Course overview

Having expanded your understanding of General Dental Practice topics and evidence-based dental care, this 90-credit top-up programme represents an opportunity to further solidify your knowledge and top up to master's. Developed in partnership with Cambridge Academy of Dental Implantology (CADI), this programme enables you to assimilate your existing knowledge and attain an advanced level of understanding within your selected area of focus.

This is achieved through the completion of a 30-credit Advanced Research Methods in Dental Implantology (DI4ARM) module, complemented by a 60-credit individual research project that pertains directly to clinical practice. Throughout your journey, you will benefit from collaborative academic guidance and support, ensuring a comprehensive and impactful educational experience.

Why General Dental Practice at Aston University?

Top up with Aston

Currently the only UK provider giving the opportunity to top up existing qualification.

Cambridge Academy of Dental Implantology (CADI)

Collaborative partnership with Cambridge Academy of Dental Implantology (CADI),

Internationally recognised research

100% of the Health and Life Sciences research environment has been ranked as being at least internationally excellent, with 50% being world-leading

Course description

General Dental Practice MSc

Aston University is presently the only provider in the UK providing students with the opportunity to top up their existing qualification in the subject and convert it into a fully approved master’s qualification.

What we will provide
First-class teaching delivered by a diverse array of staff with years of industry practice that is harnessed to provide you with learning based on real-world needs. Our teaching aims to inspire and excite you and bring your course to life.

What you will provide
It is important you learn how to adapt a growth mindset to your studies - understanding that intelligence and success comes from applying yourself. You must be able to demonstrate critical thinking and have ambition and drive to excel.

What skills we teach
Develop the skills and knowledge of advanced research methodology, analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, and high-quality independent research. Additionally, learn to use your own and others’ research findings to inform your practice, and develop key verbal and written communication skills to convey and disseminate your research to the wider sector.

Career prospects
This course has been designed for those already in professional practice who want to advance their skills and gain a deeper understanding of their field of practice or develop knowledge in new areas. Like the flexibility of this course, the career progression opportunities it provides are highly personal. Many students choose to undertake this qualification to progress within their selected career path, others branch out into new fields.

How you will learn

Throughout your journey, you will benefit from collaborative academic guidance and support, ensuring a comprehensive and impactful educational experience. You will study two modules consisting of a total of 90 credits to contribute to the 180 credits required for a master's qualification. Each credit is equivalent to 10 learning hours; these may include but are not limited to online lectures, seminars, tutorials, small group activity, reading, formative assessment activity, other independent study and reflecting on assignment feedback.

What you will learn

Advanced Research Methods in Dental Implantology (DI4ARM) – 30 credits

The aim of this module is to develop your knowledge and skills in designing, conducting and appraising research. Upon completion, you will:

Develop a suitable research question based on the reading of literature and plan a programme of research.
Be able to select and implement appropriate quantitative and qualitative techniques for different research questions and designs.

Research Project – 60 credits

The aim of the module is to give you the opportunity to research a topic which is of professional interest and importance. Directed study of the most up-to-date literature relevant to the field of dentistry will allow you to develop a contemporary understanding of the subject matter and provide a critical appraisal of published evidence in the selected field.

This module provides students with the opportunity to plan and manage their own research project subject to ethical clearance. Knowledge gained from undertaking the core Advanced Research Methods in Dental Implantology (DI4ARM) module is required.

For more information about this course, please contact Bhavisha J. Koner and/or Stuart Ellis

Course objectives

Demonstrate substantial competence in research skills, including development of hypotheses, research design, execution, data analysis and interpretation, critical evaluation of literature, and reporting of an empirically based project.
Demonstrate understanding of ethical issues and knowledge of theory and literature for topic of choice within the field of general dental practice
Demonstrate the ability to undertake independent research with the ability to manage time and resources

Taught stage modules

In the taught stage, you will study the following core module:

Module Title	Credits
Advanced Research Methods in Dental Implantology (DI4ARM)	30
Total	30

Dissertation stage modules

In the dissertation stage, you will study the following core module:

Module Title	Credits
Research Project in General Dental Practice	60
Total	60

We may update our courses to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.

Entry requirements

Entry will be via advanced standing into stage 3 and through recognised prior learning of a minimum of 90 credits or equivalent at level 7. This can be satisfied by attaining Associate Fellowship (AssocFCGDent) or Fellowship (FCGDent) of the College of General Dentistry or the EduQual awarded Bridging Pathway (PGDip) in General Dental Practice, as delivered by Cambridge Academy of Dental Implantology (CADI).

Students are expected to have completed the required 90 credits or equivalent within the previous 3 years to progress to Aston’s Master’s programme.
Normally, students will be required to have attained, a minimum of 60% in any written assignments and an overall minimum mark of 60%, when applicable, within the identified 90 credits to progress to Aston’s Master’s programme.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

For details of equivalent qualifications in your country, use our area pages below:

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

How to apply

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

Pathway Programmes

If you don’t meet our entry requirements, we have a range of pathway programmes offered by our partner, ONCAMPUS Aston, which you can complete to progress onto one of our degrees.

Masters Foundation programmes

If you don’t meet our entry requirements, we have a range of pathway programmes offered by our partner, ONCAMPUS Aston, which you can complete to progress onto one of our degrees.

Speak to our Admissions Team

If you have any questions about the application process please get in touch with our postgraduate admissions team:

Email: pgadmissions@aston.ac.uk

Call: 0121 204 3200 (Please note this line is open Monday-Friday between 09.30 am-4.30 pm)

Read our guide to applying

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2026/27)

Tuition fee:

£15,000

International students
(2026/27)

Tuition fee:

£15,000

This fee can be paid in three parts over October, January, and April. (Note: your deposit will be automatically deducted from the tuition fee).

More information on fees

The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as UK students.

Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore scholarships for UK students

Explore scholarships for international students