The Student Room Group

Do I have a chance at graduate-entry dental school?

Here are my background and academic qualifications:

GCSE English Language/Literature - B (6)
GCSE Maths - B (6)
GCSE Combined Science - A/B (7/6)
GCSE History - A* (8)
GCSE Spanish - B (6)
GCSE Sociology - A* (8)
GCSE Art - A* (8)

A Level Psychology - B
Level 3 Criminology - B
A Level Biology - E

I am currently studying for a BSc in Biomedical Sciences at Leeds Beckett University and am aiming for a 2:1 classification.

I hope to graduate this year (2025) and plan to apply to GED during my gap year. However, I'm aware that my GCSEs are not as strong as other components, and my A Levels are disappointing (due to a bad experience at college and Covid-19). I already possess relevant work experience. I intend to resit my A Levels during my gap year, as UCLAN requires CCC at A Levels alongside a 2:1 classification, and I hope to receive a grade B prediction in Maths and Biology from a private tutor. My hobbies include reading (dentistry-related) and activities that improve my manual dexterity, such as painting, knitting, henna, and drawing. As someone with not-so-perfect GCSEs and A Levels, as well as a student from a non-Russell Group university, do I still have a chance?

Reply 1

None of that matters for UCLAN, after the bare minimum requirements, as long as you make the UCAT cut-off you’ll get an interview. Then the interview is the hard part, best of luck!

P.S Email the admissions team to see whether you meet the minimum requirements to apply just to make sure

Reply 2

Original post by 333yazz
Here are my background and academic qualifications:
GCSE English Language/Literature - B (6)
GCSE Maths - B (6)
GCSE Combined Science - A/B (7/6)
GCSE History - A* (8)
GCSE Spanish - B (6)
GCSE Sociology - A* (8)
GCSE Art - A* (8)
A Level Psychology - B
Level 3 Criminology - B
A Level Biology - E
I am currently studying for a BSc in Biomedical Sciences at Leeds Beckett University and am aiming for a 2:1 classification.
I hope to graduate this year (2025) and plan to apply to GED during my gap year. However, I'm aware that my GCSEs are not as strong as other components, and my A Levels are disappointing (due to a bad experience at college and Covid-19). I already possess relevant work experience. I intend to resit my A Levels during my gap year, as UCLAN requires CCC at A Levels alongside a 2:1 classification, and I hope to receive a grade B prediction in Maths and Biology from a private tutor. My hobbies include reading (dentistry-related) and activities that improve my manual dexterity, such as painting, knitting, henna, and drawing. As someone with not-so-perfect GCSEs and A Levels, as well as a student from a non-Russell Group university, do I still have a chance?

To be fair, when I researched too, they say you need to already have the A-level qualifications before your undergraduate degree (i have gotten low gcse grades and a level grades than you and wanted to do med). However, there is a website that shows the requirements from each university in the uk, I can’t find the original but this shows the requirements too :

https://www.medschools.ac.uk/studying-medicine/how-to-apply-to-medical-school-in-the-uk/entry-requirements?type=graduate-entry-medicine

I would say as long as you have grade 6 in maths and english lang gcse - which you do and get 2:1 or 1st class in your degree it will be okay as some unis won’t really see A-levels as much due to you having a degree - non russell group unis most likely.

Make sure to call and email admissions in the unis you want to go to double check.

I am sure you will do great and you got this. I am hoping you get your predicted in biomed sciences and do good in the ucat. Reply when you enter uni for dentistry, I am curious to know :smile:

Reply 3

Original post by Scrad1
None of that matters for UCLAN, after the bare minimum requirements, as long as you make the UCAT cut-off you’ll get an interview. Then the interview is the hard part, best of luck!
P.S Email the admissions team to see whether you meet the minimum requirements to apply just to make sure


I rang the admissions team and he was really nice and spoke to me about my situation. Apparently, after I achieve my 2:1, and I mention in my personal statement that I'm working towards my A levels i’ll be okay. That and my tutor needs to give my prediction but I'm still unsure on how they can do that.

Reply 4

Original post by userr456
To be fair, when I researched too, they say you need to already have the A-level qualifications before your undergraduate degree (i have gotten low gcse grades and a level grades than you and wanted to do med). However, there is a website that shows the requirements from each university in the uk, I can’t find the original but this shows the requirements too :
https://www.medschools.ac.uk/studying-medicine/how-to-apply-to-medical-school-in-the-uk/entry-requirements?type=graduate-entry-medicine
I would say as long as you have grade 6 in maths and english lang gcse - which you do and get 2:1 or 1st class in your degree it will be okay as some unis won’t really see A-levels as much due to you having a degree - non russell group unis most likely.
Make sure to call and email admissions in the unis you want to go to double check.
I am sure you will do great and you got this. I am hoping you get your predicted in biomed sciences and do good in the ucat. Reply when you enter uni for dentistry, I am curious to know :smile:


I rang the admissions and they said as long as someone (e.g my private tutor) can predict me it’s fine. I’m hoping to get a prediction of B in maths and bio. Thank you for the support I hope its enough to get me in!!
Original post by 333yazz
Here are my background and academic qualifications:
GCSE English Language/Literature - B (6)
GCSE Maths - B (6)
GCSE Combined Science - A/B (7/6)
GCSE History - A* (8)
GCSE Spanish - B (6)
GCSE Sociology - A* (8)
GCSE Art - A* (8)
A Level Psychology - B
Level 3 Criminology - B
A Level Biology - E
I am currently studying for a BSc in Biomedical Sciences at Leeds Beckett University and am aiming for a 2:1 classification.
I hope to graduate this year (2025) and plan to apply to GED during my gap year. However, I'm aware that my GCSEs are not as strong as other components, and my A Levels are disappointing (due to a bad experience at college and Covid-19). I already possess relevant work experience. I intend to resit my A Levels during my gap year, as UCLAN requires CCC at A Levels alongside a 2:1 classification, and I hope to receive a grade B prediction in Maths and Biology from a private tutor. My hobbies include reading (dentistry-related) and activities that improve my manual dexterity, such as painting, knitting, henna, and drawing. As someone with not-so-perfect GCSEs and A Levels, as well as a student from a non-Russell Group university, do I still have a chance?
Hi @333yazz,

It's great to hear that you are interested in our BDS Dental Surgery graduate entry pathway and I can see that you've already spoken with our admissions team who have given you guidance on applying for this programme.

Do let me know if you have any questions about the programme or student life here at the university and I'd be more than happy to help. 😊

All the best with your current studies,
Sarah

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