Dental Hygiene and TherapyBSc

Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists are vital members of the dental team, providing essential preventive and periodontal care for both adults and children. They perform a variety of treatments, from fillings and radiographs to impressions. Completing this course makes you eligible to join the General Dental Council's register for Dental Care Professionals, opening doors to a rewarding career in dental care. 

• Train at the cutting edge £50 million Birmingham Dental Hospital, the UK's first integrated dental hospital and school in nearly 40 years.
• Work closely with practicing clinicians and leading academics, gaining insights from experts who have published significant works in their fields.
• Start clinical practice early, treating your first patient in the second term of your first year, and continue managing your own patient list through to final year placements.
• Benefit from advanced teaching facilities and a modern learning environment, including a computerised phantom head lab, exclusive training clinics, and dedicated study spaces.
• Our curriculum fosters independence, precision, communication, and empathy, essential for a successful career as a Dental Hygienist or Therapist
• Clinical placements in your second and third year take place within the local West Midlands region to broaden your experience in treating patients.

Birmingham University Dental Students Society (BUDSS) 

BUDSS is more than just a society; it's a supportive community dedicated to your well-being, academic success and making the most out of your university experience. As the oldest and largest student dental society in the UK, it is a community like no other. Join sports teams and compete in campus leagues and friendly matches. Enjoy a packed social calendar with events like the sell-out Dental Ball, multicultural celebrations, and talent shows. There's something for everyone!

Fully integrated teaching - Benefit from integrated clinical practice combined with learned dental hygiene and therapy skills to provide a holistic approach to patient care.

Global expertise - Learn from leading academics, respected clinicians, and published professors including renowned authors and international educators with extensive experience from around the world.

Shared learning - As part of our vibrant student community, you'll collaborate and share some teaching with students from other programmes, including those studying the Bachelor of Dental Surgery.

Support during your studies

You will have access to a comprehensive support system to help you make the transition to higher education when you start at Birmingham:

Personal academic tutors – Your personal tutor will get to know you as you progress through your studies. They will provide academic support and advice to enable you to make the most of your time here at Birmingham.

Student Services Centre - Based within the Medical School, access many services from drop in sessions for advice and guidance, referral to internal and external services to support regarding extenuating circumstances. Here you will find our Wellbeing Officers. They provide professional support, advice and guidance across a range of issues.

Academic Skills Centre - The centre is a place where you can develop your mathematical, academic writing and general academic skills. Become an effective and independent learner through the use of a range of high-quality and appropriate learning support services.

Our student experience team will help you get the most out of your academic experience. They offer research opportunities, placement support, and help you prepare for your post-university career. They also organise social events to help you meet fellow students from your course.

Assessment methods

You will be assessed in a variety of ways to help you transition to a new style of learning. At the beginning of each module, you will be given information on how and when you will be assessed. You’ll receive feedback on each assessment within four weeks, so that you can learn from and build on what you have done. Assessments methods will vary with each module and could include:

• Coursework such as essays
• Group and individual presentations
• Clinical and laboratory based work
• Formal exams

Contact hours

• Year 1: Approximately 40% spent in scheduled teaching (lectures, small group tutorials and lab practice), 40% on independent study and 20% on placement.
  
  
• Year 2: Approximately 35% spent in scheduled teaching (lectures, small group tutorials and lab practice), 35% on independent study and 30% on placement.
  
  
• Year 3: Approximately 25% spent in scheduled teaching (lectures, small group tutorials and lab practice), 35% on independent study and 40% on placement.

To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.

Number of A levels required: 3

Required subjects and grades

A Level Biology at grade B or above; A GDC recognised Dental Nursing qualification may be submitted in lieu of one A Level subject. General Studies not accepted.

GCSE requirements

Minimum of six GCSEs at grade C/4 to include English, Mathematics and a Biological subject/dual award science.

Access to Higher Education (Health or Science)

60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, including 30 at distinction and 15 at merit, to include Biology total 15 credits. You must meet the GCSE entry requirements.

Access to Higher Education (Health or Science) + Dental Nursing

60 credits overall with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3, all must be at least Merit, including 15 credits in Biology. You must meet the GCSE entry requirements.

BTEC qualifications

BTEC Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care or Applied Science at DDM. You must meet the GCSE entry requirements.

BTEC Diploma considered on a case by case basis when combined with an A level (Typical offer DD plus B in Biology). You must meet the GCSE entry requirements.

BTEC Subsidiary Diploma considered on a case by case basis when combined with two A levels including Biology. You must meet the GCSE entry requirements.

Scottish criteria

BBBBBs at HL and AB at advanced level to include Biology

Irish Leaving Certificate

H1 H1 H2 H2 in Highers to include English, Maths and Biology

Minimum age requirement

As this programme has a mandatory clinical placement, every applicant for admission to the University must have reached the age of 18 years on 1 October of the year of entry.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.

• TOEFL: 95 overall with no less than 23 in any band.
• IELTS*: 7.0 overall with no less than 7.0 in any band.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 67 in all four skills.
• Cambridge English(exams taken from 2015)***: Cambridge English: Advanced or Cambridge English: Proficiency Minimum overall score of 185, with no less than 185 in any component.
• Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): Not applicable.
• Trinity ISE II: Not applicable.
• Trinity ISE III: ISE IV: Pass in each Skill.

*Further information on can be found at the IELTS website. IELTS tests must be the Academic version, we cannot accept the General test.

** For more information on the Pearson Test of English visit their website.

*** For more information on Cambridge English exams, please visit their website. For Cambridge English exams taken before 2015, please see under Alternative Qualifications for the accepted grades.

**** Business School programmes require one of the following scores: A TOEFL score of 88 overall with a minimum of 22 in Writing and Speaking, an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with minimum of 6.5 in Writing and Speaking, a Pearson Test of English score of 67 overall, with 67 in Writing and Speaking, a Cambridge English score of 176 overall with 176 in Writing and Speaking, a Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI) score of B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 33 in Listening and Reading and 38 in Speaking and Writing, or a Trinity ISE III score of Merit in Speaking and Writing, Pass in other skills.

Presessional English courses

If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.

The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535 for UK students.  If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay.  If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.

Undergraduate loans

To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.

Scholarships, grants and bursaries

At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.

Dental Hygiene and Therapy interviews

For admission on to the course, if selected, you will undergo an interview process. You would be expected to be familiar with the role of the Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapist within the dental team in the United Kingdom. Alongside the interview, satisfactory references, a health screening and criminal records searches are also part of the selection process. If successful you will be asked to provide satisfactory evidence of non-infectivity and immunisation against Hepatitis B.

Non-academic requirements

You will be required to complete a successful Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before admission to the course. 

If you are successful, you will be required to produce satisfactory evidence of immunisation against Hepatitis B and evidence of non-infectivity for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C virus prior to undertaking patient care as a registered dental hygiene and therapy student. The UK Government Department of Health now requires all potential undergraduate medical, dental and dental hygiene and therapy students to undergo additional health clearance and this will be a condition of being on the course. Details will be forwarded to you after your place on the course has been confirmed.

You are expected to show a range of skills including dexterity, communication and teamwork (for example, through playing a musical instrument, model-making, DIY work or art). You should be able to demonstrate work observation/experience in Dental Hygiene and Therapy within the UK. 

You will be required to sign the subject-specific Fitness to Practise Code of Conduct on entry, details of which will be forwarded with an offer letter.

View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.

Our graduates thrive in various settings, including general dental practices, salaried dental roles, and hospitals, collaborating closely with a dedicated dental team. The field offers excellent prospects for full-time, part-time, and flexible working hours, catering to diverse lifestyles. Additionally, a prestigious post-qualification vocational training scheme is available in the West Midlands for selected candidates, paving the way for a fulfilling and dynamic career in dentistry.

Careers Network

Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.