Dental Schools Council series of Summer Schools 2026
The Peninsula Dental School will be hosting a residential summer school based around dentistry
Dental Schools Council Access to Dentistry Pathway Programme
Funded by NHS England, the Medical Schools Council and Dental Schools Council will be running eight summer schools in 2026. With over 500 free places available across England summer school participants will explore how to apply and what it is like studying medicine and dentistry.
There will be residential, commuter and online places available to students in Years 11 and 12 from under-represented backgrounds and targets areas of England that have limited outreach engagement with medical schools.
The content of the summer schools will include:
- A simulated experience of what it is like to study medicine or dentistry (including a range of teaching methods) not only to consider the choice of medical/dental school but also aid transition from sixth form study to university
- The values and behaviours of medical/dental students and doctors/dentists
- Overview of the range of medical/dental careers available (including other healthcare and non-patient focused options) alongside dedicated sessions that focus on the shortage specialties and other healthcare options
- Confidence and social capital building activities (including meeting academics and university students)
- Opportunities for students to discuss their options and seek advice
- Application and admissions advice and support, including preparation for interviews and admissions tests
- Social activities for the students to build a community and network amongst like-minded people.
Dental Residential Summer School: Peninsula Dental School
The University of Plymouth, Peninsula Dental School Residential Summer School programme will welcome 20 students in Years 11 and 12 onto the university campus.
The four-day, four-night programme will cover the three main elements of the student life cycle. It will focus on supporting the student’s journey into dental education with admissions advice and support, life as a dental student including information and activities that explain the challenges and opportunities encountered as a dental student, and life beyond dental school.
This will be an immersive experience covering the range of careers within the oral health profession. The programme will also include talks from academics and dental students from Queen Mary University London (QMUL) and Kings College London (KCL).
Applications for 2026 dental summer schools will open on 26 January 2026 and close on 8 March 2026. You can register your interest in advance using our registration form.
Successful applicants should make sure that you have access to the contact email you provide even during school holidays.
Read our DSC Summer School Eligibility for 2026 to know if you are eligible to apply or contact outreach@medschools.ac.uk.
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GApplications close 8 March
Summer school dates: Sunday 5 July to Thursday 9 July 2026
Apply: Applications open on 26 January 2026
Target year group: Years 11 and 12
Deadline: Sunday 8 March 2026
Eligibility: Read the full eligibility criteria (pdf)
Other event dates:
- Online Launch (July)
- Online Admissions Q&A with members (August)
- Invitation to mock interviews (Autumn)
