Dentistry

Course Structure

Stage 1 and 2	Students are attached to dental clinics and also undertake modules where they learn about the foundations of clinical practice including the biomedical and behavioural sciences as well as the principles of dental patient management, dental health promotion and core clinical dental skills.
Stage 3	Introduces a greater clinical component within the various clinical dental specialties as well as developing students’ core clinical skills in Restorative dentistry. Students also learn about the impact of systemic disease in dentistry.
Stage 4 and 5	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. Clinical tuition takes place in classes within the Dental School and in Outreach dental clinics.

• Clinical teaching and clinical operative treatment in a clinical environment.
  Clinical teaching and clinical operative treatment in a workplace environment enables students to learn directly from clinical experts and also provide treatment for their own patients in the full range of clinical disciplines.
• Clinical teaching in a simulated environment
  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.
• Lectures
  Are used to introduce 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.
• Personal Tutor
  Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during their course.
• 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.
• Self-directed study
  Is used to provide time for students to study the theoretical principles underpinning the practice of dentistry in their own time.
• 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.

• Assessments range from written exams, MCQs, case studies and group projects to Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) and clinical procedures with patients.

• Feedback may be provided to you in a variety of forms including: formal written comments, online or emailed feedback, pre-submission advice, feedback and outcomes from practical classes and when carrying out clinical treatment for patients.

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 degree and interviews for these students take place online.

UKCAT All applicants, assigned as NI, GB or EU for fees purposes, are required to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) and the results achieved will be used as part of the selection process prior to interview. Further information on UCAT is available at: http://www.ucat.ac.uk

AAA at A-level including Biology/Human Biology and Chemistry. GCSE Mathematics minimum grade C is required if not offered at AS-level or A-level. For A-level School Leavers a maximum of one Applied A-level will be counted. Please also note that only one Mathematics subject will be counted at A-level. A-level Critical Thinking and both A-lvel and AS-level General Studies are not acceptable. For NI, GB and EU applicants, GCSE performance in the best 9 subjects will be scored with 4 points awarded for an A* (grade 8 and 9 in the new grading scale) and 3 for an A grade (grade 7 in the new grading scale). Points are not awarded for B and C grades (grades 6, 5 and 4 in the new grading scale). For those who have not undertaken GCSE or equivalent level qualifications, then an academic score will be calculated on the basis of school reports. UKCAT will be scored and used in conjunction with the academic score to rank for interview. AS-level 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 requirements H1H1H1H1H2H2 including Higher Level grade H1 in Biology and Chemistry + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade O3 in Mathematics.

Graduate Applications from graduates or those in the final year of their degree are considered and the full academic background is taken into account. The minimum A-level threshold (or equivalent in other qualifications) is either BBB at first attempt, ie: prior to commencing degree studies for those with an Upper Second Class Honours degree, or BBC at the first attempt for those with a First Class Honours Degree or a PhD and an Upper Second Class Honours degree. Applicants must have an appropriate science background at GCSE and A-level or equivalent (see below) and at least a 2.1 Honours classification in their primary (first) degree, which can be from a wide range of different subjects. A-level Chemistry and Biology/Human Biology are required. In addition, GCSE Mathematics minimum grade C is required if not offered at AS-level or A-level. Graduate applicants who fulfil these criteria are then scored with their UKCAT. Graduate applicants from a non-science background but who fulfil the conditions in terms of grades achieved at the first attempt (ie in their original choice of A-level subjects) and degree performance will be considered if they undertake the appropriate Science qualifications on completion of their degree.

International applicants are not scored (as above) and in considering applications a range of factors is taken into account including academic performance, predicted results (if applicable), evidence of English language ability, the Personal Statement and Reference.

Transfers from other Dental Schools Applications will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and entry will be to first year only. All normal entry requirements must be satisfied.

Further information 1. Prior to admission all applicants will be required to provide evidence that they are non-infectious for HIV, Hepatitis B. and Hepatitis C. 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. 2. 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 £33. At time of printing, changes are due to be implemented and relevant procedures and/or costs may 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. Additional checks may be required depending on the applicants address history. 3. The degree is subject to the University’s Regulations on Fitness to Practise. 4. Applicants will be required to give permission for a check against the Excluded Student Database prior to offers being made. This is a national database which records those who have previously been excluded from professional programmes because of fitness to practise concerns. 5. Selection criteria for Dentistry are reviewed annually and therefore you should read the 'How we choose our students' PDF which is available from the link below under Selection Criteria. More detailed information on applying to study Dentistry at Queen’s is also available from the School website at: www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Study/Dentistry Please note: the deadline for applications to this degree for 2020 entry is 6.00 pm on 15 October 2019 and arrangements should be made to undertake UCAT in advance of this.

Career Prospects

Introduction
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 Dental Foundation 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.

FURTHER STUDY

Many of our graduates combine specialist clinical training with further study at Queen’s at PhD of Master’s level in research or education.

Prizes and Awards(QSIS ELEMENT IS EMPTY)

Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI)	£4,395
England, Scotland or Wales (GB)	£9,250
Other (non-UK) EU *	£4,395
International	£31,850

Tuition fee rates are calculated based on a student’s tuition fee status and generally increase annually by inflation. How tuition fees are determined is set out in the Student Finance Framework.

* The tuition fees that EU students starting courses at UK universities following the agreed transition period are required to pay will depend on what is agreed as part of the UK's exit negotiations. Please refer to www.qub.ac.uk/brexit

Additional course costs

Dentistry costs

Year 1 students are required to buy a clinical tunic at a cost of approximately £25.
Students are required to cover their own costs for transport to any of the outreach teaching clinics used during the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme.

All students entering dentistry are required to undergo an enhanced disclosure check with Access NI which costs £33, payable at the start of the course.

International students must provide a certificate of good conduct.

How do I fund my study?

There are different tuition fee and student financial support arrangements for students from Northern Ireland, those from England, Scotland and Wales (Great Britain), and those from the rest of the European Union.

Information on funding options and financial assistance for undergraduate students is available at http://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/Fees-and-scholarships/.

Scholarships

Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students. Information on scholarships available.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at http://www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/International-scholarships/.

How and when to Apply

1. How to Apply
Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at:
www.ucas.com/apply

2. When to Apply
UCAS will start processing applications for entry in autumn 2020 from 1 September 2019.

Advisory closing date for Dentistry: 15 October 2019 (18:00).

Applications received after this date will not be considered.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as is consistent with having made a careful and considered choice of institutions and courses.

The Institution code for Queen’s is QBELF and the institution code is Q75.

Further information on applying to study at Queen's is available at:
www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/How-to-apply/

3. Terms and Conditions
After an offer is made this will be notified to applicants through UCAS. Confirmation will be emailed by the Admissions and Access Service and this communication will also include Terms and Conditions which applicants should read carefully in advance of replying to their offer(s) on UCAS Track.
www.qub.ac.uk/Study/TermsandConditions

4. International (Non- EU) Students
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL (NON-EU) STUDENTS
Applying through agents and partners
The University’s in-country representatives can assist you to submit a UCAS application. Please consult the Agent List to find an agent in your country who will help you with your application to Queen’s University.
www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/Applying/

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