BDS Dental Surgery with Integrated Foundation Year entry requirements

Full entry requirements for BDS Dental Surgery with Integrated Foundation Year

BDS Dental Surgery with Integrated Foundation Year is designed to make the study of Dentistry more accessible to those who have faced challenges in their education. For this reason, you must meet both the academic and non-academic entry requirements in order to be considered for this programme (those who do not meet the required contextual markers should consider the 5 year A206 BDS Dental Surgery programme).
Please note the following information concerning academic entry requirements:
  • 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.
  • Applicants for this course must not meet the A level and GCSE grade requirements for the five-year BDS Dental Surgery (A206) course, including the re-sit policy. However, if you meet either the GCSE or A level requirements for A206 but not the other, then you would be considered for the foundation course.
    We will only consider an application from each candidate for either BDS Dental Surgery or BDS Dental Surgery with Integrated Foundation Year. Offers will not be made for both programmes.
  • The UCAT is not required for this course. 
  • We are unable to consider any applicants who have already completed a first degree.
  • We are only able to consider Level 3 qualifications completed within five years of the start of the application cycle. For example, qualifications completed since 2016 would still be valid when applying in September 2021.
  • Applicants must meet the GCSE and Level 3 criteria to meet the academic entry requirements

GCSE
Applicants need to achieve 5 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
We are unable to consider functional skills in lieu of GCSEs.

Level 3 qualifications
A Level
The typical offer is BBB at GCE A level which must include the following:
  • Grade B in Biology
  • Grade B in a second science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology
  • Your third A level can be from any subject area and does not need to be science based. When shortlisting for interview we do not give preference to those who complete three Science A Levels. General Studies is not accepted
BTEC National Extended Diploma
DDM in a relevant subject, which must contain units covering sufficient Biology and another science.
BTEC National Diploma
  • DM in a relevant subject, which must contain units covering sufficient Biology and another science
  • GCE A Level grade B in Biology
City & Guilds Extended Diploma in Dental Nursing
Grade Distinction + 2 A levels at grade BB (to include Biology and a second science out of Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Psychology). 
NEBDN
NEBDN Dental Nursing qualification with 1 A Level - B in Biology.
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 Distinction in 33 level 3 credits, and Merit in the remaining 12 level 3 credits
Welsh Baccalaureate
The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge can be considered in place of a third A Level alongside Biology and a second science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology.
Scottish Advanced Highers
BBB to include the following:
  • Grade B in Biology
  • Grade B in one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology.
Irish Leaving Certificate
H2, H2, H3, H3, H3, H3 to include Biology and one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology
International Baccalaureate
28-32 points overall to include the following:
  • Higher Level 5 in Biology
  • Higher Level 5 in one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology
Other UK qualifications
Other UK qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. Please contact the Admissions Team at admissions@plymouth.ac.uk for advice, ensuring you provide all details of your qualifications.

Mandatory non-academic entry requirements
All applicants, in addition to meeting or exceeding the published academic criteria above will need to meet a total of at least 5 points from any combination of the following criteria:
Each worth 3 points
  • Being a South West resident (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset)
  • Significant engagement in the University of Plymouth Peninsula Pathways programme
Each worth 2 points
  • Being in care or care-experienced
  • Being in receipt or eligible for free school meals during your level 3 qualifications
  • Refugee status
  • Attending a low performing school/college based on 16-18 performance
  • In receipt of EMA or 16-19 bursary
  • In receipt of UCAT bursary
  • Veterans, having served at least 5 years of active service
Each worth 1 point
  • Living in an area categorised as being in indices of mass deprivation (IMD) 1-4 or local equivalent
  • Living in a low participation area as determined by POLAR4 quintile 1 postcode analysis
  • In receipt of service pupil premium

Explanation of above terms
In care/care leaver
Being in care or care-experienced – Evidenced by school letter submitted by applicant at the point of application to the student portal (link to portal automatically sent when a UCAS application is received). 
Note: A care experienced student is someone who has spent any amount of time in local authority care, such as foster care or residential children's homes, but may not meet the definition of a care leaver.
Free school meals
Being in receipt of free school meals whilst completing your level 3 qualifications, at the school/college you undertook these qualifications – evidenced by school letter submitted by applicant at the point of application to the student portal (link to portal automatically sent when a UCAS application is received).
Refugee status
Evidenced by either an official letter from the Home Office or preferably a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), submitted by the applicant at the point of application to the student portal (link to portal automatically sent when a UCAS application is received).
Where English is not your first language and you do not have a GCSE or IGCSE Grade 4 in English language you, must have an alternative English language qualification. Examples of acceptable language qualifications are the Certificate of Proficiency in English (Cambridge - Grade C) or the International English Language Testing System IELTS (at least 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in every element).
School performance
Attending or attended a low performing school/college whilst completing your level 3 qualifications e.g. 16–18 performance in the ‘below’ or ‘well below average’ classifications.
UCAT, EMA or 16-19 bursary
In receipt of one or more of these bursaries. UCAT bursary entitlement can be evidenced by providing a copy of your award email or a copy of your invoice showing a deduction of the test fee. EMA or 16-19 bursary entitlement to be evidenced by an official award letter or a school letter. Documents should be submitted at the point of application to the student portal (link to portal automatically sent when a UCAS application is received).
Indices of Mass Deprivation
Living in an area categorised as being in Indices of Mass Deprivation (IMD) 1–4 or 20% most deprived as determined by your English postcode, Northern Ireland postcode, Scottish postcode, and Welsh postcode.
POLAR4
Living in a low participation neighbourhood as determined by your postcode (POLAR4 quintile 1).
South West resident
Currently living in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset or Somerset as determined by your postcode.
Service pupil premium
Being in receipt of service pupil premium – Evidenced by school letter submitted by applicant at the point of application to the student portal (link to portal automatically sent when a UCAS application is received).
Significant engagement in the University of Plymouth Peninsula Pathways programme
Significant engagement includes completion of the five-day summer Work Experience Programme, being a member of the e-Mentoring scheme and having attended a minimum of three of the various Peninsula Pathways workshops by the end of Year 12.

Re-sit applicants
Re-sit applicants
Re-sit applicants are considered for this course, with the following requirements:
  • If you are applying with predicted grades, a minimum of BCC must be achieved on first sitting of A Level
  • Where BCC is not achieved on first sitting, applicants must re-sit the required qualifications and apply once suitable grades have been achieved
  • A Level or accepted equivalent qualifications must be completed in no more than 3 years of study, unless otherwise advised
  • A suitable qualification profile must be achieved on first re-sit attempt
We do not have an AS Level resit policy, however, full A Levels must be completed within the above timeframe.
For re-sit criteria of other qualifications, please contact the Admissions Team at admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Selection and admissions process
Selection and admissions process

Applications should be made through UCAS by the published deadline. This is typically the 15th October. You can apply to no more than four of the same clinical course choice, so although you cannot apply for five medical courses, four medical courses and one dental course would be permitted. Further information on this is available through the UCAS website. You may also wish to consider an alternative course such as Biomedical Science or Medical Sciences as your fifth choice.

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 and non-academic criteria 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 – view full details of our selection and admissions process.

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.

View full details of our selection and admissions process.

Frequently asked questions
Dentistry is an incredibly competitive course. What are my chances of being offered a place?
Application statistics for 2025 can be found below:
Number of places: 10
Number of applications for 2025 entry: 569
Number of applicants interviewed: 84
Number of offers made: 19
I don’t meet three of the contextual requirements. Will my application be considered?
When shortlisting for interview we give preference to candidates who meet a minimum of three of the contextual indicators. Please note due to the immense increase in applications for 2025 entry (over 39% increase in applications) we had to adjust the selection criteria for interview. This meant applicants had to meet four contextual indicators to be selected for interview. This is not something we could have foreseen happening as it was such a steep increase in applications.
If you do not meet any of the contextual markers we will be unable to consider your application.
I am unable to obtain predicted grades for my qualifications. Will my application still be considered?
We are unable to consider any applicant who cannot provide predicted grades for pending qualifications.
Do you consider late applications?
We are unable to consider any applications that are received by UCAS after the deadline, which is typically 18:00 (GMT) on 15 October annually. To ensure your application is considered, please do not leave it until the last minute to apply, as you will need to allow time for your school or college to add your reference and officially submit your application.
If you applied on time but changed your mind about your university choices, we will consider your application assuming you are within the 14 day cooling off period set by UCAS and your application was submitted prior to the deadline.
When will interviews take place?
Interviews typically take place between December and February. You will be given the opportunity to choose your preferred interview date through our online booking system, and we endeavour to provide as much notice of interview dates as possible.
Where will interviews take place?
We will be completing all interviews in the 2024 admissions cycle online via zoom.
I have personal issues that I am worried could have affected my interview/exam performance. Do you consider extenuating circumstances?
Whilst we sympathise with the unfortunate situation you have experienced, in the interest of fairness to all our applicants we are unable to consider any extenuating circumstances at any stage of the admissions process.
Will you have places available through Clearing?
Although we very rarely have places available through Clearing, you are more than welcome to call us from early August to check if there are places available.
I have been given an offer but I am worried that I will not meet the academic criteria. What will happen if I don’t achieve the required grades?
We understand that applying for university and sitting exams is an incredibly stressful time. We will be unable to confirm whether we can accept your application if you do not meet the required grades until A level results day. At this point, we will know how all of our applicants have performed and the Admissions Advisory Panel will advise whether reduced grades will be considered.
While we have softened on entry requirements in the past, there is no guarantee that this will be the case.