Access to Sheffield (Dentistry)

The programme offers a range of activities to help you firm up your intention of studying a dental related degree, as well as providing invaluable experiences to strengthen your application. Throughout the programme you'll work with current undergraduate dentistry students to gain an understanding of what studying a dentistry degree here at Sheffield is really like.

Programme structure

Year 12

• Welcome and team building day - This is the chance to meet the other Access to Sheffield (Dentistry) students and take part in a number of team building and dentistry related activities.
• Dentistry Careers Conference - This half-day conference will give you an insight into the career options open to dentists. Run in a carousel style format, you'll get to ask questions to, and hear from, a number of dental professionals and find out about their chosen specialty. Guest speakers include dental professionals working in Pathology, Research, Dental Technology, Paediatrics and Surgery, among others.
• Taste of Dentistry day - A really hands on and practical day aimed at giving you a taste of what its like to study dentistry at Sheffield. You will participate in the following activities: Pathology, SIM suit and Dental technology. You will also spend time on the Phantom Heads, drilling and filling, with the equipment undergraduates use.
• Residential Summer School - This three-day residential summer school will showcase life as a Dental Student. During the week you'll take part in a range of interactive sessions including ethics research and debates, tooth anatomy, anatomy masterclass in the Medical Teaching Unit, Clinical skills and first year lab practical and a mock interview session. Students will also take part in social activities, a sports evening, and a joint Summer Social with students on Medicine and STEM Access to Sheffield pathways. You'll get to stay in our award winning student accommodation.

Year 13

• During Y13 you’ll be enrolled onto our Access to Sheffield (Y13 to Uni) programme. You’ll be able to access support with academic attainment and your university journey.
• UCAS Guidance and Personal Statements - We'll help you prepare a strong UCAS application, including focused work on personal statements. We also offer students bespoke 1-2-1 personal statement help from our current dental students.
• Dental School Lecture - The opportunity to sit in on a real Dental School lecture, experience the teaching and meeting the lecturer.
• One to One Session - You will be given the opportunity to take part in a mock dental school interview prior to the real thing.
• Celebration evening - If you successfully complete both phases of Access to Sheffield (Dentistry), you'll be invited to a celebration evening, along with your parents and supporters, to celebrate your involvement and success with other Access to Sheffield students from across all five programmes. There will also be tailored sessions for the parents/supporters to engage with.

Contextual offer

Students who successfully complete the programme will be eligible for a contextual offer from the University of Sheffield, subject to conditions, including passing an interview (where required).

If you wanted to take a one year break before applying to the University of Sheffield, or need to resit A Levels to achieve a higher grade, the contextual offer would be made available in the following year only.

Read our access admissions policies for more information.

Eligibility

Access to Sheffield (Dentistry) is for students from target groups who are currently underrepresented in Higher Education. 

Participants are expected to attend events on campus so must be living within commutable distance of the university, for a 9am arrival. 

Students must expect to be a home fee paying student unless identified as a forced migrant.

GCSE requirements

Achieved a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 9-6, plus a minimum of grade 4 in English, Maths and Science subjects (if not already included).

A Level requirements 

Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) route:

• Studying at least three A Levels including Biology/Human Biology and Chemistry

Dental Hygiene/Dental Therapy (H&T) route:

• Studying at least two A Levels including at least one science (preferably Biology)

Students must meet one or more of the following criteria in addition to the academic requirements detailed above.

Category 1

Priority will be given to students who:

• are eligible for free school meals
• live in an area of disadvantage, measured by IMD

Category 2

Further consideration will be given to those who are: 

• care experienced
• a care leaver
• young carers
• experiencing estrangement
• a forced migrant

If other qualifications are being studied, refer to the programme contact to discuss. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis. As this is a programme for 16-18 year olds we can only accept students starting Y12 in September who are no older than 17 years old as of 1 September in this application cycle.

How to apply

Talk to the head of your sixth form or your course leader to find out more. They will tell you if you're eligible based upon the criteria and information we have provided for them. You and your parents/carers will then need to complete the online application form, via your registered school/college coordinator.

Taking part in Access to Sheffield shows commitment and could enhance your university application. However, it does not guarantee you a place at university. Places are subject to availability and you can only be registered on one sustained Widening Access programme at the University of Sheffield at any one time.

Contact us

dentistry.accesstosheffield@sheffield.ac.uk

0114 222 1027