Peninsula Dental School

MSc Periodontology

Programme code 4648
Duration

3 years
Course type

Part-time
Study location Exeter and Plymouth
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Develop and deliver high-quality dentistry with our periodontology programme. Led by a team of consultants and specialists, this programme is structured to allow you to continue your current working commitments while studying for this postgraduate degree at an appropriate pace. Each clinical module includes hands-on exercises and consultant support time to ensure you have the understanding and confidence to carry out taught restorative techniques.

First choice for health

Delivered by professional experts, our programmes are tailored to you and your career. Together, we address today's most challenging healthcare issues, through research-informed teaching and active, real-world learning.

Plymouth ranked #1 best UK university for dentistry

Our dentistry courses scored 100 out of 100, making them number 1 in the UK in the Guardian's league table of the best universities in 2024.

Careers with this subject
This programme allows dentists to increase their clinical skills, knowledge and ability while enhancing professional satisfaction. It assists practitioners preparing portfolios for Fellowship of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) award. Subject to local NHS requirements, it may assist the development of dentists who wish to develop enhanced skills.

Key features
  • Choose your own learning journey – complete 60 credits and receive a PG Certificate in Periodontology. 120 credits will give you a PG Diploma and the maximum 180 credits will reward you with a full MSc in Periodontology. The cost of each module is £5000.
  • Balance existing work commitments with flexible study opportunities. Each module consists of 300 total learning hours – 80 hours of direct contact and 220 hours in own practice preparing cases.
  • Benefit from hands-on consultant time for each clinical module – put your knowledge into practice and gain experience and confidence.
  • High-quality teaching – learn from an experienced team of consultants in restorative dentistry and by respected visiting specialist clinicians and teachers of periodontology.
  • Grow in confidence and experience with the programme – learn and understand the foundations of periodontology and develop your knowledge and skills with more advanced skills, focusing on surgery in Year 2.
  • Boost your future career prospects and the quality of care you can offer to your patients and produce a dissertation to complete the masters - design, conduct, evaluate and write up a project on a topic relevant to periodontology.
  • Accredited by The Royal College of Surgeons of England, registered charity number 212808.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • In your first year, you learn key concepts underpinning the delivery of periodontal care, enabling you to develop a systematic understanding and knowledge of the subject including relevant basic sciences, diagnosis, treatment planning, nonsurgical treatment. You also learn about the influence of occlusion, splint therapy and orthodontics, endodontics and prosthodontics in relation to periodontology.
    Please note that the teaching days for this programme may be held in either Plymouth or Exeter.
    More details about our modules:

    Core modules

    PID711
    Foundations of Periodontology

    This module covers key concepts underpinning the delivery of Periodontal care, enabling learners to develop their understanding and knowledge of the subject area. It also teaches rudimentary skills in subjects essential to continuing professional development and evidence-based care.

    PID712
    Periodontology in Practice and an Introduction to Implantology

    This module covers further concepts underpinning the delivery of Periodontal care within the practice or specialist environment. It enables learners to develop their understanding and knowledge of the subject area in as much as it relates to other areas of dentistry. It also covers medico-legal aspects, guidelines and ethical issues and introduces the concepts of implant placement, restoration and maintenance.

  • Year 2

  • In the second year you learn about the surgical management of bone loss due to periodontal disease, elective surgery to assist prosthodontic treatment and ridge preservation. You also learn about dental implants, hard and soft tissue grafting and implant-related surgical procedures on the sinus.
    Please note that the teaching days for this programme may be held in either Plymouth or Exeter.
    More details about our modules:

    Core modules

    PID721
    Periodontal Surgery

    This module focuses on the surgery relevant to periodontal disease and/or to provide assistance with multidisciplinary care options for dental patients.

    PID722
    Advanced Implantology

    This module focuses on the planning and delivery of implant-borne restorations under more complex conditions encountered in clinical dental practice.

  • Final year

  • You will develop evidence-based dentistry skills through the completion of an evidence synthesis project. The objective is to undertake a high-quality literature review in accordance with best practice for evidence synthesis.

    Core modules

    DIS734
    Dental Programmes Masters Project

    On this module, students will design, plan and undertake a review of the evidence relevant to their chosen field of study. Students will specify a research question, make methodological decisions and synthesise the available literature.

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry.

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

MSc Periodontology programme specification 4648

Entry requirements
As a graduate, you should be practising dentistry in the UK whilst undertaking the programme and hold full General Dental Council (GDC) registration as a dental practitioner. You should also have full professional indemnity and normally at least two years of clinical experience. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, subject to fulfilling the above requirements.
If your first language is not English you will be required to provide evidence of competence in English language. The minimum acceptable English language requirement for postgraduate courses is IELTS 6.5 overall, in both cases with minimum 5.5 across all four components (listening, reading, speaking, writing). Other acceptable tests and scores include PTE Academic: 61, with minimum 51 across all four components (listening, reading, speaking, writing).
Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APCL) and accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) refer to the process by which previous formal certificated learning and informal non-certificated learning can be awarded credit towards modules within the sphere of Higher Education. Credit for prior learning, whether certificated or experiential, may count towards the requirements for the named award. The maximum amount of credit for prior learning (certificated or experiential) claimed towards the award is 120 credits. To qualify for the award of a masters degree, your dissertation must be completed at the University of Plymouth. If you are seeking credit (whether certificated or experiential), you will normally be required to apply for such credit on receipt of an offer of a place on the programme. Requests for APCL if you are already on a programme will be considered provided that you submit the request in the session before you would normally begin the module/stage for which you are seeking credit. In the case of requests for APEL, this would be at least six months prior to the beginning of the session before you would normally begin the module(s)/stage against which you are seeking credit.
The University of Plymouth is committed to providing equality for all irrespective of age, disability, ethnicity (including race, colour and nationality), gender, gender reassignment, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and will work to ensure that all students, employees and visitors, as well as those who apply or seek to apply to work or study at the University, are treated fairly and are not subjected to discrimination by the University on any of these grounds (University Equality and Diversity Policy, Revised April 2011).
We welcomes applications from people with disabilities who will be considered on the same academic grounds as other potential students. Considerations about individual needs arising from disability will be made separately, and we will strive to meet an individual disabled student's needs wherever possible and in consultation with Additional support for students with an impairment, health condition or disability .
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

Fees, costs and funding
Academic Stage P/T delivery only Fee per 60 credits 2024–25 Fee per 60 credits 2025–26
Stage 1 (certificate) £10,000 £10,300
Stage 2 (diploma) £10,000 £10,300
Stage 3 (dissertation) £5,000 £5,150
MSc – full cost £25,000 £25,750

You may be eligible for a postgraduate taught loan of up to £10,906. To find out more visit our funding pages.

How to apply
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for this programme.
Before you apply
Make sure you have all your supporting documents. Documents required usually include:
  • evidence of qualifications (certificates or transcripts) to show that you meet, or expect to meet the entry requirements
  • evidence of English language ability, if English is not your first language
  • two references
  • certificate of Current Professional Status from the General Dental Council (or equivalent) registration
  • two passport photographs
  • curriculum Vitae or résumé, if required
  • proof of sponsorship, if applicable.
When to apply
Most of our taught programmes begin in January. Applications can usually be made throughout the year, and are considered until programmes are full. Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible as places are limited.
Submitting an application
Once you are happy that you have all of the information required you can apply using our online postgraduate application form (the blue 'Apply' icon on this page).
Additional guidance information can also be downloaded on how to fill in the postgraduate application form .
Admissions policy
More information and advice for applicants can be referenced in our online admissions policy for taught programmes. Prospective students are advised to read the policy before making an application to the University.
What happens after I apply?
For more information contact the Faculty of Health Admissions team.
If you would like to speak to one of our course information advisors, please contact us:
University of Plymouth
Faculty of Health
The John Bull Building
Research Way
Plymouth Science Park
Plymouth
PL6 8BU
You may be asked to provide additional information, to take part in an interview (which in the case of overseas students may be by telephone or video conference) or you will be sent a decision by letter or email.
The University aims to make the application procedure as simple and efficient as possible. Our Admissions and Course Information team is on hand to offer help and can put you in touch with the appropriate faculty if you wish to discuss any programme in detail. The Doctoral College is also available to answer any queries on our postgraduate research degrees.
If you have a disability and would like further information about the support provided by the University of Plymouth, please visit our Disability Services website.
Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office .

A supportive and inclusive environment

Our equality and diversity policies
Our policies, developed in consultation with University of Plymouth Students' Union (UPSU), highlight our commitment to provide supportive and inclusive learning, working and social environment in which all members of the University community can realise their potential and are treated with dignity and respect.
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Postgraduate Masters Loan

Thinking of starting a postgraduate masters course this year? You could get help to pay for your course and living costs.
This programme qualifies for the Student Loans Company Postgraduate Loans scheme.
All information about the Postgraduate Masters Loan can be found either through the Government or The Student Room websites.
To check your eligibility and for full details on how to apply please visit the Government's Masters Loans page.
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Dental Education Facilities

From progressive clinical spaces to Simulated Dental Learning Environments, you will benefit from exceptional facilities throughout your course.
You will be taught across a number of locations in Plymouth, Exeter and Truro.
Ewen McColl

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