Dentistry Summer School Progamme
Interacting with staff and students from Queen Mary, University of London, Kings College London and Peninsula Dental School (University of Plymouth) participants will gain a greater understanding of the realities of being a dentist, life as a dental student, working in an allied profession and the skills needed to succeed. The summer school activities will be focused on the following key areas:
- Gaining an insight into life as a dental student studying at Queen Mary, King’s and Peninsula Dental schools
- Students will take part in short talks interspersed with demonstrations and ‘hands on’ practical sessions.
- Knowledge of the dental application process
- Activities will support students to make a strong UCAS application
- Alternatives to studying dentistry
- Students will be given the opportunity to explore alternative routes into the dental profession, utilising their 5th choice.
The summer school will comprise of in-person events (at Queen Mary and King’s) with online sessions with contributions from the three universities.
Dates:
- Monday 28th July (at Queen Mary, University of London)
- Tuesday 29th July (at Kings College London)
- Wednesday 30th July (at Queen Mary, University of London)
The programme also includes the following additional events, which participants are required to attend:
- Online Launch (July, date TBC)
- Online Admissions Q&A with members of admissions staff from Queen Mary, Kings and Plymouth (End of August)
- Invitation to mock interviews (TBC date in November)
The Dentistry Summer School programme 2025 forms part of a series of events run with the Medical and Dental Schools Council. Please see here for a full list of the programmes available across the UK.
If you have any questions about the programme, please contact the Queen Mary University of London UK Student Recruitment and Widening Participation Team by emailing outreach-programmes@qmul.ac.uk
- Students will improve their understanding of dentistry and alternative science/allied-health subjects
- Students will develop skills and knowledge that can support them on their journey to higher education
- Working with dentists, allied health professionals and student ambassadors, participants will gain a greater understanding of the realities of being a dentist and the skills needed to succeed.
To be eligible students must currently be studying at a state school in England and either be:
- In, or been in local authority care
- An estranged student
- An asylum seeker or refugee
Or hold a minimum of two of the following:
- Whether they attend an underperforming state school that achieved below the national average Attainment 8 score at GCSE or Progress 8 score
- From a school with a high percentage of students receiving free school meals
- Living in an area with low levels of progression onto university
- Living in a geographical area with low levels of progression to dentistry (the list can be found below)
- Are a young carer aged under 18
- From a family where the parents/carers do not have a university degree from the UK or abroad
- The student is in receipt of free school meals or 16-19 Bursary Fund or Discretionary Learner Support or Means Tested Benefit or Pupil Premium
Applicants who meet the most widening participation criteria, or are from a priority group, will be prioritised when selecting participants for the summer school.
In addition, students are expected to:
- Be from a commutable distance (a maximum 90-minute journey time) to attend the in-person elements of the summer school
- Be in Year 12 as of September 2024
- Have the potential to study dentistry and be capable of achieving the minimum grades required for entry (whether that is for standard entry programmes or programmes with a gateway year). To study dentistry we are looking for the students with the potential to achieve at least:
- A-level grades ABB (or equivalent) in the required subjects and
- GCSE grades B or above in English and Mathematics (or equivalent)
For students that studied outside the UK (and took their GCSEs/equivalent overseas)
or are completing their A-levels online they would still need to meet two of the
eligibility criteria.
Priority groups are as follows:
- In care: Experience of local authority care is defined as being looked after by a local authority, foster parents/other family members, at home with their parents under the supervision of social
services, in a residential children’s home or in another residential setting such as school or
secure unit, or someone who has experienced a period of three months in the care of the
local authority within the last ten years. - Young carer: Are a young carer aged under 18 who helps to look after someone in their
family, or a friend, who is ill, disabled or misuses drugs or alcohol. To qualify
as a young carer they must be caring above and beyond what is normally
expected, there is no time limit on the amount of care they provide for their
dependents - Estranged: An Estranged student who is studying without the support and approval of a
family network - Asylum or refugee: This includes students with the following immigration statuses: asylum seekers, refugees, humanitarian protection, unaccompanied asylum-seeking child, limited leave to remain, long residence status.
Students from cold spots (within up to a 90-minute journey time) identified as having limited outreach engagement from dental or schools will also be prioritised. A list of of these areas can be found by clicking here
Please note, if you are not from these areas and are eligible you are still welcome to apply.
If you are already participating in one of our widening participation programmes you would not be considered for this programme.
Travel costs will be covered for students selected for this programme.
- Ensure you have checked that you meet the eligibility criteria outlined above and you can attend the dates of the summer school programme.
- Ensure that you have your parent or carer email address.
- Furthermore, a teacher reference will be needed to verify the details on your application. Please note that by completing the form you consent to your responses being shared with your teacher contact for verification purposes.
Please note that the applications are now closed and we reopen next year.