Dentistry

How to Apply

Interested in studying dentistry but not sure if you're eligible? Need more info about how to apply? We'll walk you through dental school entry requirements, prerequisite courses, admissions tests, and more.

Overview

We know there’s a lot of information on this page, but don’t worry—OzTREKK will be right there with you.

Here’s what you’ll find on this page:

If you have questions or concerns at any stage in the process, we are just a call or an email away!

1. Eligibility

Determining Your Eligibility

Eligibility is based on several factors and differs between undergraduate- and graduate-entry programs. To determine your eligibility,

Minimum vs Competitive Requirements

​It’s important to distinguish between minimum and competitive requirements as they can vary significantly. Minimum requirements are defined by each university and are the lowest scores (GPA, DAT) required to be eligible to apply to a program. Competitive requirements are the minimum scores that receive an offer.

Each year, OzTREKK receives thousands of applications for dentistry schools in Australia. We ensure every application we submit is not only eligible, but also considered competitive. Because of this, OzTREKK students are among the most competitive international applicants, having high offer rates.

It’s our goal to be honest and transparent about your chances of receiving an offer, because meeting the minimum requirements does not mean you’ll be a competitive applicant. Sometimes applicants decide to apply to a different program—and we can help with that, too!

Check out our helpful FAQs for more insight on eligibility!

2. Apply Online

Start Your Application

Fill out the OzTREKK application.

Don’t worry! This application only comes to us. Think of it as your starting point: It’s nothing more than you telling us which dentistry programs you’re interested in so we can ensure you don’t miss a deadline.

What to expect on the application
The basics! Your full name, address, program of interest, etc., plus your education history—so have start and graduation dates handy. If you can’t remember your exact start or grad date, estimate.

Once you’ve pressed “Submit,” we’ll contact you to outline your next steps, and will list which documents you’ll need to send to our office. Again, we aim to make sure you never miss a deadline!

If you’d like to make changes to your application or to your program selection, don’t stress. We can adjust anything as we go!

3. Submit Documents

Send Your Documents to OzTREKK

You’ve pressed “Submit” on your OzTREKK application and you’re ready for the next step: sending in your documents!

No guessing required. We’ll send you a handy checklist outlining all the required documentation for each university.

Where do I send my documents?
All application documents, aside from your official transcripts*, should be emailed to OzTREKK as PDFs: dentistry@oztrekk.com

*Transcripts in their original, sealed envelopes must be mailed to the OzTREKK office or emailed directly from your school to our office: transcripts@oztrekk.com

How do I know OzTREKK received my documents?
As soon as we receive your transcripts (whether by email or by post), and the other required documents, we will let you know—every time. Just keep an eye on your inbox!

When do I send my documents?
The earlier the better! We’ll need all documents sent to us before the application deadlines; the earlier we have them, the more guidance we can provide. You can also send them along gradually, as you get them. We’ll take care of keeping you organized.

Fast Facts

  • Even if you apply to multiple universities, you only need to send one copy of your documents.
  • All our university partners accept OzTREKK-certified transcripts. Once they have our stamp of approval (yes, a literal stamp), they’re good to go!
  • Most universities waive their application fees for OzTREKK students.
  • You will be kept up to date with your application status: outstanding documents, which applications have been submitted, upcoming deadlines, etc.

4. OzTREKK Submits Application

OzTREKK Submits Your Complete Application(s)

Once all your documents are in, OzTREKK will submit your application to the university! We’ll send you a confirmation email and provide an outcome date estimate.

Now what?
This is the waiting period. It can be stressful, but now that your application is under assessment, we will share everything you need to know in this “layover” phase! This will include

  • interview tips;
  • resources for confident decision-making if you receive an offer (or multiple offers!);
  • financing information (including contacts); and
  • community connections (OzTREKK events and more!).

Best Fit

Finding Your Best Fit

Play around with our compare programs feature to determine which program might be the best fit for you.

Remember, we’re here for you throughout the entire process, so always feel free to ask us questions. You deserve the right to feel comfortable and confident with your decision, and we’ll do whatever we can to support you.

Happy applying!

FAQs

Have a look through our most frequently received FAQs regarding dentistry, including prerequisites, program titles, and much more! If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, please contact us. We’re here to help!

Can I apply if I’m only 17?

Yes, but you’ll require parental or guardian consent (signature). OzTREKK will provide the necessary documentation for this signature.

If you won’t be 18 when your program starts, you’ll be required to show that you’ll be living with an approved guardian until you turn 18. If you don’t have an approved guardian in Australia, you may need a family member to apply for a guardian visa to accompany you. This guardian visa should be obtained as part of the student visa application

 

Where can I see what grades have been considered competitive in the past?

Please visit our Eligibility page for past competitive scores.

If I have an educational background in dentistry, will this change my admissions requirements?

No. Even if you’ve studied dentistry in some capacity (e.g., you’re a dental hygienist), the admission requirements to study dentistry at an Australian or New Zealand dental school would be the same as if you hadn’t. Depending on the university, you could apply to have them consider course for credit or exemptions for coursework/course load or exemptions for work experience (pathway), but it’s not guaranteed.

Will taking a year off from my studies look bad on my dental school application?

No, not necessarily. We often ask for a résumé so that we can provide the university with information about that year(s) in question. For instance, did you volunteer, work, take additional studies, etc.? You won’t be penalized by taking a year off.

Should I take Grade 12 biology if I want to study dentistry?

Yes, having Grade 12 biology would give you a better foundation for Year 1 of a dental program. The University of Queensland highly recommends having it.

When should I start my dental school application?

We encourage all dental school applicants to begin the process by filling out the OzTREKK application in January – February. Afterward you’ve pressed “Submit,” we’ll send you an email outlining the remaining documents required by the universities to complete your application (e.g., final transcripts, passport photo, DAT score report, etc.).

Beginning early sets you up for success. With OzTREKK guiding you through the process, you’ll have all your paperwork in order, and you won’t miss any deadlines!

What is a competitive GPA to get into dental school?

The competitive average for graduate-entry dental school applications starts at approximately 80%, but it’s important to remember that universities use other methods of assessment including weighting, DAT, interviews, etc.

Please see OzTREKK’s Eligibility page for the most recent competitive dentistry application statistics and GPA Conversions.

How long is my DAT valid for?

Generally, DAT reports have a validity period of 2 years. For the University of Melbourne, exam results must be from within the last 4 years.

Can I apply with my high school grades even if I’m in my undergrad?

If you haven’t completed your undergraduate degree, you’ll only be eligible to apply to undergraduate dental degrees. Only your current university GPA will be considered, not your high school GPA. Your high school courses will be assessed to ensure prerequisites are met, e.g., English requirements, math, science, etc.

Can I apply to graduate-entry dental degrees without finishing my fourth year of university?

You are eligible to apply to graduate-entry dental degrees with a completed three-year undergraduate degree. If you haven’t completed your degree, you may consider applying to an undergraduate dental degree and have your university studies and GPA assessed, along with prerequisite high school subjects.

Do dental programs have rolling admissions?

James Cook University is the only undergraduate-entry dental program that has rolling admissions (first come, first served). Offers start in June and close in August at their deadline when all seats are filled.

What high school subjects should I have to get into dental school?

To get into an undergraduate-entry dental program, the 5 – 6 best courses are assessed for the GPA along with prerequisites at Year 12 (varies by province).

English is required; math and science are strongly recommended at minimum (some universities require both). Year 12 calculus, chemistry, and biology are also recommended.

If you’re not sure about your prerequisites, please reach out to dentistry@oztrekk.com!

Do things like clubs and extracurriculars increase chances of acceptance?

Of all the dental schools we represent, only James Cook University will consider extracurriculars and clubs, which should be included on the Bachelor of Dental Surgery supplemental application.

JCU will also accept up to 3 reference letters.

Do I have to write an essay to get into dental school?

James Cook University is the only university that requires a supplemental form as part of its admissions requirements. It has approximately 5 questions to answer in short-essay format. JCU also allows up to 3 reference letters to be included in the application.

Do Australian dental schools consider shadowing hours?

Only James Cook University Dental School will consider up to 3 reference letters and work/volunteer experience, which you can include in the supplemental application. The other OzTREKK-represented dental schools do not considering volunteer or work/shadowing experience.

 

Can my entire application be submitted through OzTREKK?

Absolutely. We will manage and submit your application(s) on your behalf and communicate any updates from the universities. We’re here to be an advocate for you, and to walk you through the entire process from start to finish.

OzTREKK will keep you on track with application deadlines, interview dates, and any applicable events. We’ll supply you with a step-by-step list of what you’ll need to submit, and when.

Should you have any questions along the way, just send us an email or book a chat! That’s why we’re here!

Are there any scholarships for international students?

Scholarship options in Australia are usually limited for international students as they tend to be reserved for those undertaking postgraduate research degrees; however, we can advise you where to look and whether specific programs have a history of offering scholarships.

Occasionally, scholarships are granted to high achievers—those with very high marks. In previous years, we have seen $5000- to $10,000-scholarships given to OzTREKK students.

Check out OzTREKK’s Financing page to learn more about scholarships and paying for your degree.

Do you have course outlines on file? 

Before sending us outlines, check to see if we’ve already got them. We can save you a lot of time and ensure we’re submitting good outlines on your behalf. Outlines must be within 2 years of the time you took the course (as listed on your transcript).

I received a low mark on my prerequisite course. Will this impact my application? 

To meet the prerequisite subjects, you need to have been granted the credit (passed); the grade isn’t considered in the prerequisite assessment.

How does OzTREKK know if my application will be competitive?

The majority of Canadians applying to full-degree programs in Australia (i.e., not study abroad courses, which usually only last a semester or two) apply through OzTREKK. They’re studying medicine, dentistry, law, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, etc.

Since they’re using OzTREKK’s services, this gives us a good idea of the starting point of a competitive application each year, allowing us to help you determine which universities/programs are most likely to present you with a letter of offer!

You can get started on determining your chances by reviewing the admissions requirements on each program page. Then, visit our GPA Conversions and Eligibility pages for details and suggestions to help you get into the program of your dreams. Of course, OzTREKK is always here to help if you have questions.