Frequently asked questions

How many places do you have for your Dentistry courses?

We have 67 places available for A206 (five-year Dentistry BDS) for home students and four for international students. We have six places available for Dentistry with a Foundation Year.

We can take up to 14 students each year for the BSc Dental Hygiene and Therapy (formerly Oral Health Science) course.

How many applications do you receive?

We receive:

• around 1,000 applications each year for the five-year BDS;
• over 100 applications for the pre-dental course;
• over 350 applications for the BSc Dental Hygiene and Therapy degree. 

More information can be found on our application statistics page.

When is the deadline for applications to Dentistry?

The deadline for all applications through UCAS is the UCAS application deadline in October, including for those applying for deferred entry for courses A204 and A206 (five-year BDS and six-year BDS with a Foundation Year). Applications to course B840 (BSc Dental Hygiene and Therapy) close on the UCAS 'equal consideration' deadline in January.

An application can be made for entry to Dentistry in the September of the following year or for a deferred place in September the year after that. We are not able to consider late applications.

An application can be made for entry to Dentistry in the September of the following year or for a deferred place in September the year after that. We are not able to consider late applications.

Do you consider gap year students?

Yes. We consider applicants who are either on a gap year or wish to take one before they join the course. We would expect time in the gap year to be used constructively to gain more work experience either paid or unpaid. Gap year applicants are considered in the same way as applicants applying straight from sixth form.

If I have started another degree course and I want to apply for dentistry, would I be considered?

No, we will only consider students who are in their final year, or have completed their degree course before they apply.

If I have completed my A-levels and have registered onto a different degree, or I am in the first or second year of a degree course while applying for dentistry, will you consider my application?

No, if you have registered to start a degree in the year you make your application for dentistry, or are on a degree that will not be completed by the September of the year you want to start a dental degree, your application will not be considered.

You must be in your final year of a degree programme, or have completed a first degree, before we will consider your application.

Our requirement for graduates is an achievement of a minimum Upper Second (2:1) degree and A-levels at a minimum of BBB achieved at first attempt. See our course pages for full entry requirements.

Would you consider my application if I had previously been unsuccessful on a dentistry course at another university?

No, we would not consider your application. We do not consider students who have started a dental course elsewhere.

Can I apply for Dental Hygiene and Therapy as a fifth choice on my UCAS application if my other choices are for the BDS course?

Yes, you can. However, as competition for places on Dental Hygiene and Therapy is fierce due to the small number of places available, your personal statement would need to reflect your passion to study Dental Hygiene and Therapy, not Dental Surgery (BDS), which, in turn, may be detrimental to your other four BDS choices.

Do you accept transfers onto your dentistry courses?

No. We don't accept transfers. If you are in the first year of another degree, you should wait until you are in your final year of the degree before applying.

I was interviewed at Manchester last year, but was unsuccessful. Can I re-apply?

If you were interviewed, you can re-apply. However, we do not consider applications where you have been unsuccessful twice consecutively.

I applied to Manchester last year but wasn't offered an interview. Can I re-apply?

Yes, if this is your second consecutive application, we will consider a further application. We will treat the new application as if it was the first. We do not consider applications where you have been unsuccessful twice consecutively.

I will be under 18 if I joined the dental course. Will I still be considered?

Yes, we accept students who are 17 years old or above onto the course. We do not consider applications from students who would be 16 on the start day of the course.

Can a parent, teacher or friend discuss my application with you?

We will only correspond directly with you about the status of your application (including the outcome of your application, your offer and your examination results).

This is because dental students and all applicants to medicine must demonstrate a number of core professional values and behaviours. We value traits such as resilience and the ability to engage in independent enquiry because these are essential qualities that dentists must possess.

We know that it can seem a bit daunting at first but our admissions team are very friendly and will always be willing to help where we can, so please do to pick up the phone and speak to us in person or contact us directly by email rather than asking someone else to do it for you. We will not normally speak to anyone else about your application, other than to verify references qualifications and work experience. 

Is there an advantage to studying four A-levels?

We warmly welcome applicants with four A-levels, but we only require three to satisfy our basic entry requirements.

As we consider applications on a holistic basis one of the things we will look for is evidence of high levels of sustained academic achievement, and so an additional A-level may be advantageous in this respect. We are aware, however, that not all applicants will have had the opportunity to study for 4 A-levels and this will be considered in the context of the entirety of the application.

Does it make any difference if I am predicted to obtain an A* at A-level?

As we consider applications on a holistic basis one of the things we will look for is evidence of high levels of sustained academic achievement, and so an A* at A-level may be advantageous in this respect.

You ask for AAA predicted or achieved but I have A*AB. Can I still be considered?

No, we would not consider an application.

I have more A*/A grades at GCSE than you require. Do I have an advantage in your assessment?

As we consider applications on a holistic basis one of the things we will look for is evidence of high levels of sustained academic achievement, and so additional A* grades may be advantageous in this respect.

What extra qualifications might be considered to demonstrate a commitment towards achieving a broad and balanced education?

Any of the following qualifications would be considered:

• General Studies
• Citizenship
• Critical Thinking
• Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
• Key Skills (e.g. ASDN Certificate of Personal Effectiveness).
• Level 3 BTEC
• Music examinations (grade 6 and above)
• Vocational Certificate of Educational (AVCE)
• National Citizen Service (NCS)
• Duke of Edinburgh Award
• any other qualifications listed in the UCAS tariff tables.

Do you have a preference for the third subject taken?

No, provided it isn't one of the non-accepted subjects listed on our website, we will accept any other subject.

I completed three A-levels at A grade, but did not take Chemistry or Biology, so can I take the subjects a year later and still apply?

Yes, providing you are predicted to achieve a grade A in both and they are taken in one year only.

Do you accept A2 re-sits?

We welcome applications from those re-sitting their A-levels, though applicants may only re-sit one of either Year 12 or Year 13.

Where A-levels have been attempted in Year 13, applicants are expected to have obtained a minimum of grade B in each subject at the first sitting for the re-sit grades to be considered.

All re-sitting applicants are required to achieve Grades A*AA in the A-level subjects specified above, and the A* is expected to be achieved in the final examinations in either of the two required sciences.

I've taken Maths A-level a year early. Will this affect my application?

No, it will not affect your application, but it would not be taken into account in any offer made.  If you achieved a grade A in the Maths A-level we would still expect you to offer three A2 subjects to include Chemistry and Biology, plus a third subject at the end of Year 13.  Our requirements from those subjects would be AAA.

Will it be acceptable if I take three years to complete my A-levels?

We are aware that some schools actively encourage their students to start studying for A-levels early, i.e. in Year 11. If you started one A-level in Year 11 and completed it in Year 12, and then went on to complete three A-levels at the end of Year 13, this would be acceptable.

We would appreciate clarification from your school before we make a decision. Please contact ug.dentistry@manchester.ac.uk for guidance.

I do not have GCSE subjects, only equivalents.  Would you accept my application taking A-levels?

If you do not meet the GCSE requirements, we would ask you to email your qualifications to us for advice in advance of making an application.

Do you accept GCSE resits?

Yes, we do.

What is the UCAT and do I have to take it?

The UCAT is an aptitude test used by many medical and dental schools to assist in their selection procedures to their programmes. All applicants to Manchester must take the UCAT test in the year of application. The test is valid for a year. More information can be found on the UCAT page.

How do you consider the UCAT?

Please refer to the UCAT page for information on this.

Where can I find out more about UCAT?

You can visit the main UCAT website. You can also download an official guide from the website, which contains definitive information regarding the test and its content, as well as free practice tests and other practice tools.

What if I usually require extra time for exams?

Check the UCAT website for information on the extended test (UCATSEN). Please note that you will be required to provide UCAT with the appropriate evidence.

What is the Non-Academic Information Form?

The Non-Academic Information Form can be thought of as an expanded personal statement where you can provide more information and tell us why you chose to apply to Manchester.

See the Non-Academic Information Form page for more information.

What work experience do you need?

We are trying to ascertain that you have a clear idea of what it is like to study dentistry and what the role of a dentist entails.

We will look to see that you can demonstrate a genuine and sustained commitment to wanting to enter a caring profession, and you are able to reflect on what you have gained from the work experience you have undertaken.

We will expect some in-person work experience, which can be supplemented by online work experience.

See the Non-Academic Information Form page for more information.

Why do you use the Non-Academic Information Form?

This minimises the possibility that you might omit any of the essential information that we require.

Is this not just the personal statement?

It's a more structured version of the personal statement that is designed to help you get the information we need to see across to us efficiently and succinctly. We want to know specifically why you would like to come to Manchester and why you think you would make a good Manchester student.

While we expect it to contain some of the information we would ordinarily expect to see in a personal statement, we recommend that you do not copy chunks of your personal statement word for word.

We may read a small number of personal statements in certain circumstances.

Where and when will interviews take place?

Interviews will normally be held in January/February. See the interviews page for more information.

Can international students apply?

Yes, we have a fixed HEFCE quota of four international students per year (i.e. not home applicants).

International applications will be processed and assessed separately, but using the same processes as home applications.

If I am selected for interview, where will my interview be held?

BDS interviews normally take place in person in Manchester or online via Zoom.

Dental Hygiene and Therapy interviews take place in person in Manchester.

What are your English language requirements?

If English is not your first language, we require a Secure English Language Test to demonstrate your English proficiency at the time of application. Please contact the admissions team prior to application if you are unsure of your eligibility.