Career·Australia & New Zealand· 7 min read

Studying Dentistry in Australia and New Zealand: Entry Routes and Programs

Undergraduate and graduate-entry dentistry in Australia and New Zealand — admission tests, prerequisites and the structure of accredited dental degrees.

Last updated 24 June 2026

Key facts

Undergraduate degree: Bachelor of Dental Surgery / Science
Graduate-entry degree: DMD / DDS (school-dependent)
Undergraduate test: UCAT ANZ (usual)
Regulators: Dental Board of Australia / Dental Council NZ

Dentistry is its own pathway — not a sub-route of medicine

Dentistry leads to a primary dental qualification — most commonly a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or Bachelor of Dental Science, and, at graduate level, a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) depending on the school. Although dentistry shares an admission test with medicine in many cases, it is a distinct degree with its own clinical training in oral health, restorative dentistry, oral surgery and patient care.

As with medicine, programs split into undergraduate (school-leaver) and graduate-entry routes, and a given university may offer one or both. Confirm the exact dental degree and route offered to your applicant category on each school's official course page.

Undergraduate: BDS / Bachelor of Dental Science
Graduate-entry: DMD / DDS at some schools
A separate degree from medicine, with dedicated clinical training

Admission tests for dentistry

Undergraduate dentistry in Australia and New Zealand is generally gated by the UCAT ANZ, the same computer-based aptitude test used for undergraduate medicine, currently with four subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning and Situational Judgement). The UCAT ANZ Consortium lists which universities and courses use it, and the test format can change between cycles, so check the official site for the current structure.

Graduate-entry dental programs may use the GAMSAT (administered by ACER), a direct application, or other arrangements set by the school. Because test requirements differ between undergraduate and graduate routes and between universities, check each dental school's admissions page to confirm exactly which test, if any, you need.

Undergraduate dentistry — usually UCAT ANZ (verify the current subtests)
Graduate-entry dentistry — GAMSAT or direct application, school-dependent
Verify the exact test on the university's official page

Prerequisites and selection

Selection typically combines academic results (school results or GPA), the admission-test score, and an interview — often a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). Some schools require specific secondary-school subjects (for example, chemistry or biology) or particular first-year university coursework for graduate entry, and prerequisites vary by institution and country.

International applicants should also confirm English-language requirements and any additional documentation. Because dentistry is competitive and selective, plan early: line up prerequisite subjects, register for the right test in the correct cycle, and prepare for interviews. No combination of grades, scores or preparation guarantees a place — selection rests with each school.

Academic results / GPA
Admission-test score (UCAT ANZ or GAMSAT)
Interview, commonly an MMI
Subject prerequisites that vary by school

How accredited dental degrees are structured

Accredited dental programs blend biomedical science, dental science and supervised clinical practice, with students progressively treating patients in university clinics under supervision in the later years. Program length and titles differ by school and by route (undergraduate versus graduate-entry).

Accreditation matters because completing an accredited program is the standard pathway toward eligibility for registration as a dental practitioner. In Australia this sits under the national registration scheme via AHPRA and the Dental Board of Australia; in New Zealand it sits under the Dental Council. See the registration guide in this set for how that works.

Mix of biomedical science, dental science and supervised clinical practice
Patient treatment under supervision in later years
Accredited program = standard route toward registration eligibility

Frequently asked questions

Is dentistry undergraduate or graduate in Australia and New Zealand?

Both routes exist. Some schools admit school-leavers into a Bachelor of Dental Surgery/Science; others run graduate-entry programs (such as a DMD) for applicants who already hold a degree. Check each university to see which route it offers your category.

Do I need the UCAT ANZ for dentistry?

Undergraduate dentistry is generally gated by the UCAT ANZ, but graduate-entry dental programs may use the GAMSAT or a direct application instead. Confirm the required test on the dental school's official admissions page before registering.

What subjects should I take at school for dentistry?

Many programs expect or recommend science subjects such as chemistry and biology, but exact prerequisites vary by university. Check each school's stated prerequisites early so you can plan your secondary-school or first-year subjects.

Can international students study dentistry there?

Yes, both countries admit international dental students, though places, fees and requirements differ from domestic ones. Verify international-applicant details, including English-language requirements, on each university's official page.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: UCAT ANZ Consortium (official test site); GAMSAT — ACER (official test site); Dental Board of Australia (via AHPRA); Study with New Zealand (official).

Last verified: 24 June 2026.