Enter OTP
The BDS at Birmingham is an engaging five‑year degree rooted in early patient contact and built on strong scientific foundations. Delivered through the Birmingham Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry—a modern, stand‑alone facility—students benefit from integrated teaching between clinic and lecture, mentored by world‑class clinicians and researchers.
Curriculum Structure (Year‑by‑Year)
Year 1: Biological sciences, anatomy, physiology, and introduction to clinical skills via simulation. Teaching is mostly lecture-based with limited placements (about 1% placement time)
Year 2: Builds on disease understanding and oral biology. Pre-clinical skills continue, with students starting supervised clinical interaction (~10% placement time)
Year 3: Strong focus on operative, restorative and periodontal dentistry. Around 40% of time is in patient clinics under supervision
Year 4: Students rotate across specialties—oral surgery, paediatrics, orthodontics—focused on clinical experience, with placement time rising to ~50%
Year 5: Advanced patient care with more autonomy—students manage individual cases and deliver treatment plans (~60% of time is in placements)
Accreditation
Fully accredited by the General Dental Council (GDC); after completing the BDS and foundation training, graduates may register as qualified dentists in the UK.
Program Ranking & Reputation
The University of Birmingham sits within the top 12 UK universities (Complete University Guide 2025) and ranks #18 globally in QS 2025
Campus & Facilities
The School of Dentistry is housed in a purpose-built facility adjacent to the Birmingham Dental Hospital on Edgbaston campus, serving over 120,000 patients per year across specialties.
Campus life is friendly and compact, centered around green spaces and modern labs.
Research & Projects
The school is research-intensive, with strengths in oral medicine, biomaterials, regenerative dental sciences and public health. It uses LiftUpp, an advanced digital system, to track clinical skill progression and support reflective learning.
Clinical Placements & Internships
Clinical exposure begins from Year 2 in NHS and community-based settings. Practice in real clinics increases steadily through years 3–5, offering diverse patient experiences.
Student Organisations & Life
Dental students can join the Birmingham Dental Society, which coordinates academic events, social outreach, and networking.
University-wide, there are 200+ societies, including sports, music, volunteering and cultural clubs—making Birmingham a vibrant campus community.
In final year, students manage their own patient lists and deliver comprehensive care plans, assessed through clinical portfolios and competencies with faculty mentorship.
Career Support & Employability
The Careers Network supports dental students with application guidance for Dental Foundation Training (DFT), CV feedback, mock interviews, and job fairs.
UK’s first fully integrated dental hospital-school building in nearly four decades, offering cutting-edge simulation and clinical facilities to gain practical exposure for better employement.
Strong employer engagement, backed by Birmingham’s #1 rating for recruitment targeting
Employment Outcomes & Salary
Virtually 100% of graduates enter DFT within months. Starting salary in NHS DFT is approximately £34,000–£38,000, with earnings rising in practice ownership or specialist roles.
To become a specialist dentist in the UK or internationally, many BDS graduates pursue these routes, often after 2–3 years of general practice and training:
UK Specialist Pathways (after DFT/DF2):
MClinDent (Master of Clinical Dentistry) – 3–4 years full-time
Orthodontics
Prosthodontics
Periodontology
Paediatric Dentistry
Endodontics
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
MPaedDent, MOrtho, MEndo – Royal College exams paired with NHS registrar training (competitive and requires NHS approval)
PGDip / MSc in Restorative Dentistry or Implant Dentistry – For general dentists looking to enhance private practice offerings
MFDS/MJDF (Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery) – Entry into postgraduate training (often before master's)
6,6,6 at Higher Level (to include Chemistry and Biology) with a minimum of 32 points overallAAA to include Chemistry and BiologyGCSE required subjects to include A*/8 in Biology and Chemistry and A/7 in Mathematics and English Language or Literature. GCSE resits are not consideredAs this programme has a mandatory clinical placement, every applicant for admission to the University must have reached the age of 18 years on 1 October of the year of entry7.0 overall with no less than 7.0 in any band and TOEFL 95 overall with no less than 23 in any band85% ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 80% West Bengal or 90% Other State boardsApplicants are required to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)Tuition fee is £28,130 (International – pre-clinical year 1). £50,360 (International – clinical years 2, 3, 4 and 5)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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University of Birmingham
