None of the typical offers listed below are necessarily the threshold for interview selection. Other factors including the number of applications received may influence the threshold for interview selection.

GCSE

Applicants need to achieve 6 GCSE passes (grade C/grade 4 or higher) which must include the following subjects:

• English Language
• Mathematics
• Two Science subjects - either GCSE Double Award Science or two from single award Chemistry, Biology, or Physics

Plus suitable Level 3 qualifications as outlined below:

A Level

The typical offer is ABB at GCE A Level, which must include Biology.

General studies at GCE A or AS level is not included in any offer.

Dental Nursing Qualifications

• A suitable National Certificate or Diploma in Dental Nursing. If you are unsure whether your qualification is suitable, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
• A minimum of 2 A levels at grades BB, which must include Biology.

BTEC National Extended Diploma

DDM in a predominantly science subject area

Access to Higher Education Diploma

Pass an Access to Higher Education Diploma in a predominantly science subject area, meeting the following criteria:

• 60 credits overall to include 45 level 3 credits, of which 15 level 3 credits must be in Biology or Human Biology
• You must achieve Merit or Distinction in 33 level 3 credits, including the 15 credits in Biology or Human Biology

Other accepted qualifications

For information regarding all other accepted qualifications, including the International Baccalaureate, Scottish Advanced Highers and Irish Leaving Certificate, please contact the Admissions Team at meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

International Applicants

If you intend to practice in your home country post-graduation please ensure you check with the nations’ dental council before committing to study with us. Individual requirements are often not very transparent and you should confirm whether our degree is transferable overseas before submitting an application.

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To confirm whether your qualification will be considered, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

All teaching at our school is in English, so if you are an international applicant you must have one of the following English Language qualifications. If you are unsure whether your English Language qualification is suitable, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk:

If English is your first language, we will accept your home country’s equivalent of a GCSE grade A/8 in English Language providing it is at Level C1 or above according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

• GCSE or IGCSE grade A in English Language
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) band 7.5 or above with at least 7.0 in each of the speaking and listening sections taken within 12 months prior to entry. The University will no longer accept the IELTS indicator (online test). All applicants will have to take the IELTS test at an approved centre.
• IB score of 6 in English as a first language at ordinary level.

We know that university life is a challenge for any student but especially when you are a long way from home. You will find us friendly and supportive. We pride ourselves on being friendly and supportive, and have a nominated academic tutor to coordinate the induction and academic support provided to international students. International Student Advice (ISA) also provide support and can assist you with any non-academic issues affecting international students. There are also student welfare support and counselling services, wardens and student health centres on hand if you need them.

Students who have an offer of a place should apply under for a Student (formerly Tier 4 General Student) visa. Further information is available on the UK Border Agency's website.

Selection and admissions process

Applications should be made through UCAS by the published deadline. This is typically the 15th January.

All decisions on applications are made by the Admissions Advisory Panel, which consists of academics, clinicians and senior members of the administrative team.

The University of Plymouth Medicine and Dentistry Admissions Team process applications as follows:

1.   Shortlisting for interview – Applicants are considered for interview based on relevant academic qualifications alone. We do not currently consider personal statements or work experience when selecting for interview

The Admissions Advisory Panel consider many factors when choosing who will be invited to attend an interview, including the number of places available on the course and the number of applications received, alongside the academic profiles of all of our applicants

2.   Interview – Successful applicants are invited to attend an interview process. We use Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) as the format for our interviews, and full details can be found here.

Following interviews, candidates are ranked based on the score achieved and the top performing applicants are offered a place on the course

3.   Offer – Offers are made via UCAS. Within all offers, candidates are required to complete a series of health and police checks, full details of which are communicated to firm offer holders by the Admissions Team.

Practising as a doctor requires the highest standards and we take seriously our commitment to only enrol and teach students with the integrity required of the profession. Full details can be found on our Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise page.

Full details of our selection and admissions process can be found here.