Dental school comparison

Aston Dental School vs UCLan (Graduate Dentistry)

Aston Dental School and UCLan (Graduate Dentistry) are both UK dental schools, but the path to an offer at each is meaningfully different. Both sit in England, so location and clinical-placement breadth are similar — the differentiation comes from selection methodology, interview style and curriculum philosophy. Their A-Level requirements (A*AA vs 2:1) place them in slightly different academic-strictness tiers. UCLan (Graduate Dentistry) is the older institution (founded 1828); the other (founded 2022) has shaped its medical school around modern integrated-curriculum thinking.

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Aston Dental School

Birmingham

UCLan (Graduate Dentistry)

Preston

Location

Birmingham, UK

Preston, UK

A-Level offer

A*AA at A-level including Chemistry and Biology

2:1 in biomedical discipline. GCSE English and maths grade B. CCC at A-level including 2 from biology/physics/chemistry/maths.

UCAT home cut-off

UCAT cognitive subtests used for shortlisting; no fixed cut-off published

Lowest UCAT score for 2025 entry: ~1810+ /2700

Interview format

Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)

MMI for both UK and international applicants

Post-interview chance

38/120 = 32% (2025).

Decision date

February - April

Spring

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Aston Dental School vs UCLan (Graduate Dentistry) - in detail

A-Level and academic profile

Aston Dental School requires A*AA at A-level including Chemistry and Biology. UCLan (Graduate Dentistry) requires 2:1 in biomedical discipline. GCSE English and maths grade B. CCC at A-level including 2 from biology/physics/chemistry/maths.. Aston Dental School is the stricter A-Level offer; UCLan (Graduate Dentistry) is slightly more forgiving. If your predicted grades are borderline, UCLan (Graduate Dentistry) carries the lower academic-rejection risk pre-interview.

Interview formats

Both Aston Dental School and UCLan (Graduate Dentistry) 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: Aston Dental School runs multiple mini interviews (mmi); UCLan (Graduate Dentistry) runs mmi for both uk and international applicants. Mock practice tailored to each school's exact format is the highest-leverage prep. Interview windows: Aston Dental School interviews in December - February; UCLan (Graduate Dentistry) in Spring.

What makes each distinctive

Aston Dental School: One of the newest UK dental schools, with a small cohort and a distinctive dexterity-reflection station rare among UK BDS interviews. UCAT cognitive subtests primary shortlisting tool. UCLan (Graduate Dentistry): Both UK and international applicants accepted - only one offer made each year to an international applicant. 2025: 353 applicants, 120 interviews, 38 offers (32%). Personal statements no longer used.

Which is right for you?

For applicants with predicted A-Level grades at the lower end of the AAA-A*AA range, UCLan (Graduate Dentistry) is the lower-risk academic option. Both schools sit in the same England foundation-programme catchment, so post-graduation training paths overlap heavily. Your firm/insurance choice should ultimately weight: where your UCAT and predicted grades sit relative to each school's threshold, which interview format you can prepare for most credibly, and where you'd actually want to live for five years.

Common questions

What UCAT score do I need for Aston Dental School vs UCLan (Graduate Dentistry)?+

Neither school publishes a single fixed UCAT cut-off; both use UCAT as part of a composite shortlisting score alongside GCSE and personal-statement weighting. Aston Dental School guidance: UCAT cognitive subtests used for shortlisting; no fixed cut-off published. UCLan (Graduate Dentistry) guidance: Lowest UCAT score for 2025 entry: ~1810+ /2700.

How do interviews differ between Aston Dental School and UCLan (Graduate Dentistry)?+

Aston Dental School uses Multiple Mini Interviews: Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). UCLan (Graduate Dentistry) uses Multiple Mini Interviews: MMI for both UK and international applicants. The format is the same, so the same prep approach applies — practise ethics frameworks, NHS hot topics, and (for MMI) structured 5-7 minute station answers. Interview windows: December - February (Aston Dental School); Spring (UCLan (Graduate Dentistry)).

What A-Level grades do Aston Dental School and UCLan (Graduate Dentistry) require?+

Aston Dental School requires A*AA at A-level including Chemistry and Biology. UCLan (Graduate Dentistry) requires 2:1 in biomedical discipline. GCSE English and maths grade B. CCC at A-level including 2 from biology/physics/chemistry/maths.. Most successful applicants achieve these grades on first sitting with strong predicted grades from their school.

How are GCSEs weighted at Aston Dental School vs UCLan (Graduate Dentistry)?+

Aston Dental School — GCSE performance considered as part of the broader academic profile; specific scoring not published. UCLan (Graduate Dentistry) — Not applicable - graduate-entry programme. Requires a 2:1 honours degree.

How does each school actually shortlist applicants?+

Aston Dental School's selection methodology: shortlisting weight not fully disclosed; check the official admissions page. UCLan (Graduate Dentistry)'s selection methodology: UCAT + degree class + interview. Strong North-West regional focus. Understanding each school's exact algorithm is the single highest-leverage piece of pre-application research — it tells you whether your profile is competitive before you spend an application choice.

Where are Aston Dental School and UCLan (Graduate Dentistry) located, and how does that affect cost?+

Aston Dental School is in Birmingham, UK. UCLan (Graduate Dentistry) is in Preston, UK. Tuition is £9,250/year at both for UK home applicants; the main cost difference is accommodation (London accommodation typically runs 30-50% above the national average).

When does each school release decisions?+

Aston Dental School typically releases dentistry decisions February - April. UCLan (Graduate Dentistry) releases dentistry decisions Spring. If one is earlier than the other, you may need to hold a decision while waiting for the second school — be ready to compare in real time.

Should I apply to both Aston Dental School and UCLan (Graduate Dentistry)?+

You can — UCAS allows 4 medicine/dentistry choices in total, so listing both is feasible if your profile fits each school's selection algorithm. Apply to both only if your UCAT, GCSE and predicted-grade profile is competitive against each school's published weighting. A common mistake is using two of your four slots on similar schools when a more spread-out portfolio (one safe + one stretch) would maximise overall offer probability.