Dentistry research degrees

An overview of our postgraduate research in dentistry and entry requirements for PhDs and other research degrees.

A dental student wearing protective eyewear, gloves, and a face mask, standing beside dental equipment in a clinical training setting.

The University of Dundee’s School of Dentistry, a WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Issues on Congenital Anomalies and Technology Transfer, has an established reputation in the quality of its dental research and the delivery of research degrees.

At present, over half of our research postgraduate students are from overseas countries such as the Middle East, Egypt, Trinidad and Brazil and the major attraction is our expertise in a number of fields including dental public health / health services, cariology and craniofacial anomalies. Students have come with a range of funding including research councils, scholarships and sponsorship from their host countries.

The duration of our higher degrees programmes is normally 1 year full time for a Masters degree and 3 years full time for a doctorate (PhD). However, alongside these studies, a minority of students may avail themselves of clinical experience or training in extended programmes (4 or 5 year duration).  There are also laboratory based projects in dental materials, molecular biology and tissue engineering available.

PhD opportunities in Dentistry

Propose your own PhD topic

If you want to propose your PhD topic, you can use the contact details below to contact a staff member to discuss your proposal.

How to write your best postgraduate research proposal

Entry requirements

You should have an honours degree at 2.1 or above, and/or a Masters degree in a relevant discipline.

English language requirements

Non-clinical research

IELTS (overall) Reading Listening Speaking Writing
6.5 5.5 5.5 6.0 6.0

Clinical research

IELTS (overall) Reading Listening Speaking Writing
7.0 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5

We also accept other English language qualifications

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you are a national of certain countries.

Don't meet the English language requirements?

English language programmes

Prepare for university study and benefit from extra English tuition with an English language programme.

Dentistry PhD tuition fees

Academic year of entry Scottish/Rest of UK fee status International fee status
2024/25
Band 1 £4,786
per year of study		 £26,680
per year of study
Band 2 £9,128
per year of study		 £36,855
per year of study
Band 3 £13,148
per year of study		 £51,050
per year of study
Academic year of entry Scottish/Rest of UK fee status International fee status
2025/26
Band 1 £5,006
per year of study		 £28,000
per year of study
Band 2 £9,585
per year of study		 £38,700
per year of study
Band 3 £13,805
per year of study		 £53,600
per year of study

Dentistry Masters by Research tuition fees

  • Integrated Masters
  • MDSc (R) 1 year Non Clinical
     
Academic year of entry Scottish/Rest of UK fee status International fee status
2024/25 £4,786
per year of study		 £26,680
per year of study
Academic year of entry Scottish/Rest of UK fee status International fee status
2025/26 £5,006
per year of study		 £28,000
per year of study

Tuition fee per year of study (subject to a 3% annual increase for Scottish/Rest of UK students and a 5% annual increase for International students).

The tuition fee, and mode of attendance shown within the application system is provisional and confirmed when you are made an offer.

Part time study, where available, is charged on a pro-rata basis.

Scottish/Rest of UK fee status annual increase

Each year, UKRI sets a recommended fee and stipend level for Scottish/Rest of UK students, which we use as the basis for fees charged to this group.

UKRI usually increases its fee and stipend levels in line with inflation, based on the Treasury GDP deflator. 

Therefore, the Scottish/Rest of UK fees detailed in this table for 2025/26 (and beyond) can only be estimated according to the typical increase. 

The fee charged to you may differ, though only slightly, from the figure given.

Apply for a research degree

You can apply for a PhD or other postgraduate research degree using our Direct Application System.

We have three start dates per academic year.

PhD Dentistry (with clinical component)

PhD Dentistry (non-clinical)

MDSc Dentistry (non-clinical)

Dentistry (non-graduating) (research)

 

Disabled students

The University of Dundee welcomes applications from disabled students.

Enquiries