Key information
UCAS code:
B755
Typical offer:
120 HE credits at level 4 (Certificate) in Dental Nursing related subjects
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Whether you’re due to graduate with a GDC accredited CertHE Dental Nursing or other Level 4 Dental Nursing Qualification, or you’re a practising dental nurse and keen to develop your career, this Advanced Dental Nursing Professional Practice degree will boost your prospects. It enables you to top-up your existing qualifications to a BSc (Hons) degree in just 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time.
You'll develop your clinical skills and learn to become more interactive with patient care and to improve skill mix within the dental team. You'll gain graduate skills to help you progress into senior dental nursing roles and practice at a higher level. Employers recognise the part that dental nurses with advanced skills contribute to improving dental care across the UK. As demand for dental care services continues to rise, you’ll be well placed to take advantage of opportunities to grow your role.
Course highlights
- Broaden your clinical skills in areas ranging from impression taking to radiography
- Get ready for opportunities as a lead dental nurse, clinical coordinator or practice manager by developing knowledge and skills in mentorship and clinical audit
- Develop demonstrable skills in leadership and decision-making, communication and managing people
- Build your credibility for senior roles by gaining knowledge and understanding of clinical governance
- Apply your learning in the community as part of a clinical student team, treating real patients via the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy and its outreach projects
- Become an Oral Health Practitioner, providing preventative advice and procedures in community and clinical environments
Top 30
for student satisfaction
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsClearing is open
This course is available through Clearing.
How to apply for accommodation
We have a variety of accommodation options, including studios, en-suites, catered, self-catered and private rental options. See how our housing team can help you find a place to call home.
Clearing FAQs
To work out your UCAS points, use our UCAS Calculator to work out how many UCAS points you have.
The tariff calculator will allow you to see what grades you need to get into your preferred course at Portsmouth.
You can apply through Clearing if:
- You don't meet the conditions of your offer for your firm (first) or insurance (second) choice courses
- Your exam results are better than you expected and you want to change your course or university
- You don't hold any offers
- You've accepted an offer but changed your mind about the course you want to do
- You're applying for the first time after 30 June 2024
After we make you an offer we'll send you a confirmation email. This email will let you know what you need to do next and it will tell you what you need to provide us. In some instances we may ask you to send us copies of certificates or you may need to send us a portfolio.
If you've previously applied through UCAS you'll need to use your UCAS Hub to accept our offer by adding us as your Clearing choice.
If you're having issues, please contact us on +44 (0)23 9284 8090 or admissions@port.ac.uk
Once you've accepted your Clearing course offer, we'll be in touch with details of available accommodation in the area. This will include our latest hall availability and support to find local rented accommodation via portsmouthstudentpad.co.uk
See our accommodation page for more information.
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Find out more in our Student finance for Clearing guide.
If you're an EU or international student and you need a visa to study here, you need to start the process quickly as visas can take some time to come through. Get in touch with our visa support team if you have a question or problem.
See more on visa advice.
If you would like further information or guidance, please contact our international office or call our International Clearing Hotline on +44(0)23 9284 8785.
Entry requirements
BSc (Hons) Advanced Dental Nursing Professional Practice (Top-up)
Typical offers
- UCAS points – 120 HE credits at level 4 (Certificate) in dental nursing related subjects.
- Applicants with Dental Nurse GDC Registration and sufficient level 5 credits from FDSc or DipHE or equivalent Dental Nursing education programmes can apply for direct entry (with advanced standing) to level 6, subject to RPL.
- All applicants must have a qualification that is recognised by the GDC and allows them to work as a dental nurse in the UK.
Selection process
- All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in support of their application. Applicants must pass Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health checks before starting the course.
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs –see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
English language requirements
- English Language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Facilities and clinics
Discover our dental facilities
Gain experience developing your skills and prepare for a career in dentistry with our dental facilities.
Careers and opportunities
Now is the ideal time to boost your career potential with this BSc (Hons) Advanced Dental Nursing Professional Practice (Top-Up). Health Education England’s Advancing Dental Care Review 2021 recommends building up the capabilities of dental professionals. It calls for better use of the skills mix and multi-disciplinary teamworking within dental care services.
If you’re already working professionally as a dental nurse, you will almost certainly have noticed that demand on dental services is rising. Increasingly, dental nurses will be expected to carry out more direct patient care and senior roles, as well as performing their statutory duties of supporting clinicians and patients.
This qualification will equip you to take advantage of those opportunities. It can also open up a range of other professional paths.
What areas can you work with in with a BSc (Hons) Advanced Dental Nursing Professional Practice?
- general dental practice (NHS or private)
- specialist services such as cosmetic dentistry and dental implants
- pharmaceutical industry
- oral care industry
- dental education
- supervision of trainee dental nurses
What jobs can you do with a BSc (Hons) Advanced Dental Nursing Professional Practice?
- senior dental nurse
- clinical coordinator
- dental practice manager
- graduate roles in the pharmaceutical industry
- graduate roles in the oral care industry
You’ll also be a step closer to specialist dental roles such as hygienist or therapist, with further training.
Alternatively, you could choose to progress into further study, such as a Master’s in the dental field. Pursuing an academic path may lead you to further advanced career opportunities, or allow you to move into higher educational roles or research.
Ongoing careers support
After you graduate, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability Service as you advance in your career.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits. In each full-time year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits, or 60 credits if studying part-time.
What you'll study (full-time)
Core modules
All modules in this year are core.
Development of an integrated understanding of the scientific principles underpinning extended and additional dental nursing skills and the application to practice under the supervision of registered dental professionals. You'll engage in pre-clinical learning and collaborate with other members of the dental team to provide patient centred dental care in the clinical environment. To demonstrate competence of key clinical skills the Longitudinal Integrative Fully Transferable Undergraduate Postgraduate Portfolio software (LIFTUPP) will be used to monitor and record clinical development, progression and achievement as part of your clinical portfolio. You are required to pass both assessment artefacts to complete this module successfully.
On this module you'll:
- Analyse the impact of barriers to effective communication.
- Locate, access and appraise the use of a range of communication methods, engaging with familiar and emerging digital technologies in support of clinical practice.
- Apply the principles of equality, respect and dignity (equality and diversity) to demonstrate evidence based reflective practice based on professional responsibility, ethical practice and social justice and sustainability.
- Explore and discuss opportunities for personal development.
- Discuss the impact of medical and psychological conditions in the patient and how to manage anxiety and pain through effective communication and relevant behavioural techniques.
- Interpret the principles of information governance.
The module explores the theory relevant to radiography. This module is under the direction of a specialist in the areas that relate to dental radiography. You'll be supervised taking radiographs on patients until successful completion of this module.
You are required to pass both assessment artefacts to complete this module successfully.
Key content of the module includes 'Finding your voice' as a member of an interprofessional team in healthcare, with the aim of delivering person centred care, while reducing and managing errors and near misses.
You'll critique knowledge and awareness of evidence in the context of their respective discipline. You must pass both assessment artefacts to successfully pass the module.
Core modules
All modules in this year are core.
On this module you'll:
- Critically assess the health needs and health indicators of a local community in a defined geographical part of the UK
- Analyse the local health needs, health promotion and provision against current national norms.
- Critically discuss the role of key stakeholders when planning innovative approaches to health (promotion).
- Analyse the components of inter-professional collaborative working in health improvement
- Appraise the complexity of influences on social and individual behaviour when working to effect behaviour change
You are required to pass both assessment artefacts to complete this module successfully.
In addition you'll develop your role as a mentor in the practice environment. Throughout this module valuable knowledge and competence will be gained in order to fulfil the mentor role effectively and forms the bases from which mentors can develop their role within education.
The module aims to ensure that you develop a critical understanding of the processes of clinical governance and continuous quality improvement through clinical leadership and can apply these principles to the clinical setting, using a range of communication skills, reflection, clinical judgement and critical evaluation of the evidence base for clinical practice. It follows a two stepped approach; focusing on self through reflection on leadership attributes and working with others to manage legal or professional challenge accurately, fairly, openly, ethically and professionally. You are required to pass both assessment artefacts to complete this module successfully.
You'll collect and analyse evidence from a variety of sources and explore an area of best practice. From this research, you'll then develop a plan that communicates and critically discusses your findings.
What you'll study (part-time)
Core modules
All modules in this year are core.
Development of an integrated understanding of the scientific principles underpinning extended and additional dental nursing skills and the application to practice under the supervision of registered dental professionals. You'll engage in pre-clinical learning and collaborate with other members of the dental team to provide patient centred dental care in the clinical environment. To demonstrate competence of key clinical skills the Longitudinal Integrative Fully Transferable Undergraduate Postgraduate Portfolio software (LIFTUPP) will be used to monitor and record clinical development, progression and achievement as part of your clinical portfolio. You are required to pass both assessment artefacts to complete this module successfully.
On this module you'll:
- Analyse the impact of barriers to effective communication.
- Locate, access and appraise the use of a range of communication methods, engaging with familiar and emerging digital technologies in support of clinical practice.
- Apply the principles of equality, respect and dignity (equality and diversity) to demonstrate evidence based reflective practice based on professional responsibility, ethical practice and social justice and sustainability.
- Explore and discuss opportunities for personal development.
- Discuss the impact of medical and psychological conditions in the patient and how to manage anxiety and pain through effective communication and relevant behavioural techniques.
- Interpret the principles of information governance.
Core modules
All modules in this year are core.
The module explores the theory relevant to radiography. This module is under the direction of a specialist in the areas that relate to dental radiography. You'll be supervised taking radiographs on patients until successful completion of this module.
You are required to pass both assessment artefacts to complete this module successfully.
Key content of the module includes 'Finding your voice' as a member of an interprofessional team in healthcare, with the aim of delivering person centred care, while reducing and managing errors and near misses.
You'll critique knowledge and awareness of evidence in the context of their respective discipline. You must pass both assessment artefacts to successfully pass the module.
Core modules
All modules in this year are core.
On this module you'll:
- Critically assess the health needs and health indicators of a local community in a defined geographical part of the UK
- Analyse the local health needs, health promotion and provision against current national norms.
- Critically discuss the role of key stakeholders when planning innovative approaches to health (promotion).
- Analyse the components of inter-professional collaborative working in health improvement
- Appraise the complexity of influences on social and individual behaviour when working to effect behaviour change
You are required to pass both assessment artefacts to complete this module successfully.
In addition you'll develop your role as a mentor in the practice environment. Throughout this module valuable knowledge and competence will be gained in order to fulfil the mentor role effectively and forms the bases from which mentors can develop their role within education.
Core modules
All modules in this year are core.
The module aims to ensure that you develop a critical understanding of the processes of clinical governance and continuous quality improvement through clinical leadership and can apply these principles to the clinical setting, using a range of communication skills, reflection, clinical judgement and critical evaluation of the evidence base for clinical practice. It follows a two stepped approach; focusing on self through reflection on leadership attributes and working with others to manage legal or professional challenge accurately, fairly, openly, ethically and professionally. You are required to pass both assessment artefacts to complete this module successfully.
You'll collect and analyse evidence from a variety of sources and explore an area of best practice. From this research, you'll then develop a plan that communicates and critically discusses your findings.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed. This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.
Assessment
- essays
- group and individual presentations
- portfolio development
- online exams
- vivas (oral defences of your work)
- clinical observations
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- pre-clinical simulation
- clinical team working
- lectures
- workshops
- seminars
Teaching staff include experienced dental professionals who currently work with patients in the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy and other local services. They are thoroughly up-to-date with the latest developments in the industry and professional practice. This means they can share valuable experience and insights with you as part of their approach to developing your knowledge and skills.
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
A typical week
Full-time
We recommend you spend at least 30 hours a week studying for your degree. You’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as seminars and pre-clinical simulation for about 25 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as engaging with online learning resources, or working with peers to prepare a group presentation. Most timetabled teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday.
Part-time
We recommend you spend at least 16 hours a week studying for your degree. You’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as seminars and pre-clinical simulation for about 8-10 hours. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as engaging with online learning resources, or working with peers to prepare a group presentation. We’ll expect you to attend teaching activities on campus at least 1 day a week Monday to Friday. You may also be required on campus to complete clinical aspects of the course in June and July.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Due to the clinical elements of the course and the professional, regulatory and statutory body requirement of the General Dental Council, the Dental Academy (UPDA) term dates will differ from the standard University dates, meaning you'll need to attend campus from early September to the end of July.
Supporting you
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
- Full-time – £9,535 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time – £4,625 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
EU students
- Full-time – £9,535 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time – £4,625 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
International students
- Full-time – £17,200 per year (subject to annual increase)
- Part-time – £8,600 per year (subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Additional costs
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
You’ll get 2 sets of scrubs (clinical clothing) and a name badge at the start of the course. You can order extra or replacement scrubs at £11 per set. You can also order replacement name badges for £7.
You’ll need to buy your own visor frame (available from the Dental Academy for £12) and a pair of black shoes which enclose the foot (not canvas or clogs).
You’ll need to bring your own 40mm padlock if you use our locker facilities.
You’ll attend outreach locations to support your studies, and you’ll need to cover travel costs. The NHS may meet some of these costs through its Learning Support Fund.
Optional conference trips will cost in the region of £100–£200. You may have the opportunity to engage in the Erasmus programme, which will incur additional costs.
Apply
How to apply
To start this course full-time in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – B755
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
To start this course part-time in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – B755
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.