Taught Postgraduate Admissions Policy - School of Dentistry 2021-22

Please see the School of Dentistry webpages for the course list, typical entry requirements, and accepted qualifications.

Exceptions to the typical academic requirements may be made when an applicant demonstrates significant relevant experience and their potential for benefiting from the course is clear.

Applicants to MSc Oral Surgery, PGCert Oral Surgery and MSc Paediatric Dentistry must pass suitable occupational health checks and provide a clear Disclosure and Barring Service check or Good Conduct Report.

In addition to the documents listed in the corresponding section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy, a detailed CV must be submitted as part of an application to the School of Dentistry. 

For each role, the applicant should include:

• the name of their employer
• their official job title
• the exact dates of employment
• their personal responsibilities for each role
• whether each role is paid/unpaid and full-time/part-time. 

Please refer to the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy for information on references.

The School of Dentistry does not accept applications from those who are seeking advanced entry on postgraduate courses. All applications must be made for the full programme of study.

Accreditation of Prior Learning Accredited prior learning (APL) is a process undertaken by the University in order to assess and, as appropriate, recognise prior experiential learning or prior certificated learning for academic purposes. For further information see the corresponding Advanced Entry section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy.

All applicants for taught postgraduate courses should apply online. If an application deadline is in place, this is stated on Course Search and the completed application must be submitted by this date.

Applications for part-time postgraduate courses offered by the School of Dentistry should be made via the Applicant Portal.

In addition to the information relayed in the corresponding section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy, please note the General Dental Council stipulates that the lower age limit to practice clinical dentistry is 21. Therefore the School of Dentistry is not able to admit any students below the age of 20 at the commencement of study. Please see the General Dental Council website for more details. See GDC Fitness to Practice. A full outline of the School of Dentistry’s policy in relation to criminal records is available in the School’s Criminal Records Policy.

Some courses within the School of Dentistry (as indicated on Course Search) may involve regular access to children and/or vulnerable adults. As a result, applicants to these courses are required to declare a criminal conviction at the application stage in order that certain checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service can be undertaken. Admission may not be possible where satisfactory results are not achieved. The University will send further instructions as part of the admissions process where such checks are required.

The School of Dentistry is obliged to refuse admission to applicants for certain courses which are regulated by national or statutory bodies where enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks reveal prior criminal behaviour giving rise to concern for the protection of the public.

It should be noted that the General Dental Council also considers criminal convictions in relation to fitness to practice and the School has no control over this process. It is possible that certain criminal convictions could pose difficulties at the point of registration. See GDC Fitness to Practice.

A full outline of the School of Dentistry’s policy in relation to criminal records is available in the School’s Criminal Records Policy.

The School of Dentistry will consider applications from those who have previously applied to the institution. The School of Dentistry considers applications from candidates who have previously studied at the institution in line with the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy.

The personal statement of the application form helps us to assess the nature of the applicant’s interest in the academic subject and is an important part of the selection process. It is essential that applicants take this opportunity to demonstrate their enthusiasm and aptitude for the academic subject. We wish to hear about why you want to study this course, what your expectations from this course are in relation to your future career, and what personal skills or experience you have that will equip you to succeed on the course.

An applicant may be assessed based on the strength of their statement relative to others in their cohort, and/or based on criteria set by the academic school. 

All applicants for the School of Dentistry will be required to attend an interview. Interview methods may vary depending on the circumstances and/or geographical location of the applicant. For example, interviews may take place on a one-to-one basis or via Skype, video conferencing or telephone.

Where possible the School of Dentistry will accommodate requests for alternative interview dates, however an alternative cannot be guaranteed.

Some courses within the School of Dentistry may operate a gathered field approach to selection. Please check for details of deadlines on the relevant Course Search pages.

Relevant voluntary or work experience may be taken into account when an application is assessed. Some courses require a certain amount of work experience in a relevant field, as detailed on Course Search.

Please refer to the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy for information on how decisions are communicated by the University.

Unsuccessful applicants who wish to request feedback on the reason for the outcome of their application should do so in line with the Feedback section of the above policy, using the relevant email address contact in the Useful contacts and resources section below. Generally, where applicants request feedback on why they have not been admitted, feedback will be given. However, please note that initial feedback is given as standard to all unsuccessful candidates who apply via the Applicant Portal.

As per the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy, applicants who have sought feedback and wish to challenge the decision made on their application should contact the Faculty Admissions Manager, whose details can be found in the Useful contacts and resources section below.