Study Dentistry Courses in the UK

Dentistry in the UK for International Students: Top Universities, Courses, Cost, Entry Requirements, and Scholarships

The United Kingdom is a region where International students benefit greatly from the country’s superb higher-education system, especially in the medical field. Dentistry in the UK typically involves five years and is rigorous academically and technically. Universities like King’s College London, UCL, etc provide a stellar dental education to students.

The BDS degree (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) is the most prevalent sort of dental qualification, although students who want to specialize in a specific area of expertise can pursue a master’s degree in dental surgery or other specializations of their choice later on.

According to OfficeforStudents.uk, during the academic year of 2020-21, there were 10,461 medical students enrolled in the UK, with 1,198 of those being dentistry students. Upon graduation, the average annual salary of dentists is USD 50,000 to 70,000. 

Here are some quick facts related to studying Dentistry in the UK:

Why study Dentistry in the UK?

• Dentistry graduates can opt to specialize in a specific area early in their careers due to their highly specialized skill set.

• Only six months after graduating from university, graduates in dentistry are usually paid more than $32,197 in their specialized professions.

• You can be your own boss in dentistry. Dentists can strike a healthy balance between their personal and professional life in order to suit their unique requirements and objectives.

• As a dentist in the United Kingdom, you have a lot of freedom and flexibility, as well as a lot of work stability.

• Private practice, teaching, research, and public health are just a few of the private and public dental careers available.

Popular Dentistry Courses in the UK

Dentistry courses in the UK are challenging and competitive. International students need to clear English Language proficiency tests like IELTS and TOEFL. Some universities might ask the students to take UCAT.

Undergraduate Dentistry Courses in the UK

Undergraduate Dentistry courses in the UK generally last five years (six if a foundation year is required). The most undergraduate degree for dentistry is the BDS degree (Bachelor of Dental Surgery). The average tuition fee for a Bachelor of Dental Surgery is about USD 35,000 to 50,000. 

Postgraduate Dentistry Courses in the UK 

Upon completion of an undergraduate course in dentistry, students can choose any specialization they would like to pursue in their postgraduate studies. The duration of a master’s degree in dentistry specializations is one year. Some universities offer 18 months or two years courses too. The average cost of tuition is USD 30,000 to USD 38,000.

Popular postgraduate dentistry courses are:

• MSc Paediatric Dentistry
• MSc Clinical Dentistry
• MSc Forensic Dentistry
• MSc Regenerative Dentistry
• MSc Dental Public Health
• MSc Dental Technology
• MSc Oral Science 

Admission requirements

To get admitted into medical school, most dental degrees require the following:

• Chemistry and Biology are required with your high school diploma.
• Obtaining a passing score on the UKCAT or BMAT exams
• An interview
• A personal statement
• Experience in the workplace

Additionally, you may also require:

• Typical IELTS criteria with a score of 7.0 overall, with no one component scoring lower than 6.5.
• Overall, a 37-point International Baccalaureate (including core points), with at least 766 at the upper level.

Application deadlines: 

The following are the application deadlines for these top universities:

King’s College London: 15thh October.

Queen Mary University of London: 26th January.

University College of London (UCL): March 31st.

Where to apply: You can either apply through the university websites or you can apply via Gyanberry for timely admissions and assured placements.

Top Universities for Dentistry in the UK

King’s College London:

King’s College London has a strong history of motivating and supporting individuals who want to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges, having been founded in the Church of England tradition by the Duke of Wellington and King George IV, who issued the royal charter in 1829.

The institution has had a transformative influence on society in a variety of ways, from research that contributed to the discovery of the structure of DNA to shaping air pollution awareness and legislation to generating life-changing medicines and making math education available to marginalized groups. Here are some additional facts about the College:

• King’s College Dentistry Section was placed first in the UK in the QS topic rankings for 2021.

• It is the UK’s largest dental school, graduating roughly 150 dentists every year.

• Guy’s, King’s College, and St Thomas’ are among the world’s most renowned hospitals in partnership with the college.

• The international tuition charge for dentistry, for the academic year 2022-2023 is $51,398.

• Face-to-face instruction is supplemented and supported by cutting-edge technology, allowing students to participate in digital learning and evaluation.

• They provide a diverse choice of undergraduate and postgraduate student homes around central London. The residences of King’s College are both pleasant and secure.

Admission requirements:

In order to be accepted into King’s College London, you must meet certain criteria. This criterion being:

• A-level (or similar) Biology or Chemistry with a grade of A, plus a grade of A in one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, or Psychology.
• 35 points on the International Baccalaureate, including 766 in the Higher Level.
• Grade 6 in Higher Level Chemistry or Biology is required.
• All applicants must take the UCAT (formerly known as UKCAT) before applying to this program, and the UCAT must be taken in the same year as the application
• Typical IELTS criteria are a score of 7.0 overall, with no one component scoring lower than 6.5.

Queen Mary University of London:

Queen Mary University has a rich, proud, and distinct heritage that dates back to 1785 and includes four historic institutions, St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College, London Hospital Medical College, Westfield College, and Queen Mary College.

All four of these institutions were established with the goal of improving the lives of those who are less fortunate. The London Hospital Medical College and St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College were founded to enhance the health of the City and East London residents. Here are some additional facts about this college:

• As a dental student, you’ll be exposed to patients early on, and you’ll be able to work in their outreach clinics in Canary Wharf and Stratford as your studies advance.

• Queen Mary University’s Dentistry Section was placed second in the UK in the QS topic rankings for 2021.

• The international student tuition fee for dentistry is $45,693.

• You’ll get access to a tailored career program that includes seminars, presentations, and hands-on training.

• In addition, the Queen Mary Careers team can provide assistance in locating job experience, internships, and volunteer opportunities.

• They have about 32,000 students enrolled in degree courses and almost 4,500 employees.

Admission requirements:

In order to be accepted into Queen Mary University, you must meet certain criteria. This criterion being:

• Overall, 38 points on the International Baccalaureate, including 666 points in Higher Level topics.
• Biology or Chemistry, as well as a second science course or mathematics, must be included in a high school diploma.
• The A-Level of A*AA scores must be obtained in one sitting throughout a two-year study period.
• All candidates for dentistry must undertake the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)
• You will typically be needed to show a Secure English Language Test for on-campus Pre-Sessional English courses (SELT)

University College of London (UCL):

UCL is London’s leading multifunctional university, with over 13,000 employees and 42,000 students from 150 countries. It was founded in 1826 in the heart of London. Their world-renowned professors, inquisitive students, and excellent staff strive for excellence, breaking barriers, and making an impact on real-world challenges via an innovative approach to teaching and research.

UCL has been known to always do things in a unique way. They have never been reluctant to reconsider the standards of education and research as one of the few English institutions to encourage tolerance, diversity, and open-mindedness. Here are some additional facts about the University:

• UCL, headquartered in London, is a world-renowned academic institution for postgraduate dentistry and translational research.

• UCL’s Dentistry Section was placed third in the UK in the QS topic rankings for 2021.

• The international students’ tuition fee for dentistry is $40,860.

• International professionals direct their clinically intense courses. They are also a world-class research institute that offers a variety of PhD programs.

• They are always working to improve systemic and oral health by developing new treatments, therapies, diagnostics, and smart materials.

• The Institute has a close and mutually beneficial partnership with the University College Hospital NHS Trust’s UCLH Eastman Dental Hospital.

Admission requirements:

In order to be accepted into UCL, you must meet certain criteria. This criterion being:

• Three A Levels form the basis of their entry criteria. They give regular offers in the range A*A*A–ABB, depending on the degree course.
• For admission to their programs, they accept the full International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP). This usually entails three topics at the Advanced Level, three subjects from the Standard Level, and an Essay on a Topic of Interest.
• To satisfy UCL’s English language requirements for undergraduate studies, you must demonstrate English competence in your standard TOEFL or IELTS test.

Cost of studying Dentistry in the UK

Dentistry is among the most competitive degrees in the United Kingdom. The field courses in the nation last around five years and are quite tough. So, if you want to study Dentistry in the United Kingdom, you must be prepared to cover all of your living expenses. Here’s a quick breakdown of all your living expenses:

Fees for studying Dentistry in the UK:

Cost of living at Different Universities:

For more specialized information on the cost of living for medicine students in the UK, you may refer to the Cost of Studying Medicine in the United Kingdom by Gyanberry.

* Living costs in EUR have been converted to USD at the exchange rate of 1 EUR = 1.07 USD. Exchange rates are subject to periodic change.

Career prospects after Dentistry in the UK/Dentistry after BDS in the UK

Dentistry is a good fit for those who want to take frequent vacations, work flexible days or hours, or practice in multiple locations. Here are a few examples of the jobs you can get in this field:

• General Dental practice
• Dentist for the Armed forces 
• Oral and maxillofacial surgeon
• Lecturer or researcher
• Dental Foundation Trainees
• NHS hospital trust employee
• Community dental service

Upon graduation, students go on to earn USD 50,000 to 70,000 in the UK. The promotion to a six-figure salary happens rather quickly for dentists.

Scholarships offered

Studying Dentistry in the UK can be an expensive and arduous process. For those students who are studying from overseas and find it difficult to bear the mountain of expenses, there are a number of scholarships available. These Scholarships are

The King’s Medical & Dental Hardship Fund:

This is a Scholarship that is offered to assist medical and dental students who require financial assistance while pursuing their education. The fund’s awards are primarily meant to help students with day-to-day living expenses including rent, electricity bills, and transport, however, awards for tuition fees may be considered in rare cases. The Scholarship’s worth varies and is determined by the circumstances. The evaluation will take into account your unique circumstances, and the award you may get will be based on the overall amount of financial need determined by the assessment.

The John Abernethy (Barts) Scholarship:

This Scholarship is given on the basis of home income and academic success. It is an award given at a value of $5350 per year given to two new medical students and one new dentistry student each year.

AMID scholarship in honor of Patricia Santos:

 This prize is funded by three partners (Denplan, PB/OralB, and GC Europe), and students can compete for a prize of up to $9,630 (the equivalent of a year’s tuition expenses). The grant is given to students who have excelled in both clinical and academic components of the program, as well as their end-of-second-year outcomes.

* Costs in EUR have been converted to USD at the exchange rate of 1 EUR = 1.07 USD. Exchange rates are subject to periodic change.