BDS Dental Surgery
About this course
BDS in Dental Surgery BDS, a dentistry degree focused on clinical practice and patient care within the dental profession. Core topics include Research Methods, Project Management, Clinical Skills, Communication & Writing, Ethics & Professional Practice. Students undertake hands-on clinical practice and simulated learning from the first year across a five-year study period. The first year introduces medical foundations of the human body, operative dentistry skills, and professional standards through ICS 1a (Integrated Clinical Sciences), CKS 1a (Clinical Knowledge and Skills), and PPD 1 (Personal and Professional Development). The second year expands into human diseases, endodontics, and denture provision via ICS 2, CKS 2b (Clinical Knowledge and Skills), and CKS 2c (Clinical Knowledge and Skills), alongside planning a research project in PPD 2b Research Project Planning (Personal and Professional Development). The third year advances treatment strategies and paediatric management with CKS 3a (Clinical Knowledge and Skills) and CKS 3b (Clinical Knowledge and Skills), complemented by the research project in PPD 3 Research Project (Personal and Professional Development). The fourth year covers oral disease and advanced treatment planning through ICS 4 Oral Disease (Integrated Clinical Sciences) and CKS 4 (Clinical Knowledge and Skills), alongside outreach placements in CPO 4a BDS (Clinical Practice and Outreach). The final year consolidates holistic professional practice and refines clinical capabilities across multiple disciplines in ICP 5a BDS (Integrated Clinical Practice) and ICP 5b BDS (Integrated Clinical Practice).
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A Level: AAA IB: 36, with 6 in Higher Level Chemistry and Biology
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 15%: 115 offers from 784 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 49 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 97%
- Learning opportunities: 94%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 83%
- Learning resources: 97%
- Student voice: 74%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 70 students who started
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 22 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Other Health Professionals: 90%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 100%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 100%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 100%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 370 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 4%
- North West: 7%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 52%
- East Midlands: 7%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 8%
- South East: 4%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 70 students who started
- A levels: 91%
- Baccalaureate: 1%
- Access course: 1%
- A degree: 4%
- Other HE qualification: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- The General Dental Council quality assures and approves qualifications for registration, for the following registrant groups: Dentists; dental hygienists; dental therapists; dental nurses; clinical dental technicians; dental technicians; and orthodontic therapists.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- ICS 1a (Integrated Clinical Sciences)
- CKS 1a (Clinical Knowledge and Skills)
- PPD 1 (Personal and Professional Development)
- ICS 1b (Integrated Clinical Sciences)
- CKS 1b (Clinical Knowledge and Skills)
- CP 1 (Clinical Practice)
- ICS 2 (Integrated Clinical Sciences)
- CKS 2a (Clinical Knowledge and Skills)
- PPD 2a (Personal and Professional Development)
- CKS 2b (Clinical Knowledge and Skills)
- CKS 2c (Clinical Knowledge and Skills)
- PPD 2b Research Project Planning (Personal and Professional Development)
- CP 2 BDS (Clinical Practice)
- PPD 3 Research Project (Personal and Professional Development)
- CKS 3a (Clinical Knowledge and Skills)
- CKS 3b (Clinical Knowledge and Skills)
- CP 3 BDS (Clinical Practice)
- ICS 4 Oral Disease (Integrated Clinical Sciences)
- CKS 4 (Clinical Knowledge and Skills)
- CPO 4a BDS (Clinical Practice and Outreach)
- CPO 4b BDS (Clinical Practice and Outreach)
- ICP 5a BDS (Integrated Clinical Practice)
- ICP 5b BDS (Integrated Clinical Practice)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BDS Dental Surgery at University of Sheffield earn?
The median salary is £42,000 after 15 months, £46,500 after 3 years, £51,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £45,500 and £57,500. The £51,500 median after five years is £8,500 more than the UK median for Dentistry.
What do graduates of BDS Dental Surgery at University of Sheffield do next?
70% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BDS Dental Surgery at University of Sheffield?
97% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BDS Dental Surgery at University of Sheffield?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 166 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BDS Dental Surgery at University of Sheffield?
15% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 115 offers from 784 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Is BDS Dental Surgery at University of Sheffield accredited?
Yes. The General Dental Council quality assures and approves qualifications for registration, for the following registrant groups: Dentists; dental hygienists; dental therapists; dental nurses; clinical dental technicians; dental technicians; and orthodontic therapists.
Does BDS Dental Surgery at University of Sheffield include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BDS Dental Surgery at University of Sheffield?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.