BSc (Hons) Dental Therapy and Hygiene vs BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery

Course Comparison

Course	BSc (Hons) Dental Therapy and Hygiene	BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
Award	Bachelor of Science - BSc (Hons)	Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery - BMBS
Duration	3 years	5 years
Assessment breakdown	-	-
Course type	Full-time	Full-time
Placement	(with placements)	(with placements)
Location	Plymouth	Plymouth
Provider	Peninsula Dental School	Peninsula Medical School
Entry requirements	None of the typical offers listed below are necessarily the threshold for interview selection. Other factors including the number of applications received may influence the threshold for interview selection. GCSE Applicants need to achieve 6 GCSE passes (grade C/grade 4 or higher) which must include the following subjects: English Language Mathematics Two Science subjects - either GCSE Double Award Science or two from single award Chemistry, Biology, or Physics Plus suitable Level 3 qualifications as outlined below: A Level The typical offer is ABB at GCE A Level, which must include Biology. General studies at GCE A or AS level is not included in any offer. We are only able to consider Level 3 qualifications completed within five years of the start of the application cycle. For example, qualifications completed since 2019 would still be valid when applying in September 2024. Dental Nursing Qualifications A suitable National Certificate or Diploma in Dental Nursing. If you are unsure whether your qualification is suitable, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk. A minimum of 2 A levels at grades BB, which must include Biology. City & Guilds Extended Diploma in Dental Nursing Grade Distinction + 2 A levels at grade AB (to include Biology and a second science out of Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Psychology). BTEC National Extended Diploma Grades Distinction, Distinction, Distinction in a predominantly science subject area. However, we strongly advise applicants to complete a National Diploma in addition to an A Level in Biology as below, rather than a National Extended Diploma award. BTEC National Diploma Grades Distinction, Distinction, in addition to an A-Level in Biology at grade B. Access to Higher Education Diploma Pass an Access to Higher Education Diploma in a predominantly science subject area, meeting the following criteria: 60 credits overall to include 45 level 3 credits, of which 15 level 3 credits must be in Biology or Human Biology You must achieve Merit or Distinction in 33 level 3 credits, including the 15 credits in Biology or Human Biology Other accepted qualifications For information regarding all other accepted qualifications, including the International Baccalaureate, Scottish Advanced Highers and Irish Leaving Certificate, please contact the Admissions Team at meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk. International applicants If you intend to practice in your home country post-graduation please ensure you check with the nations’ dental council before committing to study with us. Individual requirements are often not very transparent and you should confirm whether our degree is transferable overseas before submitting an application. We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To confirm whether your qualification will be considered, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk. All teaching at our school is in English, so if you are an international applicant you must have one of the following English Language qualifications. If you are unsure whether your English Language qualification is suitable, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk: If English is your first language, we will accept your home country’s equivalent providing it is at Level C1 or above according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Students whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by achieving one of the following qualifications: IELTS band 7.5 or above with at least 7.0 in each of the Speaking and Listening sections (taken within 12 months of entry). The University will no longer accept the IELTS indicator (online test). All applicants will have to take the IELTS test at an approved centre. lGCSE or GCSE English Language (as a first language) grade A / 7. A supplementary statement confirming inclusion of the Speaking and Listening components will be required for IGCSE 0500 / 0990. IB score of 6 at the ordinary level in English Language (as a first language). We know that university life is a challenge for any student but especially when you are a long way from home. You will find us friendly and supportive. We pride ourselves on being friendly and supportive, and have a nominated academic tutor to coordinate the induction and academic support provided to international students. International student advice also provide support and can assist you with any non-academic issues affecting international students. There are also student welfare support and counselling services, wardens and student health centres on hand if you need them. Students who have an offer of a place should apply under for a Student (formerly Tier 4 General Student) visa. Further information is available on the UK Border Agency's website. Selection and admissions process Applications should be made through UCAS by the published deadline. This is typically 15 January. All decisions on applications are made by the Admissions Advisory Panel, which consists of academics, clinicians and senior members of the administrative team. The University of Plymouth Medicine and Dentistry Admissions Team process applications as follows: 1. Shortlisting for interview– Applicants are considered for interview based on relevant academic qualifications alone. We do not currently consider personal statements or work experience when selecting for interview The Admissions Advisory Panel consider many factors when choosing who will be invited to attend an interview, including the number of places available on the course and the number of applications received, alongside the academic profiles of all of our applicants 2. Interview – Successful applicants are invited to attend an interview process. We use Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) as the format for our interviews, and full details can be found on the Medicine and Dentistry selection and admissions process page. Following interviews, candidates are ranked based on the score achieved and the top performing applicants are offered a place on the course 3. Offer – Offers are made via UCAS. Within all offers, candidates are required to complete a series of health and police checks, full details of which are communicated to firm offer holders by the Admissions Team. Practising as a doctor requires the highest standards and we take seriously our commitment to only enrol and teach students with the integrity required of the profession. Full details can be found on our Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise page. Full details of our selection and admissions process can be found on our Medicine and Dentistry selection and admissions process page. Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise Please view our Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise page. Re-sit applicants Re-sit applicants are considered for this course, with the following requirements: If you are applying with predicted grades, a minimum of BBC must be achieved on first sitting of A Level Where BBC is not achieved on first sitting, applicants must re-sit the required qualifications and apply once suitable grades have been achieved A Level or accepted equivalent qualifications must be completed in no more than 3 years of study, unless otherwise advised A suitable qualification profile must be achieved on first re-sit attempt We do not have an AS Level resit policy, however, full A Levels must be completed within the above timeframe. For re-sit criteria of other qualifications, please contact the Admissions Team at meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk. Students must be 18 years old or over at the start date of this programme.	In order to meet the academic requirements for this programme, you must have one of the following combinations of qualifications: GCSE, A levels and UCAT GAMSAT A levels and stage 1 of either Biomedical Science or Human Biosciences with the University of Plymouth. Degree study at other institutions is not considered. A Bachelors degree course through the University of Plymouth School of Biomedical Sciences. Degree study at other institutions is not considered. Full details on the subject and grade requirements for these qualifications can be found below. None of the typical offers listed necessarily determine interview selection. As described in the relevant sections, various factors influence the threshold on an annual basis. We are unable to consider applications from students who have academically failed a previous medical degree or incurred Fitness to Practise (FtP) proceedings. If you apply and indicate you have previously enrolled onto a medical degree elsewhere, the School will contact your former institution for confirmation of any academic failure or FtP. GCSE Applicants need to achieve 7 GCSE passes (minimum grade 4/C) which must include: English Language Mathematics Two Science subjects - either GCSE Double Award Science or two from single award Chemistry, Biology, or Physics We are unable to consider functional skills in lieu of GCSEs. A Level We are only able to consider A levels, or equivalent qualifications, completed within five years of the start of the application cycle. For example, qualifications completed since 2019 would still be valid when applying in September 2024. If your A levels, or equivalent qualifications, outdate this, please refer to the GAMSAT section. Additional AS levels or Extended Project Qualifications (EPQ) are not recognised and will not advantage an application. The typical offer is AAA – AAB at GCE A level which must include the following : Grade A in Biology Grade A in a second science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology Your third A level can be in any subject, we do not give preference to three science A levels. General Studies is not accepted. For AAB offers please refer to the Widening Access section. Alternative qualifications to A level The following qualifications can be considered in place of A levels, alongside the GCSE and UCAT requirements. International Baccalaureate 36–38 points overall to include the following: Higher Level 6 in Biology Higher Level 6 in one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Psychology Scottish Advanced Highers AAA to include the following: Grade A in Biology Grade A in one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Psychology. We are unable to consider Scottish Highers for entry onto this course. Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge/Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge (now called Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales) can be considered in place of a third A Level alongside Biology and a second science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology. Irish Leaving Certificate H1, H1, H2, H2, H2, H2 to include Biology and one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology Cambridge Pre-U Diploma D3, D3, D3 including Biology and one further science from Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology. For widening access applicants, we will consider M2 in place of grade B at A Level. Other UK qualifications We do not consider any UK Level 3 qualifications for this course that are not listed above. If you do not have any of the above qualifications, please refer to the GAMSAT section. Qualifications awarded outside of the UK We welcome applicants with qualifications from outside of the UK and assess equivalence to UK qualifications using Ecctis. To check the academic suitability of your qualification, please contact the Admissions Team meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk UCAT As part of our commitment to a fair and transparent admissions process, Peninsula Medical School uses the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) alongside A levels and GCSEs to select applicants for interview. The Admissions Advisory Panel reserve the right to consider all aspects of the UCAT when shortlisting for interview. The UCAT is valid for 12 months and must be sat in the year of application. The UCAT threshold score applied to determine candidate selection for interview can alter each year and is influenced by the number and quality of applications received. We are therefore unable to confirm the cut off for the coming academic year until all applications have been received and assessed. Previous overall score thresholds are shown below for illustration: 2020 entry: Home – 2290 points 2021 entry: Home – 2400 2022 entry: Home – 2610 2023 entry: Home – 2680 International – 2440 UKWPMED – 2330 2024 entry: Home – 2210 International – 2600 UKWPMED – 2210 If you have sat the UCATSEN you will need to provide standard evidence of your entitlement to this additional time by submitting the following: If you are still in education, an official letter from your school, college or university stating that following diagnosis from a qualified medical practitioner, educational psychologist or specialist teacher the candidate is currently entitled to additional time in public examinations (or has had additional time in public examinations within the last two years) or If you are no longer in education, a post-16 years diagnosis or report from a qualified medical practitioner or educational psychologist that explicitly recommends additional time in public examinations. Please consult the UCAT website for advice, information and preparatory resources. Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) Peninsula Medical School uses the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) as an alternative entry route to A levels. Although the GAMSAT is called a graduate admissions test, you do not need to be a graduate to sit the GAMSAT or apply with this qualification. We are unable to consider previous degree study for this programme, other than the internal transfer options detailed below. Candidates holding degrees or without suitable A levels should therefore sit the GAMSAT to meet the entry criteria. The GAMSAT assesses your academic aptitude for the study of medicine, including reasoning in humanities, social science, biological science, physical science and written communication. Results from the test are the only academic qualification that will affect the shortlisting process and previous qualifications will not be considered. The results are valid for 2 years but must be sat at the latest by September in the year of application. As the GAMSAT assesses academic aptitude, you will still need to show us at interview that you have the appropriate personal qualities to train and practise as a doctor. For further information or to register for the test, please visit the GAMSAT website. We are unable to set the GAMSAT threshold in advance of the application deadline. All GAMSAT applicants are ranked based on scores achieved, examples of the score thresholds applied in previous admissions cycles are: 2020 Entry Section 1: 55 Section 2: 55 Section 3: 58 Overall: 63 2021 Entry Section 1: 47 Section 2: 48 Section 3: 54 Overall: 66 2022 Entry Section 1: 53 Section 2: 55 Section 3: 66 Overall: 66 2023 Entry Section 1: 54 Section 2: 47 Section 3: 53 Overall: 61 2024 Entry Section 1: 43 Section 2: 43 Section 3: 48 Overall: 52 You will typically only get student finance if you are completing your first higher education qualification, even if your previous course was self-funded. You may still be eligible for limited funding in certain circumstances and for some courses. Within your offer conditions you will be required to provide evidence that you have funds available to cover tuition costs for the first four years of the programme.