BSc (Hons) Dental Therapy and Hygiene with Integrated Foundation Year

• The integrated foundation year provides an opportunity to study the biomedical and life sciences which underpin the contemporary clinical BSc (Hons) Dental Therapy and Hygiene programme in dedicated facilities with expert staff, before embarking on year one of the BSc course.
  
• Prepare for patient-centered shared care by learning in an inter-disciplinary team alongside students from biomedical sciences, medicine and dental therapy and hygiene.
• Your learning will be supported by dedicated study skills sessions and academic tutors, helping you get the most from your studies.
• Specialist modules will give you the opportunity to choose your own areas of interest to study further.
• By successfully completing the foundation year, you will have the opportunity to progress onto a pioneering, clinical course with state of the art facilities provided by established Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE), a Community Interest Company (CIC). Further details can be found on the BSc Dental Therapy and Hygiene page. 
• Applications are particularly welcomed from qualified Dental Nurses looking to advance their careers by training as a dual qualified Dental Therapist and Hygienist.
• The integrated foundation year is specifically designed to make the transition to a BSc as smooth as possible, with dedicated learning outcomes tailored to your profession. You will also have the opportunity to experience the assessment methods you will encounter in years one, two and three. 

• Year 1

• Core modules

  • Learning Skills for Dentistry (BDT003)

    This module is designed to underpin learning in other modules, equipping students with the skills required to succeed at University level study. It will provide opportunity to acquire generalizable skills and help students to become effective independent learners.

  • Infection, Immunity and Therapeutics (BHCS001)

    This module will provide an introduction to microbiology and the human immune system. Students will learn the fundamental biology relating to bacteria, helminths, viruses and fungi. And also develop an understanding of how our immune system has evolved to combat infection. The module will also explore methods to control microbial contamination and therapeutic strategies to prevent disease.

  • Current Developments in Human Biology and Biomedical Sciences (BHCS002)

    This module examines the role of science in addressing key contemporary issues in Human Biology and Biomedical Sciences. The module aims to take an integrative approach, aiming to develop in students both a critical appreciation of the ways in which issues in Human Biology can be approached and resolved, and to develop an understanding of the skills and attributes needed for effective study of such issues at undergraduate level.

  • Molecules to Cells (FMD001)

    This module introduces key concepts involved in cell regulation including genetic inheritance, metabolism and protein expression. The important role of enzymes in the control of biochemical pathways will be introduced, as will an introduction to cell signalling. Cellular organisation within different tissues will also be outlined, enabling students to recognise links between structure and function. Students should develop sufficient theoretical and practical understanding to enable progression to relevant honours degree programmes.

  • Introduction to Human Physiology (FMD002)

    This module will provide a foundation of knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and physiology. Using example systems, it will emphasise relationships between structure and function and examine homeostatic regulation in these systems. Students should develop sufficient theoretical and practical understanding to enable progression to relevant honours degree programmes.

  • Interdisciplinary Learning and Team Based Learning (Enquiry learning) (FMD004)

    This module is designed to enable learners to develop key skills required for working in multidisciplinary teams. Students will be encouraged to work with their colleagues to manage tasks and tailor learning according to their own particular discipline

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

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

Dental Therapy and Hygiene Foundation Year Programme Specification 20 21 4660

UCAS tariff

64

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.

BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma

MPP from a Science related subject.

BTEC National Certificate/QCF Diploma

MM from a Science related subject.

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.

Selection and admissions process

Applications should be made through UCAS by 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 here.

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.

Full details of our selection and admissions process can be found here.

Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise

Please view our Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise page.