This BSc (Hons) Dental Technology degree aims to produce dental technologists able to fabricate dental restorations, prostheses and appliances (such as unique, individually made crowns and bridges or orthodontic appliances) to a high standard of precision. The course also seeks to enlarge understanding of new and developing areas of dental technology and to enhance relationships within the Dental Team.
This course is operated in close collaboration with the University of Wales Dental Hospital Trust, which will deliver, assess and be responsible for one third of the course. As a dental technology undergraduate you will work with trainee dentists and consultants in the second and third years of the course.
Course Content
All modules are 20 credits unless otherwise stated.
Year One:
Year Two:
Year Three:
During years two and three, you will undertake periods of work placements involving the University of Wales Dental Hospital Trust. The placement periods will enable you to gain the necessary experience in producing appliances, restorations and prostheses for patients.
Learning & Teaching
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 on line. 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, which is situated within easy walking distance from Cardiff Met, Llandaff. Students are thus able to gain valuable experience producing appliances, restorations and prostheses and 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.
Assessment
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).
Employability & Careers
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.
Entry Requirements & How to Apply
Applicants should have five GCSEs including English Language (or Welsh First Language), Mathematics* and Science at grade C or above / grade 4 or above (for applicants holding newly reformed GCSEs in England). An IELTS (or equivalent) score of 6.5 is required where English is not the first language, plus 96 points from at least 3 A levels (or equivalent). Typical offers may include:
- 96 points from at least 3 A levels to include grades CC, one to be in a Science subject (Maths accepted); Welsh Baccalaureate – Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate considered as a third subject
- RQF BTEC National Extended Diploma / Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma MMM within a Science subject
- 96 points from at least 3 Scottish Advanced Highers to include grades DD, one to be in a Science subject (Maths accepted). Scottish Highers are also considered, either on their own or in combination with Advanced Highers
- 96 points from the Irish Leaving Certificate at Highers to include 3 x H2 grades, one to be in Biology, Chemistry or Maths. Higher level subjects considered only with a minimum grade H4
- 96 points from the Access to Higher Education Diploma in a Science subject
*For Welsh applicants sitting the reformed Mathematics GCSE, we will accept either GCSE
Mathematics or
Mathematics – Numeracy.
Or ‘Foundation leading to BSc Health Sciences’ with a pass mark of at least 70%, to be obtained by the 31st August in the year of entry, and receipt of a new application through UCAS. For further information about the Foundation course, please
click here
For applicants who are only undertaking 2 A levels or equivalent, this will be considered along with the rest of the academic profile and we may issue a graded offer in lieu of an offer using the UCAS Tariff.
If you are studying combinations of the above or if your qualification isn't listed, please either contact Admissions or refer to the
UCAS Course Search for the entry requirements. Further information on our entry requirements, including qualifications from the EU can be found by clicking
here.
International Applicants
Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.5 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the
International pages on the website.
Selection Procedure:
Selection is based on the receipt of a completed UCAS application form, encouraged to be submitted by the 15th January UCAS deadline, and takes into consideration academic ability, the personal statement and reference. 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.
The aim of this selection is to identify those applicants who are best suited to follow the dental technology programme successfully, and who have the greatest potential to embark on a productive career within the profession.
Applicants applying for Year 2 or 3 entry, should contact Admissions before making an application due to the limited number of places.
How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made online to UCAS at
www.ucas.com. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at
www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.
Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer into year 2 & 3
If you are interested in transferring credit from another institution to study at Cardiff Met for a course which accepts entry for year 2 and/or 3, you can find further information on this and information on how to apply on the
RPL page. Please contact
Admissions for any queries that you have on RPL.
Mature students
A mature applicant is anyone over the age of 21 who didn't go to university after school or college. Cardiff Met welcomes applications from mature applicants and further advice and information can be found
here.
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