BDS Dentistry (A206)

2025 entry | view 2024 entry

Course summary

In September 2023, we moved into our new Dental School building with the latest facilities and equipment, designed with input from our current students and staff to provide an exceptional educational experience.

This five-year degree has a strong core of clinical training supported by integrated learning of relevant sciences and technical skills. You will progress personally, academically, clinically and professionally, applying taught communication and teamworking skills when providing supervised dental care to a diverse range of patients in and around Bristol. You will learn to work within dental and wider healthcare teams and networks, demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and behaviours so you graduate as a safe practitioner.

The course structure comprises four main themes of development:

  • practitioner,
  • scholar and scientist,
  • professional and agent of change,
  • person and citizen.

You will be introduced to basic concepts in the healthy patient before progressing to apply your knowledge and skills to prevent and treat a range of oral diseases. In the first year, you will become familiar with the clinic environment through peer group activities and observations. You will begin your dental practice under supervision in clinics after completion of simulated skills training undertaken in our new state-of-the-art facilities. From your second year, you will treat patients with a wide variety, and increasing complexity, of oral and dental diseases in preparation for practice beyond graduation.

After the third year, you can choose to intercalate in a subject of personal interest to obtain a BA, BSc, or even a master's degree.

Student welfare is central to our programme and you will have access to a wide range of support, starting with our well-developed in-house personal tutor and senior tutor network, alongside support from the wider University.

Health and Disclosure and Barring Service check

Certain health conditions may be incompatible with careers in dentistry. Before starting your degree, you will need to complete a health assessment questionnaire and pre-course screening for blood-borne viruses. These blood tests are to identify the few individuals whose health status may place them and/or future patients at risk. Please note that as part of your training, you will come into contact with human and animal cadaveric material.

Practising dentistry demands the highest standards of professional and personal conduct. In accordance with General Dental Council guidelines, all dental students must complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. For more information, please visit our guidelines for students on the DBS disclosure page.

Accreditations

Our Dentistry BDS is approved by major professional bodies in the UK (GDC) so as a a graduate you can gain exemptions from a number of their examinations or credits for prior learning.

Course structure

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Go to programme catalogue

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

AAA including Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics. Graduates are required to obtain a 2:1 in their degree and BBB at A-level including Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics.
ABB including A in Chemistry and B in one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

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DDD in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in five specified Chemistry units

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36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6, 6 at Higher Level in Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations)
32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in Chemistry and 5 at Higher Level in one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations)

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
85% overall, with 8.5 in Chemistry and either Biology, Physics or Mathematics
Advanced Higher: AA in Chemistry and either Biology, Physics or Mathematics, and Standard Higher: AAAAB
Access to HE Diploma in Science, Biomedical/Medical/Health Science or Psychology (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above; and at least 12 credits at Distinction from Chemistry units; and at least 12 credits (with 9 at Distinction) from one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics.

More about Access to HE entry requirements
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

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