Study dentistry at the University of Sydney School of Dentistry
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The University is ranked first in Australia and fourth in the world for graduate employability in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020.
Find out moreThe University has been providing education, training and research to oral health and dentistry students for over 100 years.
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The Doctor of Dental Medicine will teach you to be a confident, ethical and qualified dentist. You will build skills through practice-based learning, in a four-year dentistry degree developed to meet the changing oral health needs of the community.
The Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) is a graduate-entry course that will allow you to have a rewarding career as a dentist, eligible for registration with the Dental Board of Australia.
When you study the Doctor of Dental Medicine at the Sydney Dental School, you will:
Postgraduates from any discipline who are interesting in becoming a dentist, with a passion for healthcare and improving people’s lives through oral health.
To assist students in making informed choices about their study, we have identified and set out the inherent requirements for coursework award courses in dentistry.
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for this course for eligible domestic students. This means that your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government and you pay a student contribution amount (SCA). CSP places are limited in number and are allocated based on academic merit.
There are no specialisations for this course.
Students complete the equivalent of 24 credit points, or four units of study per semester for the entire duration of the course.
The Doctor of Dental Medicine is made up of 192 credit points and consists of 4 years of full-time study. You will undertake four core units of study to qualify for the award of the course.
Explore the Medicine and Health Postgraduate Handbook to learn more about
Due to the rapidly-evolving situation of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the University is currently reviewing the admissions process and application timeline for 2021 entry into the Doctor of Dental Medicine.
A GAMSAT result will be required for applications for 2021 entry into the Doctor of Dental Medicine and we advise applicants to take the earliest available opportunity to sit this assessment.
The Admissions Guide, stating the requirements for 2021 entry, will be published in mid-April.
A capstone experience comprises of one or more units of study designed to provide an opportunity to draw together the learning that has taken place during the course, synthesise this with prior learning and experience, and draw conclusions that will form the basis for further investigation, and intellectual and/or professional growth.
To receive an offer of admission to the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), applicants must meet the following four criteria:
*Satisfactory performance is defined in the relevant Admissions Guide (see below).
Important dates for the 2020 intake are available below:
Timeline for the application process (pdf, 76 KB)
You will be ineligible to apply if:
If you have previously accepted an offer of a place in the DMD at the University of Sydney, and have:
(a) failed to submit any outstanding documentation to proceed with an unconditional offer or to enrol; or
(b) enrolled in and subsequently withdrawn from or discontinued the DMD without prior approval from the Head of School and Dean;
you will be ineligible for admission to the DMD for a period of two years from the date of application or enrolment, as relevant.
Facilitated admission pathways are available to the following applicants:
o Indigenous Facilitated Admission Pathway (for applicants with a bachelor’s degree and GAMSAT results)
Please refer to the MD and DMD Domestic Admissions Guide (pdf, 1.1MB) for definitions and information on facilitated admission pathways..
Please note the Sydney Dental School regularly reviews the admission criteria and application processes for its courses including the Doctor of Dental Medicine. It reserves the right to change these criteria and processes without notice. Information on this website provides advice about the currently applicable criteria and processes, and may not be correct for future application periods. It is possible that GPA scores will, in the future, be incorporated into the ranking of applicants for entry into the DMD. It is also possible that the GPA requirement will be increased. Applicants are advised to consult this website on a regular basis for any changes to entry criteria or program updates.
Additional costs are involved pre-application and during the application process:
All students will need to purchase specific equipment and supplies as part of their course. Find out more.
You can find information on health cover for international students here and the University provides a guide for living away from home costs here.
Students who are offered and accept a place in the DMD will be required to provide a current approved First Aid Certificate and meet Clinical Compliance requirements
Post-degree Registration Requirements: Please refer to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) website and the Dental Board of Australia website for further information.
Applicants should be prepared and ready to commence the course in the year for which they have applied. Applications for the deferral of enrolment following an offer of a place in the Doctor of Dental Medicine will only be considered under exceptional circumstances, and require the approval of the Associate Dean. Requests for deferral must be in writing and must be received by 30 November. Applicants must accept a place before they can submit a request to defer. Deferral can only be granted one year at a time and will not be expected to last longer than two years. Requests will be considered by the Admissions Committee and the Associate Dean of the Sydney Dental School. Supporting documentation must be provided in order for any request to be granted.
Transfer of enrolment between dental schools or from a medical program is not possible due to our unique units of study, continuous long learning and assessment in dentistry at the University of Sydney. All students must apply through the standard admission pathway and commence in year 1 of the DMD program.
International applicants and students who change from international to domestic status should refer to clause 39 of the Coursework Policy 2014 and the rules below:
1. An international applicant’s status changes before an offer is made:
International applicants who change to domestic status before an offer is made, will have their application assessed as a domestic applicant.
2. An international applicant’s status changes after an offer is made and prior to enrolling in the DMD:
International applicants who change to domestic status after an offer is made and prior to enrolling in the DMD, will have their offer cancelled and their application assessed as a domestic applicant.
3. A student’s status changes after enrolling in the DMD:
International students who change to domestic status after enrolling in the DMD, will be handled in accordance with sub-clauses 39(8), and 39(9) of the Coursework Policy 2014:
3.1 Sub-clause 39(8)
If an international postgraduate student changes from international to domestic status before the census date for their course, the student will be transferred to a domestic fee-paying place.
3.2 Sub-clause 39(9)
If an international postgraduate student changes from international to domestic status after the census date for their course, the student will continue as an international fee-paying student for that semester and transfer to a domestic fee-paying place in the subsequent semester.
4. The assessment referred to in points 1 and 2 above will be conducted by the Sydney Dental School in accordance with the selection criteria for admission by domestic applicants to the DMD in the year of the application. Applicants must therefore submit Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) results at the time of application to be eligible for admission to the DMD as a domestic student. Please note that MCAT results or other admissions test results cannot be accepted for admission as a domestic applicant.
The Sydney Dental School reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject an application for admission or to vary or cancel an offer of admission if an applicant’s conduct during the admissions process or prior to enrolment causes the Sydney Dental School to form the view that the applicant is unsuitable for admission to the DMD.
Examples of conduct that might make an applicant unsuitable for admission to the DMD include (but are not limited to):
To assist students in making informed choices about their study, we have identified and set out the inherent requirements for coursework award courses in dentistry.
Graduates of the Doctor of Dental Medicine are eligible for immediate registration with the Dental Board of Australia, allowing you to go straight in to practice. Canadian students can undertake the examination of the National Examining Board of Canada, allowing registration and practice in their home country.
You can then work in:
You could also then undertake further study at the Sydney Dental School, and specialise in:
Outstanding graduates may pursue a higher degree by research in the courses of Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Philosophy.
Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount
The student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Tuition Fees website.
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.
Indicative Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee
The tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student is an indication only of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount.
Annual review and fee increase
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental costs
For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html.
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
Indicative International Tuition Fees for Postgraduate Students
The tuition fee for international postgraduate students is an indication only of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount.
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental costs and health insurance
For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the tuition fees. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protective clothing, and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html. In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through a government approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government. Further information is available from https://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/living-costs/health-insurance.html.
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
