PhD with a Clinical Component
Whatever your dental subdiscipline, this four year PhD with a Clinical Component is an ideal opportunity to engage in exciting research that will grow your research capabilities and confidence, whilst developing your clinical skills.
On four days each week you will be conducting research and one day each week you will be enhancing your clinical skills via: didactic teaching, attendance at specialist clinics and the supervised care of patients. Here you will be working with, and supervised by, experienced clinical mentors/trainers and teachers.
The clinical themes outlined on this page below are for those who wish to focus on Restorative Dentistry. However, if you wish to pursue another dental subdiscipline, we will tailor your training need accordingly to ensure you achieve your personal and professional goals.
Programme aims
Using a capability approach, to develop a sound understanding of your dental subdiscipline, demonstrated through supervised care of patients and engagement in the tutorials.
Key facts
| Mode of study | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Qualification | PhD |
| Full-time duration | 4 years |
| Start dates | January, March, April, July, September, October |
The clinical themes outlined below are for those who wish to focus on restorative dentistry. However, if you wish to pursue another dental subdiscipline, we will tailor your training need accordingly. With the clinical component, you may wish to join year one to place your subdiscipline into context, and then focus on your specialist area in subsequent years
During sessions led by academics that will form part of the clinical component, you will engage with the following themes:
Year One: Clinical governance, operative dentistry, introductory fixed and removable prosthodontics, introductory periodontology and introductory endodontics.
Year Two: Fixed prosthodontics, full and partial removable prosthodontics, applied dental materials, and dental digital techniques.
Year Three: Interfaces and dental implants.
Year Four: Enhanced fixed and removable prosthodontics, endodontics, and periodontology.
Key to your application is meeting with your PhD supervisors and scoping your proposed research topic.
Your topic will be aligned with the school’s research aims and may involve colleagues outside the school.
If successful with your application, your induction will include an appreciation of the scientific approach including the handling of data and laboratory skills. During your collection of data over the four year programme, you will be fully supported.
UK government postgraduate doctoral loans
Candidates for the Professional Doctorate programme may be eligible to apply for a UK government postgraduate doctoral loan.
Find out more about UK government postgraduate doctoral loansFunding
See our latest PhD studentships and projects and find out more about other funding opportunities.
Tuition fees
Find the fees for our postgraduate research courses.
Students from the UK
Get the latest information on postgraduate fees.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
Get the latest information on postgraduate fees.
Students from the rest of the world (international)
As part of your application, you will need to provide the following:
- a letter of application and CV
- evidence of being a registered dental practitioner
- one academic reference
- one clinical reference
- evidence that you meet the English language requirements
If your application meets the requirements, you will:
- be invited to prepare a protocol with your supervisor on the research project
- evidence your operative skills
- demonstrate clinical problem solving
- take part in a virtual interview at which you will talk about your research proposal
You must have been awarded a primary dental qualification.
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 with 6.5 in each subskill, or equivalent, taken within the past 2 years.
Please read our English language requirements for more details.
