About this course

The University of Liverpool School of Dentistry offers a unique research-connected learning environment that is primarily focused on developing each individual, so that they can each realise their personal potential as well as qualify as a professional capable of providing compassionate, evidence-based, holistic dental care to patients.

Introduction

Welcome to the School of Dentistry.

Students from different dental disciplines have the opportunity to work side-by-side and develop their skills in state-of-the-art simulation suites. Student growth is supported by our world-leading learning technology systems that provide personalised developmental progress information so that learning needs can be tailored by the individual. This personalised and supportive approach enables our students to have early access to patients, in their first year, so that developing skills can be authentically consolidated and integrated in the real-world situation. At Liverpool we take a blended approach to learning; this means that we use some online learning but with a predominance of in-person face to face teaching.

The School’s educational approach is driven by an ethos of continuous professional development because we strongly believe that our students need to learn how to continually adapt, so that they can appropriately respond to the current, as well as future, challenges in a dynamic world.

On successful completion of the programme you’ll be granted a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree that is registrable with the General Dental Council.

Programme in detail

This innovative programme has been specifically designed to facilitate the development of real-world clinical, team working, and leadership skills, along with essential personal growth. The BDS programme embraces the University’s hallmarks of active learning, confidence, authentic assessment, and research-connected teaching, as well as having many notable and unique design elements.

The programme shares a three year Collaborative Learning Core (CLC) with dental therapy students, where learning and collaborating in teams builds mutual respect and understanding of the varied roles of the dental team. The remaining two years of the programme will prepare you to undertake the scope of practice of a dentist.

Components within the programme are closely integrated and provide clear steps for you to develop, integrate and demonstrate your skills before building to the next level of clinical capability. Clinical experience commences in the first year of the programme and is underpinned by aligned medical and anatomical knowledge; communication skills; professionalism; ethics and clinical safety.

During the programme, you will also have opportunities to experience and develop your skills in a primary and secondary care setting and engage with the local community. Quality improvement projects are also included in the programme to ensure an in-depth understanding of clinical governance.

Learning and assessment are supported by state-of-the-art technology to provide a personalised mechanism for monitoring your progress and allowing you to take control of your own learning.

Through embedding continuous personal development within the curriculum, you will understand the importance of self-reflection, goal setting and on-going professional development, an ethos aimed at ensuring that you will be prepared for the demands of both the profession and life after University.

Admissions procedures

To apply for a place on the Bachelor of Dental Surgery BDS programme, applicants should read the admissions document and submit it as per the instructions provided on the form.

What you'll learn

The knowledge, skills and values essential for a confident dental career in a 21st-century healthcare environment.
An understanding of the human body that will underpin your future skills.
In-depth understanding of clinical governance.
Communication skills, professionalism, ethics and clinical safety.
The ability to provide holistic patient care in the context of the primary care services.
How to provide compassionate, evidence-based, holistic dental care to patients.

Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Year one

The first year aims to transition students to learning in higher education, whilst ensuring that they gain a core knowledge base, skills, and understanding, fit for learning in the clinical environment and their future careers.

Teaching of Clinical Sciences is designed to enable students to understand clinical practice. Enquiry-based learning is used to guide students’ understanding of the human body, which will underpin their future skills. Teaching is supported through attendance at the University’s Human Anatomy Resource Centre (HARC). Students receive teaching in personal development and wellbeing, communication skills, equality and diversity, management of medical emergencies, infection control, preventive care, periodontal health, and patient care provision. Students develop their clinical skills via blended and simulation learning before attending the clinic to deliver care to patients. Students observe and assist students in their senior years in order to enhance their communication skills and prepare them for the learning that lies ahead.

Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. This course has been updated for 2027 entry as part of a review of all our programmes. This review has considered refining study pathways, strengthening links with employers, integrating generative AI, developing students’ research skills, and enhancing alignment with our research strengths. Please note, as at all times, the University reserves the right to make reasonable changes, including to content, entry requirements, or fees, or to discontinue programmes. Applicants will be informed of any significant change.

Year two

In year two, blended learning continues as established in year one. Students will expand upon their experience and skills to enable them to deliver a more diverse range of restorative care for child and adult patients, including skills in the extraction of primary teeth. In addition to working within restorative care, they attend paediatric, oral diseases, and radiology clinics to develop further clinical and diagnostic skills, and to understand a range of acute systemic conditions with oral features that may present to the dental team.

Year three

In year three, students will continue to build on the skills developed in years one and two. They will gain new skills in areas such as dental trauma, management of pain, health promotion and understanding clinical research. Students will attend placement in the general dental services. Teaching continues to enable students to apply the basic sciences in order to understand clinical practice, to safely manage medical emergencies, and to support their personal development and wellbeing.

Year four

In year four, students will expand their restorative and surgical skills to fulfil the complete remit of a dentist. This activity includes the extraction and pulpal management of permanent teeth, the replacement of missing teeth, and the restoration of teeth using laboratory-made crowns and bridges. Students will attend placement in the community dental services and in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Aintree University Hospital.

Year five

The final year is spent consolidating knowledge and gaining further clinical experience. Students will attend placement in the general dental services and in paediatric dentistry at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Students will gain knowledge and skills in clinical governance and implant dentistry while engaging with activities designed to prepare them to graduate to practice as safe practitioners with a career in dentistry.

Teaching and assessment

How you'll learn

Theoretical teaching on the programme is employed via a combination of blended learning approaches, such as Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL), research skills development, personal development and wellbeing, communication skills, and flipped classrooms, all of which are supported by lectures. Practical teaching approaches include peer observation and assistance, management of medical emergencies, attendance at the human anatomy resource centre, placements in primary and secondary care, simulated patients, and the supervised treatment of patients in the clinic.

The School is at the forefront of technology-enhanced learning. We use virtual learning environments to support small group and didactic learning, a digital feedback platform, and simulation of restorative and surgical techniques to provide our students with the best possible experience, whilst preparing them for the technological developments that will shape their future careers in healthcare.

We value the personal and professional development of our student colleagues. Each student is assigned an Academic Advisor to support their leadership development, self-reflection skills and their ability to set achievable goals. Students have the opportunity to stand for election to leadership roles within the School and to work with the Staff Student Liaison Committee to ensure the voice of the student is heard and to work with teaching colleagues to inform positive change. The School has a novel personal development and well-being module to further support this learning.

Many of our staff have received awards in recognition of our approach to teaching.

How you're assessed

The curriculum is built on milestones that become more complex each year. Students are assessed based on the milestones for that year of study, which build on the knowledge they have gained in previous years.

The assessment strategy for the academic components of the programme adopts a varied approach, including a multi-response format, work-based assessment and oral presentations.

All summative assessments are preceded by formative assessments, after which you will receive detailed feedback. With regards to clinical activity, students must pass an assessment of basic clinical competence before being allowed to use these newly acquired skills on a patient. From this point, clinical activity is continually monitored using a computerised data gathering tool.

Outreach reports are also used to contextualise clinical monitoring. An important aspect of these assessments is their integrated nature and their use in multiple clinics. This latter point is crucial to the fairness and robustness of the assessments.

Furthermore, the system ensures that all Liverpool graduates are in the advantageous position of being able to take their activity portfolio into the workplace to aid their ongoing development.

We use technology to deliver online tests, facilitate online marking and provide feedback on assignments, all of which result in the School providing students with more useful feedback overall.

Liverpool Learning Framework

At Liverpool, we take a distinctive approach to education through the Liverpool Learning Framework. This means teaching that is engaging, inclusive and designed to help you succeed during your studies and beyond.

You’ll develop specialist subject knowledge alongside the skills employers value most, including:

Digital fluency
Confidence
Global citizenship

Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:

Research-connected teaching - learning informed by the latest ideas and discoveries
Active learning - taking part, applying knowledge and learning by doing
Authentic assessment - assessments designed around real-world tasks and challenges

We also embed key priorities across our curriculum, including AI literacy, employability, and sustainability, helping you prepare for the future and make a positive impact in the world.

We’re committed to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.

Course options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.

Language study

Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:

A dedicated languages degree
A language as a joint or major/minor degree
Language modules (selected degrees)
Language classes alongside your studies

Your experience

You will be based in the Institute of Clinical Sciences and the Institute’s research directly influences your teaching. You’ll be taught by our most experienced practising clinicians, so you can be confident you’ll graduate as the complete dental professional. Our problem-based approach and excellent network of clinical placements mean that, alongside academic and professional skills, you will gain practical experience and apply your knowledge early in your studies, preparing you to become an excellent dentist from day one.

Explore where you'll study

Photograph of the Victoria Gallery and Museum from across University Square — Victoria Gallery and Museum

Photograph of a reading room within the Harold Cohen Library — Harold Cohen Library

Two students checking books out of the Sydney Jones Library — Sydney Jones Library

Supporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.

An exciting place to study

One of the largest dental schools in the UK
State-of-the-art facilities with £6million recent investment
Provides specialist clinical training with taught and research components
Internationally recognised qualifications with a wide range of programmes
Committed to technologically innovative teaching
Active research environment.

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Careers and employability

There are a wide range of career opportunities within the profession. The majority of graduates will choose general dental practice within the NHS and in the private sector, whilst others might choose one of the hospital specialities, the community dental service, university teaching, or the armed forces.

Studying to become a dental professional encourages students to develop valuable, transferable skills which provide a strong foundation for their careers and their continuing professional development.

Key skills students will develop include:

Communication skills (both oral and written)
Critical reasoning skills
Clinical skills
Professionalism
Team working
Lifelong learning.

98% of dentistry students find their main activity after graduation meaningful.

(Graduate Outcomes, 2018-19.)

My qualifications are from United Kingdom.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)

Full-time place, per year - £10,050
Year in industry fee - £2,010
Year abroad fee - £1,508 (applies to year in China)

International fees

Full-time place, per year - £51,000
Year in industry fee - £1,955
Year abroad fee - £25,500 (applies to year in China)

The UK fees shown are for the academic year 2027/28. The international fees shown are for the academic year 2026/27 and will be subject for change for the academic year 2027/28. Please be advised that tuition fees may increase each year for both UK and international students. For UK students, this will be subject to the government’s regulated fee limits.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies.

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. You can find information on the general and subject-specific costs you could expect to incur on our study costs webpage.

We’re showing the scholarships available to students from United Kingdom.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.

The Bloomberg Scholarship

4 scholarships are available each year to support undergraduate applicants from socio-economically under-represented backgrounds who permanently reside in the Liverpool City Region. Successful applicants will receive a stipend of £5,000 per year for 3 years. Applications open in August 2026.

Ruth Cannell Scholarship Fund

This scholarship will support undergraduate students from widening participation backgrounds in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Film with their year abroad.

Whiteley Award

This award offers £3,000 per year for a UK undergraduate student from an under-represented background who has successfully completed the Liverpool Scholars or Pathways to Medicine programme.

The Liverpool Bursary

If you’re a UK student joining an undergraduate degree and have a household income below £35,000, you could be eligible for a Liverpool Bursary worth up to £2,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Care Leavers’ Opportunity Bursary

If you’ve spent 13 or more weeks in Local Authority care since age 14, you could be eligible for a bursary of £3,000 per year of study. You’ll need to be a UK student joining an eligible undergraduate degree and be aged 28 or above on 1 September in the year you start.

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

Are you a UK student with a Black African or Caribbean heritage and a household income of £25,000 or less? You could be eligible to apply for a Cowrie Foundation Scholarship worth up to £8,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Estranged Students Bursary

If you’re a UK student identified as estranged by Student Finance England (or the equivalent UK funding body), you could be eligible for a bursary of £1,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Genesys Life Sciences Scholarship

Joining a School of Biosciences degree and have a household income of less than £25,000? If you’re a UK student, you could apply to receive £4,500 per year for three years of your undergraduate course.

Nolan Scholarships

Do you live in the Liverpool City Region with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a Nolan Scholarship worth £5,000 per year for three years of undergraduate study.

Rigby Enterprise Award

Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? If you’ve participated in an eligible outreach programme, you could be eligible to apply for a Rigby Enterprise Award worth £5,000 per year for three years of your undergraduate degree.

ROLABOTIC Scholarship

Are you a UK student with a household income of £26,500 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a ROLABOTIC Scholarship worth £4,500 for each year of your undergraduate degree.

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.

Technetix Broadhurst Engineering Scholarship

Joining a degree in the School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science? If you’re a UK student with household income below £25,000, you could be eligible to apply for £5,000 a year for three years of study. Two awards will be available per academic year.

Young Adult Carer’s (YAC) Bursary

If you’re a young adult and a registered carer in the UK, you might be eligible for a £1,000 bursary for each year of study. You’ll need to be aged 18-25 on 1 September in the year you start your undergraduate degree.

Discover our full range of scholarships and bursaries.

My qualifications are from United Kingdom.

Entry requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

Prior to applying for a place on the Bachelor of Dental Surgery BDS course, applicants should read our admissions information.

UCAT

Please note that all applicants are required to sit the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in the year of application.

FAQs

Do you accept A level resit applications for dentistry?

No, examinations should be taken in one sitting after two years of study, unless significant corroborated extenuating circumstances are submitted.

Will it affect my application if I retake some of my A level modules but still complete my A levels in 2 years?

Module resits taken within the normal 2 year A level period e.g. an AS module retaken in the A2 year would be acceptable.

I do not have the GCSEs or A levels listed on the website will I still be considered for undergraduate study?

No, applications are only considered if all academic criteria is met.

Do you have a UCAT cut off score?

We do not have a set UCAT cut-off score as this figure will change every year. A score of Band 4 in Situational Judgement would however not be deemed a competitive enough score for the applicant to be considered for the BDS programme.

If I accept an offer to another degree ie; biomedical, pharmacy can I transfer onto the Dental Course?

No we do not accept transfers onto the BDS.

I have not achieved good grades in my AS exams does this matter?

We do not consider AS levels when looking at applications.

Will it affect my application if I resit AS exams because my grades are not good?

If you do the resits while studying for your A levels then this will not affect your application.

Qualification	Details
A levels	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 13. You may automatically qualify for reduced entry requirements through our contextual offers scheme. Based on your personal circumstances, you may automatically qualify for up to a two-grade reduction in the entry requirements needed for this course. When you apply, we consider a range of factors – such as where you live – to assess if you’re eligible for a grade reduction. You don’t have to make an application for a grade reduction – we’ll do all the work. Find out more about how we make reduced grade offers. If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be able to complete a foundation year which would allow you to progress to this course. Available foundation years: Foundation to Dentistry (Year 0) BDS
T levels	T levels are not currently accepted.
GCSE	Requirements in respect of GCSEs must be met. Applicants who have not taken GCSEs are required to have completed equivalent qualifications. For further information please read the admissions information on the following web page: https:www.liverpool.ac.uk/dentistry/study/undergraduate/bachelor-of-dental-surgery/
Subject requirements	A level Chemistry and Biology are required. The 3rd subject may be from the Arts or Sciences. General Studies, Critical Thinking and Vocational/Applied A levels are not accepted. For applicants from England: Where a science has been taken at A level (Chemistry, Biology or Physics), a pass in the Science practical of each subject will be required.
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma	Not accepted
International Baccalaureate	36 Points with 6 in Higher level Chemistry and Biology
Irish Leaving Certificate	H1, H1, H2, H2, H2, H2 including H1 in Chemistry and Biology
Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher	AAAAA at Higher level and AA at Advanced Higher level including Chemistry and Biology.
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced	Will be accepted in place of one A level, in addition to Biology and Chemistry A levels
Access	Applicants offering Access to Higher Education Diplomas should present from courses with significant Biology and Chemistry content at level 3. Candidates are expected to achieve a distinction in 45 credits at level 3. For the full Access course requirements please read the admissions information on the following web page: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/dentistry/study/undergraduate/bachelor-of-dental-surgery/
Work Experience Requirements	Evidence required
Duty of Care	The University has an obligation to undertake health screening of all prospective dentistry students. Any offer of a place is conditional on completion of a health questionnaire and a satisfactory assessment of fitness to train from the University’s Occupational Health Service. This includes some obligatory immunisations and blood tests, in line with recommendations from the Department of Health. All students also need to undergo an enhanced DBS check before admittance to the programme. Mature Students Studying for a degree later in life can be highly rewarding and our mature students are among some of our most successful. At Liverpool, we are committed to extending opportunities to all adults with the desire and ability to succeed at university. View our Mature Students and Access courses pages for more information.
International qualifications	Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our direct entry requirements. Although there is no direct Foundation Certificate route to this course, completing a Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, can guarantee you a place on a number of similar courses which may interest you.

Alternative entry requirements

If your qualification isn't listed here, or you're taking a combination of qualifications, contact us for advice
Applications from mature students are welcome.

English language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.

We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.

Qualification	Details
IELTS	IELTS 7.0 overall, with no component below 7.0
TOEFL iBT	If you took a TOEFL test on or before 20 January 2026, you’ll need 100 overall, with minimum scores of listening 24, writing 24, reading 24 and speaking 26. If you took a TOEFL test from 21 January 2026 onwards, when a new scoring system was introduced, you’ll need 5 overall, with 5 or above in all components. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.
Pearson PTE Academic	69 with no component below 69
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0500	Grade B overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking and listening. Speaking and listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0990	Grade 6 overall, with Merit in speaking and listening
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0510/0511	0510: Grade B overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0511: Grade B overall.
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0993/0991	0993: Grade 6 overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0991: Grade 6 overall.
International Baccalaureate English A: Literature or Language & Literature	Grade 6 at Standard Level or grade 6 at Higher Level
International Baccalaureate English B	Grade 7 at Higher Level

Contact us

Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.

Send us a message Phone: +44 (0)151 795 1700

Last updated 27 July 2026 / / Programme terms and conditions