BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Therapy
Award
BSc (Hons)
Start Date
To be confirmed
Duration
3 years
Mode
Full-time
Location
University of Greater Manchester
UCAS Points
120
UCAS Code
B860
The BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Therapy trains you to work as a Dental Hygienist and Therapist, offering a variety of dental services directly to patients. Our expert team combines clinical skills training with the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and professional attributes at all levels of the programme. All teaching and learning activities are patient and student-centred and specifically designed to ensure you are fully prepared for a career as Dental Care Professionals (DCP).
Course Overview
The BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Therapy is a comprehensive programme blending theory and clinical practice. The curriculum is underpinned by evidence-based practice and research, integrating cutting-edge technology with sustainable healthcare practices.Dental Hygienists and Therapists are registered dental professionals who help patients maintain their oral health by preventing and treating dental disease and promoting good oral health practice.
Dental Hygienists can undertake a wide range of activities within their scope of practice, including, clinical examinations and treatment planning within scope, managing periodontal disease, administering local anaesthesia, prescribing, taking and evaluating dental radiographs, oral health promotion and prevention of dental disease. Dental Therapists can undertake additional duties such as direct restorations in primary and permanent teeth, and pulp treatments and extractions of primary teeth.
Teaching will be delivered using a blended approach, using face-to-face and dispersed teaching methods. Clinical placement is at the core of the programme’s delivery, through which you will gain competence in the clinical skills, communication, behaviours and confidence required to practise as a Dental Hygienist and Therapist, under the GDC’s Safe Practitioner framework requirements. The curriculum promotes critical thinking, teamwork, leadership and working independently.
The development of a collaborative health workforce that can function in interprofessional teams and is better equipped to address local health issues requires interprofessional education (IPE) (World Health Organisation, 2010). Dental Hygiene and Therapy students at the University of Greater Manchester will learn alongside Dental Technology students; students studying on both Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy and Dental Technology programmes share common behaviours and learning outcomes required for dental professional undergraduate education (General Dental Council, 2025). These shared outcomes will be taught in an interprofessional environment with students learning together and working collaboratively.
In addition to traditional assessment methods such as written examinations, this programme includes a broad range of contemporary types of assessment aiming at consolidating your learning. Examples of such assessments include direct observation of procedural skills (DOPS), integrated structured clinical examination (ISCE), reflections and role plays.
This programme has adopted a spiral curriculum where key topics and skills are introduced early in the programme and revisited multiple times throughout the course, each time at a deeper and more complex level.
As students progress, more advanced concepts and clinical applications are built on this foundation, connecting theoretical understanding with practical, hands-on experience.
This spiral approach to curriculum development develops strong conceptual links between theory and clinical practice. Students build clinical competence gradually, progressing from simulation and pre-clinical exercises to real patient care, ensuring that students learning is cumulative, interconnected, and aligned with the progressive development of their clinical and professional skills.
Highlights
- Consolidation of safe clinical practice principles in accordance with the Safe Practitioner Framework recently published by the GDC
- Comprehensive face-to-face teaching in the theory of clinical hygiene and therapy from a broad range of perspectives
- Training placement delivered by recognised clinicians in the field
- Contemporary types of assessment aiming at consolidating your learning; for example, integrated structured clinical examination (ISCE)
- Opportunities for personal and professional development in primary dental care
- Reflective practice through the self-appraisal of own levels of competency
- Interprofessional education
- Gain a degree from the University of Greater Manchester, accredited by the British Government, whose degrees are recognised internationally
- State of the art clinical facilities
- Opportunities for observations and placements across Greater Manchester
- Gain a registrable qualification enabling registration with the General Dental Council.
Key Features
- Course materials are available online, allowing you to prepare work at home and make the most of the highly interactive in-class tuition.
- This course is based at the University of Greater Manchester’s campus in the North West of England.
- Whenever possible, we'll support you to focus on projects that are directly linked to your personal interests and career development needs.
- Opportunities for progression after completing this degree include master's 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
- 120 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T-levels. 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.
- Level 2 qualifications: You must possess at least five GCSE qualifications at grade C or above or at grades 4-9. These must include Mathematics, English Language and Science. We will consider resits in GCSE English Language or Maths. If you are studying different Level 2 qualifications (or an international equivalent), please contact us at QuDeSC.AdmissionsUG@bolton.ac.uk for details of our requirements or to discuss your eligibility.
- Level 3 qualifications: We accept a range of level 3 qualifications. For example, we require at least three A-levels with a minimum of grades BBB, including Biology at grade B or above. We do not accept A-levels in General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies or Global Perspectives. Alternatively, if you are studying the International Baccalaureate qualification, we require a minimum score of 32 points overall, and a minimum score of 5, 5, 5 in three Higher Level subjects, including Biology and preferably Chemistry. If you are studying different Level 3 qualifications (or an international equivalent), please contact us at QuDeSC.AdmissionsUG@bolton.ac.uk for details of our requirements or to discuss your eligibility.
- Dental Nursing qualifications: A National Certificate or Diploma in Dental Nursing will be considered in lieu of one A-level. However, it cannot be used to replace A-level Biology (or equivalent).
- Graduate qualifications: We are also happy to consider applications from graduates. We require a minimum of a lower second-class (2.2) honours in your Bachelor’s degree. We will consider graduate applicants from any discipline, provided you meet our minimum GCSE requirements. If you are studying an international equivalent, or possess alternative level 2 or level 3 qualifications, please contact us at QuDeSC.AdmissionsUG@bolton.ac.uk for details of our requirements or to discuss your eligibility.
- Work experience: If you have experience working in other dental team roles, we’ll be happy to consider your application, provided you can present evidence of satisfactory level 3 qualifications.
- English language requirements: If English isn’t your first language, you will also need IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 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.
- Interview process: You’ll be required to attend an interview and undertake a manual dexterity test as part of the application process. The interview is structured and aims to assess a candidate’s characteristics suited to Dentistry: integrity, honesty, flexibility, motivation, commitment, empathy, communication skills, insight, the ability to be a team player, the ability to deal with stress appropriately, problem-solving skills and the ability to reflect. The personal attributes assessed at interview consider the abilities needed in a Dental Hygienist and Therapist as set out in the Standards for Dental Professionals GDC(UK).
- Additional criteria: Upon admission to the programme, you will be required to provide evidence of Hepatitis B immunisation, and non-infectivity for Hepatitis B and C, and HIV.
- 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.
- 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
As a graduate, you will be able to apply to register with the General Dental Council (GDC) as a Dental Hygienist and Therapist and start your clinical profession journey.
What can I do with this qualification?
Additionally, dental science has a rich history of academic development. As a graduate, you may progress to MSc postgraduate courses and PhD research programmes. Possible postgraduate study options can support progression into clinical dentistry, research or teaching.
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:
- Teaching and education
- Research and development
- Sales
- Dentistry
- Orthodontic Therapy
- Practice Management
- Public Health and Health Promotion
Professional Recognition
This programme was new for 2025 and has been provisionally approved to commence delivery by the General Dental Council (GDC) following initial quality assurance processes.
A decision on approval of the programme will not be made by the GDC until the inspection of the programme and examinations has been completed. The inspection will take place when the first cohort of students is in the final year of the award (which is expected to be 2027/28). Approval of the programme is necessary in order for graduates to be eligible to apply for registration with the GDC and work as a Dental Hygienist and a Dental Therapist.
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
| Year of study | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Year | 2025/26 | 2026/27 | 2027/28 | 2028/29 | |
| 2025-26 | £9,535 | £9,535 | £9,535 | - | £28,605 |
| 2026-27 | - | £9,790 | £9,790 | £9,790 | £29,370 |
International Fees
| Year of study | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Year | 2025/26 | 2026/27 | 2027/28 | 2028/29 | |
| 2025-26 | £17,500 | £17,500 | £17,500 | - | £52,500 |
| 2026-27 | - | £17,500 | £17,500 | £17,500 | £52,500 |
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
If you wish to apply to multiple institutions or courses for September, then apply through UCAS
You can apply for up to 5 courses through UCAS (at the same or different institutions) for a fee of £27. Alternatively, if you only wish to apply for a single course at a single institution then a reduced applicant's fee of £22.50 is applicable.
The online application form and guidance notes are available on the UCAS website.
You will need the following information to complete your UCAS application form:
Institution Code Name: BOLTN
Institution Code Number: B44
Tel: 0870 1122211
Web: www.ucas.com
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
Our team of academic and professional staff will use a variety of teaching and learning strategies to help you gain and develop appropriate concepts, knowledge and skills. You can expect lectures, seminars, practical classes in the dental manikin and skills laboratory, training placement, workshops and tutorials.
Practical skills will be developed through a scaffolded approach, starting with simulation (Phantom Heads) to establish safe clinical practice before moving on to working with patients in the dental clinic. Students are supervised and supported during all clinical activity by registered dental professionals.
It's important to realise that the time spent with a tutor (or clinical supervisor) during formally scheduled activities is only a small part of the learning time identified for a module. We'll also expect you to spend significant time in guided independent study, such as general background reading, preparing for seminar activities and working on assignments. We're committed to supporting you throughout your learning journey and achieving your goals. Over time, our guidance will purposefully become less structured and prescriptive. This will encourage you to develop confidence and independence in your studies and take responsibility for managing your own learning time as you increase in professional autonomy.
The assessment strategy for the programme is designed to help you achieve the overall aims of the curriculum, as well as the learning outcomes for individual modules. As well as assessing your achievement, it helps to organise and develop your learning. Assessment feedback can help you build your skills and an understanding of your strengths and weaknesses.
The types of assessment you'll be required to complete fall into two general categories: formative and summative. Formative assessments help in learning and developing knowledge and skills. Summative assessments, on which grades are allocated, reflect the quality of the learning that has been achieved. Formative assessment will take place via tutorial discussion, clinical assessment during training placement, group workshops including peer and tutor review, and guidance on work in progress. Formative feedback will be provided face-to-face via discussion, online or in written form. Summative assessments consist of both practical and applied theoretical work. These will include a range of assessments, including group activities (role plays), professional discussions, ISCEs, DOPS, Vivas, reports, written exams, portfolios of clinical cases, Power Point presentations and 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
- Oral Disease and Prevention
- Dental Radiography and Radiology
- Preparing for Clinical Practice
- Dental Biomaterials Science
- Periodontology and Periodontal Practice
- Oral Medicine
- Human Disease and Pharmacology
- Patient and Professional Management
- Clinical Practice 1
- Research Methodology
- Operative Dental Therapy
- Dental Public Health
- Clinical Practice 2
- Dental Research Project
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 13% Practical exams 27% Written exams 60% |
| Level 2 | Coursework 33% Practical exams 25% Written exams 42% |
| Level 3 | Coursework 55% Practical exams 33% Written exams 12% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 65% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 35% |
| Level 2 | Guided independent study 65% Placement/study abroad 10% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 25% |
| Level 3 | Guided independent study 62% Placement/study abroad 15% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 23% |
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.
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.
