u/Prestigious-Eye-808

What is genuinely better - to be dental officer in RAF or the British Army? does the bursary for dental officer have the same process in army and RAF or is it slightly different? also what is minimum time to serve cuz in British army page it says 4 yrs, but ive seen somewhere else that it is 6 yrs, and idk what its like in the RAF...

https://preview.redd.it/sbkpx8783fjh1.png?width=1722&format=png&auto=webp&s=3c46d94ae14a50fc0e164a7f24824a41b71620d5

As you can see, the ones that i flagged and are incorrect are the ones i guessed cuz i legit had like 1 min to answer all of em. its not that i didnt understand, its js i ran out of time. the ones that are flagged and green are the ones i guessed and happened to et correct. the ones that are js red are the ones i gen got wrong - someone help me with timing cuz this is horror.

>Hey everyone,
I am experiencing some technical issues while practicing on the official website and wanted to see if anyone else has faced this or knows a fix.

8 GCSE grade 9s
4 GCSE grade 8s
1 week priv dental clinic WEX
2 pharmacy WEX
1 week hospital dental clinic WEX
2 volunteering experiences for 6 months+
Doing IB - predicted 40/42 (without core points)

I wanna do dent so what is like a UCAT score I should get bare minimum?
Dream is to go Kings College tbh but its only cost of living putting me off.

Also for uni of dundee, are they adamant on in person interviews? cuz i aint tryna travel all the way to scotland js for interview (if i get one)

https://preview.redd.it/hfjgt2895rhh1.png?width=905&format=png&auto=webp&s=caa2509615a121a5561592749b57fce445638db9

UCAT ON 24th August - do I have time to improve this? Also what band wld this be in?

Hi everyone,

I'm currently 17 (starting Year 13 this September) and I'm hoping to study Dentistry in the UK next year. My long-term goal is to own a dental practice one day.

Originally I was planning on doing a trade apprenticeship (plumbing/electrical/REME (Vehicle Mechanic)) because I wanted practical skills and didn't like the idea of taking on student loans. However, after doing more research I discovered the Army and RAF offer bursaries for dental students, so now I'm seriously considering joining as a military dentist instead.

I've spent quite a while reading the official Army and RAF websites, but I'd really appreciate advice from people who have actually served.

Some questions I have:

1. Army vs RAF: Which would you genuinely recommend for a dentist, and why?
2. Lifestyle: What does a normal working week actually look like? Is it mostly like an NHS dental practice, or are there lots of military commitments alongside dentistry?
3. Travel: How much travelling or overseas postings do dentists realistically get? Are you mainly based in one location, or do you move around fairly often?
4. Career progression: What opportunities are there for postgraduate qualifications (MJDF, MSc, specialist training, etc.)? Is progression different between the Army and RAF?
5. Bursaries: How competitive are the undergraduate bursaries? If I apply while studying dentistry, is selection based mainly on passing the Officer Selection Board, or are there many more applicants than places?
6. Service commitment: I've seen both 4 years and 6 years mentioned on different pages. What is the actual minimum commitment after graduating if you receive a bursary?
7. Pay and benefits: Besides salary, are there major differences between the Army and RAF in accommodation, deployments, allowances or quality of life?
8. Leaving for civilian practice: If someone leaves after completing their minimum service (around age 30 in my case), how well does military dentistry prepare you for private practice? Is the transition generally straightforward? Cuz my dream is to open my own private dental clinic.
9. Looking back, if you had the choice again, would you still become a military dentist? Why or why not?
10. Finally, if your goal was eventually to own a successful private dental practice, would you recommend the military route first, or going straight into civilian dentistry?

I'd really appreciate honest opinions—both positives and negatives. I'm trying to make a well-informed decision before applying to university, so I'd especially value responses from current or former Army/RAF dentists or anyone who's worked alongside them.

Thanks very much.

Hi everyone,

I'm currently 17 (starting Year 13 this September) and I'm hoping to study Dentistry in the UK next year. My long-term goal is to own a dental practice one day.

Originally I was planning on doing a trade apprenticeship (plumbing/electrical/REME (Vehicle Mechanic)) because I wanted practical skills and didn't like the idea of taking on student loans. However, after doing more research I discovered the Army and RAF offer bursaries for dental students, so now I'm seriously considering joining as a military dentist instead.

I've spent quite a while reading the official Army and RAF websites, but I'd really appreciate advice from people who have actually served.

Some questions I have:

1. Army vs RAF: Which would you genuinely recommend for a dentist, and why?
2. Lifestyle: What does a normal working week actually look like? Is it mostly like an NHS dental practice, or are there lots of military commitments alongside dentistry?
3. Travel: How much travelling or overseas postings do dentists realistically get? Are you mainly based in one location, or do you move around fairly often?
4. Career progression: What opportunities are there for postgraduate qualifications (MJDF, MSc, specialist training, etc.)? Is progression different between the Army and RAF?
5. Bursaries: How competitive are the undergraduate bursaries? If I apply while studying dentistry, is selection based mainly on passing the Officer Selection Board, or are there many more applicants than places?
6. Service commitment: I've seen both 4 years and 6 years mentioned on different pages. What is the actual minimum commitment after graduating if you receive a bursary?
7. Pay and benefits: Besides salary, are there major differences between the Army and RAF in accommodation, deployments, allowances or quality of life?
8. Leaving for civilian practice: If someone leaves after completing their minimum service (around age 30 in my case), how well does military dentistry prepare you for private practice? Is the transition generally straightforward? Cuz my dream is to open my own private dental clinic.
9. Looking back, if you had the choice again, would you still become a military dentist? Why or why not?
10. Finally, if your goal was eventually to own a successful private dental practice, would you recommend the military route first, or going straight into civilian dentistry?

I'd really appreciate honest opinions—both positives and negatives. I'm trying to make a well-informed decision before applying to university, so I'd especially value responses from current or former Army/RAF dentists or anyone who's worked alongside them.

Thanks very much.

Hi everyone,

I'm currently 17 (starting Year 13 this September) and I'm hoping to study Dentistry in the UK next year. My long-term goal is to own a dental practice one day.

Originally I was planning on doing a trade apprenticeship (plumbing/electrical/REME (Vehicle Mechanic)) because I wanted practical skills and didn't like the idea of taking on student loans. However, after doing more research I discovered the Army and RAF offer bursaries for dental students, so now I'm seriously considering joining as a military dentist instead.

I've spent quite a while reading the official Army and RAF websites, but I'd really appreciate advice from people who have actually served.

Some questions I have:

1. Army vs RAF: Which would you genuinely recommend for a dentist, and why?
2. Lifestyle: What does a normal working week actually look like? Is it mostly like an NHS dental practice, or are there lots of military commitments alongside dentistry?
3. Travel: How much travelling or overseas postings do dentists realistically get? Are you mainly based in one location, or do you move around fairly often?
4. Career progression: What opportunities are there for postgraduate qualifications (MJDF, MSc, specialist training, etc.)? Is progression different between the Army and RAF?
5. Bursaries: How competitive are the undergraduate bursaries? If I apply while studying dentistry, is selection based mainly on passing the Officer Selection Board, or are there many more applicants than places?
6. Service commitment: I've seen both 4 years and 6 years mentioned on different pages. What is the actual minimum commitment after graduating if you receive a bursary?
7. Pay and benefits: Besides salary, are there major differences between the Army and RAF in accommodation, deployments, allowances or quality of life?
8. Leaving for civilian practice: If someone leaves after completing their minimum service (around age 30 in my case), how well does military dentistry prepare you for private practice? Is the transition generally straightforward? Cuz my dream is to open my own private dental clinic.
9. Looking back, if you had the choice again, would you still become a military dentist? Why or why not?
10. Finally, if your goal was eventually to own a successful private dental practice, would you recommend the military route first, or going straight into civilian dentistry?

I'd really appreciate honest opinions—both positives and negatives. I'm trying to make a well-informed decision before applying to university, so I'd especially value responses from current or former Army/RAF dentists or anyone who's worked alongside them.

Thanks very much.

17 yr old male, thinking of doing VM as I heard you get to do your job alot.
Is it worth it? Do you get to travel alot? Is the pay scale good? Is there easy transferability into civvie world? Are the quals listed on British army website worth it?

I originally made a post like a week ago talking about wanting to be a plumber - I got alot of comments saying that it isnt worth it cuz I wont be using it outside of Chatham. I applied to several plumbing companies in my area - none have responded for apprenticeship opportunities. So I am thinking, if I join the army, whats the best trade to work towards with no xp that I will be doing day in and out which can help build a portfolio? Is being an Electronics Technician good? Please give ideas. Tbh, I dont rlly wanna get into student debt in uni (im 17).

Just please give some advice. More things to note about my general personality:

I like doing physical, laborious stuff. I am 17 yr old male, always loved working out and always had a positive mindset about putting my body to good use.
I wanna get a driving license and other HGV licenses whilst there (heard a phrase where you should milk whatever opportunities you can in the army)
Dont have alot of money (obviously) so I cant pay for tuition and maintenance fees
Wanna come out with alot of qualifications and xp to eventually maybe go self employed (always dreamt of running a business so being a self employed electrician would be nice)
I would only go for plumbing if they did more work experience in the army but apparently they dont.

Please leave suggestions - thank you for reading.

Shld I join the army to train to be plumber? Is it worth it or shld I not join the army for the trade? Only reason I wld go to the army is cuz accom and food is heavily subsidised so I can save money whilst learning.

Read EDIT in comment aswell foe my reasoning

Rate Score :

22/44 for VR
20/35 for DR
23/36 for QR
28/69 for SJT

This apparently comes up as 1860, band 3.

Is this good for first attempt? How do I improve.
ICL going thru markscheme is kinda boring and so tedious, especially for VR.

Is it true? How wld i do SJT practice then?

I dont offer.

Yo I heard alot of comments talking about when is the best time to sit UCAT and gen I am kinda confused. I heard alot statistically say that if you sit the UCAT before September, it is better cuz for some reason, UCAT gets "harder" if you sit it later like if you sit it in September onwards? Is this true or js a lie? I was thinking of starting UCAT prep from 23rd of June, getting a 2 month subscription so I could sit the exam late Augst like 23rd - 25th of August. Is this a good idea? If so, please explain reasoning. Thank you!

Yo - im a yr 12, ik its the end of May and i have not started a single UCAT revision; i am tryna save up for medify and think it will take me a week so realistically, i will start practice max / latest on the 7th of June. When is the best time to book UCAT exam? How often shld i be revising to get good ucat - i wanna do dentistry so i am aiming for minimum 2.2k+.
All tips are appreciated - tysm in advance broskis!

GCSEs : 999999998888
IB : i do higher : bio, chem, geo | standard: english lit, spanish B and maths AI
got 7,7,7 in highers. got 7,6,6 in standards - so i might get predicted all 7s 🤷‍♂️ on top of the 3 points for core so minimum predicted im getting is 42.
Work Xp : did 2 pharmacy work exp, got 1 priv dental clinic in july, 1 hospital dental place in november
volunteering : do 2 volunteering places
UCAT : Obvs not sat it yet but am prepping now and hope to get minimum 2300+ B1.

give tips and advice for UCAT if u can or anything else in general

thx for reading and thx for tips in advance.