Course summary
Earn your MSc in Special Care Dentistry online, in a part-time programme that fits around your current practice. 10% NHS staff discount. Learn to provide holistic dental care for patients with special care needs. Join our Institute of Dentistry online to develop your theoretical knowledge, clinical expertise, and confidence in special care dentistry. No need for a career break This flexible online degree is designed to fit around your existing practice. Teaching is delivered part-time online, in combination with in-practice learning. You’ll be encouraged to put your learning into practice immediately, effectively improving your way of working. With our support, you’ll develop your skills and understanding in:
- special care dentistry
- the patient-centred approach to care
- a range of conditions and disabilities
- critical thinking, care planning and delivery from evidenced sources
- research and appraisal.
Modules
You’ll have live online sessions, which are spaced throughout your studies. These sessions are a great place to meet and share experiences with fellow professionals, as well as academic staff. They’ll feature breakout rooms, presentations and discussions. Attendance is mandatory, and some sessions will be recorded for later viewing. In-practice learning Through in-practice learning, you’ll build your clinical experience and put your online learning into practice. You’ll prepare reports based on clients you’ve seen and submit these as part of your studies. You’ll also carry out interviews with patients and carers.
Assessment method
This degree is assessed online. We’ll use several types of assessment throughout your studies, including: Formative assessments - A patient pathway for a Special Care group, a health promotion programme, literature review of a topic of interest. Summative assessments - Case studies of two patients you have seen during the course within your own practice, review of a log book of 5-10 patients you have seen during your studies, and a single best answer paper.
How to apply
International applicants
This distance-learning special care dentistry degree is delivered flexibly, 100% online. You can learn with us anywhere, no student visa required, and manage your study hours to suit you.
Entry requirements
This degree is for qualified dentists with interest and experience of treating patients with a special care need. To join us for this degree, you should: hold a BDS or equivalent dental degree; have been qualified for at least four years; be working in practice currently be registered by the General Dental Council (or equivalent in your country) and have appropriate clinical experience.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Overall - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 6.0 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above. IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 90 | TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition: Overall - 90 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 21 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above. DI code is 0818 |
| PTE Academic | 62 | Overall - 62 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above. Online test is not accepted. |
| Institution's Own Test | Academic English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE) - Pass (valid for 1 year). Academic English Preparation Programme undertaken at other UK HEI - accredited by BALEAP and within 1 year of start of course. | |
| Cambridge English Advanced | C | Overall - 176 with: Listening - 162 or above; Reading - 162 or above; Speaking - 162 or above; Writing - 169 or above. |
To study for a postgraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write academic English fluently. These skills will allow you to understand lectures, produce high standards of written work, and perform well in examinations. We can assess your English language proficiency through a variety of means: through your nationality, through the qualifications you gained in high school, through the degree you undertook or are undertaking at university, or through a recognised English language test. Postgraduate Higher requirements are used by the Schools of Business; Divinity, History and Philosophy; Education; Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture; Law; and Social Sciences. The MSc in Oil and Gas Enterprise Management and the MSc in Integrated Petroleum Geoscience also make use of the Postgraduate Higher requirements. Please note certification must be within the two years prior to commencement of your degree programme, unless otherwise stated.
Please use the checklist at the following webpage to determine how you can meet our English language requirements:
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/requirements-pg-266.php
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this 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
Fee information is not yet published for entry in Academic Year 2026/2027. For guidance, the fees on the University Online Prospectus website are for 2025/26.
Sponsorship information
The University of Aberdeen provides an Alumni Discount Scheme: The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen.
Provider information
University of Aberdeen
Directorate of Global Engagement, Marketing and Recruitment
King's College
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX