BSc (Hons) Dental Technology (top-up)
Course Overview
The University of Bolton is home to the newest dental education department in England. Our Centre for Dental Science offers state-of-the-art facilities and knowledgeable, professional staff committed to delivering a varied curriculum of theoretical, practical and transferable material. We’ll support you to enhance your existing foundation degree or HND-level knowledge and skills, ready to achieve the status of BSc (Hons) Dental Technology (top-up) graduate.Our honours-level programme gives you the opportunity to study advanced dental technology techniques and gain academic skills in research and evidence-based learning. You’ll have the chance to consider the manufacture of complex dental appliances and get hands-on with the latest equipment in our specialised laboratories, extending your practical skills and understanding of the biomechanics and biomaterials science behind dental appliance design.
We’re dedicated to coaching the next generation of dental technicians in the knowledge and competencies required to compete and exceed in this sought-after profession. Strongly employer informed, this course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of advanced dental technology and oral biomedical science.
Highlights
- You’ll have access to the latest specialist dental technology 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 gain higher level practical knowledge, skills and creativity by constructing dental appliances in a working dental laboratory environment.
- Upon successfully completing this course, you'll be awarded a BSc (Hons) Dental Technology (top-up).
Key Features
- The course has strong employer links, integrating work-based elements with a sector leading commercial employer.
- You’ll be supported to gain advanced academic, research and lifelong learning skills, helping prepare you to adopt and master digital dental technologies and other emerging techniques.
- Opportunities for progression after completing this top-up course include dental technology MSc and PhD programmes.
Entry Requirements
- Normally, you’ll possess a recognised dental technology-related qualification comprising at least 120 credits at level HE4 and 120 credits at level HE5; for example, a foundation degree (FdSc), higher national diploma (HND), or diploma of higher education (DipHE).
- You must be registered with the General Dental Council and be able to present a current registration certificate.
- You’ll be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
- 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 of Bolton's Fitness to Practise procedure.
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 of our BSc (Hons) Dental Technology (top-up) course, you’ll possess a sound knowledge of the fundamental aspects of oral anatomy and physiology and their influence on dental appliance design.
Practical skills development is a crucial element in the training of a dental technician, as is being aware of relevant theory. This course challenges learners to critically analyse theoretical principles in order to make informed choices on the methods and materials used to produce a range of biomechanically sound appliances.
This course is designed for students who want to work in the field of dental technology or dental biomaterials who will take up posts in academia, research or industry.
Completing your honours-level studies should prove valuable in helping you achieve your career goals.
What can I do with this qualification?
Dental science has a rich history of academic development, with progression to MSc postgraduate courses and PhD research available to successful graduates. Possible postgraduate study options can support progression into clinical dentistry, research or teaching.
Alternative career options
You could train as a healthcare scientist, specialising in reconstructive sciences like maxillofacial prosthetics through the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP). Graduates may also use the qualification to enter a range of other careers. For some of these roles, relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required. Career options include:
- Dental implantology
- Clinical dental technology
- Dental therapy
- Teaching and education
- Research and development
- Nursing
- Sales
Professional Recognition
Please note that this programme is for General Dental Council (GDC) registered dental technicians to top-up existing Level 5 dental technology qualifications (for instance, FdSc or HND Dental Technology) to degree level. It is not suitable for applicants who are not already GDC registered or for international applicants seeking GDC registration.
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
International Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
Bursaries
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2024-25 academic year: 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.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
Course application details are unavailable at present
International Applicants
Course application details are unavailable at present
Partner Organisation Applicants
Course application details are unavailable at present
Teaching & Assessment
Our BSc (Hons) Dental Technology (top-up) course is delivered through the blended methods of face-to-face tuition and online learning. Lectures are held to introduce specific subjects and areas of study, reinforced by tutorials, workshops and practical classes where this theory can be applied.
Class sizes are small to maximise contact with tutors, and support is provided via regular feedback and advice on your progress and developmental needs. Electronic learning materials are provided through the 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. Your skills and knowledge 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.
- Dental Technology Dissertation Project
- Principles of Dental Aesthetics and Occlusion
- Specialised Dental Technology Discipline (PDP)
- Advanced Oral Biomedical Science
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 30% Practical exams 40% Written exams 30% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 55% Placement/study abroad 20% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 25% |
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.
