University of Bristol - Open Day 12 June 2026
12 Jun 2026, 08:30
Bristol
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Course summary
Gateway to Dentistry is aimed at students who have the potential to become dentists but do not meet the academic entry criteria to apply directly to our five-year undergraduate BDS Dentistry course. Our Gateway courses are widening participation initiatives for UK students who fulfil specific criteria and wish to apply for a clinical course in dentistry, medicine or veterinary science.
During the Gateway year, students will learn alongside each other, benefiting from shared interprofessional insight and the unique community of Bristol's medical, dental and veterinary schools. Students will be taught by academic teachers who are scientists and clinicians.
The Gateway course builds on core basic sciences underpinning clinical subjects (chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, anatomy and physiology). It encourages reflection and places emphasis on personal and professional development; strengthens practical, numeracy, research and library skills; and considers attributes and behaviours that enable a successful transition to university study. Successful completion of the Gateway year allows automatic progression onto BDS Dentistry.
Eligibility
This course is open to applicants from specific schools and colleges in the UK only, those who have spent three months or more in care and/or those who have been eligible for free school meals. For further information and lists of eligible schools and colleges, visit the Gateway courses eligibility webpage: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/gateway-eligibility/
International students may be eligible for the International Foundation Programme for Dentistry: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2026/international-foundation-programme/international-foundation-programme-for-dentistry/
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is required for admission to this course. You may be eligible for a UCAT bursary to cover the cost of taking the test; please visit www.ucat.ac.uk for more information.
Health and Disclosure and Barring Service check
Certain health conditions may be incompatible with careers in dentistry. Before starting your degree you will need to complete a health assessment questionnaire and pre-course screening for blood-borne viruses; find out more about pre-course occupational health information.
In accordance with General Dental Council guidelines on fitness to practice, all dental students are required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, in line with other health-related courses in the UK.
Please note that as part of your training, you will come into contact with human and animal cadaveric material.
This course is not accepting applications at this time. Please contact the provider to find out more.
This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- BDS • Full-time • 6 Years
Start dates
- 09/2026
Apply by
15 October
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- A208
- Institution code:
- B78
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Bristol has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
This course is not accepting applications at this time. Please contact the provider to find out more.
Apply by
15 October
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- A208
- Institution code:
- B78
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
We do not accept international applicants for our Gateway courses.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
A level - BBC
BBC including B in Biology or Chemistry.
Applicants with predicted or achieved grades of AAB or above, or with A in Chemistry, are not eligible for this course.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
BTEC Extended Diploma Applied Science (RQF): Grades DDM or DMM, including five specified Biology or Chemistry units in any combination. Applicants with predicted or achieved grades of DDD or above cannot be considered for Gateway programmes but could be considered for the five-year standard entry course instead.
Access to HE Diploma - Not accepted
Scottish Higher - BBBBC
Standard Level: BBBBC. Applicants with achieved or predicted Advanced Higher grades of AA, or with Chemistry at A grade, are not eligible for this course.
Scottish Advanced Higher - BB
Advanced Higher: BB including Biology or Chemistry.
Applicants with achieved or predicted Advanced Higher grades of AA, or with Chemistry at A grade, are not eligible for this course.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 29 points
29 points overall with 14 at Higher level, including 5 at Higher Level in Biology or Chemistry.
Applicants with predicted or achieved grades of 33 points overall including 16 at Higher Level, or with 6 at Higher Level in Chemistry, are not eligible for this course.
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Requirements are as for A-levels where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/ D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/ M2 is B, M3 is C.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
Applicants must also meet these GCSE profile requirements: standard literacy requirement (4 or C in GCSE English or equivalent) and Standard numeracy requirement (4 or C in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent).
For more information: bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate
/entry-requirements-qualifications/gcse/
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Additional entry requirements
- Admission tests
- Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
- Health checks
- Health questionnaire and medical examination. Non-immune students must be immunised against hepatitis B and tuberculosis.
- Interview
- Other
- This course has additional eligibility criteria, please check these before applying: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/gateway-eligibility/
- University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)
- The University Clinical Aptitude Test (formerly UKCAT) is required. Bursaries are available to cover the cost of taking the UCAT; please see the UCAT website for details: https://www.ucat.ac.uk/ Work experience is recommended; please see the Admissions statement.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to meet this profile level:
Profile B
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels:
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/language-requirements/
For 2020 entry English language requirements are being reviewed and will be confirmed by August 2019.
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. We consider a large range of contextual factors when making application decisions.
If you receive and accept an offer from the University of Bristol, and you meet the terms of your offer in full, you will be accepted.
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| EU | £31300 | Year 1 |
| International | £31300 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
University of Bristol
Beacon House
Queen’s Road
Bristol
BS8 1QU
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Course contact details
Main Contact
Email:choosebristol-ug@bristol.ac.uk
Phone:0117 394 1649
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