Peninsula Dental School

MSc Restorative Dentistry

Programme code 4630
Duration

3 years
Course type

Part-time
Study location Exeter and Plymouth
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Develop and deliver high-quality dentistry with our restorative dentistry programme. Led by a team of consultants and complemented by respected visiting specialist clinicians and teachers, this programme allows 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 contact days 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.

Key features
  • Choose your own learning journey – complete 60 credits and receive a PG Certificate in Restorative Dentistry. 120 credits will give you a PG Diploma and the maximum 180 credits will reward you with a full Masters in Restorative Dentistry. 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.
  • Grow in confidence and experience with the programme – learn and understand the foundations of restorative dentistry and restoring teeth and tissues in year one and develop your knowledge and skills with advanced restorative dentistry in year two.
  • 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 restorative dentistry.
  • Accredited by The Royal College of Surgeons of England.
  • Each clinical module includes hands-on exercises and consultant contact days to ensure you have the understanding and confidence to carry out taught restorative techniques. Each course year begins in January, and each clinical year (Years 1 and 2) has approximately 20 contact days.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • In your first year, you’ll learn the foundations of restorative dentistry which includes diagnosis and treatment planning, occlusal management, non-surgical periodontology and current concepts in endodontics. Learn about restoring teeth and tissues and study fixed prosthodontics operative techniques, with hands on components in the Simulated Dental Learning Environment. You study the restoration of endodontically treated teeth, removable prosthodontics and complete dentures.
    Please note that the teaching days for this programme may be held in either Plymouth or Exeter.
    More details about our modules:

    Core modules

    RSD711
    Foundations of Restorative Dentistry

    This module encompasses key concepts underpinning the delivery of restorative dentistry, enabling you to develop your understanding and knowledge of the subject. Teaching is delivered as seminars, demonstrations, and practical training in the simulated dental learning environment, enhancing clinical skills and improving patient care.

    RSD712
    Restoring Teeth and Tissues

    This module enables you to develop your skills and knowledge in fixed and removable prosthodontics, as well as providing an introduction to crown lengthening surgery and surgical management of periodontal disease. Teaching consists of lectures, demonstrations, and practical training in the simulated dental learning environment.

  • Year 2

  • Successfully complete the modules from your first year and go on to study advanced restorative dentistry in your second year. You get the chance to focus on aesthetics and conservative aesthetic techniques and treatment planning for missing teeth including live implant surgical demonstration – moving up to advanced endodontics, adjunctive periodontal surgery, guided bone regeneration and soft tissue surgery, restorative practice and more.
    Please note that the teaching days for this programme may be held in either Plymouth or Exeter.
    More details about our modules:

    Core modules

    RSD721
    Advanced Restorative Dentistry 1

    This module builds on the skills acquired in modules 1 and 2 and focuses on aesthetic dental procedures, as well as introducing the use of dental implants. Teaching consists of lectures, demonstrations and practical training in the simulated dental learning environment.

    RSD722
    Advanced Restorative Dentistry 2

    This module enhances the skills acquired in modules 1, 2 and 3 by introducing more specialised procedures including periodontal and endodontic surgery, as well as methods for managing failing restorations. You are encouraged to flexibly and creatively apply your knowledge in innovative ways. Teaching consists of lectures, demonstrations, and practical training. You will demonstrate your competence by examination of three case reports submitted in advance.

  • 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 Restorative Dentistry programme specification_4630

Entry requirements
As a graduate, you should be in practice (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).
The School 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 Disability Services . An accelerated top-up MSc in Restorative Dentistry is available to recent holders of the Diploma in Restorative Dentistry from the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) for enrolment in October/November each year.
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

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
  • Two passport photographs
  • Curriculum Vitae or résumé, if required
  • Proof of sponsorship, if applicable
When to apply
Applications for postgraduate programmes of study can usually be made throughout the year. When applying for a taught postgraduate programme, please check for any submission deadlines with the Faculty of Health Admissions team (contact details below).
Please contact the admissions team for the closing date for this programme. 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 .

Meet the Programme Leader - Andrew Harris

"I am extremely impressed with the high standards that those undertaking the programme are achieving, and I am proud to be the Programme Leader."
Andrew Harris is a Clinical Associate Professor
Andrew Harris
 

Student perspective

I undertook the MSc primarily to help patients that had severe tooth wear. The MSc in Restorative Dentistry has helped me with this, and so much more.
The first two clinical years fundamentally changed how I practice. I learned how to do the things I already did, but better. I refreshed rusty skills from dental school like designing cobalt chrome dentures, and I learned things that were totally new, like how to manage the soft tissue around implants and periodontal surgery. There is really something for everyone in this course, whatever your journey in dentistry so far.
I loved the practical element of the teaching sessions in the first two years. You could learn the theory of a new skill, practice it in the clinical sessions and then use it the next day in clinic.
The approachability of the consultants and the wide range of visiting internationally-renowned speakers reignited my passion for dentistry and took my practical work to a new level.
The academic element of the MSc taught me critical appraisal, and how to answer clinical questions confidently using the literature. The organisation of the final MSc year and the help and guidance to this academic element (new to many of us) was outstanding. It was the most well-organised course I have ever done.
Overall, the MSc has had a major impact on both my clinical practice and on my career in dentistry, it has enabled me to access academic and leadership positions that were out of reach before.
Professionally and personally, I am delighted that I undertook it.
Dr Christina Worle BDS MSc
Dr Christina Worle BDS MSc

Accelerated top-up MSc in restorative dentistry

A one year accelerated top-up MSc is available to those who hold a Diploma in Restorative Dentistry from what was the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK), the College of General Dentistry or Tipton Training. This course will begin in January.
MSc Restorative Dentistry (landscape)

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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