About Dentistry, Bds in University of Aberdeen

Our programme has been designed with graduates in mind, enabling you to capitalise on the existing knowledge and transferable skills from your previous degree. From day one, you will be preparing to be a dental professional, benefiting from early clinical problem solving and patient contact, and an integrated approach to learning.

The dental curriculum uses a variety of teaching methods including case based learning. The curriculum aims to:

• build on the transferrable skills that you bring
• encourage independence of learning and thinking using enquiry based learning methods
• centre on the clinical, social and emotional needs of the patient
• have patient contact early in Year 1 of the programme
• fully integrate the non-clinical sciences within the clinical curriculum

You will be engaged in reflective practice from an early stage in your clinical experience.

During the course, you will be taught by and observe a wide range of dental professionals from both primary and secondary care services. NHS Education for Scotland (NES), the dental protection organisations and the GDC are also engaged in many of the learning opportunities.

How You'll Study

The course has been designed specifically for graduates and encompasses a variety of modern educational methods for teaching and learning. There is a focus on independent and reflective learning whilst clinical work is introduced from year 1 to maximise clinical experience.

Teaching and learning strategies have been designed to meet the needs of a more mature student group with previous experience of university education and appropriate transferable skills.

A range of assessment methods are used including written examinations, such as single best answer questions and clinical scenario papers, and other practical exams. Objective clinical assessment of your clinical skills will be carried out by means of Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) and Structured Clinical Objective Testing (SCOT) at appropriate stages. In your final year more amalgamated assessments will be used to assess your clinical skills by means of an Integrated Structured Clinical Examination (ISCE) and an assessment of some cases that you would have treated during your four years at the Institute of Dentistry.

Learning Methods

• INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS
• LECTURES
• RESEARCH
• TUTORIALS

Why Study Dentistry?

• The University of Aberdeen Institute of Dentistry offers the only graduate entry, four year, BDS programme in Scotland.
• The programme has been designed specifically for graduates and encompasses a variety of modern educational methods for teaching and learning. There is a focus on more independent and reflective learning, and clinical work is introduced from year 1 to maximise clinical experience.
• The Institute of Dentistry is a modern purpose-built facility with state-of-the-art equipment and teaching facilities.
• With only 80 BDS students in the whole Institute you will benefit from an excellent student:clinician ratio and numerous opportunities for 1:1 teaching time. 
• You will be part of a wider community of students who study on the Foresterhill Health Campus, including medical and science students; undergraduates and postgraduates.
• You will have excellent student support systems and access to other shared facilities such as the medical/dental library and the Suttie Centre for Teaching and Learning in Healthcare.
• The University and NHS Grampian continue to invest in new facilities on the Foresterhill campus demonstrating the commitment to the training and education of healthcare professionals.

Careers

Our programme will lead to full GDC registration. The majority of new dental graduates move straight into a one year period of Foundation Training (Vocational Training) in NHS general practice. Successful completion leads to the award of a Vocational Training Number – an essential pre-requisite for taking up a contract with a Health Board to provide NHS dentistry in General Dental Practice or in the Salaried Dental Service. A minority of dentists will complete a second year of Foundation Training – generally in two hospital posts – or will have been employed in a two year post blending primary and secondary care experience. Completion of two years of Foundation Training and attaining Membership of one of the Royal Colleges is the usual route into Specialty Training, leading ultimately to employment as a NHS Consultant.

Following vocational training, a dentist may work as an associate, partner or principal in general practice, join the community dental service, the armed forces dental service, work in a hospital with a view to becoming a consultant, or become a clinical academic contributing to the training of the next generation of dental graduates.

Academic qualification equivalents

• At Standard XII a minimum percentage of 75% overall. Additionally, a minimum percentage of 80% in English at Standard XII or our normal English language requirements.

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS    : Overall - 6.0,   with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
• TOEFL  : Overall - 78,     with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
• PTE       : Overall - 54,    with: Listening - 51; Reading - 51; Speaking - 51; Writing - 54

University of Aberdeen Highlights

University of Aberdeen Tuition Fees And Other Expenses

Aberdeen manages to provide a fixed fee structure throughout the program for international students so that they can project the amount in advance.

• The undergraduate arts fee starts from £17,200 and for sciences, it’s around £19,700.
• The postgraduate fee is variable and depends upon the degree chosen and discount of around 20% can be availed by Alumni of college
• For Undergraduate arts degree annual fee is of £ 17,200 which adds up for £68,800 and for engineering it is £19,700 and a total of £78,800.
• As per the calculation done by college the minimum cost of living in the U.K which covers all the basic expenses is around £1,000.

Aberdeen University Cost of Attendance

Aberdeen manages to provide a fixed fee structure throughout the program for international students so that they can project the amount in advance. Details for 2021-2022 academic session are tabulated below: