10 Essential Tips For Choosing A Dental School (England & Wales)

 

Deciding which dental school to choose can be a difficult task especially when there is so much choice out there. In total, there are sixteen dental schools in the UK – each offering something slightly different from one another which can leave you wondering ‘which university is the one for me?’. Look no further as these are some helpful tips that can help the decision process just that little bit easier!

1. Grades

One of the most important factors is seeing if you have the right grades for the university you have in mind. Since it is highly competitive when it comes to bagging a spot in dental school, you want to make sure you have the best grades possible to increase your chances of being accepted.

2. UKCAT/BMAT

Before your UCAS application, make sure you check which admissions test you require before choosing the dental school. This is crucial in making your decision both before and after taking the test – some dental schools put a heavy weighting on the admissions tests however others don’t. Make sure you check out the requirements beforehand!

3. Location

For some, location is crucial when it comes to making the choice of which school to apply to. Things like distance from home, living cost and how you like the place are things to consider. It’s highly recommended that you visit the university and explore the area nearby since this could potentially be a place you spend most of your time at whilst studying!

4. Teaching style

The two options are either problem based learning or lecture/tutorial-based. Essentially, it’s down to personal preference but find the right teaching style for you.

5. Campus or city?

Can you imagine yourself studying on a campus or being part of the city whilst you attend classes? Again, visiting the dental school before you apply can be the deal breaker when making your decision.

6. Interview type

Is the interview MMI or panel style? If successful with your application, you will be shortly invited for an interview. Determine which style the dental school has for their interview and prepare accordingly.

7. Intercalated options

You have the options to take a break in your dental school studies (commonly at the end of year 3) to pursue a new area of study. Check out the different BSc courses the dental school offers and if they would be of interest to you.

8. Size of the school

This can greatly affect the staff to student ratio. It is important to check out if there is enough staff to cover the number of students in class. Can you imagine being in a relatively small class (as few as 60) or a larger one (up to 140)?

9. Ranking

Reputation comes with ranking and has a good indication of level of teaching for the dental school you are applying to. Not only this, it can give you an idea of the facilities the dental school has, number of hospitals and if the dental school has a high research output.

10. Clinical exposure

Different courses offer clinical exposure as soon as second year! If you would rather prefer to learn the theory first and then experience a clinical setting or vice-versa, checking out what the dental school offers would be helpful.

Click here to find out more about how the Geniuson team can help you on your journey to Dental school. Our experts offer comprehensive support and admissions consulting every step of the way. From personal statement reviews to interview prep, our team are committed to empowering you with the knowledge and confidence to enter into your dream Dental institution.

 
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Why Study Dentistry At University? (England and Wales)