What A Levels Do You Need for Dentistry? UK Entry Requirements 2027

Which A Levels do you need for dentistry?

Dentistry is one of the most tightly specified degrees in the UK. The subject rules are near universal across the 16 dental schools:

In short: Chemistry and Biology, plus one more. Taking all three sciences is not required and gives no advantage over Chemistry, Biology and a subject you will score highly in.

What grades do you need for dentistry?

Grade conversions use the UCAS tariff: A* = 56, A = 48, B = 40. Check any combination in our UCAS points table. Dental schools look at the grades themselves rather than a points total, so three A grades in the right subjects matter more than extra points from a fourth subject.

What GCSEs do you need for dentistry?

Dental schools screen GCSEs before they look at A Level predictions. The common pattern is:

• At least grade 6 (old grade B) in Maths, English Language and the sciences
• Several dental schools ask for a minimum number of grade 7 to 9 passes, often five or six
• Some schools score GCSEs as part of their shortlisting, so a strong profile helps

If your GCSE results are from some years ago or fall short, the medicine and dentistry route guide on A Levels and GCSEs to become a doctor explains how adults rebuild that foundation, and the same rules apply to dentistry.

Do you need the UCAT for dentistry?

Yes. Almost every UK dental school uses the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) as part of its selection. You sit it in the summer before you apply, and the score is used alongside your predicted or achieved A Level grades to decide who is interviewed. A small number of programmes use the UCAT differently or weight it less heavily, so check each school's admissions page for the current year.

Dentistry applications go through UCAS with an earlier deadline than most courses, in mid October of the year before entry, and you can list at most four dentistry choices.

Can you get into dentistry without A Levels?

There are routes, but they are narrower than for most degrees:

• Gateway to Dentistry programmes. A six year route with a foundation year, designed for applicants from widening participation backgrounds who meet contextual criteria. Grade requirements are lower, typically BBB to BBC, but the subject rules and the UCAT still apply.
• Access to HE Diploma (Science or Medicine and Health). Accepted by some dental schools for mature applicants, usually with Distinctions in most credits and sometimes alongside A Level Chemistry. Fewer dental schools accept Access than medical schools do, so confirm with each school before you enrol.
• A first degree. Graduates with a good biomedical or science degree can apply to standard five year dentistry courses, and a small number of accelerated four year graduate entry programmes.

For an adult applicant the most widely accepted route remains the conventional one: A Level Chemistry and Biology at grade A, plus the UCAT.

Studying dentistry A Levels online as an adult

Online A Levels follow the same AQA specifications used in schools, so a dental school treats an online A Level exactly like one sat at a sixth form. The practical points that matter for dentistry applicants:

• Practical endorsement. A Level Chemistry and Biology carry a separately reported practical endorsement. Dental schools generally require a Pass, so choose the +Exams & CPAC option at Lift College, which includes the CPAC practical endorsement at a Tutors & Exams laboratory venue (on Study or +Exams you take the written papers only).
• One sitting. Several dental schools require the three A Levels to be taken together in one two year period, and some will not accept resits without a good reason. Plan to sit Chemistry and Biology in the same May and June exam series.
• Timing. Most learners finish a subject in 12 to 18 months, or faster with more study time each week. Studying Chemistry and Biology side by side means you can sit both in the same exam series, then apply through UCAS by mid October with predicted grades, or after results with achieved grades.
• Trial first. Lift College A Levels come with a 7-day free trial, with no card charged until day 8.

Taking A Level Chemistry and Biology together with Lift College also qualifies for the multi-course saving, applied in your basket, and both courses are open to anyone aged 14 or over (under 18s enrol with a parent or guardian's permission and support).