Degrees Offered

• BDS Bachelor of Dental Surgery (UCAS Code: A200)

Contact Information

For entrance requirements
E: admissions@qub.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3838

For course information
Professor D Burden
Centre for Dental Education
School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
T: +44 (0)28 9063 2734
E: dentistry@qub.ac.uk
W: http://www.qub.ac.uk/mdbs 

Entrance Requirements

• Interview
  All offers are made on the basis of interviews. All candidates will be ranked and a proportion selected for interview. Offers will be made on the results of the interview. There are 15 international places available on the BDS course and interviews for these students take place online.
  
  
• UKCAT
  All applicants are required to sit the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT). and the results achieved will be used as part of the selection process prior to interview.
  
  
• A-level
  AAA at A-level + A in a fourth AS-level subject including A-level Chemistry plus at least one other A-level from Biology/Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics. If not offered at A-level then Biology/Human Biology to at least AS-level grade B. GCSE Mathematics and either GCSE Physics or Double Award Science are required if not offered at AS-level or A-level. A maximum of either one Applied A-level or one Applied AS-level will be counted. Please also note that only one Mathematics subject will be counted at A-level (the other would be acceptable as the fourth AS-level). A-level Critical Thinking and General Studies at both A-level and AS-level are not acceptable.
  
  In considering applications, GCSE performance in the best 9 subjects will be scored with 4 points awarded for an A* and 3 for an A grade. UKCAT will be scored and used in conjunction with the GCSE score to rank for interview. AS performance and additional GCSE A grades may also be taken into account in borderline cases. Evidence of commitment to Dentistry, motivation, communication skills and initiative are important.
  
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate
  A1A1A1A1A1B2 including Higher Level grade A1 in Biology and Chemistry + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade B in Mathematics. Students not offering Physics as part of their Leaving Certificate must have an A grade in Junior Certificate Science.
  
  
• Graduates
  Applications from graduates or those in the final year of their degree are considered and the full academic background is taken into account. For 2013 the minimum A-Level threshold will remain BBB at first attempt ie: prior to commencing degree studies, or BBC for those with a First Class Honours Degree or PhD. Applicants must have an appropriate science background at GCSE and AS-level/A-level and at least a 2.1 Honours degree, which can be from a wide range of different subjects. A-level Chemistry and at least one from A-level Biology/Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics plus if not offered at A-level then Biology/Human Biology to at least AS-level (or equivalent) are required. In addition, GCSE in Mathematics and either Physics or Double Award Science are necessary if not taken beyond this level. Graduate applicants who fulfil these criteria are then scored with their UKCAT.
  
  
• Transfers from other Dental Schools
  Applications will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and all normal entry requirements must be satisfied.

For students whose first language is not English
An IELTS score of 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in Speaking and Listening and 6.0 in the other test components, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information on other acceptable English Language qualifications is available here

If you are an international student and you do not meet the English Language requirements, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Queen's University Belfast, which will develop the language skills you need to progress. INTO Queen's University Belfast is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses. For a full list click here

Information for all applicants
Prior to admission all applicants will be required to provide evidence that they are not infected with Hepatitis B. Applicants who receive offers will be required to complete a health assessment with the Occupational Health Service of the University in accordance with Department of Health guidelines for new entrants to the Health Service.

As a result of current legislative requirements any offer made will be conditional on a satisfactory criminal history check (Access NI Enhanced Disclosure Check). To enable the University to request this check you will be required to provide some personal information which will be treated in the strictest of confidence and in line with Data Protection Principles. The current cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Check is £30. At time of printing the relevant legislation is under review and it is possible that in the future the vetting requirements and costs will change. Applicants will be advised of the relevant requirements at the appropriate time.

For international students, a Certificate of Good Conduct or equivalent will be required in lieu of an Access NI check.

The degree is subject to the University’s Regulations on Fitness to Practise.

Further details on admission requirements and selection procedures are given in the Entry Profile on the UCAS website and this should be consulted: http://www.ucas.com/students/coursesearch

More detailed information on applying to study Dentistry at Queen's is also available from the School website at: http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/dentistry/ProspectiveStudents

The Subject

Dentistry at Queen's is regarded as one of the most progressive degree programmes of its kind in the UK and has always been recognised for its high teaching standards. Dental graduates from Queen's have made a marked impact on national and international dentistry.

Course Content

The Dentistry degree at Queen's lasts five years and is taught in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences. On completion the degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) is awarded.

Years 1 and 2
During these years, students are attached to dental clinics and also undertake modules which teach the biomedical and behavioural sciences foundations of clinical practice as well as the principles of dental patient management, dental health promotion and core dental clinical skills.

Year 3
This year introduces a greater clinical component within the various dental clinical specialties and teaching in medicine and surgery, pathology, microbiology and pharmacology relevant to dentistry.

Years 4 and 5
In these years, the emphasis is on teaching advanced dental clinical skills within the range of clinical specialties in dentistry. Students carry out the full range of dental treatment for their own adult and child patients. Most of the paediatric dentistry course is carried out in outreach clinics.

During the programme, a small number of students opt to study for an extra year to achieve an 'intercalated' research degree, however, this is currently under review.

Click here for more information on modules

Learning and Teaching

At Queen’s Dental School, we aim to provide a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity and innovation and utilizes best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable the student to achieve their full academic potential.

We do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society.  Our students have access to innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners.   Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

• Lectures:  are used tointroduce basic information about new topics to large groups and provide a starting point for further learning.  They are often linked to seminars  to encourage an independent approach to learning
• Seminars/tutorials:  Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students) and clinical activity is often preceded by a clinical seminar.  These provide opportunities for students to engage with academic and clinical staff staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions and to assess progress and understanding with the support of peers. 
• Practicals:  are generally developed in smaller group sizes and are designed to allow students to see how some of the principles introduced in lectures can be observed in living organisms and in dental materials science.  This type of class also provides the opportunity to develop technical skills and receive formative feedback on academic progress.
• Clinical teachingin a workplace environment: enables students to learn directly from clinical experts about the clinical treatment in the full range of clinical disciplines. 
• Clinical teaching in a simulated environment: provides students with the opportunity to learn and practice clinical skills in a safe and controlled environment before proceeding to patient care.
• E-Learning technologies:   Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online. 
• Self-directed study:  is used to provide time for students to study the theoretical principles underpinning the practice of dentistry in their own time. 
• Personal Tutor:  Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during their course.

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment:  The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the Learning outcome for each module.  Assessments range from written exams, MCQs, case studies and group projects to Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) and clinical procedures with patients. 

Feedback:  As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, clinical supervisors, personal tutors and peers.  University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work.   Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted. 
• Face to face comment.  This will include face-to-face feedback on day-to-day performance on formative and summative clinical assessments.
• Clinical supervisor comments are recorded at each clinic via clinical logbooks.
• Emailed comment for a range of written summative assessments.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-assessment advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid.  In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time. 
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.  Your logbooks will also require you to record your response to clinical feedback and develop a plan of action.

Careers

Studying for a dental degree at Queen’s will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions. 

There are a wide range of career opportunities available in dentistry. Following graduation it is mandatory to undergo a further one year of training in a Vocational Training Scheme. Dentists can then decide to follow a career as a general dental practitioner or train to become a specialist in a dental discipline. Other dental career options include hospital dentistry, community dentistry, armed forces dentistry and university teaching and research.

Other Career-related information: Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers.  Queen’s students will be advised and guided about career choice and through the Degree Plus initiative, will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer.  See Queen’s University Belfast fullemployability statementfor further information.

Degree Plus and other related initiatives:  Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s.  Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies,  and sports. 

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students).  Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts.  As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plusin particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies.  These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.

Special Features

Dentistry at Queen's has been responsible for delivering dental education in Northern Ireland since 1920. It has been situated at its current site since 1965 and underwent a significant expansion in 1994. A full refurbishment is underway, ensuring that Queen's dental students have access to the most modern clinical facilities of any UK Dental School.

The degree is based on the requirements of the UK General Dental Council (GDC) and was rated number one in UK by the Times Good University Guide in 2008.