Question 1

What admission tests do Griffith Dental and Melbourne Dental use?

Accepted Answer

Griffith Dental uses UCAT-ANZ. Melbourne Dental uses GAMSAT. The test mismatch means you may need to prep two assessments simultaneously, or you can pick the school whose admission test you're stronger in. GAMSAT is graduate-only and sat in March/September; UCAT-ANZ is undergraduate-leaning and sat in July; some schools (notably Bond and JCU) run their own selection model with no national test.

Question 2

What GAMSAT score do I need for Griffith Dental vs Melbourne Dental?

Accepted Answer

Griffith Dental — does not publish a GAMSAT cut-off (may not use GAMSAT; check the admission-test question above). Melbourne Dental — No fixed minimum — competitive ranking only. UoM DDS uses an unweighted GAMSAT average (each of the three sections weighted equally), unlike UoM MD which uses ACER's standard weighting (Section 3 double-weighted). Applicants must choose a single GAMSAT sitting (cannot mix-and-match best section scores). 4-year GAMSAT validity. DAT and BMAT also accepted. GAMSAT results are valid for four years with ACER, but some graduate MD programs accept only the most recent two cycles — verify before relying on an older sitting.

Question 3

What UCAT-ANZ score do I need for Griffith Dental vs Melbourne Dental?

Accepted Answer

Griffith Dental — No discrete numerical cut-off published by Griffith. 2022 cycle reported lowest threshold ~78th percentile; 2023+ realistic competitive range 90th+ percentile. Melbourne Dental — does not publish a UCAT-ANZ cut-off (may not use UCAT-ANZ; check the admission-test question above). UCAT-ANZ cut-offs are cohort-dependent, so the headline number from one cycle is not guaranteed for the next — use it as a planning anchor, not a guarantee.

Question 4

What ATAR do I need for Griffith Dental vs Melbourne Dental?

Accepted Answer

Griffith Dental — BDHS school-leaver ATAR competitive floor 99.85 (GradReady cross-reference). 99+ effective. Melbourne Dental — ATAR data not published in the structured AU requirements; see free-text admission requirements on the school page. Selection rank typically includes Educational Access Scheme bonuses, rural-origin uplift, and (where applicable) Indigenous-pathway adjustments — your raw ATAR is rarely the final figure used.

Question 5

What GPA do I need for Griffith Dental vs Melbourne Dental?

Accepted Answer

Griffith Dental — GPA not published in the structured AU requirements. Melbourne Dental — No fixed minimum — competitive ranking only. Ranking formula: weighted GPA (50%) + unweighted GAMSAT (or DAT/BMAT) (50%) → interview shortlist; interview adds further weighting (not publicly disclosed). Many AU graduate MD programs treat the GPA as a hurdle (above the floor, all candidates are weighted equally on GAMSAT and interview) rather than as a sliding-scale rank — confirm each school's specific model.

Question 6

How do interviews differ between Griffith Dental and Melbourne Dental?

Accepted Answer

Griffith Dental uses: GUDAP — Griffith University Dental Admissions Process (multi-station scenario interview, online via SAMMI). Melbourne Dental uses: No interview — Standard Pathway offers ranked on GPA plus admissions-test score (equal weighting). Different formats reward different skill sets. Plan separate prep streams for each. Interview windows: 23–27 November 2026 (March 2027 intake) (Griffith Dental); August-September (Melbourne Dental).

Question 7

What place types (CSP / BMP / Full-fee) do Griffith Dental and Melbourne Dental offer?

Accepted Answer

Griffith Dental — 2025 BDHS intake: 69 admitted total (per QTAC). Composition: 45 (65.2%) recent secondary education, 24 (34.8%) Higher Education Study background, 0 VET / work-life / international. First-year fee (CSP) $10,600 (2026 indicative). Melbourne Dental — UoM DDS does NOT publish current intake breakdown. Best-available estimates (multi-year aggregated from UoM DDS handbook archives and OzTREKK): ~40 CSP + ~10 Full-fee + ~30 International ≈ ~80 total. CSP (Commonwealth Supported Place) is the lowest student contribution; BMP (Bonded Medical Program) adds a 1-year return-of-service obligation in a Modified Monash Model 2-7 area after Fellowship; Full-fee places carry no bond but the highest tuition.

Question 8

What Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entry pathways do Griffith Dental and Melbourne Dental offer?

Accepted Answer

Griffith Dental — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entry pathway with bespoke MMI and weighted academic review. Melbourne Dental — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants can apply via UoM's Indigenous pathway (consistent with the MD pathway). GAMSAT may be waived; minimum GPA still applies. Both schools accept ATSI applicants through the standard pathway as well; the dedicated pathway typically offers adjusted academic thresholds plus wrap-around academic support.

Question 9

Does Griffith Dental or Melbourne Dental offer bonded / rural-entry places?

Accepted Answer

Griffith Dental — Rural priority adjustments applied (similar framework to Griffith Medicine MM2-MM7). Discrete reserved-place numbers for dentistry not publicly disclosed. Melbourne Dental — bonded/rural data not published in the structured AU requirements. The federal BMP allocates ~28.5% of CSP places nationally; individual schools sit above or below that benchmark depending on their workforce remit.

Question 10

When does each school release decisions?

Accepted Answer

Griffith Dental typically releases dentistry offers January. Melbourne Dental releases dentistry offers October-November. AU MD offers run through GEMSAS (graduate consortium) or direct school portals; if one is earlier than the other you may need to defer a decision while waiting for the second.

Question 11

What curriculum style do Griffith Dental and Melbourne Dental use?

Accepted Answer

Griffith Dental runs a Integrated curriculum. Melbourne Dental runs a Integrated curriculum. Both schools deliver teaching in the same broad style, so day-to-day study habits will feel similar. Griffith Dental specifics: Integrated pathway: 3-year Bachelor of Dental Health Science (BDHS) → 2-year graduate Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD). Direct-entry BDS not currently offered. All pathways anchored at the Gold C Melbourne Dental specifics: 4-year graduate DDS. Year 1 foundations and pre-clinical simulation at Carlton. Years 2-4 clinical placements at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and across Victorian community dental sites. App

Question 12

Should I apply to both Griffith Dental and Melbourne Dental?

Accepted Answer

Yes — AU medical applicants typically lodge preferences across multiple schools via GEMSAS (graduate) or direct-undergraduate portals + state TACs (UAC for NSW, VTAC for VIC, QTAC for QLD, etc.). The two schools' selection mechanics differ enough that listing both is a legitimate diversification strategy. A common mistake is over-indexing on schools with the same test-and-interview profile; Griffith Dental and Melbourne Dental differ in their selection mechanics, so prepping both adds genuine optionality.

Comparison field	Griffith DentalGold Coast	Melbourne DentalCarlton
Quick comparison
Location	Gold Coast, Australia	Carlton, Australia
Entry pathway	Undergraduate	Graduate
Admission tests	UCAT-ANZ	GAMSAT
GAMSAT	-	No fixed minimum — competitive ranking only. UoM DDS uses an unweighted GAMSAT average (each of the three sections weighted equally), unlike UoM MD which uses ACER's standard weighting (Section 3 double-weighted). Applicants must choose a single GAMSAT sitting (cannot mix-and-match best section scores). 4-year GAMSAT validity. DAT and BMAT also accepted.
UCAT-ANZ	No discrete numerical cut-off published by Griffith. 2022 cycle reported lowest threshold ~78th percentile; 2023+ realistic competitive range 90th+ percentile.	-
ATAR	BDHS school-leaver ATAR competitive floor 99.85 (GradReady cross-reference). 99+ effective.	-
Interview format	GUDAP — Griffith University Dental Admissions Process (multi-station scenario interview, online via SAMMI)	No interview — Standard Pathway offers ranked on GPA plus admissions-test score (equal weighting)
Post-interview chance	Not publicly disclosed.	~40% of interviewees receive an offer.
Decision date	January	October-November

ATAR	BDHS school-leaver ATAR competitive floor 99.85 (GradReady cross-reference). 99+ effective.	-
Contextual ATAR	Rural priority via Educational Access adjustments; rural quotas not publicly disclosed for dentistry.	-
GAMSAT	-	No fixed minimum — competitive ranking only. UoM DDS uses an unweighted GAMSAT average (each of the three sections weighted equally), unlike UoM MD which uses ACER's standard weighting (Section 3 double-weighted). Applicants must choose a single GAMSAT sitting (cannot mix-and-match best section scores). 4-year GAMSAT validity. DAT and BMAT also accepted.
UCAT-ANZ	No discrete numerical cut-off published by Griffith. 2022 cycle reported lowest threshold ~78th percentile; 2023+ realistic competitive range 90th+ percentile.	-
CASPer	-	-
ISAT	-	-
GPA	-	No fixed minimum — competitive ranking only. Ranking formula: weighted GPA (50%) + unweighted GAMSAT (or DAT/BMAT) (50%) → interview shortlist; interview adds further weighting (not publicly disclosed).
Prerequisites	-	-
Place types	2025 BDHS intake: 69 admitted total (per QTAC). Composition: 45 (65.2%) recent secondary education, 24 (34.8%) Higher Education Study background, 0 VET / work-life / international. First-year fee (CSP) $10,600 (2026 indicative).	UoM DDS does NOT publish current intake breakdown. Best-available estimates (multi-year aggregated from UoM DDS handbook archives and OzTREKK): ~40 CSP + ~10 Full-fee + ~30 International ≈ ~80 total.
Indigenous pathway	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entry pathway with bespoke MMI and weighted academic review.	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants can apply via UoM's Indigenous pathway (consistent with the MD pathway). GAMSAT may be waived; minimum GPA still applies.
Bonded / rural	Rural priority adjustments applied (similar framework to Griffith Medicine MM2-MM7). Discrete reserved-place numbers for dentistry not publicly disclosed.	-

Interview window	23–27 November 2026 (March 2027 intake)	August-September
Interview details	Griffith uses GUDAP — a multi-station scenario interview delivered online via SAMMI. For 2025 cycle, scheduled 20-26 November 2025. Stations span ethical reasoning, communication, manual dexterity ref…	The Melbourne DDS makes Standard Pathway offers from a combined ranked list — GPA rank and GAMSAT/DAT rank with equal weighting. There is no interview in any pathway.

Specialities	General Dental Practice, Oral Health Therapy, Rural Dentistry, Public Dental Health	Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, Paediatric Dentistry, Public Dental Health, Dental Research
Established	2004	1897
Course type	Undergraduate	Undergraduate
What makes it different	Griffith offers a single integrated dental pathway: 3-year Bachelor of Dental Health Science (BDHS) → 2-year graduate Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD). Direct-entry BDS not currently offered (any…	Melbourne runs Australia's oldest dental school (est. 1897) as a 4-year graduate-entry Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). Co-located with the Melbourne Dental Hospital at the Royal Dental Hospital of Mel…
Official course page	https://www.griffith.edu.au/study/degrees/bachelor-of-dental-health-science-1577	https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/graduate/doctor-of-dental-surgery/

Griffith Dental vs Melbourne Dental

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Griffith Dental

Melbourne Dental

Griffith Dental vs Melbourne Dental - in detail

Admission tests compared

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