Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy BSc (Hons)

Typical offers

• A levels - ABB-BBB. Acceptable A Level Subjects:
  Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Applied Science (containing Anatomy and Physiology)
• UCAS points - 120-128 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent, including 40 points from a pure Science subject. For A levels which include a separate science practical component, a pass is desirable and may strengthen an application (calculate your UCAS points)
• T-levels - Merit. Acceptable T Level Subjects:
  T Level in Healthcare Science (Acceptable Occupational Specialisms: Assisting with healthcare science), T Level in Science
• BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM. Must be in a science subject. Relevant subjects:
  Applied Science, Dental Technology may be considered depending on units taken
• International Baccalaureate - 27-28
  5 points from a Higher Level in a pure science subject

Selection process

• The 2026 entry admission and selection process will include a situational judgement test (Casper). Please see the tab below for more information.
• All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in support of their application.
• Applicants must pass Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health checks before starting the course. This includes screening to exclude infectivity with Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.

You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs – see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.

English language requirements

• English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 7.0 with no component score below 6.5.

See alternative English language qualifications.

We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

All applicants who meet the entry criteria for the BSc (Hons) Dental Hygiene & Dental Therapy programme will be required to complete a Situational Judgement Admission Test (Casper) as part of the application process for the 2026 entry admissions cycle.

Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test that takes approximately 65-85 minutes to complete and is administered by Acuity Insights. Casper assesses various personal and professional skills that we consider important for successful students and graduates in this programme. It complements our existing applicant review and evaluation tools and supports our commitment to enhance fairness in our selection process.

To register and learn more about Casper, including test dates and technical requirements please visit takecasper.com. A registration fee of £25 is required.

Assessment code and type for registration:
CSP-10506 - United Kingdom Professional Health Sciences

Please note:

• This test must be taken in the year of application.
• We do not accept other aptitude tests (e.g. UCAT or BMAT) in place of the Casper test

Further information including test dates, registration and preparation can be found here.

Application Deadline

As this course receives a high volume of applications, we strongly recommend submitting your application before the equal consideration deadline of 14th January 2026. Applications received after this date may not be processed if the course has recruited from the applications received prior to the deadline. All applicants that meet the application entry criteria will be invited to complete a Situational Judgement Admission Test (Casper) and then all shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in support of their application.

Learning Support Software and Adjustments

All adjustment (accommodation) requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure equal opportunity for every applicant. Adjustments can be requested by submitting the Accommodations Request Form, which must include:

• Documentation of your disability and/or functional limitation(s) and
• An explanation of how it affects your ability to complete the assessment (e.g., Casper).

Commonly Approved Adjustments:

• Additional time
• Assistive software, such as:
  • Speech-to-Text (dictation)
  • Text-to-Speech (screen reader)
• Assistive personnel, such as:
  • Scribe
  • Reader

Applicants requiring adjustments to complete the Casper test should submit an Initial Request Form (Part 1 and 2) at least four (4) weeks prior to your scheduled Casper test date.

Learn more about the Adjustments (Accommodations) Policy.

Professor Chris Louca: Today we are resurrecting a collaboration between the University of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Football Club. So in this case, we've got final year Dental Hygiene students who are looking at the Portsmouth Football Club players and they're carrying out a full oral health assessment.

This is a really big area of interest, looking at the link between oral health and the performance of elite athletes. There's a growing body of evidence to show that there is a link between these two areas.

Francesca Lee: So an athlete's diet consists of high sugar, so the advice I'd give to athletes is to minimise eating sugary foods and drinks and if they're going to have it, eat it in one sitting rather than snacking throughout the day.

Liam Vincent: I've just had a check up and they've removed some decay off my teeth. My teeth are a lot better now!

I never really considered the health of my teeth before, as much as I will do now.

Clark Robertson: I didn't really think about it too much in relation to actually playing football, but it's something I'll be more aware of moving forward.