This MSc course is a general postgraduate degree designed specifically for dentists working in primary dental care. The majority of the learning is by interactive lectures, and the volume of hands-on is increasing.
Since few practitioners can leave their practices for a year in order to complete a Masters degree, the course is part time, running on Wednesday afternoons in Birmingham (which is easily accessible from many areas of England and Wales), 32 weeks of the year for three to five years, depending on how much time the student can devote to it. It is module based, each module lasting eight weeks: students take four per year, to a maximum of 12. There are no examinations – each module has its own assessments. Students also complete two log diaries on patients whom they have treated, and produce a research or audit report, with prizes being awarded to the best performing student overall and in various modules. The course commences in October of each year.