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Queen’s University Belfast offers a 5-year full-time BDS (UCAS code A200) through its Centre for Dental Education within the School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Sciences. From Year 1, you’ll begin developing clinical skills in simulated and real‑patient settings. You'll graduate with the professional behaviours, operative ability, and confidence needed to register as a dentist and provide comprehensive care.
Year‑by‑Year Curriculum Structure
Years 1–2: Build a strong foundation in biomedical and behavioural sciences, ethics, health promotion and patient management. Core clinical skills are taught via simulation and early clinic exposure.
Year 3: The clinical content rises. You'll treat your own patients in Restorative Dentistry and begin structured training in specialties like Oral Surgery, Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry, as well as studies on systemic disease relevant to dentistry.
Years 4–5: Focus shifts to advanced clinical training across specialty areas. You’ll deliver the full range of adult and child dental treatments both in the dental school and in NHS outreach clinics.
Accreditation
The BDS degree is fully accredited by the UK’s General Dental Council (GDC), making graduates eligible for full registration in the UK.
Rankings & Reputation
Ranked 1st in the UK for Dentistry in the Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 and 2025,
2nd in the Guardian University Guide 2025, and
7th in the Complete University Guide 2025 among 16 UK dental schools
Queen’s itself is a Russell Group research-intensive institution, ranking among top UK universities and in the QS Top 200 globally, with strong employability outcomes.
Campus & Facilities
Training happens in state-of-the-art clinical facilities, including:
90 dental chairs across high-spec clinics,
A Clinical Techniques Laboratory (CTL) with haptic simulators,
A newly renovated prosthetics teaching lab (refurbished 2023),
Digital dentistry tools and NHS outreach clinics around Belfast.
The Whitla Medical Building on Lisburn Road houses the school within Queen’s University’s main Belfast campus.
Research & Projects
Queen’s Dentistry is embedded within a research-rich school mit recognized for world‑class medical and dental research. Students can join summer research project opportunities (e.g. tooth wear and systemic disease links) and engage in intercalated degrees.
Placements & Internships
You begin clinical placements from Year 1, gaining exposure across NHS hospital, community and outreach clinics. The clinical exposure gradually builds to full patient care in Years 4–5.
Student Life & Organisations
While there's no specific "dental students’ society" listed on the official site, Queen’s Students’ Union offers over 150 clubs and societies, including medical, health and service-oriented groups. You'll find excellent peer and mentoring environments across campus.
Capstone Experience
The final years serve as a practical capstone—students work independently delivering comprehensive dental care to patients in both school and outreach settings, under supervision.
Career Services & Employability
Graduates may apply for full GDC registration, enabling them to practice in the UK. Career development support includes NHS connections, workshops, and mentoring. Queen’s is known for strong graduate outcomes—with ~91% in work or further study within 15 months. Fields often entered include NHS general practice, community dentistry, hospital dentistry, specialist training, and academia.
Future Progression
Studying for a dental degree at Queen’s will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions.
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.
A number of our graduates choose to return to the School of Clinical Dentistry later in their careers to teach.
AAA at A-level including Biology/Human Biology and Chemistry. GCSE Mathematics minimum grade C/4 is required if not offered at AS-level or A-level.AS-level performance and additional GCSE A grades may also be taken into account in borderline cases.36 points overall including 6 6 6 at Higher Level including Biology and Chemistry + GCSE Mathematics grade C/4 or an equivalent acceptable to the University.There are 15 places available for International and European Union studentsUCAT will be scored and used in conjunction with the academic score to rank for interview.Evidence of commitment to Dentistry, motivation, communication skills and initiative are important.General 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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Queens University Belfast
