Dentistry application 2026 entry Bristol?

Hi
Ucat 2220 is equivalent to 2900 of the old system. Some close to me was rejected last year pre interview with UCAT 2960 b2. It is very important for any applicant to
emotionally detach themselves from their choices unless they have very high UCAT like 3100 plus of old system. You need to be very pragmatic with your choices with your only objective to get at least one offer. Bristol dentistry proven they are tough place to get in with UCAT being the only factor for interview. Also why would anyone apply there and even gets interview to be rejected after that with UCAT 3100 of old system while you can almost get interview and offer elsewhere easier.

Thanks for replying. Yes, thats what I thought really but so hard when each year is different.

Now looking at Cardiff and cannot for the life of me work out how they select for interview - some points system based mostly on your GCSE's. Think I would get 32/40 points but no idea if that would be enough to get an interview? Having worked so hard just dont want to muck it up by not applying strategically enough and trying not to let where I would like to live outweigh the numbers but really tricky when Uni's arent being transparant enough with how they select.

When we applied last year, we were told with UCAT 2960 that we are guaranteed an interview. Little did we know the outcome would be so brutal. Hence, I felt we should share our experience with others. You can apply as a risk, but when you get the rejection, it is so hard to swallow and be prepared for that mentally. Do you contextual factor into your application?

Sadly, no contextual for Bristol. But possibly for Plymouth and maybe Cardiff so probably going to go with those two and then Manchester and Liverpool. Feels like such a lottery. Oh well Fingers crossed. Did you get interviews from anywhere else apart from Bristol. That was an amazing UCAT score btw!

Cardiff's GCSE scoring is out of 28 points for dentistry, and not out of 40. Make sure you're not reading the medicine info.

With UCAT score of 2220 Band 1 SJT is applying to Bristol Uni a wasted choice. Its near me and where I really wanted to go. Its so hard to know where to apply to. As I have a good UCAT score, but potentially still not good enough. But my GCSE's were a bit mid range. 9888777765. 6 in English language and 5 Spanish. Really nmot sure where to apply to strategically and have done all the research - head spinning! So now thinking Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff, Plymouth. Wanted to stay south and Bristol was my first choice. So bit disappointed with the process already as think my UCAT rules that one out for 2026 cycle? Any advice welcome

Hiya, great to hear you're hoping to study dentistry! If you're considering Plymouth, this is also a great choice for wanting to stay in the South West as it's a really lovely area by the sea and a great city + campus overall. Although I don't study the same course, if you have any questions about the city or university feel free to let me know and I'd be happy to help! 🙂
-Alfie, University of Plymouth Undergraduate Student Rep

Hi Alfie,
Thanks for your reply and insight into Plymouth. It is also on my list! So fingers crossed. Although agian my GCSE results might let me down - but who knows at this point!!