BDS Dentistry (pre-dental entry)

Year of entry: 2024

Overview

Degree awarded
BDS
Duration
6 years
Typical A-level offer

AAA

Typical contextual A-level offer
AAB (in non-science subjects)
Find out more about contextual admissions.
Refugee/care-experienced offer
Applicants who have been in local authority care for more than three months or have refugee status may be eligible for an offer two grades below the standard requirements.
Find out more about contextual admissions.
Typical International Baccalaureate offer

36 points are required overall (to include core points) with at least 666 at higher level. We accept both Maths options as part of the Diploma. If Maths and English Language are not offered as part of the Diploma, they should be offered at GCSE or IGCSE at grade B (6) or above.

Higher level subjects should include subject combinations that would be unsuitable for admission to the 5 year BDS.

Full entry requirements

Number of places/applicants
6/97
How to apply
Apply through UCAS .

Course overview

  • Spend an additional year preparing for the five-year BDS course if you do not have the appropriate science qualifications for direct entry.
  • Study at a university ranked 5th in the UK for Dentistry, according to the QS World University Rankings 2022.
  • Have the option to study for an intercalated BDS degree , where you interrupt the course for a year to achieve a BSc award in a related subject.

Open days

Attending an open day is a great way to find out what studying at Manchester is like. Find out about our upcoming open days .

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2024 will be £9,250. Tuition fees for international students, including EU, will be £36,500 for year 0 and 1 of study. Clinical tuition fees (years 2-5) are charged at the future rate which is applicable when you enter Year 2. Clinical fees for students entering Year 2 in 2024 will be £58,000. These fees are subject to change with inflation each year.

For general information, please see the  undergraduate finance  pages.

Additional expenses

When on the clinics you will need to wear a tunic - which cost approximately £25 each - as well as black trousers or skirt and black leather duty shoes that are close fitting around the toes and heels.

There will be travel costs when attending community clinics in the Greater Manchester area from Year 4. There is no discounted parking on campus for students if you have a car.

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).

Contact details

School/Faculty
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Telephone
0161 529 4577
Email
Website
https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/dentistry/
School/Faculty overview
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

Courses in related subject areas

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

Compare this course

Entry requirements

A-level

Our standard A-level offer is AAA including subject combinations that would be unsuitable for admission to the 5 year BDS. You must also meet the GCSE requirements.

Please note:

  • A level subject choices can include any combination of non-science subjects.
  • This course is open to those with only one of the required science subjects (Biology or Chemistry).
  • Combinations of very similar subjects, for example, Biology and Human Biology or Maths and Further Maths together, are not acceptable.
  • Two AS-levels in place of one A2-level will not be accepted.
  • If you have studied Biology and Chemistry at A Level, you would not be eligible for this foundation course. However you would be eligible to apply for the 5 year BDS course.

Contextual offer

Typical Contextual A-level offer: AAB.

Duration of A-level study

If you have studied an advanced curriculum, where the examinations are spread over three years, please contact the School's Admissions Office prior to submitting an application.

AS-level

We have no specific requirements at AS-level. However, we would normally expect students to demonstrate a commitment towards achieving a broad and balanced education. Most applicants will therefore be studying beyond the 'bare minimum' in order to make the most competitive application possible.

You may wish to evidence this on your application in a number of ways, for example:

  • studying four A-level subjects;
  • studying for an additional AS level or BTEC qualification in addition to your three main subjects;
  • taking General Studies, Key Skills or the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in addition to your three main subjects.

We are aware that you may not be able to take the above qualifications at school or college and therefore we allow applicants to provide evidence of participating in other activities aimed at increasing social responsibility, for example, National Citizen Service (NCS) or the Duke of Edinburgh award in lieu of a formal qualification. A list of other suggested activities is provided on our FAQ page. If in doubt, please contact us.

Please note that if your school is unable to offer any of the above, they should state this in the UCAS reference and you will not be disadvantaged as a result.

Applicants with a WP/WP Plus flag are exempt.

Unit grade information

The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit information where available.  Like all other information provided by applicants this may be taken into consideration when assessing your application.  Unit grades will not normally form part of an offer conditions.

GCSE

We require at least seven GCSEs at grade 7 (A) or above.

English Language, Mathematics are required at GCSE minimum grade 6 (B). At least two science subjects are required at GCSE minimum grade 6 (B) if not taken to AS/A2-level. If Dual Award Science or Core and Additional Science are offered, the minimum required is 66 (BB).

For applicants whose status has been confirmed as WP+ or WP++ using the University's Contextual Data Eligibility tool, we will accept 6 GCSEs at Grade 7 (A) or above.  

We permit GCSE resits. If you are resitting any GCSEs at the point of your application, we require you to list it as pending qualifications on your UCAS form.

We do not currently accept short courses; however, Level 2 BTEC qualifications are acceptable (at distinction grade or above) in lieu of one GCSE.

If you are offering an international equivalent to GCSE and this is not listed on our international entry requirements page, please contact The School of Medical Sciences Admissions Office to check the suitability of the qualification.

Due to the phased introduction of GCSE reform in England, we will accept a mixture of GCSE grading scales. We can confirm our position in terms of equivalencies:

  • A* = 8
  • A = 7
  • B = 6
  • C = 4

International Baccalaureate

36 points are required overall (to include core points) with at least 666 at higher level. We accept both Maths options as part of the Diploma. If Maths and English Language are not offered as part of the Diploma, they should be offered at GCSE or IGCSE at grade B (6) or above.

Higher level subjects should include subject combinations that would be unsuitable for admission to the 5 year BDS.

Other international entry requirements

We welcome applications from overseas students. Country-specific information can be found on the University website. However, this is for general information only, as specific entry requirements may be different for the Dentistry course.

Please contact us at ug.dentistry@manchester.ac.uk to check specific requirements for your country before you apply for the Dentistry course.

Scottish requirements

Scottish Highers

We require 4 Highers at grades AAAA by the end of Secondary 5. Grades should be achieved in the same sitting at first attempt. English Language and Maths, if not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (National 5, Intermediate II or Standard Grade Credit level grade 2 or above).

Applicants also need Scottish Advanced Highers in addition to Scottish Highers, so please also check the entry requirements for those qualifications.

Scottish Advanced Highers

We require at least two Advanced Highers at grades AA by the end of Secondary 6. Any of the following combinations are acceptable:

  • three Advanced Highers at AAA;
  • two Advanced Highers at grades AA, plus one A2-level subject at grade A;
  • two Advanced Highers at grades AA, plus one new Higher at grade A.

We do not accept Chemistry and Biology in the Advanced Highers.

You will also need Scottish Highers in addition to Scottish Advanced Highers.

Welsh Baccalaureate

The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate and usually requires two A Levels or equivalent to be included within this.

The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A-Level entry requirements.

European Baccalaureate

We require an overall final result of 83% with only one science. We also require a minimum of grade 5 in Maths and English Language.

AQA Baccalaureate

The University recognises the benefits of the AQA Baccalaureate and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills.

In making offers, the University will focus on the three A Levels taken within the AQA Baccalaureate. Students need to check the standard A Level requirements for their chosen course.

The units of broader study, enrichment activities and the Extended Project are considered to be valuable elements of the AQA Baccalaureate and we would therefore strongly encourage students to draw upon these experiences within their personal statement.

Pearson BTEC qualifications

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate

We do not consider the National Extended Certificate for entry to this course.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma

We do not consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry to this course

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma

We do not consider the National Diploma for entry to this course.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma

We do not consider the National Extended Diploma for entry to this course.

We do not consider legacy BTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the BTEC Extended Diploma, BTEC Diploma, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, and BTEC Certificate. If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to.

OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Certificate (CTEC)  

We do not consider the Technical Extended Certificate for access to this course.

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Foundation Diploma (CTEC)

We do not consider the Technical Foundation Diploma for access to this course.

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Diploma (CTEC)

We do not consider the Technical Diploma for access to this course.

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Diploma (CTEC)

We do not consider the Technical Extended Diploma for access to this course.

We do not consider legacy CTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the CTEC Extended Diploma, CTEC Diploma, CTEC Subsidiary Diploma, and CTEC Certificate. If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) you plan to apply to.

Access to HE Diploma

We do not accept Access courses for application to A204. Please see the details for A206 BDS 5-year programme.

Cambridge Pre-U

We consider applicants offering Pre-U Principal Subjects, or a mix of Pre-U and A Level subjects, provided a minimum of three distinct subjects overall is taken.

The same subject specifications as A-level apply.

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) you plan to apply to.

T Level

We will consider Science, Healthcare Science or Health T Level pathway for the foundation year. We would require Distinction overall.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. Although the Extended Project will not be included in the conditions of your offer, we strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your application.

Core Maths

The University welcomes and recognises the value of Level 3 core mathematics qualifications (e.g. AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies). 

Core Mathematics is not a compulsory element of post-16 study and as a result we will not normally include it in the conditions of any offer made to the student. However, if a student chooses to undertake a core mathematics qualification this may be taken into account when we consider their application, particularly for certain non-science courses with a distinct mathematical or statistical element.

We advise students to contact the academic School, who will clarify whether their specific portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry on to their chosen course.

Home-schooled applicants

If you are a student who has followed a non-standard educational route, e.g. you have been educated at home; your application will be considered against the standard entry criteria of the course for which you are applying. You will be required to demonstrate that you meet the specified academic entry requirements of the course. We will also require a reference from somebody who knows you well enough, in an official capacity, to write about you and your suitability for higher education. If you are a home schooled student and would like further information or advice please contact the academic School for your chosen course who will be able to help you. 

Non-standard educational routes

We welcome applications from graduates or those in their final year of study towards an undergraduate degree. You should have achieved or be predicted a minimum of an upper second (2:1) honours degree and should have achieved a minimum of BBB at A-level (32 in IB) in your first sitting.

The Foundation Year is not appropriate for graduates with a science degree. Please see our FAQ page. Graduate applicants with Chemistry and Biology at A-level are also not considered for the Foundation Year course. Applicants who fulfil either of those criteria should apply to the 5-year course instead. Please note that we do not accept ordinary or ungraded degrees.

We do not accept A-level re-sits for the purpose of improving grades from graduates. UCAT, Maths at minimum Grade B (6) in GCSE and English Language requirements also apply.

Graduates and final year undergraduates must offer an academic reference on their UCAS form.

English language

In most cases, we expect applicants to satisfy our English Language requirement by offering English language at GCSE grade B (6) or above (or a score of 5 in the International Baccalaureate diploma).

Applicants from outside the UK (including non-native speakers) need to meet specific English language requirements to study at Manchester. We accept:

  • IGCSE English first language at grade B or second language at grade A;
  • International English Language Testing Service (IELTS): A minimum average score of 7.0 and with not less than 6.5 in any one component taken at the same sitting;
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: An overall score of 65 with no less than 65 in each of the communicative skills domains taken at the same sitting;
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE), or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): An overall score of 185 with no less than 185 in each of the scoring domains taken at the same sitting;
  • a score of 5 at Standard or Higher level as part of the International Baccalaureate diploma.

You must declare your English qualification (including those which are pending) on the UCAS form.

Please contact us prior to application if you are unsure how to satisfy these language requirements.

Graduates : Graduates who have completed a degree conducted entirely in English at a UK institution may be exempt from the English language requirements. Please contact us if you are unsure.

At interview, if we have any concerns about your English language capability regardless of your origin, country of upbringing or existing qualifications, we may require you to take an additional English language test as a condition of any offer we make to you.

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.

Relevant work experience

We require applicants to undertake some relevant work experience prior to application in order that they can gain some insight into what the role of a dentist involves.

Work experience may be paid or voluntary and should include some time spent in a dental setting but can also include examples from other healthcare and related environments. We do not have a requirement on the length of the work experience. We require applicants to demonstrate a commitment to their work experience placements.

As important as the detail of the work experience is the applicant's capacity to reflect on what they have gained from their experiences and the quality of that reflection will be reviewed as part of the selection process. A key element we are looking for is for applicants to be able to demonstrate some understanding of the qualities and attributes required to become a healthcare professional.

Applicants should be aware that we may request confirmation of their work experience.

Please see our FAQ and Non-Academic Information Form pages for more information on work experience.

Application and selection

How to apply

Apply through UCAS .

Advice to applicants

Please refer to the application process guide before making your application through UCAS for this course.

Vaccinations

Previous guidance regarding mandatory vaccination for Covid for courses with a clinical or healthcare placement has been paused, in line with government advice. However both NHS England and NHS Improvement view getting vaccinated for healthcare staff and students as a professional duty. We therefore continue to highly recommend all students on this course to take up their COVID-19 vaccinations as soon as they are eligible.

How your application is considered

Applications are first screened according to whether or not they meet our standard academic threshold as given on this page.

Those applicants that do not meet the appropriate academic criteria will not progress to the next phase of the screening process, and will receive notification that their application has been unsuccessful through UCAS in due course.

See the application process page for information on how we consider your application.

Skills, knowledge, abilities, interests

Each applicant to study Dentistry at The University of Manchester must complete an online information form with respect to non-academic activities. This form will be sent to all applicants after the 16th October UCAS deadline by the School of Medical Sciences Admissions Office.

Interview requirements

We do not make offers without interview. Please see our interviews page for more information.

Returning to education

We are pleased to consider applications from non-traditional applicants but would ask that you contact the Admissions Office for advice on suitability for a potential application.

Aptitude test requirement

Applicants are required to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in the year they wish to make their application. Please note that the result is valid one application cycle only. If applicants are reapplying, they must re-sit the UCAT.

Further information specific to The University of Manchester is detailed on our UCAT page.

Please note that we do not consider applicants who achieve Band 4 in the Situational Judgement Test (SJT) element of the UCAT. Applicants with a SJT band 3 are welcome to apply. However, we will prioritise applicants who are in bands 1 and 2.

Fitness to practise / health requirements

All offers of a place are subject to satisfactory health screening. The health screening is based upon the Higher Education Occupational Physicians/Practitioners (HEOPS) standards of medical fitness to train for dental students [PDF, 71KB].

A potential student may be concerned that their health or disability may affect their ability to fulfil the competency standards of the course. Any such applicants are encouraged to contact the Occupational Health Service and/or The Disability Advisory and Support Service at an early stage in order to explore the situation in depth and consider the feasibility of making reasonable adjustments. Hopefully the process will prove helpful to the student in deciding whether to pursue an application.

In Manchester, you will be introduced to the clinic in the first term. Therefore, you will have to produce satisfactory evidence on non-infectivity with respect to the blood-borne viruses HIV, Hepatitis B and C and Tuberculosis. In addition, you must pass a health screening in Student Occupational Health prior to entry to ensure you are fit to practice.

The health screening requires the completion of a detailed health questionnaire by the applicant and also an appointment with the University's Occupational Health Department. In order to be admitted and continue on the programme, students must be deemed as medically fit for both practice and theory by the Occupational Health Department.

General enquiries about health screening should be addressed to Student Occupational Health, Tel +44 (0)161 275 2858, Fax +44 (0)161 275 3137.

Please see also the Procedure for Admission to Courses Requiring Medical Fitness Assessment [Word 59KB].

Disclosure and Barring Service check

You will be required, as part of the non-academic conditions of your offer, to provide a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. In the UK, this takes the form of an Enhanced Level search by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and will reveal any criminal convictions, spent or unspent, as well as any police cautions, warnings or reprimands.

Regulations and record systems in other countries vary. Overseas applicants are encouraged to contact our Admissions Team.

Anyone who considers it possible that a criminal record or other disclosure may reveal any offence must contact the Admissions Team before applying.

Deferrals

We welcome applications from students who wish to defer their entry to the following year, but we prefer this to be indicated at the point of application.

It may not be possible to defer entry once an offer has been made and we are unlikely to be able to consider any requests after the release of A-level results.

We do not have any specific requirements for how you use your gap year, but we would expect it to have been used constructively.

Policy for applicants who resit their qualifications

We welcome applications from those re-sitting their A-levels, though applicants may only re-sit one of either Year 12 or Year 13.

Where A-levels have been attempted in Year 13, applicants are expected to have obtained a minimum of grade B in each subject at the first sitting for the re-sit grades to be considered.

All re-sitting applicants are required to achieve Grades A*AA in the A-level subjects specified above.

Re-applications

If you have applied in previous years and your application has been unsuccessful on two consecutive occasions, future applications will not be considered.

We would require re-applicants to continue with their work experience in their year out and would also expect to see a material difference in their application from the previous year. 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.

All re-applicants must retake UCAT and provide updated information that refers to the initial application and chronicles subsequent events.

Applicants applying with achieved qualifications must explain in their personal statement what they are doing during the gap year.

Transfers

Due to the highly integrated structure of the degree course, we do not grant exemptions from subjects. Transfers from other institutions are not considered. If you feel that you have embarked on the wrong course elsewhere, and who wish to be considered for entry to study dentistry and The University of Manchester, you should first complete your current programme of study, or be in the final year before you apply to us.

We do not consider applications from students who have started a clinical programme elsewhere.

Course details

Course description

Our pre-dental entry course in Dentistry (foundation year) is aimed at students who have proven academic ability but not the necessary science qualifications to apply directly to the five-year BDS .

You will spend your foundation year at the University and Xaverian College, and will start the five-year BDS course upon successful completion of the foundation course.

The five-year course will prepare you for a dentistry career through a combination of clinical study and basic and advanced dental sciences.

Once you have mastered basic competencies in the University's skills facilities, you will move on to treating patients in both the University Dental Hospital of Manchester and local outreach clinics early in the course.

You will learn to work within a dental team to take a patient-centred approach to clinical care, practicing in a professional, safe and ethical manner.

Our students are also trained to become reflective practitioners who are committed to lifelong learning.

This course is currently being reviewed and teaching and learning may differ for 2023 entry. Offer holders will be informed and the website will be updated when any changes are confirmed.

Aims

The course is specifically constructed to prepare you for the first year of the standard five-year BDS course . All topics have a medical or dental orientation, many using clinical material, although you will not have direct contact with patients.

Part of the foundation year is taught at Xaverian College , with access to all its facilities and support systems.

Special features

Early clinical experience

You will be introduced to the clinical environment in the first semester of Year 1, enabling you to integrate theory and practice early on in the course.

Interdisciplinary learning

Learn alongside students and professionals from a range of backgrounds, including those training in complementary professions such as dental nursing and therapy.

Intercalation opportunities

You can study another subject to achieve a BSc award over one year between Years 2 and 3 of the BDS course.

Teaching and learning

We use a range of teaching and learning methods on the course.

Enquiry-based learning (EBL)

The tutor establishes the task and helps the process, but you will pursue your own lines of enquiry, drawing on existing knowledge and identifying your own learning needs.

You will participate in a wide range of different learning activities including problem-based learning (PBL) sessions, small-group seminars, themed theatre events, case-based activities, computer-assisted learning (CAL), the use of web-based resources and project work.

The emphasis on EBL means that traditional lectures do not form a major part of the course.

Critically Appraised Topics

There is an emphasis on research throughout the course. Of particular note is the use of Critically Appraised Topics (CAT), in which students pose a clinical question, eg 'Is water fluoridation an effective means of preventing tooth decay?', and assess the existing published literature to draw conclusions.

These might include suggestions for further research to add to the existing evidence base or a strategy for implementing treatments where the existing research evidence is strong.

Through the review process, you will acquire skills that will equip you to assess, in a meaningful way, new developments in dentistry throughout their lifetime in practice. The reviews are added to our database of critically appraised topics and published on our website.

Projects

Throughout the course, you will complete a research project and a clinical case presentation.

Lecture/symposium

These are interdisciplinary-themed theatre events combining presentations, clinical case presentations and interactive exercises.

Technical/laboratory

Classes in laboratories, the anatomy dissection room and our clinical/technical skills facilities are timed to complement the knowledge you acquire through EBL.

These are designed to equip you with the competencies you will need to treat patients during each stage of their development as student dentists.

Clinic

You will undertake clinical experience in a range of environments (dental hospital, outreach community clinics), working in a dental team.

Coursework and assessment

The course has been carefully designed to ensure that assessment is appropriate in terms of both timing and quantity, and that there is consistency of assessment methods throughout the course. These include:

  • multiple choice questions
  • short answer written papers
  • assessed projects
  • presentation of completed cases with companion oral examinations (sometimes known as vivas)
  • objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) incorporating clinical competency tests
  • peer assessment
  • reflective journal writing.

A 100% attendance record is expected for all teaching elements unless there are valid reasons for absence. If you have poor attendance records, you may not be signed up to sit the end of year exams in any year of the course.

Integration and early clinical experience

The integration of non-clinical and clinical aspects of the course means that the relationship of science subjects to the treatment of patients and disease elimination is immediately apparent.

This philosophy allows for the rapid transfer of relevant research findings to the clinics. You will be introduced to the clinical environment in the first semester of Year 1.

Outreach clinics

This course emphasises exposing you to dentistry outside the confines of the University and Dental Hospital through custom-built community clinics.

Treatment needs are high, there is no shortage of patients and you will gain valuable experience of working as part of a team including dentists, dental nurses, hygienists, therapists and receptionists.

Teamwork

The importance of teamwork is emphasised on the course. Alongside the BDS course, we provide the BSc Dental Hygiene and Therapy course, which trains dental hygienists/therapists.

We also have close links with nearby Manchester Metropolitan University's long-standing course in Dental Technology.

Students drawn from different years of the course and from dental care professions, such as student dental therapists and student dental technicians, work as a team to meet the treatment needs of shared patients.

This helps you to experience true teamwork in a dental context throughout your time at Manchester.

Course unit details

The essential components of the foundation year include:

  • units covering the core syllabus using problem-based learning (PBL) concepts;
  • formal academic teaching sessions covering some aspects of the relevant basic sciences;
  • special study units with a clinical orientation;
  • guest lectures by clinicians.

Entry to the five-year BDS course is automatic on satisfactory completion of the foundation year.

See the five-year BDS page for details of course content after the foundation year.

What our students say

Find out more about what it's like to study at Manchester on the  Biology, Medicine and Health Student Blog .

Facilities

You will have access to a range of clinical facilities, as well as our dedicated learning resource centre with a multimedia cluster.

University facilities

The University of Manchester offers extensive teaching and learning facilities and library and online services to help you get the most out of your studies.

Disability support

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

Careers

Career opportunities

Almost invariably, dental graduates apply for one year Dental Foundation 1 training posts when they graduate. These are salaried posts in NHS general dental practices, comprising four/five days per week of clinical work and 30 days of professional study over the year.

Each DFY1 is mentored by a Dental Trainer in the same practice. All training practices are inspected to ensure they are of a required standard.

Many graduates decide to specialise in a particular branch of dentistry such as orthodontics or endodontics. Specialist training courses are available in all dental specialties and are highly competitive.

Some general experience in dentistry is required prior to entry to a specialist training programme, as is either the MJDF or MFDS examinations run by the Royal Colleges of Surgeons of England, Edinburgh or Ireland and Glasgow.

We offer careers advice throughout the BDS course, with much of this help concentrated in Year 5 as graduation approaches. Specific help and guidance is given in your final year to help you prepare for the Foundation Dentistry selection process, which is done on a national basis.

Accrediting organisations

This Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree is accredited as a qualification registerable with the General Dental Council .