Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences>Courses>Dental Technology - BSc (Hons) Degree

Dental Technology - BSc (Hons) Degree

Entry Year

​This BSc (Hons) Dental Technology degree aims to produce dental technologists able to fabricate dental restorations, prostheses and appliances (such as unique, individually made crowns and bridges or orthodontic appliances) to a high standard of precision. Appliance design and manufacture is taught using both hands on (analogue) and digital methods. The course seeks to expand understanding of new and developing areas of dental technology, particularly digitisation​.

This course is operated in close collaboration with the University of Wales Dental Hospital Trust, which will deliver, assess and be responsible for one third of the course. As a dental technology undergraduate you will work with trainee dentists and consultants in the second and third years of the course​.​

This course is currently full for September 2024 but applicants are welcome to contact us if you would like your details placed on a reserve list should any places become available.


Foundation Year

This degree can be studied as a three-year full-time degree or a four-year full-time degree that includes a year of foundational study. Our foundation year is intended to prepare you for your subsequent years of studying, offering you the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence.

The foundation year will be relevant to:

  1. Students who aspire to enrol onto the first year of a science-based honours degree programme within the Cardiff School of Health Sciences, who have not achieved the standard entry requirements to enter at year one of the chosen degree.
  2. Students who have not studied subjects that provide the necessary background within the scientific disciplines required to enter at year one of the chosen degree.


Find out more about the foundation year​.

Please note: You will need to apply using a specific UCAS code if you wish to undertake the 4 years including foundation. Please refer to Key Course Information at the bottom of this page.

In addition, you will need to pass the foundation year with an overall mark of 70% at the first attempt. See entry requirements for further detail.

​Course Content​

All modules are 20 credits unless otherwise stated. 

Year One:

  • Professional and Interprofessional Development 1*

  • Dental Anatomy & Physiology

  • Removeable Prosthodontics

  • Fixed Prosthodontics

  • Applied Dental Materials

  • CAD/CAM in Dentistry 

Year Two:

  • Removeable Prosthodontics

  • Fixed Prosthodontics 

  • Orthodontics

  • Research Methods*

  • Professional and Interprofessional Development 2*

Year Three:

  • Project (40 credits)*

  • Digital Dentistry 

  • Preparing for Practice and the Work Placement ​

During years two and three, you will undertake periods of work placements involving the University of Wales Dental Hospital Trust. The placement periods will enable you to gain the necessary experience in producing appliances, restorations and prostheses for patients.

*modules available through the medium of Welsh

Learning & Teaching

An enquiring, questioning, curious approach to the topics, which need to be understood and acquired for registration, as a competent technologist will be developed.

Durin​​g your time on the course you will experience a number of teaching and learning methods. These will include lectures, seminars, practical sessions, team assignments and self and peer assessments.  There will be some joint learning sessions with part time students, use of e-portfolios and extensive use of the virtual learning environment where lecture notes, videos of practical demonstrations, lecture delivery items and past papers can be accessed on line.  You will also be assigned a personal tutor who will be available to discuss your academic progress and could refer you to other experts for other matters where necessary.

There has been a long and established link with the Cardiff and Vale Health Board Dental Hospital culminating in that institution providing a major contribution to this degree programme. Two semesters in the second and third years will be delivered and assessed by staff from the Dental Hospital, which is situated within easy walking distance from Cardiff Met, Llandaff.  Students are thus able to gain valuable experience producing appliances, restorations and prostheses and see these items fitted to patients.

The source of personal support found most useful by current students is the ‘open door’ policy operated by the Programme Team whereby students are invited to contact any of the full time teaching staff who are available in the staff office during normal office hours.

Assessment

Each module that you undertake is assessed. The nature of the assessment will vary according to the nature and purpose of the module. There are essentially five types of assessment used throughout the programme:

Written Formal Examinations (usually taken at the end of the academic year​); Practical Assignments (usually students will complete technical exercises with help from lecturers through demonstrations, advice and practical support); Timed Practical Examinations (where students will receive no practical assistance, but verbal guidance may be available during construction of pieces); Written Assignments (these are projects where students use the library/resources centre to compile and collate necessary information or follow a case study), and Oral Presentations (this requires presentation of a topic to the remainder of the group; peer assessment and comment may be used).

Employability & Careers

Our graduates have excellent career prospects. Dental technologists are employed in the NHS, commercial laboratories, private practices and dental schools. Within the Health Service there is a clear career structure ranging through Senior, Chief and Senior Chief Grades. Within the commercial sector, after some years of experience, it would be possible to become a commercial laboratory owner or manager.​

Entry Requirements​ & How to Apply

Typical Offers

​The following requirements are based on typical offers relevant to entering year 1 of the degree.

If you do not meet these entry requirements, we also offer a Foundation Year which allows progression to Year 1 upon successful completion. You will need to pass the foundation year with an overall mark of 70% at the first attempt.

  • Tariff points: 96
  • Contextual offer: See our contextual offers page.
  • GCSE: Five GCSEs at Grade C / 4 or above to include English Language / Welsh First Language, Mathematics / Mathematics – Numeracy and Science.
  • English Language Requirement: Academic IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6 in all elements, or equivalent.
  • A level subjects: Minimum three A levels. Grades CC to include Science.
  • Relevant subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Physical Education, IT, Mathematics, Food Technology, Environmental Science or Geography considered as the equivalent Science. Welsh Baccalaureate – Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate considered as a third subject.
  • BTEC National / Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: MMM within Applied Science.
  • T Level: Pass (C+) in a Science subject considered.
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma: Within a Science subject.
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: Minimum one Grade 5 in Higher Level Science.
  • Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 to include a Science. Higher level subjects considered only with a minimum grade H4.
  • Scottish Advanced Highers: Grades DD to include Science. Scottish Highers are also considered, either on their own or in combination with Advanced Highers.

Combinations of the above qualifications are accepted if they meet our minimum requirements. If your qualifications aren’t listed, please contact Admissions or refer to the UCAS Course Search.

Applicants need to demonstrate excellent manual dexterity skills, creativity, attention to detail, knowledge and experience of dental technology as well as knowledge of health care and human anatomy. The ability to communicate effectively and have a passion for the area also needs to be demonstrated.

Further information on Overseas qualifications can be found here.

If you are a mature applicant, have relevant experience or RPL that you would like us to consider, please contact Admissions.


How to Apply

Further information on how to apply can be found here.

Contact Us

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044, email askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk or tweet us @CMetAdmissions.

For course specific enquiries, please contact the programme leader, Chet Geisel:

Email: cgeisel@cardiffmet.ac.uk

Tel: 029 2041 6899

We endeavour to deliver courses as described and will not normally make changes to courses, such as course title, content, delivery, and teaching provision. However, it may be necessary for the university to make changes in the course provision before or after enrolment. It reserves the right to make variations to content or delivery methods, including discontinuation or merging courses if such action is considered necessary. Please read our Terms and Conditions for the full information.

Key Course Information

​​​​​UCAS Codes:
B840 - 3-year degree
B84F - 4-year degree (including foundation year)

Place of Study: Llandaff Campus

School: Cardiff School of Sport & Health Sciences

Course Length:
Three years full-time.
Four years full-time if undertaking foundation year.​

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Degree Highlights

BSc (Hons) Dental Technology - Degree Highlights

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Meet the Team - Jeff Lewis - Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Met

EXPLORE OUR FACILITIES

The dental technology department is superbly equipped, not only for analogue production, but also has a state-of-the-art digital suite with 10 PCs providing access to industry standard software such as Medit, Exocad and Blender for Dental; as well as 3D printing equipment for automated manufacturing methods.