Step-by-step: entry requirements, UCAT prep, personal statement, interview format and the key deadlines.
Open the guide →Format breakdown, school-specific sample questions, FAQs and prep tips from tutors who interviewed here.
Read the guide →High-UCAT dental school in the South West with strong clinical training and creative pre-interview tasks.
Entirely UCAT-based shortlisting (work experience encouraged, not required). No SJT use. No significant personal-statement scoring - medical applicants often get offers with a medical statement.
Spiral curriculum. Five-year BDS spiral curriculum. Clinical placements at Bristol Dental Hospital and South-West community sites.
Bristol has notable research strength in Oral microbiology, Restorative dentistry, Periodontology, Oral cancer biology.
Optional intercalated BSc - competitive.
Bristol interviews via Structured panel-style interview (Zoom, remote). 30–45 minute structured interview with four assessors over Zoom. Bristol often sets unusual pre-interview tasks - e.g. building a 3-dimensional pasta model of an animal that represents your personality (then explaining why), or preparing a 5-minute presentation on a topic such as water fluoridation. Assesses manual dexterity and communication.
~70 home + ~20 international places per year for BDS Dentistry.
Founded in 1828, based in Bristol. Programmes offered: Dentistry (BDS).
What is TrueScore?
A data-driven estimate of the UCAT score you'll likely need to be invited to interview at Bristol for 2027 entry entry — based on its published cut-offs and recent admissions data. Treat it as a target to aim past, not a guarantee.
No use of SJT in selection
Personal statement and reference only used to distinguish borderline academic profiles. No SJT use.
Bristol's interview is held remotely over Zoom in a 'structured interview format' with four assessors. They often give pre-interview tasks - e.g. a 3D pasta model of an animal that represents your personality. Manual dexterity and communication/explanation skills will continue to be assessed. Be prepared for questions on motivations for dentistry, teamwork and communication.
Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for Bristol’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.
The mother of a 17-year-old boy patient telephones and enquires whether her son has been attending his appointments with you. What would you do?
Likely follow-up · At what age can a patient independently control their own healthcare information?
Do you have the personality that it takes to do dentistry?
Likely follow-up · What personality traits do you believe are essential for a dentist?
We've helped students into Bristol and other UK dentistry schools — get tailored support for each stage of the application.
Hit the UCAT cut-off for Bristol with one-to-one tutoring from top scorers.
Learn morePractise the Panel interview format with students who interviewed at Bristol.
Learn moreGet your personal statement reviewed by successful applicants.
Learn moreWe've helped students turn their UCAT, personal statement and interview prep into offers from Bristol and other UK dentistry schools.
