Dental Technology - BSc (Hons) Degree

This degree can be studied as a three-year full-time degree or a four-year full-time degree that includes a year of foundational study. Our foundation year is intended to prepare you for your subsequent years of studying, offering you the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence.

The foundation year will be relevant to:

1. Students who aspire to enrol onto the first year of a science-based honours degree programme within the Cardiff School of Health Sciences, who have not achieved the standard entry requirements to enter at year one of the chosen degree.
2. Students who have not studied subjects that provide the necessary background within the scientific disciplines required to enter at year one of the chosen degree.

Find out more about the foundation year.

Please note: You will need to apply using a specific UCAS code if you wish to undertake the 4 years including foundation. Please refer to Key Course Information at the bottom of this page.

In addition, you will need to pass the foundation year with an overall mark of 70% at the first attempt. See entry requirements for further detail.

All modules are 20 credits unless otherwise stated.

Year One:

• Professional and Interprofessional Development 1*
• Dental Anatomy & Physiology
• Removeable Prosthodontics
• Fixed Prosthodontics
• Applied Dental Materials
• CAD/CAM in Dentistry

Year Two:

• Removeable Prosthodontics
• Fixed Prosthodontics
• Orthodontics
• Research Methods*
• Professional and Interprofessional Development 2*

Year Three:

• Project (40 credits)*
• Digital Dentistry
• Preparing for Practice and the Work Placement

During year three, you will undertake a work placement involving the University of Wales Dental Hospital Trust. The placement period will enable you to gain the necessary experience in producing appliances, restorations and prostheses for patients.

*modules available through the medium of Welsh

An enquiring, questioning, curious approach to the topics, which need to be understood and acquired for registration, as a competent technologist will be developed.

During your time on the course you will experience a number of teaching and learning methods. These will include lectures, seminars, practical sessions, team assignments and self and peer assessments. There will be some joint learning sessions with part time students, use of e-portfolios and extensive use of the virtual learning environment where lecture notes, videos of practical demonstrations, lecture delivery items and past papers can be accessed online. You will also be assigned a personal tutor who will be available to discuss your academic progress and could refer you to other experts for other matters where necessary.

There has been a long and established link with the Cardiff and Vale Health Board Dental Hospital culminating in that institution providing a major contribution to this degree programme. Two semesters in the second and third years will be delivered and assessed by staff from the Dental Hospital. Students are thus able to gain valuable experience producing appliances, restorations and prostheses and, in their final year, see these items fitted to patients.

The source of personal support found most useful by current students is the ‘open door’ policy operated by the Programme Team whereby students are invited to contact any of the full time teaching staff who are available in the staff office during normal office hours.

Each module that you undertake is assessed. The nature of the assessment will vary according to the nature and purpose of the module. There are essentially five types of assessment used throughout the programme:

Written Formal Examinations (usually taken at the end of the academic year); Practical Assignments (usually students will complete technical exercises with help from lecturers through demonstrations, advice and practical support); Timed Practical Examinations (where students will receive no practical assistance, but verbal guidance may be available during construction of pieces); Written Assignments (these are projects where students use the library/resources centre to compile and collate necessary information or follow a case study), and Oral Presentations (this requires presentation of a topic to the remainder of the group; peer assessment and comment may be used).

Our graduates have excellent career prospects. Dental technologists are employed in the NHS, commercial laboratories, private practices and dental schools. Within the Health Service there is a clear career structure ranging through Senior, Chief and Senior Chief Grades. Within the commercial sector, after some years of experience, it would be possible to become a commercial laboratory owner or manager.

Typical Offers

The following requirements are based on typical offers relevant to entering year 1 of the degree.

If you do not meet these entry requirements, we also offer a Foundation Year which allows progression to Year 1 upon successful completion. You will need to pass the foundation year with an overall mark of 70% at the first attempt.

• Tariff points: 96
• Contextual offer: See our contextual offers page.
• GCSE: Five GCSEs at Grade C / 4 or above to include English Language / Welsh First Language, Mathematics / Mathematics – Numeracy and Science.
• English Language Requirement: Academic IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6 in all elements, or equivalent.
• A level subjects: Minimum three A levels. Grades CC, to include a Science or Art/Design Technology subject.
• Relevant subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Physical Education, IT, Mathematics, Food Technology, Environmental Science or Geography considered as the equivalent Science. Welsh Advanced Skills Baccalaureate considered as a third subject.
• BTEC National / Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: MMM within Applied Science.
• T Level: Pass (C+) in a Science subject considered.
• Access to Higher Education Diploma: Within a Science subject.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: Minimum one Grade 5 in Higher Level Science.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 to include a Science. Higher level subjects considered only with a minimum grade H4.
• Scottish Advanced Highers: Grades DD to include Science. Scottish Highers are also considered, either on their own or in combination with Advanced Highers.

Combinations of the above qualifications are accepted if they meet our minimum requirements. If your qualifications aren’t listed, please contact Admissions or refer to the UCAS Course Search.

Applicants need to demonstrate excellent manual dexterity skills, creativity, attention to detail, knowledge and experience of dental technology as well as knowledge of health care and human anatomy. The ability to communicate effectively and have a passion for the area also needs to be demonstrated.

You will be required to create a portfolio showcasing a piece of work you have created using your manual dexterity skills. Your portfolio should include a written description of no more than 750 words and several images that illustrate the piece and the process behind it – further details and guidance will be provided after you have submitted your application.

Further information on Overseas qualifications can be found here.

If you are a mature applicant, have relevant experience or RPL that you would like us to consider, please contact Admissions.

How to Apply

Further information on how to apply can be found here.

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

For course specific enquiries, please contact the programme leader, Chet Geisel:

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