Peninsula Dental School

MSc Oral Surgery

Programme code 4644
Duration

3 years
Course type

Part-time
Study location Exeter
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Develop your confidence and competence in oral surgery (OS) with this highly practical MSc designed to enable working dental practitioners to study for a postgraduate degree. Led by a team of Oral Surgery Consultants and Specialists, the course delivers a large element of practical, simulated and clinical training, whilst also augmenting your theoretical knowledge and decision-making skills.

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Delivered by professional experts, our programmes are tailored to you and your career. Together, we address today's most challenging healthcare issues, through research-informed teaching and active, real-world learning.

Plymouth ranked #1 best UK university for dentistry

Our dentistry courses scored 100 out of 100, making them number 1 in the UK in the Guardian's league table of the best universities in 2024.

Key features
  • In addition to a core teaching team of consultants and specialists in oral surgery, you will benefit from the input of respected visiting clinicians and educators.
  • Develop your diagnosis, treatment planning, patient management and practical surgical techniques, all of which will be underpinned by rigorous appraisal of the evidence base giving you the skills to be critically effective and reflective in your own practice.
  • Each module at the certificate and diploma stages includes hands on consultant/specialist led supervision and clinical time to facilitate the demonstration, assimilation and practice of taught surgical techniques
  • Teaching includes small group seminars, tutorials, self-directed learning and practical hands on teaching and training in state of the art clinical facilities and simulated dental learning environments.
  • Accredited by The Royal College of Surgeons of England.
  • Regular patient-facing clinical days offering the opportunity to carry out oral surgery with close supervision and support from consultant and specialist Oral Surgeons.
  • CBCT accreditation included as part of the Year2/Diploma stage of the programme.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • To gain a postgraduate certificate (60 credits) you need to successfully complete both year one modules. Adding the successful completion of the year two modules (60 credits) results in a postgraduate diploma (120 credits).
    You can then opt to take the year three dissertation module (60 credits), successful completion of which will lead to the MSc award (180 credits).

    Core modules

    MOS711
    Foundations of Oral Surgery

    This module covers key concepts underpinning the delivery of minor oral surgery enabling learners to develop their understanding and knowledge of the subject area. The module covers the founding basic sciences, diagnosis, treatment planning, patient management and issues associated with consent, local anaesthetic and exodontia skills.

    MOS713
    Oral Surgery in Practice

    This module enables students to develop their skills and knowledge in minor oral surgery (MOS) as well as introducing the further concepts of surgical extractions, the management of surgical complications and management of the medically compromised patient. It provides an introduction to dentoalveolar trauma and oral mucosal disease diagnosis and management.

  • Year 2

  • Core modules

    MOS723
    Enhanced Oral Surgery in Practice 1

    This module builds on existing knowledge and newly acquired skills to introduce more complex minor oral surgery treatment options including the diagnosis and management of facial pain, management of unerupted teeth, soft tissue surgery and the management options available for the anxious patient undergoing minor oral surgery (MOS).

    MOS724
    Enhanced Oral Surgery in Practice 2

    This module augments knowledge and newly acquired skills from previous modules and applies this knowledge and skill in more complex clinical situations. Further specialised procedures are introduced including periradicular surgery; implant placement and minor oral surgery related to orthodontic treatment. The module will develop the learner’s abilities in critical evidence appraisal and clinical question formulation in relation to research and project design.

  • Final year

  • You will develop evidence-based dentistry skills through the completion of an evidence synthesis project. The objective is to undertake a high-quality literature review in accordance with best practice for evidence synthesis.

    Core modules

    DIS734
    Dental Programmes Masters Project

    On this module, students will design, plan and undertake a review of the evidence relevant to their chosen field of study. Students will specify a research question, make methodological decisions and synthesise the available literature.

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry.

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

MSc Oral Surgery programme specification_4644

Entry requirements
Graduates should be in practice in the UK whilst undertaking the programme and hold GDC registration. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis subject to graduates fulfilling the above pre-requisites and Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry English language requirements.
As a dental practitioner, you should also have full professional indemnity and normally at least two years of clinical experience (full time equivalent).
If you meet the above entry requirements you will be required to attend an interview.
If your first language is not English you will be required to provide evidence of competence in English language. The minimum acceptable English language requirement for postgraduate courses is IELTS 6.5 overall, in both cases with minimum 5.5 across all four components (listening, reading, speaking, writing). Other acceptable tests and scores include PTE Academic: 61, with minimum 51 across all four components (listening, reading, speaking, writing).
Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APCL) and accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) refer to the process by which previous formal certificated learning and informal non-certificated learning can be awarded credit towards modules within the sphere of Higher Education. Credit for prior learning, whether certificated or experiential, may count towards the requirements for the named award. The maximum amount of credit for prior learning (certificated or experiential) claimed towards the award is 120 credits. To qualify for the award of a masters degree, your dissertation must be completed at the University of Plymouth. If you are seeking credit (whether certificated or experiential), you will normally be required to apply for such credit on receipt of an offer of a place on the programme. Requests for APCL if you are already on a programme will be considered provided that you submit the request in the session before you would normally begin the module/stage for which you are seeking credit. In the case of requests for APEL, this would be at least six months prior to the beginning of the session before you would normally begin the module(s)/stage against which you are seeking credit.
The University of Plymouth is committed to providing equality for all irrespective of age, disability, ethnicity (including race, colour and nationality), gender, gender reassignment, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and will work to ensure that all students, employees and visitors, as well as those who apply or seek to apply to work or study at the University, are treated fairly and are not subjected to discrimination by the University on any of these grounds (University Equality and Diversity Policy, Revised April 2011).
We welcome applications from people with disabilities who will be considered on the same academic grounds as other potential students. Considerations about individual needs arising from disability will be made separately, and we will strive to meet an individual disabled student's needs wherever possible and in consultation with Disability Services .
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary .

Fees, costs and funding
Academic Stage P/T delivery only Fee per 60 credits 2024–25 Fee per 60 credits 2025–26
Stage 1 (certificate) £10,000 £10,300
Stage 2 (diploma) £10,000 £10,300
Stage 3 (dissertation) £5,000 £5,150
MSc – full cost £25,000 £25,750

How to apply

Apply online

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for this programme.
Before you apply
Make sure you have all your supporting documents. Documents required usually include:
  • evidence of qualifications (degree certificates or transcripts), with translations if not in English, to show that you meet, or expect to meet the entry requirements
  • evidence of English language proficiency, if English is not your first language
  • personal statement of approximately 250–400 words about the reasons for your interest in this course and outlining the nature of previous and current teaching experience. You can write this into the online application form, or send it as a separate attachment
  • two academic/professional references, confirming your suitability for the course
  • two passport photographs
  • curriculum Vitae or résumé, including details of relevant professional/voluntary experience, professional registration/s and visa status for overseas workers
  • proof of sponsorship, if applicable.
When to apply
Most of our taught programmes begin in January. Applications can usually be made throughout the year, and are considered until programmes are full. Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible as places are limited.
Submitting an application
Once you are happy that you have all of the information required you can apply using our online postgraduate application form (the blue 'Apply' icon on this page).
Once you have registered and logged in, please enter the ‘course code’ which can be found above into the search bar to begin your application.
Additional guidance information can also be downloaded on how to fill in the postgraduate application form .
Admissions policy
More information and advice for applicants can be referenced in our online admissions policy for taught programmes. Prospective students are advised to read the policy before making an application to the University.
What happens after I apply?
For more information contact the Medicine and Dentistry Admissions team.
If you would like to speak to one of our course information advisors, please contact us:
University of Plymouth
Faculty of Health
The John Bull Building
Research Way
Plymouth Science Park
Plymouth
PL6 8BU
You may be asked to provide additional information, to take part in an interview (which in the case of overseas students may be by telephone or video conference) or you will be sent a decision by letter or email.
The University aims to make the application procedure as simple and efficient as possible. Our Admissions and Course Information team is on hand to offer help and can put you in touch with the appropriate faculty if you wish to discuss any programme in detail. The Doctoral College is also available to answer any queries on our postgraduate research degrees.
If you have a disability and would like further information about the support provided by the University of Plymouth, please visit our Disability Services website.
Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office .

Oral Surgery options: study for one, two or three years part time – please contact admissions to discuss your study route requirements

  • uPostgraduate Certificate, one year 60 credits

  • uPostgraduate diploma, two years, 120 credits

  • uMSc, three years, 180 credits

Developing new ways of delivering dental care in the South West

Liz Eilertsen, BDS Dental Surgery and MSc Oral Surgery graduate, used her skills and further study to set up a new and thriving practice in a part of the UK deprived of dental care.
"Dentistry is so much more than just teeth – Peninsula gave me a strong dental foundation and now I run my own practice."
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Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise CIC

As such, everything it does is guided by the need to fulfil its ‘community interest statement’ which sets out its mission and reason for existence as a company.
​Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE) is a Community Interest Company (CIC).
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Postgraduate Masters Loan

Thinking of starting a postgraduate masters course this year? You could get help to pay for your course and living costs.
This programme qualifies for the Student Loans Company Postgraduate Loans scheme.
All information about the Postgraduate Masters Loan can be found either through the Government or The Student Room websites.
To check your eligibility and for full details on how to apply please visit the Government's Masters Loans page.
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Our equality and diversity policies
Our policies, developed in consultation with University of Plymouth Students' Union (UPSU), highlight our commitment to provide supportive and inclusive learning, working and social environment in which all members of the University community can realise their potential and are treated with dignity and respect.
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