None of the typical offers listed below are necessarily the threshold for interview selection. Other factors including the number of applications received may influence the threshold for interview selection.

GCSE
Applicants need to achieve 6 GCSE passes (grade C/grade 4 or higher) which must include the following subjects:

A Level
The typical offer is ABB at GCE A Level, which must include Biology.
General studies at GCE A or AS level is not included in any offer.
We are only able to consider Level 3 qualifications completed within five years of the start of the application cycle. For example, qualifications completed since 2019 would still be valid when applying in September 2024.

National Certificate or Diploma in Dental Nursing, plus 2 A Levels at grade BB, must include Biology.

If you are unsure whether your qualification is suitable, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

City & Guilds Extended Diploma in Dental Nursing
Grade Distinction + 2 A levels at grade AB (to include Biology and a second science).

BTEC National Extended Diploma
DDD in a predominantly science subject area. As desirable, an A-level in Biology is also strongly advised alongside this qualification at grade B.

BTEC National Diploma
DD in addition to an A-Level in Biology at grade B is mandatory.

Access to Higher Education Diploma
Pass an Access course in a predominantly Science subject. 60 credits overall to include 45 level 3 credits, of which 15 level 3 credits must be in Biology or Human Biology. You must achieve Merit or Distinction in 33 level 3 credits, including the 15 credits in Biology or Human Biology. As desirable, an A-level in Biology is also strongly advised alongside this qualification at grade B.

Other accepted qualifications
For information regarding all other accepted qualifications, including the International Baccalaureate, Scottish Advanced Highers and Irish Leaving Certificate, please contact the Admissions Team at meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To confirm whether your qualification will be considered, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

All teaching at our school is in English, so if you are an international applicant you must have one of the following English Language qualifications. If you are unsure whether your English Language qualification is suitable, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk:

If English is your first language, we will accept your home country’s equivalent providing it is at Level C1 or above according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

Students whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by achieving one of the following qualifications:

We know that university life is a challenge for any student but especially when you are a long way from home. You will find us friendly and supportive. We pride ourselves on being friendly and supportive, and have a nominated academic tutor to coordinate the induction and academic support provided to international students. International student advice also provide support and can assist you with any non-academic issues affecting international students. There are also student welfare support and counselling services, wardens and student health centres on hand if you need them.

Students who have an offer of a place should apply under for a Student (formerly Tier 4 General Student) visa. Further information is available on the UK Border Agency's website.
Selection and admissions process

Applications should be made through UCAS by the published deadline. This is typically 15 January.
All decisions on applications are made by the Admissions Advisory Panel, which consists of academics, clinicians and senior members of the administrative team.

The University of Plymouth Medicine and Dentistry Admissions Team process applications as follows:

1. Shortlisting for interview– Applicants are considered for interview based on relevant academic qualifications alone. We do not currently consider personal statements or work experience when selecting for interview
The Admissions Advisory Panel consider many factors when choosing who will be invited to attend an interview, including the number of places available on the course and the number of applications received, alongside the academic profiles of all of our applicants

2. Interview – Successful applicants are invited to attend an interview process. We use Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) as the format for our interviews, and full details can be found on the Medicine and Dentistry selection and admissions process page.

Following interviews, candidates are ranked based on the score achieved and the top performing applicants are offered a place on the course

3. Offer – Offers are made via UCAS. Within all offers, candidates are required to complete a series of health and police checks, full details of which are communicated to firm offer holders by the Admissions Team.

Practising as a doctor requires the highest standards and we take seriously our commitment to only enrol and teach students with the integrity required of the profession. Full details can be found on our Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise page.

Full details of our selection and admissions process can be found on our Medicine and Dentistry selection and admissions process page.

Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise
Please view our Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise page.

Re-sit applicants
Re-sit applicants are considered for this course, with the following requirements:

We do not have an AS Level resit policy, however, full A Levels must be completed within the above timeframe.

For re-sit criteria of other qualifications, please contact the Admissions Team at meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Students must be 18 years old or over at the start date of this programme.

GCSE profile
A strong GCSE profile is expected. This is normally at least 5 GCSEs grade B/5 or above to include Mathematics, English and Science and usually obtained in one sitting. Preference is given to applicants who have obtained these grades on application. Equivalent numeracy and literacy qualifications may be considered, but usually if part of other qualifications/study.

A level
Typically AAB, which must include Biology, Human Biology or PE. Excluding Critical Thinking. AS levels are not normally accepted.

International Baccalaureate
34 overall with Higher Level Grade 6 in Biology or Sports, Exercise and Health Science.
GCSE equivalence: Higher Level = 4, Standard Level = 5 in Maths, English, and Science.
If overseas and not studying English within the IB, applicants must have IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in all elements.

Access courses
Pass Access (e.g. science, health, nursing, or combined science) with 45 credits at level 3, 36 at Distinction and to include 15 level 3 credits biological sciences. Remaining credits at level 3 must be at Merit.

T level
Accepted – preference pathways would be Health and Science. Typical offer will be confirmed once an application is received.

BTEC RQF National Extended Diploma/ QCF Extended Diploma
BTEC National Extended Diplomas and Extended Diplomas are considered on an individual basis, depending on the units that are studied. They may be considered on their own or alongside A level biology, human biology, PE, or applied science, subject to the biological content of the BTEC units studied, which will be assessed on application.

Other qualifications
Equivalent qualifications may be considered, such as relevant Open University courses (e.g. SK299 Human Biology) if other academic points requirements are met, but not in an appropriate biological science.

Applications from recent graduates
Applications are welcome from graduates who have successfully completed, a degree, or foundation degree, have normally studied within the last 5 years and hold (or will hold) a minimum of a 2:2 classification in a relevant area. A degree in an unrelated area would still be welcome if combined with an additional biological science-based qualification, such as an A level or OU SK299.

Applicants who have not completed their studies in the English language:
IELTS: 7.0 overall with 6.5 in all elements.
For a full list of all acceptable qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary .

Deferred entry
Unfortunately, we cannot permit deferred entry. However, if you have a query please refer to an experienced admissions administrator who will be able to explain the UCAS application process in more detail admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.