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Leeds Futures - Dentistry

About the programme

Leeds Futures - Dentistry is part of our flagship national outreach programme, Leeds Futures, designed to inspire and support Year 12 students interested in pursuing careers in Dentistry. Running for 12 months from January, we will help you develop your skills and subject knowledge, giving you the opportunity to take part in talks, workshops and other enrichment activities alongside your current studies.

What’s included in the Leeds Futures - Dentistry programme?

In terms of the scheduled activities throughout the year, specific details will be confirmed at the start of the programme. Generally, the programme runs from January in Year 12 to December in Year 13. The details below give you a general idea of the activities involved in each of our programmes.

Year 12

  • Launch event, providing you with more information about the programme and applying to University.
  • Subject taster sessions, helping you develop your insight into Dentistry.
  • Campus Day 1, focussed on developing your insight into Dentistry.
  • Skills workshops, helping you develop the skills you need to apply to Dentistry.
  • Study skills sessions, helping you develop the study skills required to help you do well in your current and future studies.
  • Campus Day 2, focussed on preparing for the UCAT.
  • Personal statement workshops, helping you understand how different universities use your personal statement and how best to write it.

Year 13

  • Interview skills workshop, helping you find out about the different types of interviews and the skills and attributes universities are looking for.
  • A Mock Multiple Mini Interview (MMI), to help you in your preparation for upcoming dental school interviews.
  • Futures Graduation, celebrating your achievements over the 12 month programme

How is it delivered?

Fortnightly sessions will be delivered online via  Zoom. University staff, current students, and guest speakers will deliver content, with opportunities for you to interact and participate. You will also have the opportunity to visit the University of Leeds for two on campus days for each programme, to delve deeper into Dentistry, meet your fellow participants, and find out more about studying at university.

Online sessions will take place on a weekday evening, during term-time, so that they do not interfere with your current studies.

Our on campus days will take place in the Easter holidays, and the Spring Bank half term holiday, so that they do not interfere with your studies.

You will also get access to an online learning space, so that you can further consolidate and reflect on the content of both the online sessions and visits to the University of Leeds campus.

What are the eligibility criteria?

Leeds Futures - Dentistry is open to current Year 12 / first year college students who have a genuine interest in applying to study health-related courses at university. We are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to students from all backgrounds, recognising that some groups are under-represented on university courses and in certain health careers.

Students applying to Leeds Futures - Dentistry must meet the following criteria:

  • Year 12 / first year college student.
  • Have achieved / be studying suitable GCSE's and A Levels (or equivalent) to study the relevant degree course at a selective university.
  • Able to commit to joining the online sessions on a fortnightly basis (one weekday evening throughout term-time) and at least one of the two on campus days during Year 12 (taking place during the Easter and Spring Bank holidays).

Students must also meet two of the following criteria:

  • your parents or carers did not go to university.
  • your home postcode is in an area with low levels of participation in higher education (use our online postcode checker).
  • you are from a household with a gross annual income of £25,000 or below.
  • you attended or attend a school which performed below the national average at GCSE.
  • your personal circumstances had had a disruptive impact on your education.
  • you are care experience.

Consideration will also be give to applicants who meet just our postcode criteria (use our online postcode checker).

Priority will be given to students who meet the above criteria and are from groups under-represented in healthcare education.

For further guidance on eligibility, please refer to our Additional Information and Eligibility Guidelines.

How do I apply?

Applications are now closed for this year's programme. Applications for 2026-27 will open in October 2026.