Orthodontics (MScD)
- Duration: 3 years
- Mode: Full time
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
You will gain the skills needed to perform as a competent specialist in Orthodontics, with focus on the clinical, theoretical and research areas required for provision of appropriate patient care.
Recognised course
This course is recognised for training purposes by the Royal Colleges for the Membership in Orthodontics of both Edinburgh and the Bicollegiate examination.
Diverse training
There will be opportunities to receive clinical training from a range of orthodontists, and to join multidisciplinary joint clinics (e.g. orthognathic) in the latter stages of your training.
Join a top 4 Dental School
Top 4 for dentistry in the UK (The Complete University Guide 2025).
University Dental Hospital
Our School is located in a working hospital, where there are approximately 100,000 patient contacts per year. Next door you'll find 100 acres of parkland and playing fields, and the vibrant city centre is a walkable two-mile distance away.
Strong links with NHS
Our close links with the National Health Service allow us access to a diverse range of patients, whose clinical care needs are suitable for specialist and advanced clinical teaching.
Close-knit community
Our close-knit student community study a range of specialties, and our dedicated postgraduate team will ensure you have all the support you need.
The programme is designed to provide clinical and academic training for future specialists in Clinical Orthodontics in a highly professional and rewarding environment.
Established for over 40 years and one of the longest-running clinical training programmes in the UK. The course equips you with the skills needed to perform as a competent specialist in orthodontics, with focus on the clinical, theoretical and research areas required for provision of appropriate patient care. All students will be encouraged to take the Membership in Orthodontics.
The course requires full time attendance over a three-year period, with the final examination in the spring of year three. The course consists of three main elements:
a) a taught course covering evidence-based topics that are consistent with the recommendations of the World Federation of Orthodontists, European and national guidelines;
b) a clinical practical element of supervised management of selected problems of dento-facial abnormality;
c) a research project and preparation of a dissertation.
Throughout the programme, each student will spend five clinical half day sessions per week providing direct patient care and one session per week attending new patient and joint clinics. One half day session per week is dedicated to academic teaching in the autumn and spring terms, and three half day sessions are timetabled for research and personal study in the autumn and spring terms. An additional session is available for research during the summer term, resulting in there being approximately 560 hours available per year for research.
Clinical teaching and instruction will be delivered through structured sessions including seminars, case reviews and interactive clinical presentations; guided critical reading and journal clubs; research forum presentations and critical appraisal of research methodologies; individual research guidance; attendance at regional and national meetings of relevance, and self-directed learning and presentation in small group forums to encourage a problem-based learning philosophy. There are summative and formative assessments throughout the three-year programme with research being assessed through a final dissertation in year three.
Our teaching is at the forefront of dental education, clinical training and research, and you will have the opportunity to work with and learn from leaders in their respective fields. You’ll have access to some of the finest clinical, educational and research facilities of the top UK Dental School in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF).
On successful completion of the programme you will be awarded a Master’s Degree in Orthodontics.
All of this takes place within a friendly, supportive and professional environment within the University Dental Hospital and School in Cardiff, where we do everything we can to ensure you have the very best experience and achieve your academic and clinical goals.
The course at Cardiff University is one of the longest running in the UK. It is renowned with a team of great researchers and a diverse group of distinguished alumni making it a great choice for me! I found the course truly enjoyable due to the welcoming nature of the supervisors and staff at the hospital. This made the work environment an exceptional experience on both a personal and professional level. The amazing amount of patient experience truly makes this programme one of the best.
Where you'll study
School of Dentistry
We are the only dental school in Wales, providing unique and important leadership in dental research, teaching and patient care.
Admissions criteria
Eligibility: Home students applying alongside an StR application will find further details about the StR post via Orthodontic StR national recruitment.
Please note: The programme does not come with a National Training Number and therefore will not permit automatic or any guarantee of entry to the Specialist list in the relevant dental monospecialty. Completion of the course does not automatically entitle entry to the GDC specialist list.
In order to be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.
With your online application you will need to provide:
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts which show you have achieved a primary dental qualification (BDS/DDS or equivalent).
- An academic reference which demonstrates your suitability for the programme. References should be signed and dated.
- A clinical reference to evidence 2 years’ full-time equivalent post-qualification experience at the time of application. References should be signed, dated and less than six months old at the time you submit your application.
- An up-to-date CV which details your full education and work history.
- Evidence that you are a registered dental practitioner, such as a professional registration record or certificate.
- Evidence that you have passed the MJDF/MFDS/FDS qualifications of a Royal College of Surgeons or alternative post-graduate qualification.
- A personal statement which describes your clinical experience, and a statement of understanding that you agree to comply with the University’s and Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust’s Occupational Health clearance including Exposure Prone Procedures (EPP).
English language requirements
The English language requirement for this programme is set by the regulatory body, the General Dental Council (GDC). In line with GDC guidelines, acceptable English language evidence includes:
- IELTS with an overall score of 7.0 with 6.5 in all subskills;
- A primary dental qualification which has been taught (in its entirety) in a country on the UKVI list of exceptions and is no more than 2 years old prior to the start of the programme;
- A pass in a language test for registration with a regulatory authority in a country where the first language is English, no longer than 2 years prior to the start of the programme;
- Evidence of 2 years’ experience of practising in a country where the first language is English.
If you provide evidence other than those listed above, it must meet the criteria set out by the GDC (ie; the evidence must be robust, recent and readily verifiable by the GDC).
You must meet the English language requirement at the point you submit your application, pending tests are not accepted.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is 31 December each year for entry the following September. If you submit an application after this date, we will only consider it if places are still available.
Selection process
We will review your application and if you meet the entry requirements, we will invite you to an interview. Following interview, offers will be made to the highest scoring candidates. Interviews are prioritised for those that have completed both Part 1 and Part 2 of MFDS/MJDF/MFD of a Royal College of Surgeons. Applications from those with Part 1 only or postgraduate qualifications not obtained from a Royal College of Surgeons may be considered, subject to availability of places.
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
Criminal convictions
You will be required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check if your application is successful. If you are applying from certain countries overseas, a Certificate of Good Conduct may be required.
If you have a relevant criminal conviction, this will be stated in the check and may affect your ability to enrol on the course. Applicants who are on the barred list should be aware that applying to this course is likely to be considered a criminal offence.
Course structure
This is a full-time, three-year course, with the final examination in the spring of year three. The course consists of three main elements:
- A taught course covering evidence-based topics that are consistent with the recommendations of the World Federation of Orthodontists, European and National guidelines
- A clinical practical element of supervised management of selected problems of dento-facial abnormality
- A research project and a dissertation.
Weekly sessions:Five clinical (half day) sessions per week providing direct patient care and one session per week attending new patient and joint clinics. One (half day) session per week is dedicated to academic teaching in the autumn and spring terms, and three (half day) sessions are timetabled for research and personal study in the autumn and spring terms. An additional session is available for research during the summer term yielding approximately 560 hours.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum. Final modules will be published one month ahead of your programme starting.
Year one
| Module title | Module code |
|---|---|
| OSCE | DEA001 |
| Written and Oral Examinations | DEA002 |
| RITA / Appraisal | DEA003 |
| Research Review | DEA011 |
| Clinical Examinations | DEA017 |
| General Orthodontic | DEP015 |
Year two
| Module title | Module code |
|---|---|
| Written and Oral Examinations | DEA004 |
| Written and Oral Examinations | DEA005 |
| RITA / Appraisal | DEA006 |
| Research Review | DEA012 |
| Clinical Examinations | DEA018 |
| Clinical Examinations | DEA019 |
| Basic Orthodontic Subjects | DEP008 |
Year three
| Module title | Module code |
|---|---|
| Written and Oral Examinations | DEA007 |
| RITA / Appraisal | DEA008 |
| MScD Examinations | DEA009 |
| Submission of Literature Review | DEA013 |
| Defence of Literature Review | DEA014 |
| Submission of Thesis | DEA015 |
| Defence of Thesis | DEA016 |
| Clinical Examinations | DEA020 |
| General Orthodontic | DEP015 |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
You will be taught via clinical teaching and instruction; a seminar programme; case review and interactive clinical presentations; guided critical reading and journal clubs; research forum presentations and critical appraisal of research methodologies; individual research guidance; attendance at regional and national meetings of relevance; and self-directed learning and presentation in small group forums to encourage a problem-based learning method.
How will I be assessed?
There are summative and formative assessments throughout the three-year programme with research being assessed through a final dissertation in year three.
How will I be supported?
All modules make extensive use of Cardiff University’s Virtual Learning Environment, Learning Central, on which you will find course materials and links to related materials. You will be supervised when undertaking your dissertation, and your supervisor will schedule regular meetings to discuss progress, provide advice and guidance, and give written feedback on a draft.
Opportunities to reflect on abilities and performance are made available through the Learning Central ‘Personal Development Planning’ module and through scheduled meetings with personal tutors.
Feedback
Students will receive written feedback on all assessments, in addition to oral feedback on assessed oral presentations.
What skills will I practise and develop?
- Diagnose anomalies of the dentition, facial structures and functional conditions.
- Detect deviations of the development of the dentition, of facial growth and occurrence of functional abnormalities.
- Formulate a treatment plan and predict its course.
- Carry out interceptive orthodontic measures.
- Execute simple and complex treatment procedures.
- Work together in multi-disciplinary teams for the treatment of compromised (adult) patients, orthodontic surgical cases and cleft palate patients.
- Evaluate the need for orthodontic treatment.
- Understand psychological aspects relevant to orthodontics.
- Further develop a scientific attitude and an enquiring mind.
- Undergo training in scientific methodology.
- Further develop your ability to interpret scientific literature.
- Carry out a research project.
- Prepare oral and written presentations of clinical and research findings.
The well-structured course provides the opportunity to treat a wide variety of orthodontic patients using a range of appliances and techniques. During your time as an orthodontic student you will be supported by dedicated and approachable teachers and you will have the chance to produce innovative research. Cardiff University is a leading centre for orthodontic training and provides a world class learning environment for the aspirational clinician.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
NHS trainees who are considering applying for this programme should contact the School of Dentistry directly to discuss tuition fees.
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £52,700 | £5,000 |
| Year two | £52,700 | None |
| Year three | £52,700 | None |
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £52,700 | £5,000 |
| Year two | £52,700 | None |
| Year three | £52,700 | None |
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Career prospects
Graduates from this programme should be equipped to pursue careers in orthodontic specialisms.
The MScD in Orthodontics programme is the longest running at over 40 years now. It provided me with the opportunity to undertake valuable research alongside clinical training. The nurses and consultants in the department look after you very well and are always friendly and approachable. Cardiff has been a rewarding place to be both socially and academically and has provided me with all the skills I need to continue in my long career as an orthodontist.
Next steps
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
