Top 10 UK Universities for Dentistry 2027

Dentistry is one of the UK’s most competitive degrees, rivalling medicine for entry standards and workload. Places at UK dental schools are limited, so you’ll need strong grades in chemistry and biology, plus the people skills to work confidently with patients from year one.

Most UK dental schools award the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS, or BChD at Leeds) over a minimum five-year degree. Clinical training on real patients usually starts after year one, building skills in restorative dentistry, oral surgery and dental hygiene as the course progresses.

The UCAS deadline for dentistry is 15th October, and with so few places on offer, early, well-prepared applications matter more here than almost any other course. Arrange a free consultation with StudyIn today, and our counsellors will help you get every part of your application ready in time, from your personal statement to your UCAT prep.

Top 10 UK Universities for Dentistry 2027

The table below is based on the Guardian University Guide 2027 subject ranking for dentistry. Average entry tariff reflects the UCAS Tariff points, a single scale that converts A-levels, the IB, Scottish Highers and other qualifications into a comparable score, for students accepted onto each course.

1. University of Dundee

The University of Dundee is now ranked 1st in the UK for dentistry in the Guardian University Guide 2027, up from 3rd the previous year. It is a university in Scotland that prepares students for careers as dentists or dental therapists, and students will develop knowledge and skills across the full range of dental disciplines, gaining experience treating patients in the University’s dental hospital.

• Dundee dentistry course: Dentistry BDS
• Broad entry requirements: International Baccalaureate: 37 points overall, including 6, 6, 6 at Higher Level. UCAS Tariff: average entry tariff of 226.
• International fees: Around £40,900 a year (2026/27), plus Scotland’s ACT Levy of around £10,000 a year to cover NHS teaching costs.

2. University of Glasgow

At the University of Glasgow, you will learn by treating patients under close supervision from highly experienced and skilled tutors. The Glasgow Dental Hospital and School has been providing a strong foundation for students’ futures in oral health since 1879, and it holds 2nd place in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2027.

• Glasgow dentistry course: BDS Dentistry
• Broad entry requirements: International Baccalaureate: 36 points, including 6, 6, 6 at Higher Level, with Chemistry and Biology required at Higher Level. UCAS Tariff: average entry tariff of 237, the highest of any dental school in this list.
• International fees: Around £58,500 a year (2026/27).

3. University of Plymouth

The University of Plymouth Peninsula Dental School has an extremely close relationship with NHS partners, meaning early clinical contact for all students. Modern facilities enable the University to produce dental practitioners with clinical skills of the highest order, and it climbs to 3rd place in the Guardian University Guide 2027, up from 6th previously.

• Plymouth dentistry course: BDS Dental Surgery
• Broad entry requirements: International Baccalaureate: 35 points overall, including 6 at Higher Level in Biology and 6 at Higher Level in a further science. UCAS Tariff: average entry tariff of 174.
• International fees: Historically charged at a lower rate in year one and a higher rate for the clinical years that follow; confirm the current year-by-year figures with the university before applying.

4. University of Bristol

The University of Bristol Dental School moved into a new, purpose-built Dental School Building in September 2023, with the latest facilities and equipment. This five-year degree has a strong core of clinical training integrated with relevant sciences and technical skills, and it now sits 4th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2027.

• Bristol dentistry course: BDS Dentistry
• Broad entry requirements: International Baccalaureate: 36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6, 6 at Higher Level in Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics. UCAS Tariff: average entry tariff of 158.
• International fees: £49,700 for the first year (2026 entry), rising each subsequent year.

5. Queen’s University Belfast

Dentistry at Queen’s University Belfast now ranks 5th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2027, having previously topped the table, and is still rated highly for teaching in the National Student Survey. As early as year one, students take clinical placements as part of their learning, and the school is Northern Ireland’s only dental school.

• Queen’s University dentistry course: BDS Dentistry
• Broad entry requirements: International Baccalaureate: 36 points overall, including 6, 6, 6 at Higher Level, including Chemistry and Biology. UCAS Tariff: average entry tariff of 183.
• International fees: A composite fee of around £40,600 a year (2025/26), plus a Northern Ireland clinical placement levy of roughly £11,800 to £12,100 a year, which is charged separately.

6. University of Liverpool

The Institute of Dentistry at the University of Liverpool is a modern purpose-built facility with state-of-the-art equipment and teaching facilities. International places are limited to around four per year, so entry is highly competitive, though this does mean accepted students benefit from a strong staff-to-student ratio. Clinical work is introduced after one year.

• Liverpool dentistry course: BDS Dentistry
• Broad entry requirements: International Baccalaureate: 36 points, with 6 at Higher Level in both Chemistry and Biology. UCAS Tariff: average entry tariff of 165.
• International fees: £51,000 a year (2026/27).

7. University of Leeds

The University of Leeds School of Dentistry is the only dental school in the UK to award a joint Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, with graduates receiving both the BChD and MChD on successful completion of the five-year programme. Based at the Leeds Dental Institute, students benefit from modern facilities, early patient contact and a strong research culture, and the university offers more than £14 million in scholarships for international students starting in September 2026.

• Leeds dentistry course: Dental Surgery BChD
• Broad entry requirements: International Baccalaureate: at least 35 points overall, including a 6 in Higher Level Chemistry and Biology, plus a further Higher Level subject at grade 6. UCAS Tariff: average entry tariff of 156, the lowest of the schools in this list.
• International fees: Not publicly confirmed for 2026/27 at the time of writing. UK dentistry fees for international students generally range from around £30,000 to £63,000 a year, so contact Leeds directly for a current quote.

8. University of Sheffield

New to the top 10 this year, the University of Sheffield’s School of Clinical Dentistry is based alongside the Charles Clifford Dental Hospital, where most clinical teaching takes place. The five-year BDS follows an integrated curriculum, combining biomedical sciences with early clinical skills, and Sheffield is one of the few schools to offer an alternative entry route via a Dentistry or health-related EPQ.

• Sheffield dentistry course: BDS Dental Surgery
• Broad entry requirements: International Baccalaureate: 36 points overall, including 6 at Higher Level in both Chemistry and Biology. UCAS Tariff: average entry tariff of 164.
• International fees: Estimated at around £38,000 a year; dentistry is charged outside Sheffield’s standard overseas fee band, so confirm the exact current rate with the university.

9. Queen Mary, University of London

The Institute of Dentistry at Queen Mary University of London, part of Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, ranks in the top 20 in the world for dentistry according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject. It is based at the Royal London Dental Hospital and offers state-of-the-art technology, including the recently opened Kenworthy Road Dental Clinic. International places are limited to around four a year.

• Queen Mary dentistry course: BDS Dentistry
• Broad entry requirements: International Baccalaureate: 37 points overall with 6, 6, 6 at Higher Level, including Biology or Chemistry plus a second science subject or Mathematics. UCAS Tariff: average entry tariff of 168.
• International fees: Estimated at around £53,950 a year, broadly in line with Queen Mary’s Medicine fee; confirm the exact Dentistry rate directly with the university.

10. University of Birmingham

Also new to the top 10, the University of Birmingham trains dentistry students at the £50 million Birmingham Dental Hospital and School, the UK’s first purpose-built integrated dental hospital and school in nearly 40 years. Students begin observing treatments and interacting with patients from year one, progressing to treating their own patients by the end of year two, and only up to three places a year are available to international applicants.

• Birmingham dentistry course: BDS Dental Surgery
• Broad entry requirements: International Baccalaureate: minimum 32 points overall, including 6, 6, 6 at Higher Level in Chemistry and Biology. UCAS Tariff: average entry tariff of 158.
• International fees: Around £27,180 for the pre-clinical first year, rising to around £48,660 a year for clinical years two to five.

Dentistry Scholarships

Several scholarships available for dentistry degrees in the UK are offered by universities and other organisations, often considering academic excellence, financial need, or specific eligibility criteria. Some of the scholarships include:

• Cowrie Scholarship: Newcastle University and The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation offer at least one yearly scholarship to support Black African and Caribbean heritage applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• MSc Dental Public Health Aubrey Sheiham Scholarship: UCL offers two one-year scholarships for full-time students undertaking the MSc in Dental Public Health, with £2,500 for home students and £5,000 for overseas students.
• Professor David Locker Scholarship: The University of Sheffield offers two £7,500 scholarships for postgraduate study in Social Science, Oral Health, and Dentistry, established in honour of the late Professor David Locker.
• Barts and The London Alumni Association Student Bursaries: Dr Richard Callander Hudson’s Student Bursary provides £2,000 over three years for MBBS medical students, and Professor Wright’s Student Bursary offers the same amount for BDS dental students at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Dentistry Degree Fees

The cost of studying for a dentistry degree (BDS or BChD) in the UK for international students typically ranges from around £27,000 to £63,000 a year, depending on the university and year of study. Please note these figures are for tuition fees only and do not include other expenses such as accommodation, living costs, or additional charges like Scotland’s ACT Levy or Northern Ireland’s clinical placement levy.

Study Dentistry in the UK

With the 15th October UCAS deadline fast approaching and international places this limited, getting expert guidance now makes a real difference.

Arrange a free consultation with StudyIn today. Our UK university application experts will help you find where places are genuinely still available, and make sure your application is ready and submitted without error.

FAQs

How long is a dentistry course in the UK?

Dentistry courses in the UK usually span five years for undergraduate students. For those enrolled in graduate-entry programmes at a small number of schools, it can be a shorter, accelerated route, though this option is often restricted to UK home-fee-status applicants.

What are the admission requirements?

Admission requirements vary across universities, but strong grades in science subjects, particularly Biology and Chemistry, are generally necessary, alongside a competitive UCAT score. Some institutions may request additional criteria like interviews or relevant work experience.

Which is the easiest dental school to get into in the UK?

Based on average entry tariff, the University of Leeds now has the lowest threshold of the schools in this list, with Birmingham and Bristol close behind, though competition for places remains intense everywhere, including at schools such as Glasgow or Dundee that carry the highest tariffs.

What are the three skills you need to be a dentist?

Three essential skills for aspiring dentists include clinical proficiency in carrying out dental procedures and treatments, effective communication with patients and the dental team, and problem-solving abilities to diagnose dental issues accurately and develop appropriate treatment plans.