BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene and Therapy at University of Essex

Programme overview

The BSc Dental Hygiene and Therapy is a three-year full-time professional degree at the Colchester Campus that trains students to become both a dental hygienist and a dental therapist. It combines academic study with placements in general dental practice from the first year and training in dental skills labs.

Department: School of Health and Social Care | Duration: 3 years full-time | Intake: September 2027 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Colchester, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Modules include Introducing Clinical Practice, Lifelong Professional Skills, Underpinning Sciences, Dental Public Health, Advancing Clinical Practice, Holistic Management of Patients with Complex Needs, Management of Oral and Dental Diseases, Extending Clinical Practice, Developing Research in Practice, Restorative Dental Therapy and Paediatric Dentistry.

Career pathways

NHS and private dental practices; community dental and outreach services; hospital dental departments; paediatric and restorative dental teams; oral health promotion and public health programmes.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

GCSE Mathematics and English Language grade C/4 or acceptable OFQUAL level 2 equivalents. Plus one of: A-levels BBC or 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 A-levels including Biology grade C; BTEC DMM (Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care acceptable with Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology for Health Science units; Extended Diploma or Diploma in Applied Science acceptable with specified units); IB 29 points including 4 in Higher Level Biology (or 112 UCAS tariff points including 2 Higher Level subjects with 4 in HL Biology); QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma with 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 at Merit including Anatomy and Physiology and Cell Biology units; T-levels Distinction overall; or a GDC-recognised Dental Nursing qualification with two years' experience plus A-level Biology grade C. Additional requirements: pass of an interview, satisfactory reference, Occupational Health check and enhanced DBS check (with DBS Update Service registration). All applicants must complete the Casper situational judgement test (65-85 minutes) for 2027 entry; applying before the UCAS equal consideration deadline of 13 January 2027 is recommended. The course is not suitable for applicants needing a Student visa, so no international English test is specified.

Domestic applicants: GBP 10,050 a year. Fees as listed for the course (start October 2027); fees increase for each year of study. Placement year is charged at 20% of the standard fee and a full study-abroad year at 15%. Source

International applicants: GBP 33,350 a year. Fees as listed for the course (start October 2027); fees increase for each year of study. Placement year is charged at 20% of the standard fee and a full study-abroad year at 15%. Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 3 years full-time

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