Newcastle's five-year BDS (A206) is a well-established dental degree with early patient contact and a strong clinical reputation in the North East. Its shortlisting leads with the UCAT: selectors rank applicants by score first, then bring in grades and the statement.
Newcastle uses the UCAT alongside academic achievement to decide interviews, but the UCAT leads the process: when shortlisting, selectors first rank applicants by UCAT from highest to lowest and look at roughly the top 300, then consider achieved or predicted grades and the personal statement (for work experience and volunteering). The threshold shifts with each year's pool and isn't published, and an SJT in Band 4 is unlikely to be considered.
Because Newcastle ranks by UCAT first, a competitive score is what gets you into the shortlisting window — then your grades and evidenced work experience carry you to interview. Aim for a strong score, keep your SJT out of Band 4, and make sure your statement clearly shows dental work experience.
Check your percentile →AAA including Chemistry and Biology.
Grade 4 (C) or above in Maths and English (or equivalent).
Important: the statement is read for evidence of work experience and volunteering, so show genuine insight into dentistry.
MMI. An interview scored out of 30 points; prepare for stations testing communication, ethics and motivation.
Paraphrased themes from student discussion: impressions, not facts. Visit and judge for yourself.
Newcastle ranks applicants by UCAT first, looking at roughly the top 300 before grades and statement, so a competitive score matters a lot. The threshold isn't published and varies each year, and SJT Band 4 is unlikely to be considered.
Selectors rank by UCAT from highest to lowest, look at about the top 300 applicants, then consider achieved or predicted grades and the personal statement for work experience and volunteering.
AAA including Chemistry and Biology, with GCSE Maths and English at grade 4 or above.
See where your UCAT lands in percentiles, then build the score Newcastle is looking for, or talk it through with a 98th-percentile tutor, free.