2023 entry (view 2024 entry)
Cert International Foundation Programme for Dentistry
Course overview

Course duration
1 year(s) full-time
Part-time study is not available for this course
Application method
Full-time: Apply direct to the University
Fees
£24,300 per year, international students
Fees quoted are for 2023 entry only. Fees for 2024 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2023.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Location
The International Foundation Programme (IFP) for Dentistry is a one-year programme designed for overseas students (non-UK students) wishing to enter dental (BDS) degree programmes in the UK, including at the University of Bristol.
It provides an alternative pathway for students who require additional study to gain the appropriate level of qualification and the skills and aptitudes required to be considered for entry to dental degrees at universities in the UK. Successful completion of the IFP guarantees an interview for the highly regarded BDS programme at Bristol.
The one-year programme will prepare you for future undergraduate studies by broadening your core knowledge in chemistry and biomedical sciences and by providing experiential learning in a healthcare environment. It provides ample opportunities for personal and professional development and for excelling in subject-specific written and spoken English.
Teaching and assessment methods are designed to help you transition to university-level study and become familiar with the types of learning and assessments typically employed on dentistry undergraduate degrees in the UK. The programme is taught by highly qualified academic staff at Bristol and you will receive full access to University facilities.
Progression to degree courses
You are not guaranteed to progress directly to the BDS Dentistry course at Bristol. However, successful completion will guarantee you a place in the dentistry selection interview process.
As your place in the interview is guaranteed, you are not required to apply through UCAS for the BDS Dentistry course at Bristol. However, you will still need to meet the standard undergraduate entry criteria.
If you miss the BDS Dentistry requirements, we may offer you a place on a Life Sciences degree. You will also be free to apply for dental degrees at other universities.
For more information about the International Foundation Programme for Dentistry, including information about how to apply, visit the International Foundation Programme for Dentistry website.
Course structure
The programme consists of four mandatory level 3 units:
- Foundations of Chemistry
- Foundations in Biomedical Sciences
- Personal and Professional Development for Aspiring Clinicians
- English Language and Academic Skills for Aspiring Clinicians (International)
Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.
Go to programme catalogueEntry requirements
Qualifications
You must have graduated from year 12 of your high school in your own country with a good grade point average (GPA), including strong grades in the sciences, one of which must be Chemistry.
Find out more about entry requirements for your country.
International qualifications
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Search international qualificationsApplicants must also meet these requirements
GCSE profile requirements
Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
- IELTS 7.0 overall, minimum 6.5 in each part of the test
- An alternative English Language qualification
You must have an overall IELTS score of 7.0, with no individual component band score below 6.5. Find out more about English language requirements for this programme.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
Selection process
- We select successful candidates based on the application form (including academic transcripts, evidence of English language proficiency, a personal statement, and an academic reference from the applicant's school) and a remote interview.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- The admissions statement above relates to 2023 entry. The statement for 2024 entry will be available in summer 2023.
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement: