Cardiff University Dentistry: UCAT, A-Levels & Interview Requirements

2027 UCAT cut off

Not published

How the UCAT is weighted

Applicants to the BDS must take the UCAT between July and October of the year of application, and results from previous years are not accepted. Cardiff states the UCAT score may be used as part of the interview shortlisting or offer selection process, and specifically that it may be used in the selection process where the number of applicants on the same academic score exceeds the number of interview places. There is no minimum score, and the cut-off, if the UCAT is used at all, varies each cycle.

SJT policy

Not mentioned anywhere in Cardiff's official BDS admissions materials for either the 2026 or 2027 cycle. Does not appear to be used in selection.

A-level requirements

Typical offer AAA, which must include Biology and Chemistry, with a pass required in the science practical element where that is part of the programme of study. Cardiff advertises a grade range covering its standard and contextual offer, and eligible contextual applicants are given an offer lower than the standard offer, usually at the middle or lower end of that range. GCSE: English Language at grade B/6 or equivalent, plus six other GCSEs including grade AA/77 in Double Award Science or Biology and Chemistry as separate subjects. Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies and similar equivalent subjects are not accepted. Cardiff does not accept BTECs or T Levels for this programme.

Interview

Multiple Mini Interview, both, depending on the applicant.

Cardiff does not publish three of the five things a candidate needs before an interview.

Cardiff interview: full format, stations, dates and what is not published

Resits

Two opposite rules that have to be read together. If you are applying WITH resits, Cardiff will not consider you: "For the BDS programme (A200), applicants resitting A levels are not considered." But if you already hold a conditional offer made after interview and firm Cardiff, missing your grades does not end it: the offer is honoured for the following year's entry so you can resit, once only, on the minimum entry requirements. GCSE resits are accepted for A200 provided the resit grade is achieved by the application deadline.

Personal statement

A gate rather than a score. Cardiff's dentistry selection section states 'Applicants must submit a satisfactory personal statement and reference to be eligible for consideration for an interview', and the School of Dentistry's 2027 admissions policy repeats it: shortlisting requires an acceptable personal statement.

Standard A-level offer: Typical offer AAA, which must include Biology and Chemistry, with a pass required in the science practical element where that is part of the programme of study. Cardiff advertises a grade range covering its standard and contextual offer, and eligible contextual applicants are given an offer lower than the standard offer, usually at the middle or lower end of that range. GCSE: English Language at grade B/6 or equivalent, plus six other GCSEs including grade AA/77 in Double Award Science or Biology and Chemistry as separate subjects. Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies and similar equivalent subjects are not accepted. Cardiff does not accept BTECs or T Levels for this programme. SJT policy: Not mentioned anywhere in Cardiff's official BDS admissions materials for either the 2026 or 2027 cycle. Does not appear to be used in selection. Worth knowing: Cardiff publishes detailed admissions information for Dentistry. Over the past two years it has received over 1,500 BDS applications a year, interviews approximately 280 to 300 applicants and makes around 100 offers, with a reserve list, against roughly 74 Year 1 places including UK and overseas; around 4 to 5 of those are overseas places. Scoring runs on achieved grades only: predicted grades and AS levels are not considered at any stage, and the EPQ is not considered at any stage for the BDS. Typically seven GCSEs are scored, with A*/8/9 worth 4 points, A/7 worth 3, B/6 worth 2 and C/4/5 worth 1; once an applicant reaches 28 points they are considered alongside those holding the maximum academic score. A UCAT cut-off is used only if too many applicants sit on excellent academic scores, is not predetermined, is unrelated to the previous year's cut-off, and may differ between applicant groups so that each group is represented. Access courses, BTECs and T Levels are not accepted for the BDS. A-level resits are not accepted for the BDS unless the applicant was successful at interview and given an honoured offer for the following year; GCSE resits are accepted but must be achieved at the point of application. Always confirm against the official page before applying, since this is the most recent published position rather than a guarantee for the live cycle.