Masters in Dentistry for international students: top colleges, fees, entry requirements, courses, and career scope in the UK
Specialization in dentistry is a challenging discipline that requires both academic and technical skills. It is also a hard course to get into, especially the master’s dental courses in the UK. Students who wish to pursue a master’s dental course in the UK are required to show that they have great academic potential as well as the values and talents of a dentist.
The General Dental Council (GDC) is an independent organization that regulates dentists and other dental professionals in the UK. All dental degrees in the UK, including specialist master’s degrees in dentistry, must and should be registered with the GDC. Dentists in the UK must finish a specialized training program recognized by the GDC, after which they will be awarded a certificate of completion of specialist training (CCST), and their names will be included in the GDC’s specialist list.
Dentists in the UK can also join one or more of the specialist lists provided they finish the required training in that particular specialty. International graduates in dentistry can enter a postgraduate dental course in the UK only after passing the Overseas Registration Exam (ORE) conducted by GDC to enter their degree in the GDC register.
Overview of Dentistry master’s programs in the UK
Before you read the article, have a look at some of the highlights. It includes everything there is to know about master’s dentistry programs in the UK.
| Intake | October |
| Fee structure (tentative) | 37,017 to 68,124 USD*/year |
| Accommodation fees (tentative) | 648 to 965 USD*/month |
| Cost of living (tentative) | 3,545 USD*/year |
| Application fees (tentative) | Varies |
| Duration | 1-2 years depending on the specialization |
| Medium of instruction | English |
| Average salary | 82,831 USD*/year (source: Indeed) |
*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.
Why pursue a master’s in Dentistry in the UK?
The UK has long been at the forefront of dental studies. The UK government’s guaranteed quality of education from internationally recognized dental universities makes pursuing a master’s degree in dentistry a breeze. The following are some valid reasons for pursuing a master’s degree in dentistry in the UK:
- A master’s degree in dentistry from the UK is highly versatile and is accepted anywhere in the world
- The dental schools in the UK are recognized worldwide and top the rankings by QS and Shanghai in dentistry
- As of July 2021, international students in the UK can stay in the UK for two years after finishing their education, which allows them to find post-study work opportunities
- The top dental schools in the UK offer master’s courses in English, unlike in other European countries
- Students can choose from thirteen dental specialties that are approved by the General Dental Council (GDC) of the UK
Career options after a master’s in Dentistry from the UK
Following completion of a master’s degree in dentistry, dentists in the UK can work in a variety of settings, including general practice, community dentistry, hospital dentistry, armed forces dentistry, corporate dental clinics, university teaching, and research. Here is a list of some popular career opportunities for those with a master’s degree in dentistry from the UK.
- General Dentist
- Orthodontist
- Prosthodontist
- Health promotion specialist
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Endodontist
- Health service manager
- Medical sales representatives
- Primary school teacher
- Dental Hygienist
- Dental Therapist
- Military dental professional
- Science writer
- Teaching Laboratory technician
- University professor
Top Dentistry master’s universities in the UK
The following table lists the top dental schools in the UK that provide master’s degrees, as well as their position in the QS and Shanghai 2022 rankings:
| University Name | QS Ranking (Dentistry) | Shanghai Ranking (Dentistry) |
| King’s College London | 9 | 3 |
| University College London | 17 | 11 |
| Queen Mary, University of London | 14 | 51-75 |
| University of Birmingham | 24 | 19 |
| University of Cardiff | 51-70 | 76-100 |
| University of Dundee | 76-100 | 76-100 |
| University of Leeds | 49 | 76-100 |
| University of Manchester | 35 | 31 |
| University of Newcastle | 51-70 | 51-75 |
| University of Sheffield | 51-70 | 76-100 |
Popular postgraduate dental courses in the UK
Students should not enroll in a postgraduate degree program in the UK immediately after passing their final bachelor’s exam in dentistry. Most universities require students to have at least two years of clinical experience as a dentist before applying for a postgraduate degree program. Universities in the UK offer two types of master’s courses in dentistry: taught courses or research-based, and these can be either clinical or non-clinical programs. Students can choose whichever they wish depending on their choice. The following is a list of postgraduate specialties in the UK authorized by GDC:
- Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology
- Dental Public Health
- Endodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
- Restorative Dentistry
- Oral Medicine
- Oral Microbiology
- Oral Surgery
- Orthodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Special Care Dentistry
Admission requirements for master’s in Dentistry courses in the UK
The government sets a limit on how many international students a dental school can accept each year, especially for master’s degree candidates. Therefore, interested students should make sure that they meet all the necessary educational requirements before applying to any university in the UK. Some general academic requirements for dental master’s courses in the UK are as follows:
- A certified bachelor’s degree in dentistry with a GPA of 3.0 and above (4.0 scale)
- Academic transcripts
- Valid passport
- Passport photographs
- UCAT or BMAT scores if applicable
- Completed visa application
- Motivational letter
- Panel interviews, multiple mini interviews (MMIs) or online interviews
- Resume
- Recommendation letters (two)
- Work experience (highly recommended)
- English language proficiency (TOEFL 90 or above and IELTS 6.5 and above)
Few universities, such as the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) dental school, do not use the UCAT or BMAT tests as part of their selection process and instead conduct their own entrance exam.
Admission process for master’s in Dentistry courses in the UK
Students who are interested in applying can do so through the university’s website or the University and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS). Gyanberry is another option for students who want to assure a timely application procedure. Students can apply to Queen’s University Belfast School of Medicine and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) dental school through Gyanberry. The following is the general application process for master’s in dentistry courses in the UK.
- Complete the online application form with accurate information and submit it along with the required document copies
- Students may be asked to take an admissions exam (UCAT or BMAT) or a personal interview by universities as a part of the admission process
- Upon selection students will receive an offer letter from the respective university
- Pay the fees in full or in part, depending upon the university’s requirements
- Following payment of fees, students can begin the VISA application process and make travel plans
- Fly to the UK upon receiving student VISA (Tier 4 Visa)
- Make plans for accommodation and pay the deposit in advance
Accommodation and cost of living in the UK
Since the cost of living and studying is high students should have enough funds to support their expenses throughout their studies in the UK. The university accommodation cost range from 648 to 965 USD*/per month while the private accommodation cost range from 657 to 891 USD*/per month. The living cost can be broken down into
| Particulars | Costs in USD*/year |
| Transportation | 384 |
| Food | 2,208 |
| Mobile bills | 360 |
| Health insurance | 593 |
| Total | 3,545 |
*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.
Scholarships, bursaries, and funding options for master’s in Dentistry courses in the UK
Studying in the UK is not as inexpensive as it is in other European countries. Therefore, international students can apply for a variety of scholarships, bursaries, and financing options from the UK government to help cover the expenses of their studies. Here are a few popular ones:
| Scholarship Name | Description |
| Global Wales Postgraduate Scholarship | Wales scholarship program is for international students interested in pursuing a master’s degree at a Welsh university |
| Chevening Scholarships | This scholarship is for students from Vietnam and India who wish to pursue postgraduate studies in Wales. |
| British Council scholarships for women in STEM | Women in STEM can apply for British Council scholarships to pursue a master’s degree or an early academic fellowship at a prominent UK university in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. |
| GREAT Scholarships | This scholarship covers the cost of a one-year taught postgraduate degree and is worth a minimum of £10,000 (12,629 USD*) in tuition fees |
| Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships | Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded to high achievers who have the capacity to make a difference in the world. Every year, roughly 800 scholarships for postgraduate study and professional growth are given out |
Also some dental colleges offer their own scholarships and bursaries for master’s programs in dentistry for international students.
*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.
