Doctor of Dental Surgery

University of Melbourne

Australia, Melbourne

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University of Melbourne

Australia , Melbourne

Key Facts

Program Level

Professional Doctorate

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

071303G

Campuses

Parkville

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesJanuary-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Tuition Fee

AUD 101,984 / year

Next Intake January-2026

Doctor of Dental Surgery

About

Overview

The Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at University of Melbourne is the first Australian professional-entry, master’s-level dental degree. Based on advanced, evidenced-based clinical training, the degree leads to registration as a general dental practitioner with the Dental Practice Board in Australia and New Zealand, and creates a pathway to enter the Master of Philosophy, PhD or Doctor of Clinical Dentistry.

The DDS uses the latest scientific evidence in oral health to impart the expertise, skills and knowledge related to all areas of clinical dental practice. It includes the teaching of advanced treatment options such as dental implants, all-ceramic restorations and use of advanced materials.

The course is delivered by highly qualified academics, with research experience from leading universities around the world. The program emphasis is on pre-clinical practical classes and clinical patient treatments in all specialties of dentistry. All studies are conducted with the underpinning ethos of prevention of dental disease for which the Melbourne Dental School has a world-renowned reputation.

Located in Carlton, the Melbourne Dental School is an advanced learning environment at the forefront of oral health, state-of-the-art technologies and international collaborations, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

Course description

As part of the four year full-time degree, students spend significant time in provision of patient care, and clinical methods, as well as undertake a two-year research project in oral health. In the final year, students have the unique opportunity to experience working in a private practice setting, where they will learn how to run a small dental clinic.

The Doctor of Dental Surgery creates a new benchmark of education in dentistry. Employing state-of-the-art technologies, the Doctor of Dental Surgery uses new learning infrastructure, including a 100 seat pre-clinical laboratory and the new Melbourne University Dental Clinic, for advanced clinical teaching.

The DDS experience is where students will learn how to plan, seek and attain ethics approval. Students also complete, analyse and finally prepare a research project for publication and oral presentation at the School research day.

Please note: Expected costs for first year DDS students will be in the order of $5,000 AUD for equipment that will be used throughout the course.

Upcoming information session

Doctor of Dental Surgery Information Session: 2026 Intake

When: Thursday 24 April 2025, 6.00-7.00pm AEST

Hear from Associate Professor Khaled E Ahmed (DDS Program Director) and learn more about the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). This will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions, meet our students, and find out more about the DDS experience.

Register here

Watch recording

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Admission criteria

Meeting the published entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

Don't meet the prerequisite subject requirements?

You may have the option to enrol in specific single subjects through the University's Community Access Program, even if you are not enrolled in a course. Completing these prerequisite subjects may qualify you for entry into this course. This option is not available to student visa holders or applicants. Learn more about single subject study.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

English language test score requirements
If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:

IELTS

7.0

with written 7.0 and no band less than 6.0
TOEFL

94+

with writing 27; speaking 18; reading 13; listening 13
PEARSON

72+

with written communicative skill of 75 and no other communicative skill below 60
CAMBRIDGE

185+

with no less than 185 in writing and no less than 169 in each other skill
*Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English Only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). If a test displays N/A, it means it is not accepted for this course.

About selection

When assessing applications, the Selection Committee will consider your previous studies and academic performance.

The Selection Committee may request additional information to clarify any aspect of an application, according to the University’s Academic Board rules regarding selection instruments.

Meeting the published entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

Entry Score calculation

For eligible Standard and Indigenous pathway applicants, your performance in previous studies will be assessed using a Grade Point Average (GPA) computed in a manner approved by the Academic Board for the Doctor of Dental Surgery.

When assessing your prior academic performance, your most recent bachelor's degree results (including honours) will be used for the purposes of calculating your GPA regardless of any subsequent graduate studies completed. Your GPA will be measured by considering the last three years of your undergraduate coursework studies (including honours). Weightings will be applied by weighting the first of the final three years by 1, the second year by 2 and the final year by 2.

For eligible Guaranteed pathway applicants, your Bachelor degree Weighted Average Mark (WAM), rather than GPA is used as the entry score for the Doctor of Dental Surgery

Further information about the entry score, including the treatment of 2020 results can be found at:

Selection

Standard Pathway selection

In addition to the GPA, the Selection Committee will also consider your performance on the GAMSAT, DAT or BMAT.

Offers will be made based on a combined ranked list where rank by GPA and rank by GAMSAT, DAT or BMAT score are given equal weighting.

Guaranteed Pathway

Eligible Guaranteed pathway applicants will be offered a place in the course as long as all requirements for Guaranteed entry have been met.

Indigenous Pathway

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants are given priority access to the Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Melbourne via the University of Melbourne Indigenous pathway.

For further information contact the Indigenous Support Office.

Further information on selection, for all pathways including those domestic applicants applying for Graduate Access Melbourne can be found at:

English Program Requirements

English language test score requirements

If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:

IELTS

7.0

with written 7.0 and no band less than 6.0

TOEFL

94+

with writing 27; speaking 18; reading 13; listening 13

PEARSON

72+

with written communicative skill of 75 and no other communicative skill below 60

CAMBRIDGE

185+

with no less than 185 in writing and no less than 169 in each other skill

*Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English Only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). If a test displays N/A, it means it is not accepted for this course.

Career

As a Doctor of Dental Surgery graduate, you will be equipped to become an oral health leader of the future. Unmatched placement opportunities, lecturers and state-of-the-art equipment at the University of Melbourne’s Carlton campus will enable you to pursue a career in an area of healthcare that is rewarding and vital.

This course will provide you with the minimal qualification and competencies required to register for practice as a registered dentist according to the Dental Practice Board.

Exciting career opportunities

Graduates of the Doctor of Dental Surgery take advantage of high employment rates at some of the leading dental schools, hospitals and practices, both locally and internationally.

Whether your ambition is focused on general practice or specialisation, this course will open many doors for exciting and evolving career opportunities. Most graduates from the degree are successful in securing employment during their final year of clinical placement.

Previous graduates have gone on to find practice openings in metropolitan and rural areas. Others have gone on to specialise after two years of general practice, including the upcoming areas of oral vaccines, implants and cosmetic dentistry. Those who have followed an academic or research path have gone on to illustrious careers, including former Head of School Eric Reynolds who received the Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation in 2017.