Program Overview

Dental Technology FdSc

Overview

Our Dental Technology Foundation Degree blends academic learning with practical placements, so you'll continually apply theory to practice. The modules will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the dental technology industry.

Key Features

• You can study full-time over 2 years or part-time over 3 years. The taught component of the course will normally be delivered over 3 days per week across 2 semesters per year (1 and a half days per week for part-time students)
• Authentic work-based learning is an integral part of the course design - with an on-going application of theory and practice, where one environment supports learning in the other
• Designed in partnership with employers, this foundation degree meets the National Occupational Standards for the sector
• When you complete the course you will be able to register with the General Dental Council
• You'll also have opportunities to study CAD/CAM applications to dental technology, materials science, and anatomy & physiology

Entry Requirements

• 32 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 1 A Level (or equivalent Level 3 qualification) and a maximum of 3 A levels
• 4 GCSEs (Grade C/4 or above) including English and Mathematics
• All students will be required to sit an English diagnostic assessment equivalent to Level 2. This is to establish if students require support and is used as supportive tool only.
• Students whose first language is not English must have a minimum standard of English at IELTS Level 7 with no element below 6.5.

Other Information

• If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the Admissions Office on or email for advice.
• Further information about the UCAS Tariff can be obtained from
• T Levels may be used to meet the entry tariff requirements for this course. Find out more about T levels as UCAS tariff points here.
• A significant component of the course consists of work-based learning. If you are not currently employed in an environment working in a Dental Laboratory setting you will need to secure a placement in a suitable setting, equating to one day a week for the duration of the course or 200 hours in each year.

Course Content

• Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course. If there are insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this might not be offered, but we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative.

Year 1

• Oral Anatomy and Physiology and Basic Appliance Design
• Basic Dental Technology Techniques
• Introductory Dental Biomaterials Science

Year 2

• Dental Technology Techniques for Fixed Prosthodontics
• Preparing for Practice and Future Employment
• Employment Practice A

Year 3

• Dental Technology Techniques for Removable Prosthodontics
• Employment Practice B

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching

• The programme will be taught through lectures, seminars, e-learning, workshops and work-based learning (WBL). It also includes practical projects and portfolio work by students. It is important that the programme provides a foundation of skills; knowledge and understanding that students can carry on through to other programmes. Opportunities for learning across the programme will be provided through in-class sessions supported by Blackboard online resources, exercises and tutorials. The resources provided through classroom delivery will form the basis for meeting the learning outcomes supported by further reading.
• Essential resources will be available through Blackboard, as will the formative assessments, in the form of quizzes and short answer questions. Links to videos and other learning resources will also be available through Blackboard.
• A number of custom-made components or devices will be used to develop an understanding of the laboratory manufacturing processes. The development of skills in manufacture and application will be based initially around simple devices, fixed restorations and models and orthodontic appliances thus enabling the development of a range of skills related to dental technology.
• Students will be required to complete a total of 400 hours of work-based learning across the programme. This may be achieved through a minimum of one work placement for the duration of the programme. It is the student's responsibility to find an appropriate work placement at a Dental Laboratory in the public or private sector. Students are allocated a workplace mentor and a work placement officer. It is the work placement officer's responsibility to assess the work placement logbook formally and the workplace mentor will confirm the suitability of each appliance for presentation to the customer.
• Lectures and tutorials will be used to underpin the practical components with the relevant theory, leading to greater comprehension of the skills being used. Transferable skills will be developed through the modules and embedded into the delivery for the work based modules. The work placements will be supported by work place mentors and college assessors.
• Learning in the work-based environment is complemented by practical and technical skill development in the college laboratories where students are supported to achieve the required level of competence from basic to advanced skills, requiring development of professional judgement.

Assessment

• Wide variety of assessment types, including practical assessment and examinations, coursework assignments, reflective practice and portfolio work, project work, presentations, case studies and reports.

Location of Study

• This course is delivered in partnership, at Birmingham Metropolitan College.

Programme Specification

• For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.

Careers

• Our Dental Technology Foundation Degree can prepare you for a range of careers in the dental technology industry. You'll be able to:
  • Manufacture dental appliances in commercial dental laboratories
  • Study other areas of the dental industry e.g. hygiene and therapy courses
  • Pursue a career in clinical dental technology, which may lead to owning your own laboratories
• You'll also be able to apply for direct entry to a third year BSc or BA (Hons) Top-up degree at the University of Worcester.

Fees and Funding

Full-time Tuition Fees

• UK and EU students: The Government has announced that it will increase tuition fees and maintenance loans by 3.1% from the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 the standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees will be £9,535 per year for new and continuing students.
• International students: The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2025/26 academic year is £16,700 per year.

Part-time Tuition Fees

• UK and EU students: The Government has announced that it will increase tuition fees and maintenance loans by 3.1% from the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 the tuition fees for part-time UK and EU students on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees will be £1,190.83 per 15-credit module, £1,587.77 per 20-credit module, £2,381.66 per 30-credit module, £3,175.55 per 40-credit module, £3,572.50 per 45-credit module and £4,763.32 per 60 credit module for new and continuing students.

Additional Costs

• Students will need to supply their own set of instruments and PPE, which are not included in the course fee:
  • Basic essentials Instrument kit £100 to £140
  • Lab Coat range from approx. £20 to £60
  • Safety Glasses from approx. £5 to £15
• Learners may wish to purchase further instruments as the course progress but this is not essential. Every course has day-to-day costs for basic books, stationery, printing and photocopying. The amounts vary between courses. If your course offers a placement opportunity, you may need to pay for an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

How to Apply

• Applying through UCAS: Dental Technology FdSc - B840
• UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry onto full-time undergraduate courses in Higher Education in the UK.
• Read our How to apply pages for more information on applying and to find out what happens to your application.
• UCAS Code: B840
• Apply Via UCAS

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