MSc (Clin) Orthodontics

Year of entry: 2024

Overview

Degree awarded
MSc in Clinical Dentistry (Orthodontics)
Duration
3 years FT
Entry requirements

We require a primary dental qualification from a recognised institution and at least two years' recent experience in general professional practice.

Full entry requirements

Number of places/applicants

2-4 places

How to apply

Please apply via our online application form . See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.

Course options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
MSc Y N N N

Course overview

"There's a brilliant teaching hospital with excellent consultants. The teaching and support has always been of an extremely high level and I get plenty of clinical experience.

"Seeing the changes we can achieve for patients and the effect this has on their self-esteem is hugely rewarding."

Amy Gallacher / MSc (Clin) Orthodontics
  • Learn contemporary orthodontic treatment techniques and understand current thinking relevant to the diagnosis, treatment planning and clinical management of patients.
  • Gain practical experience through attachments at hospitals in the north-west and the University Dental Hospital of Manchester.
  • Learn from tutors who have contributed significantly to orthodontic literature and published research of international standing.
  • Become eligible to sit the Royal College of Surgeons examinations for Membership in Orthodontics (MOrth).
  • Study at a university ranked 5th in the UK and among the top 40 in the world for Dentistry (QS World University Rankings 2022).

Open days

Sign up for an on-line Dentistry information session on Wednesday 1 February 2023 , where our academic colleague will explain the courses available, their structure and content, as well as answer your questions.  You will also have a chance to attend general information session on how to apply, employability, fees and funding, and student support.

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • MSc (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): £26,000
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £55,500

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.

All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of courses lasting more than a year for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit: postgraduate fees . Always contact the department if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

For the latest scholarship and bursary information please visit the fees and funding page.

Contact details

School/Faculty
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Contact name
Postgraduate Admissions Team
Telephone
0161 529 4577
Email
Website
https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/dentistry/
School/Faculty
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

We require a primary dental qualification from a recognised institution and at least two years' recent experience in general professional practice.

English language

International students must demonstrate English proficiency through a secure and approved testing system.

We ask for English language proof if you are from non-majority English speaking countries (a list of majority English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Home Office, can be found here ).

Specifically, we require a minimum of:

  • IELTS : 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components

See further information about requirements for your country .

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Application and selection

How to apply

Please apply via our online application form . See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.

Advice to applicants

Applicants must provide the following:

  • proof of two years' recent post-graduation clinical experience, this must not include your internship;
  • two academic references will be sought. You will be required to provide contact details for two academic referees when completing your application form. Professional references can be provided in instances where you have been out of university for more than 3 years;
  • copies (not originals) of degree certificates;
  • official academic transcripts of previous study showing the subjects taken and grades obtained. (If these are in a language other than English please provide official translations.) Note: If you hold a BDS from a UK university you need not provide a transcript of results, but you must provide a copy of the certificate;
  • personal statement (300-500 words);
  • full CV;
  • copies (not originals) of English Language certification, if an applicant's first language is not English - only IELTS, TOEFL or Pearson Test scores are acceptable.

Only applications with all required supporting documentation (above) will be processed. Conditional offers cannot be made for those that do not meet the minimum requirements for the course. We do not make conditional offers on the submission of supporting documents.

International students should upload a copy of your current valid passport showing the photograph page with your application. Evidence of citizenship of an EU country will be required for those claiming home student status.

Please note that to be accepted as a home student, you need to have been offered a NHS Orthodontic Specialty Training number (NTN) via the National Recruitment process. Eligible NTN applicants will see a reduction in their course fees. Please contact us for further information.

How your application is considered

We consider your academic transcripts, academic references, evidence of clinical skills and knowledge developed since graduation, and evidence of your interest in orthodontics when assessing applications.

Overseas (non-UK) applicants

CAS Information

Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1,000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.

Please upload a copy of your current valid passport with your application showing the photograph page with your application. For CAS purposes, this must show your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and the date the passport is valid until, which must be later than the date of your planned arrival in the UK, and the start date of your course.

You cannot use your CAS to apply for a visa more than three months before the start date of your course, the Admissions Team will be in touch at the appropriate time.

Your CAS number is only valid for one Tier 4 application.

Fitness to practise / health requirements

Health clearance from the University's Occupational Health Department will be a condition of any offer.

See the HEOPS standards of medical fitness to train guidance (PDF, 84KB) for more information.

Disclosure and Barring Service check

A disclosure and barring service check is required for those candidates residing in the UK. Overseas candidates are required to provide a Police Certificate of Good Conduct.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.

Course details

Course description

Our three-year MSc (Clin) Orthodontics course combines the taught elements and research of an MSc degree with mandatory clinical training to enable you to develop the practical skills and knowledge you need to carry out contemporary orthodontic treatment techniques.

You will learn about the theory behind orthodontics through small group sessions, seminars, practical skills training, online learning and student-led enhancement sessions.

The clinical training part of the course involves attendance at clinics at the University and associated hospital trusts. During this time, you will provide treatment for approximately 150 carefully selected patients with severe malocclusions under direct supervision of consultant orthodontists.

You will also undergo training in research methods and biostatistics to help you plan and implement the research project that will form the basis of your dissertation, receiving guidance from highly experienced researchers in the process.

The research topic will examine an issue of relevance to your future work and will also provide the basis for a refereed publication.

Successfully completing this MSc (Clin) course will make you eligible to sit the Royal College of Surgeons exams for Membership in Orthodontics (MOrth).

Aims

The aim of the taught clinical component is to give you an understanding of the scientific basis of orthodontics. There is a particular emphasis on current thinking relevant to the diagnosis, treatment planning and clinical management of patients.

Teaching and learning

Teaching will include tutorials, seminars and clinical demonstrations. You are encouraged to attend other relevant seminars in other clinical disciplines to gain a broad perspective of orthodontics.

Instruction will also be given in clinical and laboratory aspects of orthodontics. These will take the form of demonstrations, seminars and practical laboratory exercises.

Clinical training involves attendance in clinics at the University Dental Hospital of Manchester and affiliated hospitals including Lancaster, Bury, Blackburn, Hope, Tameside, Chester, Stockport, Wythenshawe and North Manchester General. Attendance at clinics is mandatory.

You will treat a personal cohort of at least 100 patients, their care being supervised by named specialists. These cases will include the most complex malocclusions together with orthognathic and hypodontia needs.

You will be instructed in the use of the Straightwire technique, temporary anchorage devises, Lingual appliances and aligner systems.

Participation in journal clubs, local and regional audit meetings and mandatory training as directed by your training hospital and supervising clinicians is expected.

One day each week is devoted to academic teaching and practical demonstrations with typodonts.

Key academic staff

Coursework and assessment

  • Research Methods Unit: Formal assessment takes the form of two tutor marked assignments and participation in specified online group activities.
  • Biostatistics Unit:  Formal assessment takes the form of two tutor marked assignments
  • Clinical Unit: The clinical component is assessed by a structured oral and written examinations, MCQ paper, and structured oral presentation.
  • Dissertation (Year 3) .

Course unit details

There are four main components to this course.

Research Methods Component (15 credits): Training in skills related to design, execution and interpretation of clinical and clinically-related research.

Biostatistics component (15 credits):  Training in skills related to data collection, simple analysis and interpretation of clinical and clinically-related research.

Specialist Clinical Component: Gain an understanding of the scientific basis of orthodontics, with particular emphasis on current theories relevant to the diagnosis, treatment planning and clinical management of adult patients.

The Specialist Clinical Component encompasses the following:

  • Core lectures to include:
    • Medical emergency management
    • Cross infection control
    • Radiological protection
    • Clinical governance
  • Interactive seminars related to orthodontics
  • Pre-clinical skills course
  • Attend consultation clinics
  • Case reviews
  • Participation in journal clubs

Please note that this course also provides instruction in aligner systems and lingual appliances.

Dissertation component : Research training in the identification, formulation and implementation of a specific research project.

Course content for Year 1
  • Research Methods and Biostatistics course
  • Communications course
  • Clinical treatment and consultation sessions (at University of Manchester Dental Hospital and affiliated District General Hospitals)
  • Clinical Skills teaching
  • Seminars
  • Northern Universities Consortium courses
  • Research Project
Course content for Year 2

You will undergo continued clinical training as the specialist registrars' cohort of patients move through their treatment (at University of Manchester Dental Hospital and affiliated District General Hospitals).

Also featured in this year:

  • Clinical Skills teaching
  • Seminars
  • Northern Universities Consortium courses
  • Research Project
Course content for Year 3

You will undergo continued clinical training dependent on the continuing care of patients under treatment started in Year 1 (at University of Manchester Dental Hospital and affiliated District General Hospitals).

Also featured in this year:

  • Advanced Orthodontics and Revision course
  • Northern Universities Consortium courses
  • Research Project

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
MSc Dissertation DENT60020 60 Mandatory
Basic Orthodontic Diagnosis DENT60050 15 Mandatory
Orthodontic Principles DENT60051 15 Mandatory
Reflective Orthodontic Practice DENT60052 30 Mandatory
Applied Principles in Orthodontics DENT60053 30 Mandatory
Research Methods DENT61010 15 Mandatory
Biostatistics DENT70001 15 Mandatory

Scholarships and bursaries

For the latest scholarship and bursary information please visit the fees and funding page.

Facilities

You will have access to dedicated postgraduate suites. You will also be able to access a range of facilities throughout the University.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service .

CPD opportunities

We will invite you to participate in a number of conferences and courses. Some selected seminars will also provide you with CPD hours.

Careers

Career opportunities

Orthodontics is a fascinating, stimulating specialty that offers a number of career opportunities.

Orthodontists enjoy their clinical work and this can be undertaken in a specialist practice setting funded either through a state-run scheme, eg the NHS, or in a private setting where treatment is funded directly by the patients. Some countries adopt a third party payment system where all or part of the treatment cost is met by an insurance scheme.

In addition to their clinical role, many orthodontists also have an interest in teaching and research. These teaching roles can be part-time in combination with clinical work, or full-time. In the research field, orthodontists have followed their specialist training with PhD study, and there are many examples of excellent orthodontic research teams in universities all over the world.

In the UK, consultant orthodontists play an active role in teaching and research, concentrate their clinical activity in multidisciplinary cases of high complexity, and have an important role in management of the maxillofacial units in which they work.

In recent years, many of our students have graduated with distinction and some have received the gold medal for best performance in the MOrth RCS examinations.

Accrediting organisations

This MSc is recognised by the UK Royal Colleges as contributing towards the requirements of the Diploma of Membership in Orthodontics examination. You are advised to contact the Royal Colleges directly to ensure your experience prior to starting the course will be valid for entry to this examination.

Please note that these training programmes do not have UK National Training Numbers (NTNs). Unless you currently hold a substantive NHS Speciality Registrar contract, you will not be eligible for a Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training in the UK (CCST) and therefore not be eligible for direct entry to the UK Specialist List in Orthodontics.

Associated organisations