Queen's rewards a strong combination of top GCSEs and a decile-ranked UCAT score rather than a hard UCAT cutoff, then makes offers purely on MMI interview performance. It is a popular choice for those applying to both medicine and dentistry since the personal statement is not scored.
Last reviewed: August 2026 by MedicHut's admissions team.
Queen's Belfast (QUB) 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.
A 45 point pre-interview score is used for 2026/2027 entry: up to 36 points for GCSE performance (best 9 subjects, A*/9 = 4 points down to C/4-5 = 1 point) plus up to 9 points for UCAT decile rank, where the bottom decile scores 0 and each decile above adds a point. There is no fixed UCAT cut-off. Offers for home applicants are then made solely on interview performance, and international applicants are assessed holistically rather than scored.
No fixed UCAT cutoff is published. The guide states applicants with a total of 9 A*s/9s and a score in the 4th centile minimum might receive an interview; converted from the approximate 4th centile UCAT benchmark using the /2700 scale equivalence quoted elsewhere in the guide (2690 equivalent to 1990) as a rough guide only.
Queen's Belfast (QUB) interviews using a multiple mini interview (mmi) circuit, and roughly 45% of interviewed applicants convert to an offer. Expect stations or questions on motivation for dentistry, manual dexterity, ethics, teamwork, communication and your work experience.
Queen's Belfast (QUB) 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. No fixed UCAT cutoff is published. The guide states applicants with a total of 9 A*s/9s and a score in the 4th centile minimum might receive an interview; converted from the approximate 4th centile UCAT benchmark using the /2700 scale equivalence quoted elsewhere in the guide (2690 equivalent to 1990) as a rough guide only.
AAA including Chemistry and Biology/Human Biology. At GCSE: GCSE Mathematics minimum grade C/4 if not offered at AS/A-level; best 9 GCSEs scored on a points system, max 36 points.
Queen's Belfast (QUB) uses a multiple mini interview (mmi) circuit. A 45 point pre-interview score is used for 2026/2027 entry: up to 36 points for GCSE performance (best 9 subjects, A*/9 = 4 points down to C/4-5 = 1 point) plus up to 9 points for UCAT decile rank, where the bottom decile scores 0 and each decile above adds a point. There is no fixed UCAT cut-off. Offers for home applicants are then made solely on interview performance, and international applicants are assessed holistically rather than scored.
No. Queen's Belfast (QUB) does not accept A-level resits for dentistry, so this is not a viable choice if you are retaking.
Graduates need BBB/ABC at first attempt (2:1 Honours) or BBC (First Class/PhD plus 2:1), A-level Chemistry and Biology/Human Biology required, then scored on UCAT. International/EU graduate applicants are not scored and assessed holistically instead.
GCSE Mathematics minimum grade C/4 if not offered at AS/A-level; best 9 GCSEs scored on a points system, max 36 points. GCSEs carry real weight at Queen's Belfast (QUB), so a strong grade profile can offset a mid-range UCAT.
Yes. Queen's Belfast (QUB) 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. Queen's Belfast (QUB) 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 Queen's Belfast (QUB) the deciding factor is a combined UCAT and academic score, and roughly 45% of interviewees go on to receive an offer.
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