Dentistry School Choices (For open evenings, 2026 entry)
Hi,
I am in Year 12 and I would like to study dentistry at uni (I am applying for 2026 entry)
I booked some open days: Kings college, QMUL, Uni of Manchester, Uni of Birmingham and Bristol.
The issue is that QMUL and Bristol open days are on the same day and it willl take me two hours two on a good day to get to bristol.
So I need to chose between Bristol and QMUL, and to make this decision I have a few questions.
- Is it better to apply to one London uni, (KCL and QMUL) only because I was told they are quite competitive and I should only apply to one. I would really like to stay in London because I am well-equipped with the lifestyle, as I have lived hear all my life and its closer
- What are some SPECIFIC course details about each uni, if anyone who attends these unis can answer this question it would be helpful. Since, I checked the websites about what each module entails but the summaries are veryvague like KCL states 'Biomedicine' and 'dentistry in society' but what is that exactly. Also, BARTs ealso used sociology, in their modules. I took sociology at GCSE and absolutely hated it, would this be a problem if I DID chose BARTS.
- Also, is it better generally to have more exposure of different subjects in the first year like BARTS does?
- Or focusing on scientific basics like KCL
- Since, I like structure and having a strong foundation instead of having sporadic bits of different subjects thrown at me. But, I also want more opportunities to specialise in the future.
- Does restorative dentistry, cosmetic use organic chemistry (I love organic chem and would still want more knowledge in organics aswell). Also, what about 'dental materials science'
- What are the disadvantages and advantages of having a larger or smaller cohort for dentistry specifically.
-Since, I want to connect with more people, and a 70 student cohort is VERY small.
-But I am worried that support could be compromised due to a larger cohort. Since I struggle with immediately understanding new concepts and do take longer than others to fully grasp something.
-If anyone attending the unis I mentioned above can tell me about the level of support offered (for each Uni) it would be helpful.
-Also, QMUL and KCL have very low student satisfcation rates? Is this something I need to be worried about?
THIS IS THE LINK I USED TO FIND THIS OUT: https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/dentistry
- Does anyone know why these rates are low? If the issue is with quality of teaching and organisation then it does seem like a problem.
- I really value opportunities and areas of new research; the modules at Bristol have different specialities in their course modules like radiology, but it seems VERY extensive, but I do like they have a module on ethics.
But, when looking at both QMUL and Bristol, both similar research advancements (what I mean is new discoveries like lab grown teeth at KCL), and seem somewhat similar when it comes to resources, unless I am mistaken of course, please lmk.
- Which ones out of the two, QMUL and Bristol allow you to delve into personal projects more? (There was not much detail on this on the website) and exploring areas of your own interest.
Overall, I am really looking to meet new people I really appreciates London's connectivity and diversity.
- be exposed to clinical settings early on along with technology (due to the recent developments of AI).
-A uni with a good quality of teaching and support. As well as opportunities to branch out into different specialities.
I am in Year 12 and I would like to study dentistry at uni (I am applying for 2026 entry)
I booked some open days: Kings college, QMUL, Uni of Manchester, Uni of Birmingham and Bristol.
The issue is that QMUL and Bristol open days are on the same day and it willl take me two hours two on a good day to get to bristol.
So I need to chose between Bristol and QMUL, and to make this decision I have a few questions.
- Is it better to apply to one London uni, (KCL and QMUL) only because I was told they are quite competitive and I should only apply to one. I would really like to stay in London because I am well-equipped with the lifestyle, as I have lived hear all my life and its closer
- What are some SPECIFIC course details about each uni, if anyone who attends these unis can answer this question it would be helpful. Since, I checked the websites about what each module entails but the summaries are veryvague like KCL states 'Biomedicine' and 'dentistry in society' but what is that exactly. Also, BARTs ealso used sociology, in their modules. I took sociology at GCSE and absolutely hated it, would this be a problem if I DID chose BARTS.
- Also, is it better generally to have more exposure of different subjects in the first year like BARTS does?
- Or focusing on scientific basics like KCL
- Since, I like structure and having a strong foundation instead of having sporadic bits of different subjects thrown at me. But, I also want more opportunities to specialise in the future.
- Does restorative dentistry, cosmetic use organic chemistry (I love organic chem and would still want more knowledge in organics aswell). Also, what about 'dental materials science'
- What are the disadvantages and advantages of having a larger or smaller cohort for dentistry specifically.
-Since, I want to connect with more people, and a 70 student cohort is VERY small.
-But I am worried that support could be compromised due to a larger cohort. Since I struggle with immediately understanding new concepts and do take longer than others to fully grasp something.
-If anyone attending the unis I mentioned above can tell me about the level of support offered (for each Uni) it would be helpful.
-Also, QMUL and KCL have very low student satisfcation rates? Is this something I need to be worried about?
THIS IS THE LINK I USED TO FIND THIS OUT: https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/dentistry
- Does anyone know why these rates are low? If the issue is with quality of teaching and organisation then it does seem like a problem.
- I really value opportunities and areas of new research; the modules at Bristol have different specialities in their course modules like radiology, but it seems VERY extensive, but I do like they have a module on ethics.
But, when looking at both QMUL and Bristol, both similar research advancements (what I mean is new discoveries like lab grown teeth at KCL), and seem somewhat similar when it comes to resources, unless I am mistaken of course, please lmk.
- Which ones out of the two, QMUL and Bristol allow you to delve into personal projects more? (There was not much detail on this on the website) and exploring areas of your own interest.
Overall, I am really looking to meet new people I really appreciates London's connectivity and diversity.
- be exposed to clinical settings early on along with technology (due to the recent developments of AI).
-A uni with a good quality of teaching and support. As well as opportunities to branch out into different specialities.
Reply 1
Hey!
Tbh I didn’t apply to kings so I can’t rly comment on it. However as for your QMUL or bristol dilemma I would honestly say the more sensible thing to do is go to the QMUL one. Just because bristol’s ucat cut off is INSANELY high (I applied this year with my ucat being comfortably above last years cut of and still, got rejected pre interview) and so because you are still in year 12 and haven’t sat your ucat yet, you are not really in the position to judge whether that’s somewhere that is sensible to even apply in the first place. However with QMUL, their cut off is rather similar to a lot of unis and because it’s closer to you there rly isn’t as much harm in going and having a look. And adding on if you find your Ucat ends up being really good I honestly don’t think there is a lot of harm in applying to both kings and qmul (provided you have good gcses for kings) as both have relatively higher post-interview acceptance rate. Tbh you can argue that the london unis aren’t actually that much more competitive - just by looking at the stats, than out of london for dentistry so don’t feel pressured not to apply if you are in the position where you think you can get the interviews for both. (especially because it sounds like you really like london)
Tbh I didn’t apply to kings so I can’t rly comment on it. However as for your QMUL or bristol dilemma I would honestly say the more sensible thing to do is go to the QMUL one. Just because bristol’s ucat cut off is INSANELY high (I applied this year with my ucat being comfortably above last years cut of and still, got rejected pre interview) and so because you are still in year 12 and haven’t sat your ucat yet, you are not really in the position to judge whether that’s somewhere that is sensible to even apply in the first place. However with QMUL, their cut off is rather similar to a lot of unis and because it’s closer to you there rly isn’t as much harm in going and having a look. And adding on if you find your Ucat ends up being really good I honestly don’t think there is a lot of harm in applying to both kings and qmul (provided you have good gcses for kings) as both have relatively higher post-interview acceptance rate. Tbh you can argue that the london unis aren’t actually that much more competitive - just by looking at the stats, than out of london for dentistry so don’t feel pressured not to apply if you are in the position where you think you can get the interviews for both. (especially because it sounds like you really like london)
Reply 2
jxv.10
OP
5
Original post
by marwa_123Hey!
Tbh I didn’t apply to kings so I can’t rly comment on it. However as for your QMUL or bristol dilemma I would honestly say the more sensible thing to do is go to the QMUL one. Just because bristol’s ucat cut off is INSANELY high (I applied this year with my ucat being comfortably above last years cut of and still, got rejected pre interview) and so because you are still in year 12 and haven’t sat your ucat yet, you are not really in the position to judge whether that’s somewhere that is sensible to even apply in the first place. However with QMUL, their cut off is rather similar to a lot of unis and because it’s closer to you there rly isn’t as much harm in going and having a look. And adding on if you find your Ucat ends up being really good I honestly don’t think there is a lot of harm in applying to both kings and qmul (provided you have good gcses for kings) as both have relatively higher post-interview acceptance rate. Tbh you can argue that the london unis aren’t actually that much more competitive - just by looking at the stats, than out of london for dentistry so don’t feel pressured not to apply if you are in the position where you think you can get the interviews for both. (especially because it sounds like you really like london)
Tbh I didn’t apply to kings so I can’t rly comment on it. However as for your QMUL or bristol dilemma I would honestly say the more sensible thing to do is go to the QMUL one. Just because bristol’s ucat cut off is INSANELY high (I applied this year with my ucat being comfortably above last years cut of and still, got rejected pre interview) and so because you are still in year 12 and haven’t sat your ucat yet, you are not really in the position to judge whether that’s somewhere that is sensible to even apply in the first place. However with QMUL, their cut off is rather similar to a lot of unis and because it’s closer to you there rly isn’t as much harm in going and having a look. And adding on if you find your Ucat ends up being really good I honestly don’t think there is a lot of harm in applying to both kings and qmul (provided you have good gcses for kings) as both have relatively higher post-interview acceptance rate. Tbh you can argue that the london unis aren’t actually that much more competitive - just by looking at the stats, than out of london for dentistry so don’t feel pressured not to apply if you are in the position where you think you can get the interviews for both. (especially because it sounds like you really like london)
AAA tysmm for your help!!
Also are my GCSES high enough, just so I know what to apply for: (9-9),9,9,8,8,8,8,8, 7 (the 7 wasn't even in an actual GCSE, just a level 2 certificate?) so i dont think im going to include it
(edited 10 months ago)
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