Course summary
The University of Cambridge Postgraduate Certificate in Dental Education has been designed collaboratively by University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) and the University of Cambridge, School of Clinical Medicine’s Clinical Deanery. The Postgraduate Certificate is a one-year, part-time Master’s-level programme resulting in 60 Level-7 credits and the University of Cambridge award. The Postgraduate Certificate is aimed at professionals with educational roles in dentistry, including clinical supervision (direct oversight of the day-to-day practice of a dental student or trainee), educational supervision (overview of the performance and development of one or more trainees), formal teaching in academic settings (undergraduate and postgraduate), specific educational leadership roles, such as those of training programme director, and other professionals allied to dentistry that have a role in teaching both undergraduates and postgraduates. The programme aims to develop:
- an individual's ability to adopt an informed and critically reflective stance to their own and to others’ practice as dental educators, whether working in academic or practice settings
- an individual's own teaching practice (including approaches to the design, implementation and evaluation of teaching)
- a strong rationale for approaches they adopt, drawing on contemporary learning literatures, within and beyond dental education
- our Postgraduate Diploma in Dental Education, 1 year, part-time
- our MSt in Dental Education (upon successful completion of the postgraduate diploma), 1 year, part-time, launching in 2027 to 2028
Modules
The Postgraduate Certificate comprises 2 modules and combines in-person and online study days with additional between-module reflection, study and assignment work. Module 1: Core Skills in Dental Education Module 2: Supporting Dental Learning Further details are available on the PACE course website.
Assessment method
Each module will include both formative and summative assessments. Assessed topics will likely include reflective accounts of teaching and teaching plans, and exploration of participants’ development as educators in relation to the educational models discussed during the course. Assessment will be through a range of formats which may include coursework, written and oral examinations, posters, presentations and projects. The summative assessments total 9,000 to 11,000 words.
How to apply
International applicants
Our courses are taught in English and require a good level of fluency. If English is not your first language, you'll need to prove you have sufficient fluency before admission. If we offer you a place, it will be subject to you meeting this requirement. As a minimum, you will be required to demonstrate an overall score of 7.5 in IELTS Academic with a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component (or equivalent). We welcome applications from international students. If you're coming from overseas, you would attend the in-person teaching sessions for this course with visitor immigration permission. It's important to be aware that entering the UK as a visitor for study purposes comes with certain expectations and restrictions, and you should fully understand the requirements.
Entry requirements
Typically, we expect a good UK undergraduate degree, such as a 2.1, or international equivalent. If your degree is not from the UK, check international qualifications on the University’s postgraduate site to find the equivalent in your country. If you wish to apply to join the programme you must also be a post-foundation-year dentist in primary, secondary or tertiary care, or a Dental Care Professional (DCP), who is involved in teaching students at undergraduate or postgraduate levels or who has a role in training and appraising dental healthcare professionals. You must hold a Dental or Dental Care Professional (DCP) qualification or another relevant healthcare profession qualification. You must have had at least one year of experience as a teacher prior to starting the programme.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £5406 | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £5406 | Whole course |
| Scotland | £5406 | Whole course |
| Wales | £5406 | Whole course |
| International | £10812 | Whole course |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
There is a £85 application fee
Provider information
University of Cambridge
The Old Schools
Trinity Lane
Cambridge
CB2 1TN