How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: Dental Hygiene

UCAS code: B753

Start date: September 2026

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 2 years

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Health and Social Care (School of)

This course remains subject to approval by the General Dental Council (GDC).

This course is now closed for applications for October 2026 entry. . Applications are open for October 2027 entry in September.

What is the FdSc Dental Hygiene?

The FdSc Dental Hygiene is a two-year foundation degree that prepares you for a professional career as a dental hygienist.

The course combines academic study with extensive clinical training to develop the knowledge, practical skills and professional confidence needed for professional practice. You’ll study oral health in its wider social and clinical context, gaining experience in modern dental facilities while learning to deliver patient-centred care as part of the wider dental team.

Why this course

The FdSc Dental Hygiene degree prepares you to move beyond routine treatment and understand the wider factors that shape oral health. You’ll explore prevention, disease, patient behaviour and public health, while developing the clinical judgement needed to deliver safe, effective, patient-centred care.

You’ll learn from experienced clinicians and academic staff, gaining insight into contemporary dental practice and the realities of working within modern healthcare settings. Your learning is closely linked to real clinical environments, helping you understand how theory informs professional decision-making and patient care.

Through a strong focus on practical training and placements, you’ll build confidence in your clinical skills while working as part of the wider dental team. You’ll also develop communication, professionalism and reflective practice — all essential for successful healthcare careers.

By graduation, you’ll have the knowledge, skills and professional awareness needed to progress towards practice as a dental hygienist, subject to GDC approval, or continue your development through further study and lifelong learning within oral healthcare.

Who should apply

Students who have a genuine interest in oral health and supporting individuals to improve their wellbeing.
Those who enjoy practical, hands on learning and are keen to develop clinical competence in a simulated and real world environment.
Learners who are compassionate, reflective and able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people, including patients, carers and fellow healthcare professionals.
Are committed to providing person centred care and understand the importance of empathy, professionalism and respect in clinical practice
Those who meet the requirements for Occupational Health and enhanced DBS clearance, including registration with the DBS Update Service and are UK home students (this course is not suitable for applicants requiring a Student Visa due to placement requirements).

What you’ll learn

Throughout this course you will develop the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours required to practise safely and effectively as a Dental Hygienist. Your learning is grounded in the General Dental Council’s standards and prepares you for contemporary clinical practice.

Core sciences underpinning oral health, including anatomy, physiology, pathology and disease.
Clinical dental hygiene skills, with extensive practice in our state-of-the-art dental skills labs and academic dental clinics.
Preventative and therapeutic approaches to managing oral health in individuals and communities.
The wider determinants of health, such as lifestyle, environment, education and socio-economic factors, and how these shape oral health outcomes.
Infection prevention, work safety and professional standards, helping you develop confidence and competence in clinical settings.
Communication, empathy and patient-centred care, supported through engagement with our Service User Reference Group (SURG).
Interprofessional learning, working alongside other healthcare students to understand holistic approaches to patient care.
Reflective practice, helping you build self-awareness, resilience and the habit of lifelong learning.

Your learning experience

You’ll learn through a blend of clinical skills teaching, academic study and hands on experience in real dental settings. Training takes place in specialist dental labs and simulation suites at our Colchester Campus, supported by expert clinicians and four supervised placements that build your confidence and professional practice.

Careers and outcomes

This course prepares you to register with the General Dental Council (GDC) and work as a Dental Hygienist in a variety of dental and healthcare settings. Your clinical experience and professional skills also support progression into community roles, specialist services and further professional development.

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Employers of graduates from this course

Graduates of this course have progressed to roles within:

NHS General dental practices
Private dental practices
community dental services
hospital and specialist dental departments
Oral health promotion and outreach services

Our expert staff

A unique feature of our School is that you will be taught by a team of specialist clinicians with significant experience in dentistry. This enhances our grasp of the contemporary links between academic research, the major issues of the day and real-life practice.

Full details of our staff can be found on the HSC Staff Profiles.

As a School, we specialise in applied, multidisciplinary research that addresses issues of national and international concern to health and social care policy and practice, and related fields. We also host the NIHR Research Design Service for the East of England.

Specialist facilities

The School of Health and Social Care is located in the Kimmy Eldridge building at our Colchester Campus.

Our Dental Hygiene facilities are now fully based on site at Colchester, offering modern clinical laboratories equipped with the latest simulation technology. Our state-of-the-art dental skills lab features advanced ‘phantom heads’ that allow you to practise and refine your clinical techniques in a realistic and supportive environment. View our image gallery and find out more about our Dental Hygiene facilities.

Your future

Foundation degrees are work-related, higher education qualifications designed in conjunction with employers to offer accessible and flexible learning opportunities relevant to a student's career. A foundation degree is shorter than a standard undergraduate degree but is a higher education qualification in its own right and it can be used as a progression route to a full undergraduate degree.

The successful completion of this programme leads to the award of a Foundation Degree Dental Hyigene, with 240 academic credits. This qualification is recognised by the General Dental Council (GDC) and gives you eligibility to register as a dental hygienist.

86% of our graduates are in employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024).

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

GCSEs: Mathematics and English Language C/4. Acceptable alternatives are listed further down this page. GCSE Science C/4 is also required if you are applying with a National Dental Nurse Certificate or Diploma in Dental Nursing.Single Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics are all accepted.

Plus one of the level 3 qualifications below:

A-levels: CC to include a core science (Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science or Physics).
BTEC: MPP in a science-related subject.
IB: Two Higher Level certificates with 44 to include Biology, Chemistry or Physics.
IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications.
QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 45 level 3 credits at Pass.
T-levels: Pass of a Science-related subject with E in the Core.
Dental Nursing qualifications: We accept the National Dental Nurse Certificate or Diploma in Dental Nursing along with a minimum of two years' experience from either pre-or post-qualification employment.

GCSE/level 2 requirements

All applicants must have, or be working towards, acceptable level 2 Mathematics, Science, and English qualifications such as GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent.

We accept OFQUAL regulated level 2 maths qualifications, including Functional Skills level 2, Key Skills level 2 or numeracy units taken as part of an Access to HE Diploma.
If you don't need a Student visa and are either a first language English speaker or have a lived in the UK for over three years, we can accept OFQUAL regulated level 2 English qualifications, including Functional Skills level 2, Key Skills level 2 or literacy units taken as part of an Access to HE Diploma.

We receive a high number of applications for this course and offers are made based on a combination of information from the application including the personal statement, grades, and interview performance. This means that not all applicants who meet the entry requirements will be offered a place.

For those invited to interview, decisions are communicated and offers are made after all interviews have been held. This will be no later than mid-May each year.

Additional requirements

This course has additional requirements including pass of an interview, a satisfactory reference and Occupational Health Check and Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check. For more information see:the school of Health and Social Care Undergraduate page

Unfortunately if you need a Student Visa to study in the UK this course is not suitable for you. This is due to the high percentage of work placement which exceeds the amount permitted in the Student Visa regulations.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Undergraduate Admissions team at ugquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

Structure

Course structure

This programme is full-time and you are expected to complete the minimum number of weeks required by the GDC, which is 90 weeks. Term dates do not coincide with our normal University term dates due to this requirement and you are in placement throughout the summer. Any time missed by non-attendance, through sickness or other personal reason, will need to be made up in order to register.

The dates for holiday breaks are timetabled throughout the programme and these cannot be changed for individual students. The planned holiday periods include time at Easter, summer, Christmas and New Year.

These carefully selected modules will give you the chance to explore, question, and create powerful ideas. Picked to give you an extensive and in-depth education, they'll equip you with the specialist knowledge, vital transferrable skills, and the confidence to make a genuine difference to the world around you.

We're reactive, we're pioneering, we never stand still, so modules might change from year to year in response to new developments and innovation. Those listed below show how a typical course might look, but more detail on course structure, including details of all optional modules, is available on our Programme Specification.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Introducing Clinical Practice

(30 CREDITS)

View Introducing Clinical Practice on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: CORE

Lifelong Professional Skills

(30 CREDITS)

View Lifelong Professional Skills on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Underpinning Sciences

(30 CREDITS)

This module introduces students to biological and psycho-social science knowledge base that underpins the practice of DCPs, in particular anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, psychology, histology, cytology and microbiology of the oral cavity and associated structures, an understanding of common oral diseases.

View Underpinning Sciences on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: CORE

Dental Public Health

(30 CREDITS)

View Dental Public Health on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Advancing Clinical Practice

(30 CREDITS)

View Advancing Clinical Practice on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: CORE

Critical Appraisal and Research Skills for Dental Practice

(30 CREDITS)

Dental care professionals (DCPs) are essential members of dental care teams providing care to all age groups. The ability to self-evaluate practice and to use evidence as a basis for professional judgement is critical to effective delivery of care in an ever changing environment. The practice of evidence based dental care requires DCPs to possess critical appraisal skills. This module focuses on the research process and methods as a basis for developing critical appraisal skills and research understanding.

View Critical Appraisal and Research Skills for Dental Practice on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Holistic Management of Patients with Complex Needs

(30 CREDITS)

View Holistic Management of Patients with Complex Needs on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: CORE

Management of Oral and Dental Diseases

(30 CREDITS)

View Management of Oral and Dental Diseases on our Module Directory

Teaching

The theory part of this programme is taught at our campus at Southend on Sea
Practical skills are gained through a variety of clinical environments, including community and general dental practices across the county of Essex
You attend six separate placements during this programme, with close supervision from a named Clinical Educator in the workplace to support and guide you – these may be dentists, dental hygienists or dental therapists
Clinical Educators will also provide tutorials to link academic learning with your clinical experience
Teaching methods including problem-based learning, tutorials, e-learning and seminar-based teaching
Teaching takes place with other health students to promote multidisciplinary learning and working
Communication and clinical skills are taught in our state-of-the-art laboratory
You undertake placements in six different clinical settings

Assessment

Continuous assessment, module by module, means that there is no end of year examination

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£9,790 per year

International fee

£31,750 per year

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

If your course has the option to include a placement year or study abroad, and you choose to do so, you will pay the following:

Placement year

20% of your standard tuition fee for that year

Study abroad

Full year abroad

15% of your standard tuition fee for that year

Single term abroad

Standard tuition fee

Scholarships and financial support

There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.

Fees and funding guide

Home/UK fees and funding information

International fees and funding information

What's next

Our events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex. We run a number of Open Days throughout the year which enable you to discover what our campus has to offer. You have the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

Check out our Visit Us pages to find out more information about booking onto one of our events. And if the dates aren’t suitable for you, feel free to book a campus tour here.

2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

Saturday 11 April 2026 - April Open Day

Saturday 20 June 2026 - June Open Day

Find out more

Applications for our full-time undergraduate courses should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full details on how to apply can be found on the filling in your UCAS undergraduate application web page.

Our UK students, and some of our EU and international students, who are still at school or college, can apply through their school. Your school will be able to check and then submit your completed application to UCAS. Our other international applicants (EU or worldwide) or independent applicants in the UK can also apply online through UCAS Apply.

The UCAS code for our University of Essex is ESSEX E70.

Interview

Undergraduate students who apply for our health-related courses are required to pass a compulsory interview before an offer can be made. If you are shortlisted for interview based on your application, you will be invited to interview with us via Microsoft Teams. We use the interview as an opportunity to get to know you, to find out about your ambitions, and assess how prepared you are for the course. It's important for us to be sure that you know what you're signing up for, so we'd expect you've done some research about the course and the associated careers it may lead to. We have some more information about how to demonstrate you have what it takes at the bottom of our undergraduate page

Please be aware that we are not able to offer personalised feedback to applicants who have attended an interview for Dental Hygiene, although applicants will receive generic information on how to self-evaluate their performance in the interview and tests. Further information is available in the Undergraduate Admissions feedback policy.

A sunny day with banners flying on Colchester Campus Square 4.

Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Find out more

View from Square 2 outside the Rab Butler Building looking towards Square 3

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.