Enter OTP
Liverpool’s BDS offers a five-year, GDC-accredited programme delivered within a research-connected, team-based learning environment. Students share the first three Collaborative Learning Core (CLC) years with dental therapy students—promoting interprofessional understanding—before moving into the final two years focused on dentist-level practice. From Year 1, students gain hands‑on patient contact, supported by simulation suites and state-of-the-art learning technology systems. Reflective practice, leadership skills, ethics, and clinical governance are embedded throughout.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1 (CLC1): Transition to clinical learning. Students study basic sciences through problem-based learning, attend the Human Anatomy Resource Centre (HARC), and receive training in communication, infection control, medical emergencies, and preventive care. Clinical exposure begins through simulation and assisting senior students.
Year 2 (CLC2): Expanded clinical focus on restorative care, paediatric dentistry, oral diseases, and radiology. Students begin delivering diverse restorative treatments in simulation and clinical environments.
Year 3 (CLC3): Skills development in primary tooth extractions, management of dental trauma, patient anxiety, safeguarding, health promotion, quality improvement, and research understanding. Placements in General Dental Services begin this year.
Year 4 (BDS4): Advanced restorative and surgical skills including extraction of permanent teeth, crown and bridge work, pulpal management. Clinical placements include community dental services.
Year 5 (BDS5): Consolidation year with placements in General Dental Services, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at Aintree Hospital, and Paediatric Dentistry at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Modules include implant dentistry and governance, preparing students for safe beginner registration.
Accreditation
Graduates receive a BDS degree registrable with the General Dental Council (GDC), the UK’s statutory regulator for dentistry
Ranking & Reputation
The University holds a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023.
Dentistry ranked 14th in UK by Complete University Guide and Liverpool University ranked 23rd overall
Campus & Facilities
The School of Dentistry sits alongside the Liverpool University Dental Hospital, featuring around 160 dental units across six clinical specialties. Facilities include VR and restorative simulation suites, anatomical learning centres and digital feedback platforms.
Research & Projects
Teaching is research-connected, integrating active learning and authentic assessment. Students engage in quality-improvement projects, reflective learning, and interprofessional collaboration. The curriculum is updated continuously to align with emerging dental research.
Clinical Placements & Internships
Clinical exposure starts in Year 1 with simulation and observation and increases progressively through Years 2–5. By Year 5, placements include Aintree University Hospital (oral surgery), Alder Hey Children’s Hospital (paediatric), and community dental service settings.
Student Organisations & Life
Students collaborate through the Collaborative Learning Core (CLC) with dental therapy cohorts. Opportunities for leadership and peer engagement are embedded; the School encourages participation in student committees and the broader Students’ Union, which hosts numerous clubs and societies.
Final Year Focus
Year 5 students manage full patient cases under supervision, receive feedback via an electronic activity portfolio, and are assessed through milestone-based clinical competence assessments, OSCEs, and reflective narratives to prepare for Foundation Training.
Career Services & Employability
Liverpool embeds employability throughout—skills in communication, teamwork, professionalism, and lifelong learning. Career support includes peer-to-peer careers studio and access to job platforms like Handshake. Six months post-graduation, all students are employed or in further study.
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.
A number of our graduates choose to return to the School of Clinical Dentistry later in their careers to teach.
AAA including Chemistry and Biology, taken at first sitting, after two years of study. We do not accept A level resits or consider applicants who have retaken either Year 12 or Year 1336 Points with 6 in Higher level Chemistry and BiologyIELTS 7.0 overall, with no component below 7.0100 overall, with minimum scores of listening 24, writing 24, reading 24 and speaking 26. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.PTE 69 overall no less than 69 in each modulePlease note that all applicants are required to sit the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in the year of applicationGeneral 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 Liverpool
