coaching (MMI / panel / Selection Centre as applicable)
- Personal statement review for graduate applicants — why medicine, why now
- Work-experience and application strategy tailored to graduate entry
Graduate Entry Dentistry UK: Frequently Asked Questions — UK Graduate Entry Dentistry
How many graduate entry dentistry courses are there in the UK?
Exactly four dedicated courses for 2027 entry, per the Dental Schools Council: Aberdeen (A201, 4 years), University of Lancashire/UCLan (A202, 4 years), King’s College London (A202, 4 years) and King’s A204 (3 years, for GMC-registered doctors only). Around 15 standard five-year BDS courses also admit graduates.
Can I do graduate entry dentistry with a non-science degree?
Not on any of the four dedicated courses. King’s A202 requires a Biosciences degree, Aberdeen requires a biosciences or allied-health-profession degree, and UCLan requires a Biomedical discipline. Non-science graduates should look at standard five-year BDS courses that admit graduates.
Do I need the UCAT or GAMSAT for graduate entry dentistry?
The UCAT — required by Aberdeen A201, UCLan A202 and King’s A202. There is no GAMSAT route into UK graduate-entry dentistry. King’s A204 (for qualified doctors) requires no admissions test at all.
Which graduate entry dentistry course accepts international students?
Only the University of Lancashire (UCLan) A202. Aberdeen A201 and King’s A202 are UK applicants only, and King’s A204 requires UK fee status plus GMC registration.
What is the difference between the 3-year and 4-year graduate entry dentistry courses?
The 3-year route (King’s A204) is reserved for qualified UK doctors who are GMC-registered after Foundation Years 1 and 2, and requires no admissions test. The 4-year routes (Aberdeen A201, UCLan A202, King’s A202) are for bioscience/biomedical graduates and require the UCAT.
Do I still need A-levels for graduate entry dentistry?
At some schools, yes. UCLan requires three A-levels at grade C (two from Biology, Physics, Chemistry or Maths) and King’s A202 requires grade B in Biology or Chemistry plus a second science. Aberdeen is degree-led, and King’s A204 has no A-level requirement.
Prepared by the UCATScore admissions team — medicine and dentistry graduate-entry specialists. Verified against official UK Dental Schools admissions guidance and the Medical Schools Council for 2027 entry. Graduate-entry requirements and admissions tests change between cycles — always confirm the current-cycle requirement on the official UK Dental Schools website before booking a test or applying.nst official King’s College London admissions guidance and the Medical Schools Council for 2027 entry. Graduate-entry requirements and admissions tests change between cycles — always confirm the current-cycle requirement on the official King’s College London website before booking a test or applying.