What A-levels do you need to study Dentistry?
What UK dental schools actually require — and the common myth that Chemistry is compulsory everywhere.
Required subjects
- At least one of Chemistry or Biology — the only requirement that holds across every UK dental school. The majority require BOTH, but not all: some (e.g. Plymouth) require Biology with Chemistry optional; a few accept one of the two plus a second science.
Recommended & helpful
- Chemistry and Biology together — required outright by around 10 of the 14 UK dental schools (e.g. Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield).
- A third academic subject — usually free choice, but General Studies, Critical Thinking and similar are widely excluded.
Typical grades
Typically AAA; a few schools ask A*AA. GCSE thresholds are unusually high (often grade 6–7+ in sciences, maths and English).
Admissions test
UCAT — required by nearly all UK dental schools. Relevant work experience is a de-facto expectation.
The thing students get wrong: The widespread claim that 'Chemistry is required by every dental school' is wrong. The dependable rule is one of Chemistry or Biology, with most schools wanting both — so check the Dental Schools Council table for the specific schools you're applying to.
Explore these subjects
The specification, assessment structure and real grade boundaries for the subjects that matter for this route:
Always check the specific course.Entry requirements and required admissions tests vary by university and change every admissions cycle. Use these pages to narrow your choices, then confirm on each university's own course page and the Dental Schools Council — entry requirements (2026 entry).
Sources
Frequently asked questions
More: how to choose your A-levels · hardest A-levels by the grade data