Key information
For:
starting September 2026
UCAS code:
B758
Typical offer:
144 UCAS points from 3 A levels, or equivalent, including 48 UCAS points in A level Biology and 48 points in one other science subject
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
This course is not available in Clearing.
You can still search our alternative courses in Clearing:
Dentists are in high demand in the UK. With more than 2,500 dentist vacancies in the NHS alone, communities all over the country are facing a decline in oral health. Graduates of this course will go on to have a meaningful impact on society, contributing to better health and reducing long-term healthcare costs.
The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) combines biomedical and behavioural sciences, dental public health, clinical skills, and patient-centred care, preparing you for a future career in dentistry. You'll get hands-on training in our state-of-the-art teaching facilities and take part in live clinical sessions with patients. You'll also develop your communication skills and deliver outreach activities, securing your place as a valuable and key member of the community.
Studying in our Dental Academy, you’ll develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours you need to be ready to apply for registration with the General Dental Council (GDC), which is essential for practicing as a dentist in the UK.
BDS Dental Surgery now open to home applicants from September 2027
UK students can now apply to study dentistry at the University of Portsmouth, the South-East's first dental school. With £11 million of government funding, 25 new undergraduate dentistry places will be created at Portsmouth from September 2027, paving the way for improved dental care for more than 200,000 local residents.
Course highlights
- Develop and refine clinical skills in our modern phantom head and haptics labs, using high-fidelity haptic simulators in a team-based environment
- Early patient contact in our dedicated primary care clinical facilities at the Dental Academy
- Community based dental care and community healthcare projects, involving outreach placements which develop the skills needed to prepare dentists to tackle the oral health needs of local communities
- Team-based education, working alongside dental hygiene, dental therapy and dental nursing students to replicate real-world general dental practice
- Secondary care placements in hospital settings to gain experience in specialised areas such as oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, special care dentistry and restorative dentistry
Accredited by:
This course has GDC pre-accreditation approval.
Why isn't this course able to accept UK students for September 2026 entry?
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Office for Students (OfS) have now reviewed the dental workforce and confirmed how many funded Dentistry training places will be available across the UK for the academic year starting in September 2027.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsClearing is open
This course is available through Clearing.
Apply now for September 2026
You can apply for September 2026 entry as soon as you have your confirmed results.
Guaranteed accommodation
If you apply through Clearing, you'll be offered a guaranteed room in halls if you accept your offer within 24 hours of receiving it and apply for accommodation as a new full-time undergraduate student by 9am on Wednesday 16 September 2026.
We have a variety of affordable accommodation options with en-suite halls from £142 per week.
Clearing FAQs
To work out your UCAS points, use our UCAS Calculator to work out how many UCAS points you have.
The tariff calculator will allow you to see what grades you need to get into your preferred course at Portsmouth.
Even if you don't receive the grades you need, we recommend still calling us on 023 9284 8090 as we still may be able to consider you for a course
You can apply through Clearing if:
- You don't meet the conditions of your offer for either your firm (first) or insurance (second) choice courses.
- Your exam results are better than you expected and you want to change your course or university.
- You don't hold any offers.
- You're applying for the first time after 30 June 2026.
- You have changed your mind about which university you want to go to.
After we make you an offer we'll send you a confirmation email. This email will let you know what you need to do next and it will tell you what you need to provide us. In some instances we may ask you to send us copies of certificates or other information.
If you've previously applied through UCAS you'll need to use your UCAS Hub to accept our offer by adding us as your Clearing choice.
If you're having issues, please contact us on +44 (0)23 9284 8090 or [email protected].
Once you've accepted your Clearing course offer, we'll be in touch with details of available accommodation in the area. This will include our latest hall availability and support to find local rented accommodation via portsmouthstudentpad.co.uk.
See our accommodation page for more information.
No, it's not too late and you should make your application for student finance as soon as possible. You don't have to wait for your results. You can make your application now and just amend it when you know where you're going to be.
If you've already applied for your student loan, you'll need to log into your account and update details about your new course/university. If you haven't applied for your student loan yet, don't panic. Apply today — it only takes 30 minutes.
Find out more in our Student finance for Clearing guide.
If you're an EU or international student and you need a visa to study here, you need to start the process quickly as visas can take some time to come through. Get in touch with our visa support team if you have a question or problem.
See more on visa advice.
If you would like further information or guidance, please contact our international office.
Clearing Hotline: 023 9284 8090
Entry requirements
Typical offers
This course is only accepting applications from EU and international students for September 2026 entry. UK students can apply for September 2027 entry.
Typical offers
- A levels - AAA
- UCAS points - 144 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent, including 48 points in A level Biology and 48 points in one other science subject (Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology). For A levels which include a separate science practical component, a pass is desirable and may strengthen an application (calculate your UCAS points)
- International Baccalaureate - 30
30 points from the IB Diploma with 666 at Higher Level, with 6 points from a Higher Level in biology and one other science subject (Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology) - GCSE English and mathematics at grade A/7 or above. 2 GCSE science subjects at grade B/6 or above. This must be achieved prior to application.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
Selection process
- All applicants will be required to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in year of application. Use these free, official UCAT preparation materials to support your test preparation.
- All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview, either an individual online interview or an on campus interview, which will be used alongside your application to determine your suitability for this course
- Applicants must pass Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health checks before starting the course
- The Department of Health requires all new Exposure Prone Procedures (EPP) workers, including students, are tested for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. The consent, test and managed process of results will be carried out by our Occupational Health Department
- View our FAQs for answers to commonly asked questions
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs – see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 7.0 with no component score below 6.5.
See alternative English language qualifications.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Typical offers
- A levels - AAA
- UCAS points - 144 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent, including 48 points in A level Biology and 48 points in one other science subject (Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology). For A levels which include a separate science practical component, a pass is desirable and may strengthen an application (calculate your UCAS points)
- International Baccalaureate - 30
30 points from the IB Diploma with 666 at Higher Level, with 6 points from a Higher Level in biology and one other science subject (Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology) - GCSE English and mathematics at grade A/7 or above. 2 GCSE science subjects at grade B/6 or above. This must be achieved prior to application.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
Selection process
- All applicants will be required to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in year of application. Use these free, official UCAT preparation materials to support your test preparation.
- All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview, either an individual online interview or an on campus interview, which will be used alongside your application to determine your suitability for this course
- Applicants must pass Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health checks before starting the course
- The Department of Health requires all new Exposure Prone Procedures (EPP) workers, including students, are tested for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. The consent, test and managed process of results will be carried out by our Occupational Health Department
- View our FAQs for answers to commonly asked questions
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs – see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 7.0 with no component score below 6.5.
See alternative English language qualifications.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Values and the NHS Constitution
We embed the principles and values of the NHS Constitution in all our health and social care courses. When you apply for this course, we’ll expect you to demonstrate how your values align with the values of the Constitution.
Facilities and specialist equipment
Discover our dental facilities
Explore our dental facilities, where you'll access a range of specialist equipment and build your skills towards your chosen career.
The tutors, they don't just teach you to pass your course. They really care about you having a good information and knowledge base to be able to deal with your patients as a whole. It's just amazing.
Careers and opportunities
Dentists are pivotal to the team responsible for improving oral health and will contribute to reducing long-term healthcare costs and improving life expectancy. With a focus on community and patient-centred learning, our dentist graduates will reduce health inequalities by working with diverse populations, including vulnerable or underserved groups.
Portsmouth dental graduates may take on leadership roles within professional bodies or health systems, shaping policies around oral health education, access to care, or ethical practices in dentistry.
What areas can you work in with a dental surgery degree?
After you complete this course, you’ll be able to register with the General Dental Council (GDC) as a dentist and embark on your dental career straight away in the private dental sector; for international students, this will be subject to working visa regulations at point of graduation. You'll need to complete Dental Foundation Training (DFT) to be eligible to practice dentistry in the NHS. Eligibility for the DFT is different for international students.
You'll also be qualified to work in areas such as:
- Primary care general dental practice (NHS after DFT)
- Dental Core Training (DCT) – develop skills and focus on specialties in secondary care (orthodontics, paediatrics, oral surgery, special care and geriatric dentistry) (after DFT)
- Secondary care dental services (community dental services, hospitals)
- Public health dentistry
- Dental Education
- Research and Innovation (academic, product development, pharmaceutical companies, dental equipment manufacturers)
- Forensic dentistry
- Military dental care
- Cosmetic dentistry
Dental Foundation Training (DFT)
To practice dentistry in the NHS you'll need to complete Dental Foundation Training. The DFT is a postgraduate training programme that takes 12 months to complete full-time and you'll be paid a salary throughout. Through hands-on clinical experience, assessments and study days, newly-qualified dentists will demonstrate that they have the necessary competencies to work independently in NHS general dental practice. Eligibility for the DFT is different for international students.
Once the DFT has been successfully completed, candidates will be eligible for inclusion in the NHS Performers List. Any dentist offering primary care in an NHS setting is required to be registered on the Performers List for England.
Applicants should be aware that the government plans to make it a requirement for newly qualified dentists to practice in the NHS for a minimum period, as announced in the 10-Year Health Plan for England. This requirement is expected to apply to home individuals entering a dental course of study from academic year 2027/28. More information is expected from the Department of Health and Social Care in due course.
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Careers and Employability Service to help you find your perfect role.
Work experience with patients in the community
To help you gain professional experience, you'll help to provide free dental health services to the public at the Dental Academy and work with patients in local community settings.
You'll have the chance to offer preventative and educational dental support within institutions such as school clinics and hostels for homeless people, enabling you to gain a better understanding of the social impact of good dental care.
Our community work experience projects include:
- outreach activity in community surgeries and maxillofacial departments in local hospitals
- oral health promotion
- supervised tooth brushing in infant schools
- helping staff to develop oral care plans in residential homes
- providing dental screening to offenders in the probation service
- providing dental check ups to elite athletes, including first team players from Portsmouth Football Club
Portsmouth FC players get a check up at the Dental Academy
Thanks to a collaborative partnership with Portsmouth Football Club, our undergraduate dental students gave first team players Clark Robertson and Liam Vincent a full oral health assessment at our Dental Academy.
Check ups like these are an opportunity to catch any potential issues early, such as dental trauma from the sport, tooth decay from a diet that’s often high in carbohydrates and sugars, or dental erosion caused by acidic sports drinks.
Professor Chris Louca: Today we are resurrecting a collaboration between the University of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Football Club. So in this case, we've got final year Dental Hygiene students who are looking at the Portsmouth Football Club players and they're carrying out a full oral health assessment.
This is a really big area of interest, looking at the link between oral health and the performance of elite athletes. There's a growing body of evidence to show that there is a link between these two areas.
Francesca Lee: So an athlete's diet consists of high sugar, so the advice I'd give to athletes is to minimise eating sugary foods and drinks and if they're going to have it, eat it in one sitting rather than snacking throughout the day.
Liam Vincent: I've just had a check up and they've removed some decay off my teeth. My teeth are a lot better now!
I never really considered the health of my teeth before, as much as I will do now.
Clark Robertson: I didn't really think about it too much in relation to actually playing football, but it's something I'll be more aware of moving forward.
Modules
What you'll study
Throughout your first year we'll support you in your transition to higher education and provide you with core knowledge and skills that will prepare you for your career in dentistry.
You’ll be introduced to the fundamental topics related to dentistry, including human anatomy and physiology, microbiology and infection control, communication skills and preventive approaches to patient care and the regulatory aspects of dental service provision. You'll develop the essential scientific, professional and clinical foundations for safe, evidence-based dental practice.
We use a blended learning approach for theoretical based teaching and alongside this you will undertake lab-based clinical skills sessions, developing an understanding of the equipment used and hands-on practices of dentistry. Through structured observation, simulation and closely supervised clinical activity, you'll progress from exploring the clinical environment to contributing to prevention and stabilisation in patient care. This module emphasises active, collaborative and self-directed learning, with regular feedback that builds confidence, digital capability and ethical, globally aware professional behaviour.
In your second year, you’ll build on the knowledge gained from year one using our blended learning approach. You'll refine diagnostic understanding of oral diseases, enhance skills in radiography, local pain control and tooth restoration, and gain insight into adult and child oral care by exploring social, cultural, psychological and environmental factors.
You'll apply all your theoretical learning on live patient clinics and develop knowledge and clinical skills to help you manage Paediatric Dental Care, Oral Diseases, and how to use Radiology to improve diagnostic skills, enabling you to provide a wider range of restorative care for both children and adults. This will help you improve your clinical and diagnostic skills and give you a better understanding of systemic health conditions that can be detected in the mouth and may need attention from the wider dental team, or even an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
Reflective practice, digital capability, and collaborative, self-directed learning remain central, supporting confident, ethical, globally aware clinical development.
In your third year, you’ll develop important skills essential for understanding clinical research and practising evidence-based dentistry. There is a focus on dental public health and oral health promotion.
You'll develop fundamental skills required for safe practice, including the management of medical emergencies and engaging with service improvement and quality in patient care provision. You'll learn how to manage increasingly complex patient care, including developmental anomalies, trauma, pulpal management, implant maintenance and medical emergencies. You'll also consolidate diagnostic reasoning through problem-based learning and research activity, and undertake supervised practice in both school and outreach settings.
You'll continue to develop your clinical skills; managing dental pain and enhancing your diagnostic skills, extracting primary teeth and treating dental trauma. You will attend placements in secondary care settings to broaden your experience and understanding of holistic dental care. Emphasis is placed on advanced communication, professionalism, reflective capability, quality improvement, and holistic care planning to prepare students for safe, ethical, evidence-based practice.
In your fourth year, you’ll take your restorative and surgical skills to the next level, preparing to deliver the full scope of a dentist.
You'll extend your competence in removable and fixed prosthodontics, endodontics, adult tooth extraction, surgical procedures, trauma management and medical emergencies.
You’ll continue to gain invaluable clinical experience at our dedicated student clinics where you’ll see first hand the impact of your skills on patients’ lives. In addition, you will take part in outreach placements to be able to apply theoretical aspects of complex patient management in clinical settings, gaining rich experiences of dental care in primary and secondary care settings, including special care dentistry.
Diagnostic capability broadens through advanced study of oral diseases, facial pain and soft-tissue conditions. Through observation in specialist settings and community outreach you'll deepen your contextual understanding, while supervised patient care will help consolidate your autonomy. Reflective practice, evidence based reasoning and leadership remain central as students prepare for independent professional practice.
Your final year focuses on consolidating your knowledge and gaining advanced clinical experience to prepare you for safe independent practice.
You’ll complete placements in hospital settings, including rotations through Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Orthodontics —giving you exposure to complex cases and multidisciplinary care. You'll critically explore audit, service evaluation, clinical governance and evidence-based decision-making while designing and presenting a simulated quality-improvement project. Through managing medical emergencies, undertaking supervised patient care, and delivering comprehensive treatment in community and specialist settings you'll consolidate your clinical capability.
You’ll continue to develop and enhance your skills in clinical governance and leadership and management, while engaging in activities designed to ensure you graduate as a safe, confident practitioner, fully prepared for GDC registration and a successful career in dentistry.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry.
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between studying at school or college and university is the level of control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach, combining face-to-face teaching with independent study. You’ll take part in lectures, tutorials and lab sessions, alongside guided self‑study in your own time. Throughout your course, you’ll be supported by academic staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
Most timetabled teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. Optional field trips may include evening or weekend activities. There is usually no scheduled teaching on Wednesday afternoons.
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your Dental Surgery degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as tutorials, lectures, practical classes and workshops and guided independent study sessions. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course.
Most timetabled teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. You may occasionally need to go to University and course events in the evenings and at weekends.
Term dates
Due to the clinical elements of the course and the professional, regulatory and statutory body requirement of the General Dental Council, the Dental Academy (UPDA) term dates will differ from the standard University dates, meaning you'll need to attend campus from early September to the end of July.
Supporting you
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Personal Academic Tutor
Your Personal Academic Tutor gives you academic guidance throughout your course.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
Learning Support Tutors
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- Improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- Understanding and using assignment feedback
- Managing your time and workload
- Revision and exam techniques
Student Success Advisors
In addition to the support you get from your personal academic tutor, you'll also have access to our Student Success Advisers. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing, and refer you to specialist support services if you need extra help or support.
Lab Support
All our labs and practical spaces are staffed by qualified laboratory support staff. They’ll support you in scheduled lab sessions and can give you one-to-one help when you do practical research projects.
Maths Cafe
The Maths Cafe offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your mathematics skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
Support with English
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
During term time, Academic Support Advisers are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions.. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, our Disability Advice team will give you help, support and advice.
You can access information on the personal, emotional and mental health support available to you from your college. They can help you understand the support available locally, as well as other support that might be available to you to help you engage with your studies and improve your wellbeing.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need, your partner college should be your first point of contact for arranging reasonable adjustments.
However, our University specialist team is also available to offer advice and guidance if needed. We can help you:
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Explore reasonable adjustments in collaboration with your partner college
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Liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
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Connect with external services where appropriate
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Provide advice and support on accessing the Disabled Student Allowance (DSA)
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University's library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from librarians who specialise in your subject.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
How we set our tuition fees
Fees for full-time and part-time undergraduate students from the UK and Channel Islands may increase each year, subject to conditions set by the UK or Channel Islands governments.
Fees for new international and EU undergraduate and postgraduate students (both full-time and part-time) will increase each year, based on factors such as inflation. For continuing students, fees will not increase by more than 5% per year.
For more information, please refer to our Tuition Fee Policy.
Tuition fees
This course is only accepting applications from EU and international students for September 2026 entry. UK students can apply for September 2027 entry.
- EU and international students – £43,000 per year (subject to annual increase)
Please note, we'll confirm 2027 course fees soon.
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional funding
Students on this course who normally live in England may be eligible for additional funding in year 5 of this course through the NHS Bursary.
To be eligible, you need to normally live in England and be an English resident on the first day of your first academic year. If you moved to England from somewhere else in the UK for your studies, you won't be eligible. You need to apply within 9 months of the start of the academic year for your application to be accepted.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to more support. For more information, and to find out if you're eligible, please visit the NHS Bursary website.
Additional costs
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for the modules you study each year.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget around £40 a year for photocopying, printing charges, binding and specialist printing - while we try to keep files and content electronic, there may be some paper and printing to be undertaken.
You’ll need to bring your own 40mm padlock if you use our locker facilities.
You’ll get 4 sets of clinical scrubs throughout the course duration, a clinical visor frame and a name badge at the start of the course. You can order extra or replacement scrubs at £11 per set. You can also order replacement name badges for £7.
You’ll need to buy your own clinical footwear (a pair of black shoes which enclose the foot that are not canvas or clogs) and optionally, dental loupes.
You’ll need to pay for your own travel costs when you go out on placement and attend outreach locations in support of your studies.
Apply
This course is not available in Clearing.
You can still search our alternative courses in Clearing:
Other start dates
To apply for BDS Dental Surgery, you'll need the right UCAS code and our institution code.
- 5 years full-time course code – B758
- Institution code – P80
Apply now through UCAS
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
We strongly recommend submitting your application before the equal consideration deadline of 15th October 2026. Applications received after this date may not be processed if the course has recruited from the applications received prior to the deadline.
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Application FAQs
You can view commonly asked questions about the UCAT and application process. If you can't find the answer you're looking for, please contact us.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.
FAQs
You can view some commonly asked questions about the UCAT and application process below. If you can't find the answer you're looking for, please contact us.
UCAT questions
No, UCAT scores are shared directly with the Universities that you specify on your UCAT account / UCAS application. The scores are reviewed as a cohort performance and therefore the score will be determined based on the performance of the cohort taking that year’s UCAT test.
Please check the UCAT website for the latest availability.
Applications will be assessed using a combined approach that includes personal statement review, UCAT scores and academic achievement at Level 2 and 3 (GCSE and A level), therefore it is possible that higher achievement in other areas could compensate partially for a lower UCAT score.
UCAT operates a Fitness to Test policy and candidates have the flexibility to test over a period of 12 weeks. UCAT also permits free reschedules up to 24 hours before an appointment time. Further information on UCATs Fitness to Test policy is available on their website.
Access arrangements are available to support candidates with additional support needs to sit the UCAT. Arrangements must be approved by the UCAT office before a test is booked, as these cannot be arranged afterwards. You can apply for access arrangements through your UCAT account.
UCAT will deliver your result directly to your chosen UK universities in early November. Universities will only accept results provided directly by the UCAT Office. You do not need to pass your test result to your university choices or include it on your UCAS application.
Please review the UCAT ‘Fitness to Test’ policy and contact the UCAT Consortium office immediately who will be able to advise you.
We can only accept UCAT for this course. Casper is not accepted as an alternative.
You are allowed to take a UCAT once per admissions cycle.
UCAT have a bursary scheme which is open to UK candidates who meet the UCAT eligibility and bursary criteria. Please visit UCAT’s website for further details and to apply for this.
Yes, UCAT have free materials on their website to help you with your preparation. We recommend that you prepare for the UCAT in advance of sitting the test and make full use of the preparatory resources available on the UCAT website.
General questions
A-level grades from resits will be considered.
The final A-level result on completion of the course in a 2-year period will be the final grade considered as part of the application.
Requests to deferred entry will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
No, this course does not accept any course transfers. Candidates are required to engage with the full application process.
There are currently no options for advanced entry or direct course transfers for Dental Hygiene or Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy students.
We have been allocated 25 funded places from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Office for Students (OfS). We have capacity for a further 20 international students.
Your application would be considered.
Applications can only be considered once per admissions year. If you are unsuccessful in the main cycle for BDS, we will not reconsider you for the same course in UCAS Extra or Clearing.
We have been awarded ‘pre-accreditation status’ by the General Dental Council (GDC), which means that the GDC have approved our proposal to launch this course, and we will now be going through the process of attaining full accreditation. To achieve this, the GDC will be carrying out inspections at the start of the course, at a mid-point and when the first cohort reaches the end of their programme. Full accreditation is anticipated to be granted when the first cohort graduate. This is standard practice for UK Undergraduate dental courses.
You can apply while you are 17, but you must be 18 at the start of the course.
We do not accept Level 2 Functional Skills in lieu of the GCSE qualification. Some EU or International equivalencies may be considered.
No, as the programme is mapped to the General Dental Councils curricula, all students are required to complete the programme in full at the University of Portsmouth.
No, this is not currently an option.
Ultimately, it is your decision whether to accept or decline your existing offer. However, we would encourage applicants to manage their university applications through UCAS, as this provides a clear and fair process for considering and responding to offers. We would also advise you to carefully consider the implications of declining any existing offer before making your decision.
If you wish to be considered for our BDS Dental Surgery programme for 2027 entry, you will need to submit an application through UCAS and complete the UCAT during the 2026 testing cycle, as this forms part of our admissions process.
Our guidance for Dentistry applicants' states that all applicants are required to sit the UCAT in the year of application.
Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee an offer, as Dentistry is a highly competitive course and all applications are assessed against our published entry requirements and selection criteria.
We hope this helps clarify the process. If you have any further questions, please contact us.
If you qualify for international student fee status at the start of your course you will be expected to pay international student fees for the duration of your course.