Course Comparison

Course
BDS Dental Surgery with Integrated Foundation Year BSc (Hons) Dental Therapy and Hygiene with Integrated Foundation Year
Award
Bachelor of Dental Surgery - BDS Bachelor of Science - BSc (Hons)
Duration
6 years 4 years
Assessment breakdown
- -
Course type
Full-time Full-time
Placement
(with placements) (with placements)
Location
Plymouth Plymouth
Provider
Peninsula Dental School Peninsula Dental School
Entry requirements
We aim to build a picture of the circumstances that may have adversely affected an applicant’s education and academic potential. When assessing an application we will consider a range of educational, social, family, and individual characteristics and experiences. Applications for this course will therefore only be considered if the contextual entry requirements are met alongside the academic criteria.
Applicants for this course must not meet the A level and GCSE grade requirements for the five-year Dental Surgery (A206) course. However, if you meet either the GCSE or A level requirements for A206 but not the other, then you would be considered for the foundation course.
We are unable to accept international applicants for this programme going forward (2024 entry onwards). 
Students must be 18 years old or over at the start date of this programme.
Please note the following information concerning entry requirements for this course: 
  • None of the typical offers listed below are necessarily the threshold for interview selection. Other factors including the number of applications received may influence the threshold for interview selection.
  • Applicants for this course must not meet the Level 3 and GCSE grade requirements for the three-year Dental Therapy and Hygiene course (B750). However, if you only meet some elements of the three year programme, for example the GCSE but not the Level 3 requirement, you would be considered for the foundation course.
  • We will only consider an application from each candidate for either Dental Therapy and Hygiene with Foundation Year or Dental Therapy and Hygiene. Offers will not be made for both programmes.
GCSE
Applicants need to achieve 5 GCSE passes (grade C/grade 4 or higher) which must include the following subjects: 
  • English Language
  • Mathematics 
  • One Science subject – awarded in either Chemistry, Biology, or Physics or Combined Science
Plus suitable Level 3 qualifications or experience as outlined below:
Experience in lieu of Level 3 entry requirements 
At least 2 years in practice experience as a qualified registered Dental Nurse (proof may be required at the time of application). Applicants must have 2 years’ experience at the point of application
OR
A Level
CC at GCE A Level, which must include a science subject.
We are only able to consider Level 3 qualifications completed within five years of the start of the application cycle. For example, qualifications completed since 2016 would still be valid when applying in September 2021. 
BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma
MPP from a Science related subject.
BTEC National Certificate/QCF Diploma
MM from a Science related subject.
City & Guilds Extended Diploma in Dental Nursing 
Grade Distinction + A level in a Science subject, at grade C. 
Access
45 Level 3 credits to include 15 at Merit and 30 at Pass in a relevant subject, such as Science, Combined Studies, Natural Sciences or Nursing.
International Baccalaureate
24 overall with grade 4 or above in a Higher Level science. Other subjects to include English, Mathematics and one Science subject.
GNVQ and AGNVQ
Passes in Science subjects.
International Applicants
If you intend to practice in your home country post-graduation please ensure you check with the nations’ dental council before committing to study with us. Individual requirements are often not very transparent and you should confirm whether our degree is transferable overseas before submitting an application.
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To confirm whether your qualification will be considered, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk
All teaching at our school is in English, so if you are an international applicant you must have a suitable English Language qualification. If you are unsure whether your English Language qualification is suitable, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
The University will no longer accept the IELTS indicator (online test). All applicants will have to take the IELTS test at an approved centre.
Selection and admissions process
Applications should be made through UCASby the published deadline. This is typically the 15th January. 
All decisions on applications are made by the Admissions Advisory Panel, which consists of academics, clinicians and senior members of the administrative team.
The University of Plymouth Medicine and Dentistry Admissions Team process applications as follows: 
1. Shortlisting for interview– Applicants are considered for interview based on relevant academic qualifications alone. We do not currently consider personal statements or work experience when selecting for interview
The Admissions Advisory Panel consider many factors when choosing who will be invited to attend an interview, including the number of places available on the course and the number of applications received, alongside the academic profiles of all of our applicants
2. Interview – Successful applicants are invited to attend an interview process. We use Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) as the format for our interviews, and full details can be found on the Medicine and Dentistry selection and admissions process page.
Following interviews, candidates are ranked based on the score achieved and the top performing applicants are offered a place on the course
3. Offer – Offers are made via UCAS. Within all offers, candidates are required to complete a series of health and police checks, full details of which are communicated to firm offer holders by the Admissions Team.
Practising as a doctor requires the highest standards and we take seriously our commitment to only enrol and teach students with the integrity required of the profession. Full details can be found on our Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise page.
Students must be 18 years old or over at the start date of this programme.

Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise