Are you fascinates by the human body? Do you have a natural aptitude for the sciences? Would you like to pursue a career in the dental industry? If this sounds like you then dentistry is the ideal course for you.

However, dentistry is a prestigious course which is offered at only 15 institutions in the UK. As such it is not only competitive, but incredibly hard work, with a lot of academic course content. As such potential students need to be hard-working with a passion for the subject matter.

Yet it is also important for potential students to be self-motivated and able to work independently. While there are many contact hours, students are also expected to engage with critical texts, submit written assignments and study for examinations.

The majority of dentistry students choose to pursue careers within the dental profession, working as a dental practitioner, surgeon or nurse. The average entry level salary for a UK Dentist is £30,132, although this may differ in other countries, which makes dentistry a lucrative career for these with a strong degree.

For those who finish university, but decide not to pursue a career as a dentist, there are also many alternative career options available that utilise the information learnt as part of your qualification. Many drug companies look to hire research assistants with dentistry degrees to help with the development of specialised dental treatments, or as sales representatives.

Some graduates decide not to pursue careers within dentistry at all, opting for something else entirely. From social care work and medical publishing to pursuing careers in journalism, law or even teaching, dentistry is a subject that offers a wide range of opportunity.

In the UK, there are only 15 dental schools and only 5 of these offer postgraduate courses. This combined with the earning potential of the newly qualified means that it is a very competitive course, so you will be expected to have strong grades. For postgraduate courses, applicants will be required to have a 2:1 dentistry or science-related degree, and those wishing to study at undergraduate level should have 3 A-levels, or equivalent, in science subjects.

Dentistry undergraduate degrees will last a minimum of 5 years, with postgraduate courses lasting a minimum of a year. Similarly, non-native speakers wishing to study at either level will be expected to score a minimum of 6.5 on an IELTS test.

Throughout your course, you will be assessed in a number of different ways. Not only will you be expected to submit written assignments and sit examinations, but you will also be expected to partake in more practical study sessions. You will also be expected to undertake work placements before qualifying.

One of the beneficial aspects to studying dentistry is that you won’t be too overwhelmed when making a choice as to where to study. There are only 15 universities offering dentistry in the UK, but competition for places is fierce. Before deciding that this is the subject you want to subject, ensure that you will be able to meet the entry requirements, otherwise your application is unlikely to be considered.

If you are currently applying for undergraduate courses, you should also remember that the degree programme is a minimum of 5 years, and the fees are likely to be costly. Are you able to afford your study? If you’re struggling financially, there are a number of bursaries and grants available.

Whether you’re studying at undergraduate or at post-graduate level, make sure that the University has formed a close working relationship with local hospitals and medical facilities ensuring that you make the most out of your study time. Similarly, while the module options are important, you should also look at the prestige of your university. Universities such as Bristol, Glasgow, Belfast, Dundee and Manchester all have an excellent reputation for their dentistry courses.

Of course it is also important to choose somewhere that will make you happy for the duration of your course, particularly if you’re opting to live away from home. Wherever you choose to study, your qualification will end up costing you a lot of money, so you need to ensure that you get the most out of your time as a student. As such it is important that you consider whether the surrounding culture will add to the pleasure of your University years as well as academic benefits of studying at a particular institution.