Plymouth is frequently recommended for applicants applying to both medicine and dentistry since personal statements and work experience are not used for shortlisting, relying instead on UCAT cutoffs and academic profile. It has a low post-interview success rate and offers a distinctive GAMSAT-based graduate route.
Last reviewed: August 2026 by MedicHut's admissions team.
Plymouth works to an approximate UCAT threshold around 1990 (/2700 scale) for 2027 entry, and the real cut-off moves every cycle with the strength of the applicant pool.
Plymouth uses UCAT cut-off scores alongside academic profiles to decide who is shortlisted; personal statements and work experience are not currently considered for shortlisting. Interviews are scored on both a numerical scale and a pass/fail 'red flag' section.
2023 entry cutoff: Home 2650 (1960), International 2570 (1900). 2024 entry: Home 2610 (1930), International 2630 (1950). 2025 entry: Home 2690 (1990), International 2640 (1950).
Plymouth interviews using a multiple mini interview (mmi) circuit, and roughly 25% of interviewed applicants convert to an offer. Expect stations or questions on motivation for dentistry, manual dexterity, ethics, teamwork, communication and your work experience.
Plymouth works to an approximate UCAT threshold around 1990 (/2700 scale) for 2027 entry, and the real cut-off moves every cycle with the strength of the applicant pool. 2023 entry cutoff: Home 2650 (1960), International 2570 (1900). 2024 entry: Home 2610 (1930), International 2630 (1950). 2025 entry: Home 2690 (1990), International 2640 (1950).
A*AA-AAA including grade A in Biology and grade A in a second science (Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology). At GCSE: 7 GCSE passes at grade C/4+ including English Language, Mathematics and two science subjects.
Plymouth uses a multiple mini interview (mmi) circuit. Plymouth uses UCAT cut-off scores alongside academic profiles to decide who is shortlisted; personal statements and work experience are not currently considered for shortlisting. Interviews are scored on both a numerical scale and a pass/fail 'red flag' section.
Plymouth will consider A-level resits, usually with extenuating circumstances or a higher grade requirement. Check the current admissions statement before committing to a resit year.
Graduates without suitable A-levels or an eligible degree for internal transfer must sit GAMSAT; 2025 score threshold: Section 1: 46, Section 2: 45, Section 3: 56, Overall: 53. Stage One Transfer from Biomedical/Medical Sciences and direct Biomedical Science graduate entry routes also exist (AAB/2:1 first-class equivalent).
Contextual offer AAB including grade A in Biology and a second science; must meet at least three widening access indicators for reduced grades.
7 GCSE passes at grade C/4+ including English Language, Mathematics and two science subjects. GCSEs are mainly used as a threshold at Plymouth rather than being scored heavily, so meeting them cleanly matters more than perfecting them.
Yes. Plymouth accepts gap-year applicants for dentistry. You will need to sit the UCAT again in the cycle you apply and show what you did with the year, ideally including dental work experience or patient-facing employment.
There is no magic number of hours. Plymouth wants evidence that you understand the reality of clinical dentistry: time in a practice (general or specialist), any patient-facing or caring role, and reflection on manual dexterity, communication and long appointments. Quality of reflection beats quantity of placements.
UK dentistry is competitive everywhere, typically well over 10 applicants per place across the sector. At Plymouth the deciding factor is your UCAT score once academic minimums are met, and roughly 25% of interviewees go on to receive an offer.
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