BSc (Hons) Dental Technology
Award
BSc (Hons)
Start Date
To be confirmed
Duration
3 years
Mode
Full-time
Location
University of Greater Manchester
UCAS Points
96
UCAS Code
B840
Are you interested in developing an exciting career in dentistry? Our Centre for Dental Sciences offers the only GDC-approved BSc (Hons) Dental Technology degree in England. You can work in our state-of-the-art dental laboratories with access to the latest technology and specialist equipment, gaining the experience and expertise needed to join the GDC professional register and practice as a Dental Technician.
Course Overview
Are you interested in a career that combines technical skills, the ability to care for people and a level of artistry? Dental technicians (or dental technologists as they are often known) make dentures, crowns, bridges and dental braces that improve patients' appearance, speech and chewing function. By studying for your BSc (Hons) Dental Technology degree with the University of Greater Manchester, you can build your knowledge and understanding ready for a career in dental technology while experiencing life at our supportive, student-focused, multicultural campus in the heart of the North West of England.The University of Greater Manchester is home to state-of-the-art facilities and knowledgeable, professional staff committed to delivering a varied curriculum of theoretical, practical and transferable material. Studying subjects within the fundamental areas of oral anatomy and physiology, you'll have the opportunity to get hands-on with the latest equipment in our specialised laboratories and learn the biomechanics and biomaterials science behind dental appliance design.
We're dedicated to coaching the next generation of dental technicians in the knowledge and competency required to compete and exceed in this sought-after profession. Strongly employer-informed and designed to meet the learning outcomes required by the General Dental Council, this course aims to provide students with a thorough overview of the key regulatory, legal and ethical topics relevant to the industry today, as well as the essential theory of dental technology and biomedical science. We'll also support you in gaining lifelong learning skills, which will help you take ownership of your professional development for the future, maximising your potential for success.
Highlights
- As a dental technology undergraduate, you'll have access to the latest specialist equipment in our advanced laboratories and have the chance to participate in regular hands-on sessions to help develop your practical capabilities.
- You'll have the opportunity to apply your skills to live patient cases via work-based learning modules.
- The course has strong employer links, reinforced by industrial dental laboratory work placements. Every student is assigned a work-based mentor, supported by a work placement officer from the dental academic team.
- When you successfully complete this course, you'll be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Dental Technology.
Key Features
- Practical projects are assessed in the three key disciplines of fixed prosthodontics, removable prosthodontics and orthodontics. You'll have the opportunity to further demonstrate your skills by completing a specialist dental technology module.
- In preparation for your dissertation, you'll focus on study skills and research methodologies over two modules.
- Opportunities for progression after completing this BSc (Hons) course include dental technology MSc and PhD programmes.
- By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes the University of Greater Manchester an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.
Entry Requirements
- 96 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels and BTECs. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
- Your Level 3 subjects must include a science subject; for instance, A-level Biology or BTEC Extended Diploma in Dental Technology.
- You should also have five GCSEs at grade 4/C or above (or equivalent), including English, Mathematics and a Science.
- You’ll be required to attend an interview as part of the application process. You may also be required to undertake a manual dexterity test.
- If you have experience working in other dental team roles, we'll be happy to consider your application, providing you can present evidence of satisfactory level 3 qualifications.
- Some work placements involved in this course involve unsupervised access to children and/or vulnerable adults, also known as regulated activity. If you’ll be undertaking a placement that involves regulated activity you’ll have to get an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) beforehand. Charges are payable to cover the cost of the DBS Enhanced Disclosure application and annual registration with the online Update Service.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
- Please note that this course is subject to the University's Fitness to Practice declaration.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
Our BSc (Hons) in Dental Technology offers you the opportunity to learn the fundamental aspects of oral anatomy and physiology and its influence on dental appliance design. We emphasise practical skills development as this is a crucial element in the training of a dental technician, alongside learning relevant theory. This course challenges you to critically analyse theoretical principles to make informed choices on the methods and materials used to produce a range of biomechanically sound appliances.
This course is ideal if you want to work in the field of dental technology or dental biomaterials and seek a career in academia, research or industry.
What can I do with this qualification?
Dental science has a rich history of academic development. As a graduate, you may progress to MSc postgraduate courses and PhD research. Possible postgraduate study options can support progression into clinical dentistry, research or teaching.
Alternatively, you could train as a healthcare scientist, specialising in reconstructive sciences like maxillofacial prosthetics through the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP).
Alternative career options
Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Examples of possible careers include:
- Dental implantology
- Clinical dental technology
- Dental therapy
- Teaching and education
- Research and development
- Nursing
- Sales
Professional Recognition
The University of Bolton's BSc (Hons) Dental Technology programme is approved by the General Dental Council (GDC). The award was validated in 2019 and underwent a further inspection in the 2022/23 academic year. The GDC confirmed that our BSc (Hons) Dental Technology continues to be approved, meaning our graduates can apply for registration as a Dental Technician with the GDC to practice in the UK.
The GDC Education Quality Assurance team regularly monitor our performance to ensure we continue to meet their standards.
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
| Year of study | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Year | 2026/27 | 2027/28 | 2028/29 | 2029/30 | |
| 2026-27 | £9,790 | £9,790 | £9,790 | - | £29,370 |
| 2027-28 | - | ||||
International Fees
| Year of study | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Year | 2026/27 | 2027/28 | 2028/29 | 2029/30 | |
| 2026-27 | £17,500 | £17,500 | £17,500 | - | £52,500 |
| 2026-27 | - | ||||
Bursaries
Important note regarding tuition fees: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
Home Undergraduate Tuition Fee Adjustment
The tuition fee applicable to the first year of your programme of study is confirmed in your offer letter. The tuition fee set is based on the regulations and guidance in force at the time of offer but remains subject to adjustment in accordance with any government-approved inflationary increase. The University reserves the right to amend tuition fees for all years of study, including the first year, by no more than the maximum increase permitted under legislation and regulatory guidance issued by the UK Government and the Office for Students.
Where such increases are approved, they will not exceed the rate of inflation, as measured by an appropriate index such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or any successor measure specified by government. The University will apply any adjustment consistently across affected student cohorts and will give reasonable notice to students of any confirmed change to the published fee before the start of the relevant academic year.
This approach ensures that tuition fees remain compliant with applicable legislation, proportionate to inflationary changes, and consistent with government policy linking permitted fee uplifts to the maintenance of high-quality education and outcomes. For more information, please refer to the government guidance at: gov.uk – Universities to deliver better outcomes in return for full fees.
Postgraduate and International Tuition Fee Adjustment
The tuition fee applicable to the first year of your programme of study is confirmed in your offer letter. The University reserves the right to amend tuition fees for subsequent years of study in accordance with its Course Fees Policy. Where such increases are approved, they will not exceed the rate of inflation, as measured by an appropriate index such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or any successor measure specified by government. The University will apply any adjustment consistently across affected student cohorts and will give reasonable notice to students of any confirmed change to the published fee before the start of the relevant academic year.
How to apply
Home Applicants
Multiple courses or institutions (September entry):
Apply via UCAS (www.ucas.com), where you can select up to 5 courses for a fee of £28.95.
Institution: University of Greater Manchester
Code Name: UGM
Code Number: B44
Tel: 0870 1122211
International Applicants
The University welcomes applications from international students from all over the world. We try to make the application process as simple and as fast as possible for our international applicants.
This course is not currently accepting international online applications.
Please contact Admissions by telephone on 01204 903903 or email enquiries@greatermanchester.ac.uk
Admissions
University of Greater Manchester
Deane Road
Bolton, BL3 5AB
United Kingdom
Tel: 01204 903903
Email: enquiries@greatermanchester.ac.uk
Partner Organisation Applicants
Please contact Admissions by telephone on 01204 903903 or email enquiries@greatermanchester.ac.uk
Admissions
University of Greater Manchester
Deane Road
Bolton, BL3 5AB
United Kingdom
Tel: 01204 903903
Email: enquiries@greatermanchester.ac.uk
Teaching & Assessment
PLEASE NOTE: To meet the requirements of the General Dental Council, all modules are compulsory in this course.
We deliver our BSc (Hons) course in Dental Technology through blended face-to-face tuition and online learning. Lectures introduce specific subjects and areas of study. This knowledge is reinforced by tutorials, workshops and practical classes where the theory can be applied.
Class sizes are small to maximise contact with tutors. We provide support via regular feedback and advice on your progress and developmental needs. Electronic learning materials are available through our virtual learning environment, enabling self-directed study on or off campus.
Assessment takes various forms, including examinations, essays, reports, employment journals, oral presentations, practical tasks and assessment of your practical manufacturing portfolio. In your final year of study, your skills will also be assessed through a dissertation.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Preparing for Practice: Regulation and Ethics
- Oral Anatomy and Physiology
- Basic Dental Technology Techniques
- Employment Practice A (DT)
- Dental Biomaterials Science
- Research Methodology
- Employment Practice B (DT)
- Dental Technology Techniques for Fixed Prosthodontics
- Dental Technology Techniques for Removable Prosthodontics
- Dental Technology Techniques for Orthodontics
- Advanced Oral Biomedical Science
- Specialised Dental Technology Discipline
- Principles of Dental Aesthetics and Occlusion
- Dental Research Project
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 17% Practical exams 47% Written exams 37% |
| Level 2 | Coursework 15% Practical exams 82% Written exams 3% |
| Level 3 | Coursework 58% Practical exams 33% Written exams 8% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 53% Placement/study abroad 15% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 32% |
| Level 2 | Guided independent study 52% Placement/study abroad 15% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 33% |
| Level 3 | Guided independent study 81% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 19% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
Postgraduate Options
Programme Contacts
Disclaimer: The “Greater Manchester Way” represents our preferred teaching and learning approach; however, not all courses follow a block-teaching model. While course structures and delivery patterns may vary to meet Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) requirements, all courses benefit from the GM Way approach to curriculum design and assessment. Applicants and students should refer to individual course specifications for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
