Newcastle University · Undergraduate
BDS (Hons) Dental Surgery Bachelor's degree at Newcastle University
BDS (Hons) Dental Surgery at Newcastle University. Rather than treating dentistry as a single block of study, the five-year course is structured so that theory and clinical exposure develop side by side, giving you a professional grounding that's recognised nationally once you graduate.
BDS (Hons)
Award
5
Years
Full-time
Study mode
85%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
This accredited Dental Surgery degree will prepare you for a career as a highly qualified and professional dentist. From the provider’s course page.
BDS (Hons) Dental Surgery is a Bachelor's degree (BDS (Hons)) at Newcastle University, based in Newcastle Campus. It runs 5 years, studied full-time.
For Medicine and dentistry graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 95% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £37,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Medicine & Dentistry, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
8.7
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Exceptional91
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Excellent85
Stronger evidence Published sample: 250. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 85% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Excellent84
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 84% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
- Cell biology
- Metabolism and homeostasis
- Anatomy of the head and neck
- Interpersonal skills and communication
- Dental physiology
- Neurobiology
- Immunology and health
- Basic pharmacology
- Craniofacial and tooth biology
- Behavioural science
- Microbiology for the dental team
- Dental materials science
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The course is organised so that you build a solid scientific base before moving into more specialised and independent work. Areas of study include core theory covering the biomedical and dental sciences that underpin clinical practice, alongside research & methods, which introduces you to how dental knowledge is generated and evaluated critically. Applied practice forms a substantial part of the course, giving you supervised, hands-on experience with patients and dental procedures as you progress through the years. You'll also engage with specialist options, such as areas of dentistry that let you explore particular clinical interests as they develop. An independent project gives you the chance to investigate a question or clinical issue in depth, developing your ability to work autonomously and think critically about evidence. Running throughout is a strand of professional skills, covering the communication, ethical reasoning, and professional conduct expected of a practising dentist. Together, these elements are designed to build not just technical ability but the judgement and professionalism that clinical dentistry demands, with the balance between classroom learning and clinical practice shifting steadily towards the latter as you advance through the five years.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who is genuinely drawn to a mix of science, precision manual work, and direct patient contact, you'll need to be comfortable with the idea of working closely with people, often in situations where they may be anxious or in discomfort, and communicating with care and clarity. If you're methodical, enjoy problem-solving, and have the patience to develop fine motor skills over years of practice rather than weeks, the course structure will suit your temperament. It also demands resilience: the academic workload is demanding, clinical placements bring real responsibility, and the course runs across five years rather than the shorter span of many other degrees, so a long-term commitment to the subject matters more than a short burst of enthusiasm. Most students who take this route arrive with strong A-levels or equivalent qualifications, typically within the 144–159 UCAS tariff range, reflecting the level of academic preparation expected. Beyond grades, though, this is a course for people who want a genuinely vocational qualification, those who can already picture themselves in a surgery, working with their hands and their judgement in equal measure, and who are motivated by the idea of a career built on direct, tangible care for others.
Careers & job market
A degree of this kind leads towards professional registration and practice as a dentist, and national data for Medicine & Dentistry graduates gives a general sense of how these qualifications translate into employment. Across the field nationally, 89% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and of those in work, 75% are in highly skilled roles or continuing their studies, figures that reflect the strongly vocational nature of medicine and dentistry qualifications generally, rather than being specific to any one university. National earnings data (Graduate Outcomes/LEO) for the wider field shows starting salaries, 15 months after graduation, in the range of £27,000–£32,000; this shifts to £24,650–£34,800 after three years, and £29,325–£41,400 after five years. These figures describe national outcomes across the sector and aren't a guarantee for any individual graduate, but they offer a reasonable indication of the earning trajectory associated with this kind of qualification. Continuation data nationally also shows that 90% of students in this field remain enrolled or complete their studies past the first year, suggesting that most who commit to a course of this kind see it through, despite its demands.
University & format
Newcastle University, founded in 1963 and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities, delivers this course full-time at its Newcastle Campus, in English, over five years. The university holds a Silver award for teaching quality under the Office for Students' TEF 2023 framework and was. The university also offers bursaries and scholarships, and it's worth checking Newcastle's own funding pages for current details, particularly given the length and intensity of a dentistry course. The UCAS code for this course is A206, and most accepted students have come to it through A-levels or equivalent qualifications, with 92% of entrants in recent years having taken that route.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Contextual offersPublished by this provider
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
PlacementPublished placement option
Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Open daysUndergraduate Open Days
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent92% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 144 - 159 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Newcastle University's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 92% |
| a previous degree | 8% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Competitive entry
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesA*AAA-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeA206quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code A206). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Newcastle University whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Homeup to £9,790 / yr
International£47,400 / yr
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at Newcastle University →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 5 years
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Funding matched to this course
All Newcastle University funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
EU undergraduates
Check eligibility →international students
Check eligibility →student athletes
Check eligibility →National funding for this subject
- NHS Bursary: Eligible medical and dental students can receive NHS support in the later years of study. Official guidance
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Medicine & Dentistry graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £37,000 | £33,000 – £42,500 | 250 |
| 3 years after | £47,500 | £41,500 – £54,000 | 345 |
| 5 years after | £52,500 | £46,500 – £59,500 | 390 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 250. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
85%
in work or further study 15 months on
95%
in highly skilled work or study
84%
continue past their first year
100%
find their work meaningful
100%
say work fits their future plans
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in medicine & dentistry · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Medicine & Dentistry nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£37,000
£27,000 – £32,000After 3 years LEO
£47,500
£24,650 – £34,800After 5 years LEO
£52,500
£29,325 – £41,400national rangethis course’s medianaxis £22,500 – £54,500
National figures for Medicine & Dentistry graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
85 of 100
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
65% working20% working and studying0% in further study95% in highly skilled work or study
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 250. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Medicine & Dentistry courses at the same study level.
This course £52,500Peer median £34,500Middle 50% £31,500–£38,500
96th percentile
Compared with 804 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Other Health ProfessionalsSOC 2020 225 · 95% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,902
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 65; response rate: 55%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Medicine & Dentistry graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
89%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Medicine & Dentistry courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes75%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Medicine & Dentistry graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- The NHS
- Private practice
- Research & academia
- Public health
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Medicine & Dentistry graduates.
Medicine-Focused Veterinary Surgeon | Patient Care LeaderMedivet & PartnersMedicine Service Delivery Manager - Operations ImprovementNHSMedicine Occupational Therapist - StaffordshirePulse HealthcarePart-Time Palliative Medicine Consultant | 1-in-5 On-CallEvora Hospice (formerly Southern Area Hospice Services)Consultant Medicine - ElderlyPertemps Medical ProfessionalsSpecialty Doctor in Acute MedicineTriple West MedicalLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
📈
Where graduates go
85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £37,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
🎯
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.7 out of 10: NSS 91.3% · in work or study 85% · continued 84%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Newcastle University
All students27,230
International22.1%
Aged 25+12.9%
Medicine and dentistry across the UK
Students85,345
Aged 25+28.8%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Newcastle Campus
3,304 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 783Anti Social Behaviour 754Shoplifting 663Public Order 205Other Theft 199
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Medicine & Dentistry right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Newcastle University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £47,400 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Newcastle University offers the Vice-Chancellor's EU Scholarships – Undergraduate for international students, see Scholarships above.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Newcastle University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Newcastle University
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is competitive. Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 144 - 159 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by Newcastle University. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Medicine and dentistry graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 95% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £37,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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