Admissions Policy

The University of Aberdeen has an equal opportunities policy to which the dental school adheres. An applicant's race, ethnicity, gender, marital or parental status, educational or social background will have no influence on how their application is assessed.

The University of Aberdeen believes a diverse student population is important from an educational and social perspective; enhancing the educational experience for all.

We welcome applications from students with disabilities. A disability need not be a bar to becoming a dentist if the student can fulfil the rigorous demands of professional fitness to practise. However, it is important that disabilities are declared so that appropriate adjustments to the course can be made in good time. Identification of these needs is the purpose of the Occupational Health Questionnaire described below. Note that dyslexia falls into the disability category and mistakes in prescribing can have serious results if dyslexia is not declared and if protective measures are not in place. Independent assessment of dyslexia is therefore important. 

If you have concerns about a disability, you can seek advice from the Admissions Staff. However, only general advice can be given before application and detailed consideration of individual cases is only possible by referral to Occupational Health for a full assessment. This is undertaken separately from the selection process and only once a provisional offer of admission has been made and accepted.

In exceptional circumstances, admission to the dental school may be refused and a provisional offer withdrawn on grounds of fitness to practise. The General Dental Council has made recommendations concerning Student Health and Conduct and Dental Schools should not admit students who would not be able to function independently or who might pose a danger to the public due to ill health or disability.

Occupational Health Questionnaire

Occupational Health wish to know about any disabilities or health conditions that may affect students in their training so that, where appropriate, advice can be given to the School of any support needs students may have and how these can be provided for. Information is also required about conditions which could pose risk to patients so that these can be assessed. Consideration can then be given to how any risk can be avoided, whilst assistance is provided to help students successfully complete the course. This can be achieved with most health problems and disabilities, even if substantial.

As a potential future dentist, you have a duty to provide relevant information to the School's Dental Advisers, NHS Grampian Occupational Health Service. Failure to disclose information about a physical or mental health problem that could affect patient safety would be a breach of this duty and could result in disciplinary action. All dental and sensitive personal information you provide will be held in confidence by NHS Grampian Occupational Health Service. The school will only be informed of the effects of a health problem or disability, if relevant to your educational needs or patient safety, and of recommendations on support or adjustments that could be of assistance to you.

Thus applicants who have been invited for interview will be issued with a Health Questionnaire that should be returned to Occupational Health. Only the questionnaires of applicants who ultimately take up a place at the Dental School (ie of confirmed entrants) will be reviewed by Occupational Health. The remaining questionnaires will be destroyed.

All applicants to dentistry must declare criminal offences on the UCAS form. Any declaration will be further explored and further details will be required.

All entrants to dental schools in the UK must undergo a PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) check, or equivalent police record check. Applicants who accept an offer of admission to dentistry in Aberdeen will be contacted prior to the start of term and guided through the process of application through Disclosure Scotland for this criminal records check. Non-UK domiciled entrants will be required to supply the university with equivalent certification from their home government. This documentation must be received as soon as possible to allow consideration of the individual circumstances by the University prior to the commencement of studies. 

Not all convictions will result in being barred from the profession. Should potential applicants have uncertainty about a declaration, the Admissions Office will be able to offer advice about a future application for Dentistry to Aberdeen

Applicants with serious criminal convictions may be refused entry on grounds of Fitness to Practise. Failure to declare information, which directly relates to your Fitness to Practise will result in the termination of your dental school course.

All applicants are judged on their merits and in particular, their potential benefit to the dental profession.

There is no fixed upper age limit.

We do not allow transfer into the programme to students who have commenced other degree courses, nor can the School consider applicants who have commenced an alternate degree course with the intention of making an application whilst they are an undergraduate student of that course.

We are well aware of the difficulties faced by students who, for various reasons, do not wish to complete their course of studies and would prefer to enter the programme. While sympathy is felt for the plight of such students, we are inundated with requests for transfer.

Our usual advice in these circumstances is to complete the current degree to at least 2:1 Honours level and then apply as a graduate.