Aberdeen (Graduate Dentistry) vs Leeds

Aberdeen (Graduate Dentistry)'s published UCAT threshold for home applicants is around 1820, while Leeds sits at approximately 1850.

Their UCAT bars are statistically indistinguishable (within 30 points), so the UCAT is unlikely to be your differentiator between them.

Contextual / widening-participation cut-offs differ — Aberdeen (Graduate Dentistry): not separately disclosed; Leeds: ~1670+/2700. Eligible applicants should weight this heavily when choosing.

Aberdeen (Graduate Dentistry) requires 2:1 in biosciences or allied healthcare profession. UK applicants only. A-levels not used.

Leeds requires AAA including chemistry and biology. One resit attempt accepted (full A-levels), unless mitigating circumstances. If re-sitting Level 3 qualifications, extenuating circumstances should be highlighted in the reference.

GCSE profile matters at both schools — Aberdeen (Graduate Dentistry): Not applicable - graduate-entry programme. Requires a 2:1 honours degree. Leeds: AAA at A-Level including Chemistry and Biology. 8 GCSEs scored - strong profile expected.

Both Aberdeen (Graduate Dentistry) and Leeds use MMI interviews, so the underlying prep approach is the same — practise ethics frameworks, NHS hot-topic answers and (for MMI) structured station responses against a timer.

That said, the specifics differ slightly: Aberdeen (Graduate Dentistry) runs 90-minute mmi; offers made on interview performance only; Leeds runs five-station mmi (online). Mock practice tailored to each school's exact format is the highest-leverage prep.

Interview windows: Aberdeen (Graduate Dentistry) interviews in Spring; Leeds in December – February.

Aberdeen (Graduate Dentistry) runs a PBL curriculum; Leeds runs a Integrated curriculum. The teaching philosophies are different — Aberdeen (Graduate Dentistry) leans on small-group case-based learning from year 1, while Leeds uses a more traditional lecture-led structure.

Specifics: Four-year accelerated graduate-entry BDS. Aberdeen-based with clinical placements across NHS Grampian and remote/rural Scotland. Five-year BChD with integrated science and clinical practice. Clinical placements at Leeds Dental Institute and Yorkshire community sites.

Intake size: Aberdeen (Graduate Dentistry) — ~30-40 places per year (small graduate-entry cohort).; Leeds — ~80 home + ~10 international places per year for BChD Dentistry.. A larger cohort means more peer breadth; a smaller cohort means more tutor contact.

Aberdeen (Graduate Dentistry): Approximately 30 offers from 60 interviews (~50%) for 20 places. Leeds: All applicants (2025): 76/547 = 14% headline, but ~25% in reality (the 547 includes Dental Hygiene & Therapy applicants - likely ~400 dentistry interviews for 76 places + waitlist offers).

Post-interview odds give you the clearest signal of how competitive each school is at the final stage — a school with a 60% post-interview success rate is structurally easier to convert than one at 25%, even if the interview thresholds look identical on paper.

Aberdeen (Graduate Dentistry): Academic attainment weighted 60% (predicted/achieved degree result), UCAT 40%. A-levels not used. UK applicants only. ~60 candidates interviewed; ~30 offers made for 20 places - ~7 offers to RUK candidates.

Leeds: Total score combines UCAT, academic record (achieved/predicted A-levels + GCSEs) and personal statement. Personal statement is also scored, so it is worth tailoring specifically for Leeds.