The A206 Dental Surgery BDS: the academic screen, the UCAT ranking and the panel interview that decides offers
Book a Free ConsultationNewcastle University's Dental Surgery BDS (A206) is a five-year degree accredited by the General Dental Council. Its 2027-entry offer is AAA with Chemistry and Biology plus GCSE Maths and English at grade 4/C, or 36 IB points with Chemistry and Biology at Higher Level 6 or above. Those passing are ranked on the UCAT, a main shortlisting criterion, and Newcastle's policy makes the score from an online panel interview of about 20 minutes the "sole basis" for offers.
Applying to Newcastle dentistry? Our expert dentistry admissions tutors help applicants prepare for the panel interview that decides who is offered a place and for the personal statement the selectors hold. For applicants sitting the UCAT in 2027 for 2028 entry, we also cover the UCAT score that ranks applicants for interview.
Book a Free Consultation Message us on WhatsAppNewcastle's School of Dental Sciences Admissions Policy for 2027 entry describes three stages: shortlisting, interview of shortlisted candidates, and making offers. Within shortlisting it applies two separate tests, grades first and then the UCAT, alongside work-experience and reference checks, so an application passes through three gates in all, and the interview score alone decides offers. What matters is how little each gate passes forward to the next:
| Gate | Where the 2027 policy puts it | What is assessed | What the policy says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grades | Section 10.1, Shortlisting | Predicted or achieved grades against the published offer | "Once the academic screening criteria have been met, academic achievement is not considered further in subsequent parts of the application process, i.e., additional A levels or A* results do not give further advantage." |
| UCAT | Section 10.1, Shortlisting, and section 11 | UCAT scores, "one of the main criteria used for shortlisting", for applicants who meet the academic threshold | Applicants "will be ranked on UCAT score, and once the maximum number of interviews we can accommodate has been reached, then no further interviews will be offered." |
| Interview | Sections 10.2, Interview, and 10.3, Making Offers | Six domains, graded independently by two selectors | "Interview scores will then be used as the sole basis on which the decision to offer of a place on the course is made." |
Three consequences follow. An A* prediction gives no further advantage once the AAA screen is met. UCAT scores are "one of the main criteria used for shortlisting": applicants who meet the academic threshold are ranked on them, alongside the work-experience and reference checks the policy places in the same stage. The UCAT then plays no part in the offer decision, because selectors "will not have information about predicted/achieved grades or UCAT scores". And the policy says the selectors do hold the personal statement: they "will have a copy of the personal statement".
Our guide to UK dental schools and our UK dentistry admissions guide cover the national picture.
Newcastle's UCAS deadline for Dentistry (A206) at 2027 entry is Thursday 15 October 2026 at 6pm, the date and time its PARTNERS application page gives. The A206 course page gives the same date and allows "a maximum of four choices on the UCAS form for Dentistry". Later steps, from the 2027 policy, the PARTNERS pages and the course page, are listed in date order.
| Date | Step for 2027 entry | Where Newcastle says it |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 15 October 2026, 6pm | UCAS deadline for Dentistry (A206) | PARTNERS how-to-apply page; A206 course page |
| Thursday 22 October 2026 | The separate PARTNERS application for A206 was due, verified by the applicant's referee (now passed) | PARTNERS how-to-apply page |
| 30 November (the policy gives no year) | Evidence supporting a UCAT exemption must reach the University; without it the application is unsuccessful | 2027 admissions policy, section 11 |
| Usually February to March | Online panel interviews, with candidates choosing a slot from times released online | 2027 admissions policy, section 10.2 |
| By March | Applicants unsuccessful at shortlisting are normally informed | 2027 admissions policy, section 10.1 |
| After the last interview | Offers are made through UCAS "only once all interviews have been completed"; applicants are normally contacted by the end of April, and all offers and unsuccessful outcomes are made by the UCAS offer deadline | 2027 admissions policy, section 10.3 |
| Sunday 27 June to Friday 2 July 2027 | PARTNERS Academic Summer School, which PARTNERS offer holders must attend in full | PARTNERS how-to-apply page |
| A level results day | All qualification results must be confirmed and received by the School of Dental Sciences | 2027 admissions policy, section 10.3 |
| Before 31 August (the policy gives no year) | If a re-mark brings an applicant up to the offer grades, Newcastle "will endeavour to admit" them that year, subject to places, or offers a deferred place | 2027 admissions policy, section 10.3 |
| September 2027 | The course starts | A206 course page |
Newcastle reviews the policy every year, and states that "Changes to the policy are not made part-way through an admissions cycle." Anyone planning for a later entry year should check that year's policy once it is published.
The first check is whether an application's qualifications are acceptable, and Newcastle states that "Predicted or achieved grades are required". The course page gives these requirements for 2027 entry; the BTEC row also cites the Dental Schools Council booklet.
| Qualification | A206 requirement for 2027 entry |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAA including Chemistry and Biology; a pass in the practical element of Biology, Chemistry and Physics A levels; "General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted." |
| GCSE | Maths and English (or equivalent) at grade 4/C or above |
| International Baccalaureate | 36 points with Chemistry and Biology at grade 6 or above at Higher Level; without the full Diploma, grades 6, 6, 6 at Higher Level including Chemistry and Biology, with a national high school diploma |
| Scottish qualifications | AAAAA at Higher, normally including Chemistry and Biology; two Advanced Highers are also normally required (minimum A/B), to include Biology and/or Chemistry; English and Mathematics at grade 2 Standard Grade or Intermediate 2 |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | H1H1H1H2H2H3 at Higher Level, including Biology, Chemistry, English and Maths and excluding Irish |
| Access to HE Diploma | At least 45 level 3 credits at Distinction, including at least 15 level 3 credits in each of Biology and Chemistry, and at least 2 years of full-time employment after school-leaving examinations before starting the Diploma |
| An existing degree | A 2:1 or higher, with Biology and Chemistry "as a significant percentage of the degree"; entry is to the full five-year course |
| T Levels | "T Levels are not currently accepted by this course." |
| BTEC | The Dental Schools Council's 2027 booklet records for Newcastle: "We do not accept BTEC qualifications." The A206 page, under BTEC with PARTNERS, states: "BTEC qualifications are not accepted for entry to this course." |
The GCSE requirement is short: Maths and English at grade 4/C, which the Dental Schools Council's 2027 entry booklet records for Newcastle as "Minimum of a pass grade in Maths and English." How that compares with schools that score GCSEs heavily is covered in our guide to dental schools that don't weight GCSEs.
Meeting the AAA screen is only the start. At Newcastle the UCAT is one of the main criteria for reaching interview, and there is no absolute score to clear. For 2028-entry applicants, our expert UCAT tutors help raise the score subtest by subtest, with timed practice built around their weakest sections.
Book a Free Consultation Message us on WhatsAppThe A206 course page states: "All applicants are required to sit the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in the year of application." The 2027 policy adds that the requirement applies to BDS "but not BSc Dental Therapy", that scores are valid only "for the admission year in which they are achieved", with the internal transfer route as the stated exception, and that exemptions are narrow (see below). Newcastle states plainly what it does with the score. The 2027 policy says: "We do not have an absolute UCAT score below which applications will not be accepted". Applicants are ranked, interviews are offered down the ranking until capacity runs out, and "The UCAT score below which interviews are not offered differs between each admissions cycle as this is dependent on the scores applicants achieve in each cycle."
The A206 course page draws the conclusion for applicants: the threshold depends on who applies in the current cycle, and "Therefore information on what the threshold is, is not available to prospective students." The same page links an "Overview of Application Numbers and UCAT Thresholds document". When we requested that link on 17 October 2026, Newcastle's server returned a 404 "Page Not Found" error, so this page gives no threshold, applicant or places figure for Newcastle. Our guide to dental school UCAT cut-off trends discusses the thresholds that dental schools have published and how to read them.
The route of entry may change the score required. The policy says "The UCAT score required may vary depending on the route of entry, e.g., PARTNERS or Widening Participation applicants", and the Dental Schools Council's 2027 booklet describes Newcastle's contextual route as including "a slightly reduced UCAT threshold score for invitation to interview."
Two practical rules sit in the same section of the policy. Applicants who live in a country without a UCAT test centre "are expected to travel to their nearest test centre", and "The only acceptable reason for not sitting the UCAT test is if the UCAT test centre is unable to accommodate an applicant's particular needs or disabilities." Evidence for an exemption is due "by 30th November", with no year given in the policy, and missing it "will result in the application being unsuccessful." For applicants whose score has come back lower than hoped, our guide to dentistry options with a low UCAT score sets out the alternatives.
Newcastle describes its interview as "a semi-structured panel interview", usually held "between February and March" and taking place online, with interview times "released online for candidates to select" and a recommendation to book early. Two admissions selectors from the School of Dental Sciences conduct it, it lasts "approximately 20 minutes", and at the end each selector independently grades the candidate against predetermined criteria in six domains:
Selectors come from "a dental, non-dental, clinical, and non-clinical background", so a selector may not be a dentist. Interview performance "is the sole basis on which selectors assign interview scores"; selectors do not see grades or UCAT scores but do have the personal statement; and scores are not given to candidates "at the time of the interview or at any time thereafter." Official photographic identification is checked on the day.
Two rules concern circumstances on the day. Anything that might affect performance must be raised "always before the interview to allow an alternative interview to be arranged", because Newcastle "will not consider retrospective requests" about illness, bereavement or technical difficulties, and "Attending an interview will be taken as an explicit expression that the candidate is fit to be interviewed." The kinds of question dental panels ask are covered in our guide to dental school interview questions.
The 2027 policy's wording is: "For all applications, we would like to see a minimum of ten days of relevant work experience." Selectors look for "evidence of work experience within dentistry, evidence of teamwork and leadership, personal achievements, paid or voluntary work and/or mentoring activities."
The same passage accepts that dental placements can be hard to secure. Newcastle acknowledges that "securing dental work experience may prove challenging for some applicants" and says it will consider "students who can demonstrate appropriate career exploration as described by Dental Schools Council". The Council's 2027 booklet asks applicants to show "that they are making an informed choice to study dentistry through career exploration", including knowledge of the profession and of what attracted them to it, and says that "Ideally, you should also have experience working, volunteering, or observing in healthcare environments, particularly within general dental practice". Newcastle adds: "We strongly suggest that applicants with little in-person dental work experience make it clear in their application how they have gained insight into a career in dentistry."
For a week at the Dental Hospital in Newcastle itself, the School of Dental Sciences asks applicants to contact the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Trust, which arranges these placements. Because the selectors hold a copy of the personal statement at interview, what it says about this experience is in front of them.
My son was low in confidence after COVID and the gaps in learning were building up. Using this service helped plug those gaps, rebuild confidence, and improve his ability to learn properly again.
We arranged maths and English tuition ahead of GCSEs and both tutors were brilliant. My daughter's grades improved, and by results day she achieved two grades higher than in her mock exams.
I attended an English bootcamp with Leading Tuition and the experience was excellent. The teacher gave focused attention to the small group while keeping the lessons interactive and engaging.
Preparing for Newcastle's panel? Our expert dentistry interview tutors run mock panels across Newcastle's six graded domains, and help applicants turn their work experience into personal statement reflection the selectors will have in front of them.
Book a Free Consultation Message us on WhatsAppNewcastle's PARTNERS lower-offer page says that a PARTNERS offer from the University "will be up to three A level grades lower than the typical entry requirements", and the A206 course page repeats it: "you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements." For dentistry the reduction is smaller. The same PARTNERS page states: "Exceptions apply to Medicine (A100) and Dentistry (A206) which offer a two grade reduction, making the PARTNERS offer ABB." The 2027 dental policy agrees: "We will offer a 2-grade reduction (e.g., ABB for BDS and BBC for BSc Dental Therapy)."
| Route listed on the A206 page | Offer for 2027 entry |
|---|---|
| A levels with PARTNERS | ABB including both Chemistry and Biology at grade B, with a pass in the practical element of science A levels |
| Scottish qualifications with PARTNERS | AABBB at Higher and AB at Advanced Higher, to include Biology and/or Chemistry |
| BTEC with PARTNERS | "BTEC qualifications are not accepted for entry to this course." |
| Contextual offer | ABB including Chemistry and Biology at grade B |
| Realising Opportunities | ABB including Chemistry and Biology |
A lower offer changes the academic screen, and it can change the UCAT stage too: the policy says the UCAT score required "may vary depending on the route of entry, e.g., PARTNERS or Widening Participation applicants". PARTNERS applicants "must have valid UCAT scores"; Realising Opportunities applicants must be on the national programme and also need valid UCAT scores. The PARTNERS page warns that "Acceptance to the PARTNERS Programme does not guarantee an offer of study", and the policy makes interview scores the sole basis for every offer. Newcastle's general contextual offer needs no separate application: its alternative-offers page describes it as "Automatic – no extra steps needed" for applicants who "have circumstances which may have affected educational attainment".
PARTNERS has its own application, made after the UCAS form is submitted, and is open to students "in year 13 or equivalent". For A206 it had to be submitted and verified by the applicant's referee by Thursday 22 October 2026 (now passed), earlier than the Friday 29 January 2027 deadline for Newcastle courses other than Medicine and Dentistry. The essential criteria for 2027 entry are UK residence, Home fee status, no existing higher education qualification and predicted grades of at least CCC, and an applicant must also meet at least one eligibility criterion. Examples from Newcastle's list include a home postcode with low progression to higher education or high deprivation; having attended a school in England at age 16 "where the GCSE Attainment 8 score is 44 or less"; free school meals; any time in care; parents or carers without a higher education qualification; and an ethnic group under-represented at Newcastle.
An applicant who receives a PARTNERS offer must make it their firm choice (it can be the insurance choice only if the firm choice is another Newcastle course) and must attend the PARTNERS Academic Summer School in full, from Sunday 27 June to Friday 2 July 2027. Newcastle states: "If we are not your firm choice and do not attend the summer school, you will no longer be eligible for the programme and the admissions team will reassess your application as a standard applicant."
Resits. Newcastle accepts resit qualifications "only from candidates who have previously applied to Newcastle Dental School". Resits "can be taken over a maximum of two exam sittings", and the offer is one grade higher than the applicant would otherwise have received:
| Usual BDS offer | Resit offer |
|---|---|
| AAA | A*AA |
| ABB | AAB or A*BB |
Separately, the policy states: "We do not consider applications from candidates who have previously commenced a dental degree at another institution and have failed to progress for any reason."
Applicants who already hold a degree. A 2:1 or higher, with Biology and Chemistry "as a significant percentage of the degree", leads to the full five-year course. The 2027 policy also sets out a route for medical degree holders: applicants who "already hold a medical degree and are pursuing a career in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery" are considered individually "for entry to the 5-year BDS programme", and "A shortened BDS degree is not offered." A valid UCAT score is still required. Courses elsewhere built for degree holders are compared in our guide to graduate-entry dentistry courses.
Internal transfer. Stage 1 students on Newcastle's BSc in Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences may apply to transfer to Stage 1 of the BDS. There are "a maximum of two places available per year"; applicants need "a minimum average Stage 1 mark of 75% with individual module grades of above 65%" and UCAT scores achieved within 2 years of starting the BSc, and interviews are usually in April. Newcastle advises against enrolling on the BSc solely to transfer, warning that "most students are unsuccessful."
Transfers from other dental schools. "We do not accept transfers of students from other dental schools, in line with guidance from Dental Schools Council." Newcastle "may consider transfers for students in exceptional circumstances with approval of both the sending and receiving programmes", but "In most cases the student would need to re-start from year one". The policy also states: "We do not accept transfers from dental schools outside the UK."
Deferral and late applications. Newcastle considers deferral "by one year provided they plan to use their time constructively", requested at the time of application. "Late applications will not normally be considered." Applicants in Clearing, UCAS Extra or Adjustment "may be considered by the Director of Admissions should vacancies arise late in the admissions cycle", need an interview and a valid UCAT score, and "will usually be drawn from those applicants who have already been interviewed." For 2026 entry, the A206 course page stated: "This course is not available in Clearing 2026."
Applying through PARTNERS, a contextual offer or a resit? On every route Newcastle still uses the UCAT in shortlisting and the interview to decide offers. Our expert dentistry admissions tutors help applicants on every Newcastle route prepare for the interview, and for the UCAT for 2028 entry.
Book a Free Consultation Message us on WhatsAppSetting Newcastle's 2026-entry admissions policy beside the 2027-entry one, these are the differences that matter to an applicant, quoted from each side.
| Topic | 2026-entry policy | 2027-entry policy |
|---|---|---|
| English language | "a minimum score of 7.0 in each domain (IELTS) or equivalent qualification" | "a minimum IELTS score of 7.5 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in each sub-skill or an equivalent qualification" |
| Internal transfer to BDS | open to "Students in Stage 1 of the BSc in Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences (BMS) and BSc in Dental Therapy programmes" | open to "Students in Stage 1 of the BSc in Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences (BMS) programme" |
| How interviews are held | "will take place online via Zoom" | "will take place online" |
| What selectors hold at interview | no information on predicted or achieved "grades or UCAT scores." | no information on predicted or achieved "grades or UCAT scores, although they will have a copy of the personal statement." |
| Oral and maxillofacial surgery applicants | contents list runs "19. Extenuating Circumstances", "20. Feedback", "21. Age", "22. Appeals and Complaints" | contents list includes "20. Applicants Pursuing a Career in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery" |
| Chemistry for internal transfer applicants | section 13 ends: "A suitable level 3 chemistry qualification is also required for entry to the BDS (A206) programme." | section 13 does not include this sentence |
On the transfer route, the 2026 policy named two Stage 1 programmes and the 2027 policy names one. Applicants weighing BSc Dental Therapy (A207) as a way into the BDS should ask the admissions team at dental.admissions@ncl.ac.uk how the 2027 policy applies to them before relying on it.
Applicants who need an English language qualification can meet the 2027-entry requirement for A206 with any of the tests below, as listed on the course page.
| Test | A206 requirement for 2027 entry |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 7.5 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in each sub-skill |
| TOEFL iBT, taken before 21 January 2026 | 110 overall, with at least 22 in Listening, 24 in Reading, 25 in Speaking and 24 in Writing |
| TOEFL iBT, taken after 21 January 2026 | 5.5 overall, with at least 4.5 in Reading, 5 in Listening, 4.5 in Speaking and 5 in Writing |
| Pearson (PTE) | 81 overall with a minimum of 76 in Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing |
| Duolingo English Test | 145 overall, with at least 130 in Listening, 130 in Reading, 140 in Speaking and 150 in Writing |
Year 1 tuition fees for 2027-28 are £10,050 for home students and £49,000 for international students, as shown on the A206 course page. Newcastle advises that "you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation." The course page adds that, "Depending on your residency history", EU, EEA or Swiss nationals with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme will "normally pay the 'Home' tuition fee rate". The 2027 policy adds that "NHS bursaries are available to eligible English domiciled students", with details from the NHS Business Services Authority.
Every successful applicant must return an occupational health questionnaire "by the date stated in any offer received through UCAS". Evidence of immunisation is required "against polio, tetanus, varicella (chicken pox), diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella and tuberculosis"; students are screened early in the course for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV; and the hepatitis B immunisation is given by Newcastle's occupational health provider, with the cost "covered by the School of Dental Sciences".
An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is carried out "on entry to Stage 1" and "again prior to the start of clinical teaching (Stage 3 for BDS students)", and Newcastle reserves "the right to withdraw or discontinue your studies on receipt of an unsatisfactory disclosure." Age can also matter: "Due to Enhanced DBS and NHS regulations, it may not be possible to consider applications from applicants under the age of 17 at the point of entry."
Separately, the School of Dental Sciences warns applicants of a planned government requirement: "Applicants should be aware that the government plans to make it a requirement for newly qualified dentists to practice in the NHS for a minimum period, as announced in the 10 Year Health Plan for England. This requirement is expected to apply to individuals entering a dental course of study from academic year 2027/28. More information is expected from the Department of Health and Social Care in due course."
On outcomes, the policy states: "We do not routinely offer individualised feedback."
Newcastle's process rewards preparation aimed at two specific stages, and that is how our expert dentistry admissions tutors work with Newcastle applicants.
UCAT preparation for a ranking, not a pass mark. Because Newcastle ranks applicants on the UCAT and stops offering interviews when capacity is reached, there is no fixed score to clear, and a higher score places an applicant higher in the ranking. For applicants sitting the UCAT in 2027 for 2028 entry, our UCAT tutors build a plan around the applicant's weakest subtests and timed practice, aiming for the highest score the applicant can reach rather than a target figure.
Panel interview practice against the six domains. An online conversation of about 20 minutes with two selectors is a different test from a circuit of short stations. Our tutors run mock panels that work through each of Newcastle's six domains, from preparation and motivation for dental school to empathy, integrity and professionalism, and practise the online format itself.
A personal statement written for the panel. Under the 2027 policy the selectors have a copy of the personal statement during the interview, so we help applicants write work-experience reflection they can expand on under questioning. A strong answer to "Why Newcastle?" can draw on what the course page itself says: "In Stage 3 you'll start managing your own patients under close supervision", by the end of Stage 4 students spend "approximately half of your time on patient care", and the course page credits its Dental Clinical Simulation Facilities to "a £5.5 million investment".
91% of our students achieve their desired grades. To plan UCAT, interview and personal statement work around a Newcastle application, book a free consultation with our dentistry admissions team.
Newcastle's 2027-entry offer for the Dental Surgery BDS (A206) is AAA including Chemistry and Biology. For Biology, Chemistry and Physics A levels a pass in the practical element is required, and General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted. The same requirement asks for GCSE Maths and English at grade 4/C or above. Once that academic screen is met, Newcastle's 2027 admissions policy says additional A levels or A* results do not give further advantage. PARTNERS, contextual and Realising Opportunities offers are ABB instead.
Newcastle does not set one. Its 2027 admissions policy states that it does not have an absolute UCAT score below which applications will not be accepted. UCAT scores are one of the main criteria used for shortlisting: applicants are ranked on them, and interviews are offered until the maximum number Newcastle can accommodate is reached. The score at which interviews stop differs between admissions cycles, and the A206 course page says the threshold is not available to prospective students. The score required may also vary by route of entry, such as PARTNERS.
Yes, but only from candidates who have previously applied to Newcastle Dental School. Under the 2027 admissions policy, resits can be taken over a maximum of two exam sittings, and the offer is one grade higher than the applicant would otherwise have received: an AAA offer becomes A*AA, and an ABB offer becomes AAB or A*BB. Separately, Newcastle does not consider applications from candidates who have previously started a dental degree at another institution and failed to progress for any reason.
It is a semi-structured panel interview, usually held between February and March and conducted online, with candidates choosing a slot from times released online. Two admissions selectors from the School of Dental Sciences run it, and it lasts approximately 20 minutes. Each selector independently grades the candidate across six domains: preparation and motivation for dental school, effective learning skills, team working, personal qualities and resilience, interpersonal and communication skills, and empathy, sensitivity, integrity and professionalism. Interview scores are the sole basis for offers.
Two grades. Newcastle's PARTNERS page says PARTNERS offers across the University can be up to three A level grades lower, but Medicine (A100) and Dentistry (A206) are exceptions with a two-grade reduction, making the A206 PARTNERS offer ABB, with Chemistry and Biology at grade B. For 2027 entry the PARTNERS application for A206 had to be submitted and verified by a referee by Thursday 22 October 2026; that deadline is now past. Offer holders must make the PARTNERS offer their firm choice (or their insurance choice if the firm choice is another Newcastle course), attend the PARTNERS Academic Summer School from 27 June to 2 July 2027, and hold a valid UCAT score.
Yes. Newcastle accepts degree holders onto the full five-year A206 course, with a 2:1 or higher that includes Biology and Chemistry as a significant percentage of the degree. Applicants who already hold a medical degree and are pursuing a career in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery are considered individually for the five-year BDS under section 20 of the 2027 admissions policy, which states that a shortened BDS degree is not offered. They apply through UCAS by the usual deadline, then contact the admissions team, and need a valid UCAT score.
For 2027 entry, Newcastle's dental admissions policy and the A206 course page require IELTS 7.5 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in each sub-skill; the 2026-entry policy asked for a minimum of 7.0 in each domain. Other tests listed on the course page include Pearson at 81 overall with 76 in each skill, the Duolingo English Test at 145 overall, and TOEFL iBT at 110 overall for tests taken before 21 January 2026 or 5.5 overall for tests taken after that date.
Newcastle's 2027 admissions policy says it would like to see a minimum of ten days of relevant work experience, with selectors looking for experience within dentistry, teamwork and leadership, personal achievements, paid or voluntary work and mentoring. It also acknowledges that dental placements can be hard to secure and says it will consider applicants who can show career exploration as the Dental Schools Council describes it. Applicants with little in-person dental experience are advised to explain in their application how they gained insight into dentistry.
Our expert dentistry admissions tutors help Newcastle applicants with panel interview practice and a personal statement built for the six domains, and UCAT preparation for 2028-entry applicants.
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