BDS|Undergraduate
Dentistry
Entry year
Academic Year 2023/24
Academic Year 2023/24
Entry requirements
AAA
AAA
Duration
5 years (Full Time)
5 years (Full Time)
UCAS code
A200
A200
Applications for 2022 entry are still open for some programmes. View courses
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Overview
The Dental School at Queen's has been responsible for delivering dental education in Northern Ireland since 1920. The 5-year curriculum has been designed to ensure our graduates have the knowledge, skills and attributes to work effectively and successfully in the dental profession.
Dentistry Degree highlights
The Dentistry degree programme at Queen's is Ranked 2nd in the Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021 and 3rd in the Guardian University Guide (2021) out of the 16 Dental Schools in the UK.
Professional Accreditations
- The Queen’s University Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree programme is recognised and accredited by the United Kingdom’s General Dental Council (GDC) as a registrable qualification.
Career Development
- Students will have the opportunity to undertake clinical placements from year 1 of the course. During their course students will gain experience in a range of clinical settings to help develop their skills and career opportunities.
- Students who successfully complete the BDS programme can apply for full registration with the GDC which allows the registrant to practise as a dentist in the UK if the student fulfils the UK government’s residency requirements.
World Class Facilities
- We take great pride in our commitment to enhancing the student learning experience and our modern clinical facilities are a key part of this. Our students are working and learning in clinics which have been redeveloped to a high specification and a state-of-the-art Clinical Techniques Laboratory (CTL) is now used by students throughout the programme.
Internationally Renowned Experts
- The Dentistry degree programme at Queen's is Ranked 2nd in the Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021 and 3rd in the Guardian University Guide (2021) out of the 16 Dental Schools in the UK.
"I have had the best experience studying in Queen’s University for my undergraduate degree. Academically, I felt supported by teaching staff who are approachable and passionate. I had the chance to work on a summer research project in the Centre of Dentistry focusing on linkages between tooth wear and gastrointestinal disease, which I got to present a poster on. There are also abundant opportunities to develop interests and improve skills outside of academia."
Perle Lo
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Course content -
Course content
Course Structure
Year 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. Year 3 Introduces a greater clinical component within the various clinical dental specialties. Students continue to develop their clinical skills in Restorative Dentistry, carrying out assessment and treatment of their own patients. Students also begin their teaching and core training in the specialty areas of Oral Surgery, Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry. In parallel, students also learn about the impact of systemic disease in dentistry. Year 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 teaching takes place both within the Dental School and in Outreach dental clinics. Learning and Teaching
At Queen’s Dental School, we provide 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:
- Clinical teaching in a simulated environment
Clinical teaching in a simulated environment provides students with the opportunity to learn, develop 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 Canvas. - Lectures
Are used to introduce core information about new topics to large groups and provide a starting point for further learning. Lectures are often linked to case-based learning seminars incorporating clinical scenarios and developing independent learning. - 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, engage with e-learning resources, reflect on feedback and research assignments in their own time. - Seminar/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 who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions and to assess progress and understanding with the support of peers. - Teaching and 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 across the full range of clinical disciplines.
Assessment
The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the learning outcomes 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. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in Canvas (Virtual Learning Environment).
Feedback
Feedback on performance is a vital part of our students' learning process. As you progress through your course you will receive general and specific feedback about your work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, clinical supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and your peers.
As a university student, you will be expected to reflect on and use this feedback continuously as a clinician.- 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.
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Entry Requirements - Clinical teaching in a simulated environment
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Entry Requirements
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 places available for International and European Union (Other) students on the BDS degree and interviews for these students take place online.UCAT
All applicants, assigned as Northern Ireland (NI), Great Britain (GB) or European Union - Republic of Ireland (EU (ROI)) 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/4 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-level and AS-level General Studies are not acceptable.
For NI and GB applicants, GCSE performance in the best 9 subjects will be scored with 4 points awarded for an A* (grade 9 on the new 9-1 grading scale), 3 points for an A (grades 7 and 8), 2 points for a B (grade 6) and 1 point for a C*/C (grades 4 and 5). Please note that only GCSEs completed in Year 11 and Year 12 (Year 10 and Year 11 in England and Wales) will be counted for scoring purposes.
For those who have not undertaken GCSE or equivalent level qualifications, then an academic score will be calculated on the basis of school reports.
UCAT 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.International Baccalaureate Diploma
36 points overall including 6 6 6 at Higher Level including Biology and Chemistry + GCSE Mathematics grade C/4 or an equivalent acceptable to the University.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/4 is required if not offered at AS-level or A-level. Graduate applicants who fulfil these criteria are then scored with their UCAT.
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 and European Union (Other) 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 2023 entry is 6.00 pm on 15 October 2022 and arrangements should be made to undertake UCAT in advance of this.Selection Criteria
In addition, to the entrance requirements above, it is essential that you read our guidance below on 'How we choose our students' prior to submitting your UCAS application.
International Students
Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.
English Language Requirements
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 acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
- Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
- Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.
International Students - Foundation and International Year One Programmes
INTO Queen's offers a range of academic and English language programmes to help prepare international students for undergraduate study at Queen's University. You will learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre on campus, and will have full access to the University's world-class facilities.
These programmes are designed for international students who do not meet the required academic and English language requirements for direct entry.
INTO - English Language Course(QSIS ELEMENT IS EMPTY)
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Careers -
Careers
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. On completion of undergraduate studies, most graduates 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
A number of our graduates combine specialist clinical training with further study at Queen’s at PhD or Master’s level in research or education.Additional Awards Gained
Year 1 students are required to buy a clinical tunic at a cost of approximately £25.
Students in Years 3-5 are required to buy clinical scrubs at a cost of approximately £30 (details will be provided)
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.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.
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Fees and Funding -
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £4,630 Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £4,630 England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £9,250 EU Other 3 £34,100 International £34,100 1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.
2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees, in line with the Common Travel Agreement arrangements.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees quoted are for the academic year 2022-23, and relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees for 2023 will be updated later in 2022, and will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
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.
Additional course costs
All Students
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.
Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library.
If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. A programme may have up to 6 modules per year, each with a recommended text.
Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.
Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.
If a final year includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.
Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.
There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Dentistry costs
Year 1 students are required to buy a clinical tunic at a cost of approximately £25.
Year 3-5 students are required to buy clinical scrubs at a cost of approximately £30 (details will be provided).
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 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 www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/International-scholarships/.
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Apply -
Apply
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/apply2. When to Apply
UCAS will start processing applications for entry in autumn 2023 from 1 September 2022.
Advisory closing date for Dentistry: 15 October 2022 (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/TermsandConditions4. 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/PREV
Fees and Funding