Dental Technology - Higher Apprenticeship

This course includes 12 mandatory modules designed to fulfil the General Dental Council’s Safe Practitioner Framework outcomes and behaviours for registration as a Dental Technician. The syllabus covers foundational aspects of manufacturing dental devices, such as crowns, bridges, dentures, and removable orthodontic appliances. Students will learn both traditional methods and computer-aided design and manufacturing. Additionally, there are opportunities for students to develop skills tailored to their personal interests or specific workplace needs outside of the core curriculum.

The programme comprises academic Levels 4 and 5, totalling 240 credits, divided over three years (80 credits per academic year). Hence, Level 4 is completed by the end of semester 1 of year 2, and Level 5 commences at the beginning of semester 2 in year 2. All modules are 20 credits. The intake is always in September for students commencing at academic Level 4. Students can only progress from Level 4 to Level 5 upon successful completion of all modules in the preceding level.

The course modules are:

Year One (Level 4)

• Removable Prosthodontics A
• The Safe Practitioner and Work-Based Learning A
• Fixed Prosthodontics A
• Dental Anatomy and Physiology

Year Two (Levels 4 and 5)

• CAD/CAM in Dentistry
• The Safe Practitioner and Work-Based Learning B
• Removable Prosthodontics B
• Applied Dental Materials

Year Three (Level 5)

• Orthodontics
• Fixed Prosthodontics B
• Preparing for Practice and Work-Based Learning C
• Consolidated Dental Technology

The full details of each module are available from the programme director, whose email address is below.

Apprentices will also be expected to complete the relevant Essential Skills qualifications where necessary. Apprentices must have achieved at least Level 2 in Maths, English, and Digital Literacy to be eligible for exemptions. Further information on the criteria for exemptions is available in the Entry Requirements & Funding Eligibility section below.

Digital Literacy

• Session 1: Completion of online workbook – learner’s own time – 1 hour
• Session 2: 3-hour support session in preparation for the live task – online
• Session 3: 6-hour live task – online
• 30 minutes for structured discussion – online

Application of Number

• Session 1: Learner to complete an online mock test – 1 hour
• Session 2: Sit confirmatory test online or face to face (learner preference) – 1 hour
• Session 3: 3-hour support session in preparation for the live task – online
• Session 4: 6-hour live task – online

Communication

• Session 1: Learner to complete an online mock test – 1 hour
• Session 2: Sit confirmatory test online or face to face (learner preference) – 1 hour
• Session 3: 3-hour support session in preparation for the live task – online
• Session 4: 6-hour live task – online

Successful students can find employment in commercial dental laboratories, dental practices, or National Health Service (NHS) laboratories. Additionally, students may choose to pursue further studies.

Those who complete the Foundation Degree in Science (FdSc) are eligible to advance to the full-time Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc (Hons)) programme at this university.

• Applicants should have one A level or equivalent qualification and must be employed in a relevant job role.
• This programme facilitates dental professionals working in hybrid roles within their scope of practice, such as dental nurse/technician, to complete it. However, if you plan to study while fulfilling a hybrid role, it is important to discuss this with the programme director before applying to ensure that your workplace circumstances are suitable.
• Mature students without formal qualifications but who have relevant experience are actively encouraged to apply.
• Applicants must spend 51% of their time working in Wales.
• Applicants will need to be supported in the workplace with at least 20% off-the-job learning or six hours off-the-job training per week for a full-time equivalent (an individual working 30 hours or more) and/or meet notional guided hours regarding the credit undertaken.
• Apprentices and Employers will be required to participate in bi-monthly progress reviews with the University.
• As part of enrolling on the apprenticeship, apprentices may be required to complete Essential Skills as part of the apprenticeship framework. Apprentices will be required to have achieved at least a Level 2 qualification in Maths, English and a Digital-related area to apply for exemption. Specific requirements will be discussed individually with apprentices before registration for the qualification.
• As part of the application process, prior learning and prior work experience of applicants will also be considered. Please refer to the information on Cardiff Met’s RPL procedures and contact askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk with any queries.

Applications for this course should be made directly to the University via our self-service facility. For further information please visit How to Apply.

Following approval of the application, applicants will be required to register with ALS Training and complete the necessary eligibility paperwork associated with the apprenticeship.

The deadline for applications for the academic year 2026/27 is 31 July 2026.

The programme comprises 80 credits per year (the cost per 10 credits is available on our tuition fees page).

An expanded ‘Key Facts for Applicants’ document is available from our Compulsory Supporting Documents page, and we recommend you read this before applying.

As part of the application process, the student’s employer is required to complete a Placements Form, available on the Compulsory Supporting Documents page. At the beginning of the programme, students, mentors, and employers must also complete an additional placements workflow and provide further information and documentation. This step is essential to ensure that the workplace is safe and adequately insured. If this workflow is not completed, the student may be suspended until the following year.

A General Dental Council (GDC) registered workplace mentor must support students throughout the programme. Mentors should be aware that they are always responsible for the students; please see the GDC’s Guidance for those employing, supervising or training students, trainees or learners.

Attendance

This programme adopts a flexible, distributed delivery model. Typically, no more than six in-person attendances are required per academic year for training and assessment. However, students may come to Cardiff Met at additional times during the year to use the facilities with prior arrangement.

During the academic year, there is a commitment to set aside at least 1 day per week for both online and in-workplace training activities, with additional days required during assessment periods. Students must have access to video conferencing with a PC or mobile device with a broadband connection at work and at home to attend online weekly.

The programme has been developed to enable dental professionals working in hybrid roles, e.g., dental nurse/technician, to complete it.

Assessment

The programme continuously assesses students through written and practical tasks. There are no written exams in the traditional sense; instead, a variety of work-based assessments, portfolios and knowledge tests are integral to the programme. Workplace mentors are responsible for supervising assessment-related practical tasks in the workplace.

Your working circumstances influence factors beyond the University’s control, which may advantage or disadvantage you during different assessments. The programme benefits those with experience in other roles in dentistry, and applicants who have not previously worked in a support or other role should consider working as a trainee for a period before beginning the programme.

Students must have access to equipment and expertise in the following dental technology specialities: Removable Prosthodontics (complete and partial dentures, including cobalt chrome dentures), Fixed Prosthodontics (crowns and bridges), Orthodontics (removable appliances), and CAD/CAM systems for removable and fixed prosthodontics. If you cannot access these at your workplace, you must arrange to visit laboratories near you or travel to Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Due to reduced in-person attendance, the student and their workplace mentor are expected to make decisions and judgments independently of university staff, and successful students must be motivated and organised, with sound problem-solving skills.

Selection Procedure

The initial selection is conducted in the workplace by staff employed in commercial or health service dental laboratories or dental practices. The entry requirements are stated above.

Students are expected to be employed on a full-time agreement or contract.

Dental Laboratories must pass an audit interview to ensure a safe working environment for students. Full details about the audit interview can be found in the Placements Form, available from our Compulsory Supporting Documents page. Audit interviews are scheduled between 8-12 June 2026, and between 10-14 August 2026, between 10:00 and 15:00.

The student and their mentor must attend a one-day training event in the Dental Technology department at Cardiff Metropolitan University on the Friday of the University’s Welcome Week. The date of the Welcome Week can be found on the term dates page.

For course specific enquiries, please contact the programme leader, Edward Mapley:

• Email: emapley@cardiffmet.ac.uk
• Telephone: 029 2041 6899