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UK Dentistry · 2027 Entry

Cardiff Dental School2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

Location Cardiff, UKEstablished 1883Interviews FebruaryDecisions Spring
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Overview

About Cardiff

Wales-based dental school with a GCSE-driven scoring system and an MMI mapped to GDC professional attributes.

What makes it different

Application score calculated /28 from 7 GCSEs (8/9/A* = 4 pts, etc.) - must include biology and chemistry. Welsh-domiciled and contextually eligible applicants get extra consideration.

Course & teaching

Case-based curriculum. Five-year BDS with case-based learning. Clinical placements at Cardiff University Dental Hospital and South Wales community sites.

Research strengths

Cardiff has notable research strength in Oral microbiology, Tissue engineering, Restorative dentistry, Periodontology.

Intercalation

Optional - selective.

Interview

Cardiff interviews via Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI), in person (overseas online). MMI format with stations testing motivation for dentistry, communication, ethics and understanding of the Welsh healthcare context. Topics often signposted in advance.

Intake

~70 home + ~10 international places per year for BDS Dentistry.

At a glance

Founded in 1883, based in Cardiff. Programmes offered: Dentistry (BDS).

TrueScore

Predicted UCAT for Cardiff

TrueScore

Moderate confidence

What is TrueScore?

A data-driven estimate of the UCAT score you'll likely need to be invited to interview at Cardiff 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.

  • Home1510
  • Contextual1700
  • Rest of UK2080
  • International1900
Entry requirements

What you need to apply to Cardiff

A-Level requirements
AAA at A-level (offer only — no prediction requirement) including Biology and Chemistry. Practical pass required for any science A-level taken.
Contextual A-Level offer
Welsh-domiciled and contextually eligible applicants get additional consideration plus 2 extra points in the scoring system. Some widening-participation programmes receive guaranteed interviews.
Required A-Level subjects
Biology and Chemistry both required
A-Level resit policy
A-level resits not considered (2026 entry), except for firm offer-holders who miss offers — they are given one year to resit while retaining the offer
GCSE requirements
Minimum 7 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above. Grade 6/B required in English Language. Biology and Chemistry both required at GCSE level. GCSE resits accepted (English Language any time).
Scottish Highers
AAAAA at Higher including two sciences from Biology, Chemistry or Physics
Scottish Advanced Highers
AA at Advanced Higher including Biology and Chemistry
International Baccalaureate
35 points overall, 766 at Higher Level (Chemistry required)
UCAT Selection at Cardiff
SJT band

Not used any more

UCAT used as tiebreaker when number of equally-scoring applicants exceeds interview places (most recent years). 28/28 GCSE score generally guarantees consideration regardless of UCAT.

SJT Band
Not used any more
Specialities offered
Dentistry (BDS)
Work experience
Personal statement must show evidence of commitment to a career in dentistry, qualities and skills required, and knowledge of the dental profession.
Interview

How Cardiff interviews applicants

Format
Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI), in person (overseas online)
Interview window
February
Decision date
Spring
Post-interview chances
Total: 128/319 = 40% (2025). Home: 117/298 = 39%. International: 11/21 = 52%.
Tutor insight
The interviews for Cardiff this year required the preparation of a 3-dimensional model out of pasta of an animal that represents your personality. - Cardiff covers GDC-mapped attributes: communication, teamwork, problem solving, ethical awareness, ability to think on your feet. Don't be surprised by unusual or off-the-wall questions - they aim to see how you respond under pressure.
Practice

Practise for your Cardiff interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank485 dentistry questions inside

Interview questions matched to Cardiff

Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for Cardiff’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.

HardPanel · OxbridgeQ1

Assisted Suicide – Ethical Views on the Tony Nicklinson Case

What are your thoughts on the Tony Nicklinson assisted suicide case?

Likely follow-up · What are the main ethical arguments for and against assisted dying?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
EasyPanelQ2

Qualities of a Good Team Player

What are the qualities of a good team player?

Likely follow-up · Give an example of when you were an effective team player.

3 expert tips in Prometheus
Get support

Apply to Cardiff with confidence

We've helped students into Cardiff and other UK dentistry schools — get tailored support for each stage of the application.

FAQ

Cardiff — frequently asked questions

Home applicants: ~2080+/2700 for non-contextual RUK (interview-receiver minimum ~1510+/2700); average interviewee ~2030+/2700. International applicants: Different scoring system for overseas. UCAT used as tiebreaker when number of equally-scoring applicants exceeds interview places (most recent years). 28/28 GCSE score generally guarantees consideration regardless of UCAT.

AAA including biology or chemistry. No prediction requirement. A-level resits not considered except for firm offer-holders who miss offers.

Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI), in person (overseas online). MMI format with stations testing motivation for dentistry, communication, ethics and understanding of the Welsh healthcare context. Topics often signposted in advance.

Cardiff typically interviews in February.

Decisions are released Spring.

Application score calculated /28 from 7 GCSEs (8/9/A* = 4 pts, etc.) - must include biology and chemistry. Welsh-domiciled and contextually eligible applicants get extra consideration.

Apply to Cardiff with confidence

We've helped students turn their UCAT, personal statement and interview prep into offers from Cardiff and other UK dentistry schools.