Enter OTP
The BDS is a 5-year, full-time integrated degree (UCAS A200) offered at the School of Dentistry, which sits within the University Dental Hospital in collaboration with Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust. You’ll learn through a blend of anatomy, biosciences, clinical practice, ethics, and behavioural sciences—progressing from mannequin work to treating real patients—with early clinical exposure from Year 1 “phantom heads” up to community and hospital rotations in Year 5.
Year‑by‑Year Curriculum Structure
Year 1: Focus on foundational sciences—anatomy, physiology, biochemistry—via lectures, tutorials, and practicals, plus twice-weekly afternoons of observing clinical practice and learning professional skills.
Year 2: Builds on oral biology with themes in oral ecosystems, radiology, pathology, materials, cariology, paediatrics and orthodontics. Introduces pre-clinical lab skills and ethics/community dentistry. Clinical contact begins in July.
Years 3–4: Emphasis on integrated restorative care, endodontics, prosthodontics, periodontology, oral surgery, public health, medicine, and pathology. Clinic time increases, with students treating patients under supervision.
Year 5: Mostly based in external settings—district hospitals, community clinics, and outreach units—delivering advanced hands-on training.
Accreditation
Graduates earn a Bachelor of Dental Surgery, recognised by the General Dental Council (GDC), fully qualifying them to register as dentists in the UK
Rankings & Quality
Ranked Top 4 in UK for dentistry (Complete University Guide 2025)
Previously placed within top 50 globally in QS Dentistry rankings
Campus & Facilities
Located at Heath Park Dental Hospital, part of the Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust network. Students train in a £2.2 million state-of-the-art simulation suite, with phantom heads, intra-oral scanners, and 3D printing labs
Research & Projects
The School is research-intensive, contributing to fields like tissue engineering, biomaterials, oral health, public health, and community outreach. Students may engage via optional placements or intercalated study.
Internships & Clinical Placements
Clinical placements from Year 2, across NHS settings in hospitals and community clinics.
Annual work experience opportunities in specialised clinics (oral surgery, paediatrics, orthodontics)
Year 5 is entirely based on real-world placements.
Student Organisations & Support
Cardiff Dental Student Society (CDSS) organises mentoring (“dental parents”), ski trips, charity events, summer balls, sports matches, and outreach initiatives
Final Year Experience
Final year functions as a capstone through full-time placements across hospital, community, and outreach sites, preparing students for comprehensive, independent patient care
Career Services & Employability
Graduates are eligible for GDC registration and move into careers in:
Community and general dental practice
Hospital dentistry
The armed forces
Academic research
Specialisation (orthodontics, periodontics, etc.)
Placements
Studying Dentistry at Cardiff is so much more than lecture theatres and textbooks.
Putting your knowledge and skills into practice in real-clinical settings under the guidance of experienced dental professionals, is an important part of your development.
Our strong relationship with the NHS and outreach facilities across Wales will give you a wide ranging clinical exposure, and access to lots of different patients with various treatment requirements.
Future Progression
Most graduates apply for a one-year Dental Foundation (DF) training programme. This provides you with a supportive environment where you can continue to develop your skills and experience to the point where you become an independent practitioner.
Once you complete the DF year, you’ll be able to work in an NHS practice. Most of our eligible graduates go on to complete Dental Foundation Training which enables them to work in the NHS.
After their DF year, most graduates find work in general dental practices, in the community dental service or sometimes in the armed forces.
Some choose to undertake further specialist training to enable them to become speciality dentists, hospital or academic consultants or to become researchers.
AAA. Must include Biology and Chemistry. You will need to pass the science practical element of the A-level if this is part of your programme of study.36 overall or 666 in 3 HL subjects. Must include grade 6 in HL Biology and Chemistry.At least 7.0 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in speaking and a minimum of 6.5 in all other subskills.At least 100 overall with a minimum of 24 in speaking and 22 in all other subskills.Please note that all applicants are required to sit the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in the year of application.You will be required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check if your application is successful. If you are applying from certain countries overseas, a Certificate of Good Conduct may be required.Students who are shortlisted will be invited for MMI interviewGeneral Dentist / Dental PractitionerAssociate Dentist (NHS or Private Practice)Dental Officer (Hospital/Community Clinics)Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery AssistantOrthodontic Therapist (with training)Endodontist (after specialization)Periodontist (after specialization)Prosthodontist (after specialization)Paediatric Dentist (after specialization)Oral Surgeon (with DCT and training)Implantologist (with certification)Cosmetic/Aesthetic Dentist
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Cardiff University
