Academic Requirements

Academic Requirements

Applicants must hold a good honours degree (1st or 2:1) in a medical science or health related degree from a UK university.

The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree is a five year programme in the UK. There is both a standard entry pathway and a graduate entry pathway. Applicants to the graduate entry pathway must demonstrate that their prior formal qualifications have covered relevant biomedical subjects. This will allow for direct entry into year 2.

Examples of acceptable degrees include:

  • Anatomy
  • Biomedical Science
  • Diagnostic Radiography
  • Forensic Anthropology
  • Genetics
  • Human Biology
  • Medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacy
  • Physiology
  • Physiotherapy
  • Veterinary Medicine

If you are in doubt about the acceptability of your degree please contact the Dental Admissions Office (dentistry@abdn.ac.uk) for advice. Please include details on the courses and content of your degree.

For BSc Oral Health Sciences students we would look for evidence of academic excellence in their programme of study. Applicants would need to be able to demonstrate that they have achieved marks that would be at least equivalent level to an upper second/first class performance on their degree programme. This could include details of individual modules and the level of attainment achieved.

Please note: that due to the large number of graduate applicants with 2:1 Honours degrees or better, an additional qualification such as an MSc will not improve the chances of acceptance for those with 2:2 Honours degrees. 

English Language Requirements

Candidates whose first language is not English, must also achieve:

IELTS (International Language Testing System): Band 7.0 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in speaking section.

Please note, English Language qualifications must be taken within two years of applying for entry to the BDS programme.

Important Information:

  • Make sure that your referee is able to discuss your attributes as a dental applicant, as well as have knowledge of your academic progress.
  • Estimated grades for candidates whose examination results are not available at the time of application must be included on the UCAS application form.
  • When you submit your UCAS application form, please email the dental admissions office an up-to-date copy of your university transcript. Transcripts should be emailed to dentistry@abdn.ac.ukPlease remember to include your UCAS Number in the email.