Bachelor of Dental Surgery

BDSUndergraduateMedicine

About This Programme

The Bachelor of Dental Surgery at the University of Sharjah is a five-year, full-time undergraduate program that prepares students for contemporary dental practice through an integrated curriculum combining biomedical sciences, dental sciences, clinical skills, digital dentistry, research, professionalism, and patient-centered care. From the first year, students are introduced to clinical thinking, communication, prevention, dental materials, simulation-based training, and the foundations of oral health care. As they progress, they develop competence in diagnosis, treatment planning, restorative dentistry, endodontics, prosthodontics, periodontology, oral surgery, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral medicine, community dentistry, and evidence-based practice. Digital dentistry and digital technology are embedded across the curriculum, allowing students to engage with modern clinical workflows, digital imaging, simulation, intraoral scanning, CAD/CAM-related concepts, and technology-supported patient care. Clinical training is delivered through the College of Dental Medicine and the University Dental Hospital Sharjah, where students learn in a supervised environment that connects scientific knowledge with real patient care.

Course Highlights

206 credit hours
Taught in English
College of Dental Medicine
Five-year integrated programme
Fall intake only
Full-time study

What You'll Study

Degree Requirements The BDS program consists of 206 credit hours delivered across five academic years through an integrated system of streams and courses. Students are required to complete all prescribed university, college, and program requirements, including didactic, laboratory, simulation, clinical, community-based, and research-related components. The BDS curriculum is organized around integrated learning across five academic years. Students progress from core biomedical and dental sciences to simulation-based clinical training and supervised patient care. The curriculum emphasizes early clinical exposure, evidence-based dentistry, digital dentistry, community engagement, professional behavior, and the continuous development of clinical competence. Learning is delivered through lectures, practical sessions, simulation, small-group learning, clinical skills training, case-based discussion, research activities, and supervised clinical practice. Assessment is designed to support progression, monitor competence, and ensure readiness for safe dental practice. The program aims to prepare graduates who are clinically competent, digitally aware, and ready to practice in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment. Phase I: Integrated Dental Sciences and Preclinical Dentistry (Years 1, 2, and 3) During the first three years, students are introduced to biomedical sciences, oral anatomy, dental terminology, preventive dentistry, dental materials, dental ergonomics, communication skills, evidence-based dentistry, and early clinical skills. Simulation and digital learning activities support the development of manual skills and clinical awareness from the beginning of the program. As students progress, they build on their understanding of human biology, dental sciences, oral health, periodontology, radiology, operative dentistry, and behavioral sciences. Practical and simulation-based learning continues with increasing emphasis on diagnosis, prevention, clinical reasoning, and the use of digital tools in dental education and practice. Students also study oral pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, craniofacial development, endodontics, prosthodontics, applied biomaterials, pain control, oral radiology, and advanced restorative concepts. Throughout this phase, they continue to develop clinical skills through simulation, digital workflows, case-based learning, and supervised clinical preparation. Phase II: Clinical Dentistry and Dental Clerkship (Years 4 and 5) During the final two years, students undertake supervised clinical training across the major disciplines of dentistry, including restorative dentistry, endodontics, prosthodontics, periodontology, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral medicine, oral surgery, oral radiology, community dentistry, ethics, and professionalism. Students manage patients under supervision, develop comprehensive treatment-planning skills, and prepare for internship and professional practice. Study plan document Degree structure: five-year integrated BDS program; study system: integrated streams and courses; total credit hours: 206. The Bachelor of Dental Surgery program is organized as a five-year integrated undergraduate curriculum delivered through streams and courses. The program progresses from core biomedical and dental sciences to simulation-based clinical training and supervised patient care. The curriculum emphasizes early clinical exposure, evidence-based dentistry, digital dentistry, community engagement, professional behavior, and the continuous development of clinical competence. Phase I. Integrated Dental Sciences and Preclinical Dentistry Phase I covers Years 1, 2, and 3 of the BDS program. During this phase, students develop the scientific, clinical, and professional foundations required for dental practice. Teaching and learning are delivered through integrated streams, including Human Biology, Dental Health Sciences, Dental Clinical Practice, and Community Dentistry. These streams are integrated across each academic year and build progressively from one year to the next. The Human Biology stream introduces students to the biological basis of health and disease, including cell biology, genetics, embryology, anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, and the structure and function of body systems. This foundation supports students’ understanding of oral and systemic health and prepares them for clinical decision-making in dentistry. The Dental Health Sciences stream focuses on the scientific basis of oral health and disease. Students study oral anatomy, oral physiology, dental occlusion, oral histology, craniofacial growth and development, orthodontic principles, dental materials, applied biomaterials, oral radiology, and related dental sciences. These areas are linked to clinical applications throughout the program. The Dental Clinical Practice stream introduces students to the dental practice environment and supports the progressive development of clinical skills. Students are introduced to infection control, prevention, dental ethics, communication, dental ergonomics, operative dentistry, periodontal care, pain control, radiology, endodontics, prosthodontics, and restorative techniques. Simulation-based learning, digital learning activities, and clinical skills training are used to develop manual skills, diagnostic ability, and clinical awareness before and during early patient care. Community Dentistry introduces students to prevention, oral health promotion, community engagement, and the wider social determinants of oral health. Students develop an understanding of oral health needs at individual and community levels, with increasing emphasis on evidence-based practice, social accountability, and patient-centered care. Digital dentistry and digital technology are embedded throughout Phase I. Students are exposed to digital tools that support learning, diagnosis, simulation, communication, treatment planning, and clinical preparation. This includes digital imaging, simulation-based learning, intraoral scanning concepts, CAD/CAM-related workflows, digital records, and the responsible use of emerging technologies in dentistry. Phase II. Clinical Dentistry and Dental Clerkship Phase II covers Years 4 and 5 of the BDS program. This phase is centered on supervised clinical training across the major disciplines of dentistry. Students apply the knowledge and skills developed during the earlier years to patient care in a structured clinical environment. During this phase, students undertake clinical training in restorative dentistry, endodontics, prosthodontics, periodontology, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral medicine, oral surgery, oral radiology, community dentistry, ethics, and professionalism. Teaching and learning activities include clinical sessions, case-based discussions, multidisciplinary seminars, community-based activities, reflective learning, and supervised comprehensive patient care. The clinical phase supports students in developing diagnostic ability, comprehensive treatment planning, clinical judgment, professional behavior, communication skills, and patient management. Students are also expected to complete selective or research-related activities as part of their broader academic development. By the end of the program, students are prepared for internship and professional practice as clinically competent, digitally aware, and patient-centered dental graduates. Internship Graduates of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery program may undertake a 12-month Dental Internship Program. The internship is designed to consolidate clinical skills across the major dental disciplines and support the transition from undergraduate education to professional practice. It is not mandatory for graduates who choose to complete their internship elsewhere or pursue postgraduate studies at another institution, provided that the receiving institution or program allows admission without completion of an internship. The internship includes rotations in key areas such as restorative dentistry, oral medicine and oral surgery, community dentistry, and pediatric dentistry. It provides opportunities for newly graduated clinicians to manage more complex cases under supervision, strengthen their clinical confidence, engage in continuous professional development, and take greater responsibility for their own learning and patient care.

Year 1 (BDS 1)

31 credit hours. Phase I: Integrated Dental Sciences and Preclinical Dentistry.

1002203Dental Clinical Practice 17 credits
1001206Dental Health Science 17 credits
1001205Human Biology 18 credits
1001204Community Dentistry 13 credits
0204102UAE Society3 credits
0302200Fund. Of Innovation & Enterp.3 credits

The study plan prints 204102 and 302200 without the leading zero.

Year 2 (BDS 2)

37 credit hours. Phase I: Integrated Dental Sciences and Preclinical Dentistry.

1002303Dental Clinical Practice 213 credits
1001302Dental Health Sciences 28 credits
1001301Human Biology 28 credits
1001304Community Dentistry 22 credits
Elective 13 credits
Elective 23 credits

Year 3 (BDS 3)

36 credit hours. Phase I: Integrated Dental Sciences and Preclinical Dentistry.

1002403Dental Clinical Practice 320 credits
1001402Dental Health Science 37 credits
1001401Human Biology 39 credits

Year 4 (BDS 4)

42 credit hours. Phase II: Clinical Dentistry and Dental Clerkship.

1002501Dental Clinical Practice 4A24 credits
1002503Dental Clinical Practice 4B9 credits
1002502Dental Health Science 48 credits
1000503College Selective 41 credit

Summer semester (after Year 4)

6 credit hours.

1000509Comprehensive Care Summer Clinical Training6 credits

Year 5 (BDS 5)

42 credit hours (programme total: 206). Phase II: Clinical Dentistry and Dental Clerkship.

1002601Dental Clinical Practice 5A22 credits
1002603Dental Clinical Practice 5B7 credits
1002602Dental Health Science 512 credits
1000602College Selective 51 credit

The study plan gives the programme total as 206 credit hours, “TOTAL BDS1-BDS5 including General Education Courses”; its year totals and the summer training add up to 194.

What You'll Learn

Students in the BDS program will learn to apply biomedical, behavioral, and dental sciences to oral health and disease. They will develop clinical skills through simulation, laboratory training, and supervised patient care, while using digital dentistry tools and digital technologies as part of contemporary dental practice. The program supports students in developing the ability to diagnose oral conditions, prepare safe and evidence-based treatment plans, and provide preventive, restorative, periodontal, endodontic, prosthodontic, pediatric, orthodontic, oral medicine, and oral surgery-related care within the expected level of undergraduate competence. Students will also develop effective communication skills, understand ethics, professionalism, patient safety, infection control, and social accountability, and engage with research, critical appraisal, and lifelong learning.

Entry Requirements

Academic: Admission requirements for this programme (Undergraduate Admissions page): • High school average: 85% for Advanced track. • Subject grades in the high school certificate: 90% in Mathematics and two science subjects (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics). • For the College of Dentistry, applicants must obtain at least 85% (Elite, Advanced, or Scientific tracks). The high school grades mentioned are those of the UAE educational curriculum (Advanced Track) or their equivalents as per the framework approved by the Ministry of Education. Students who did not achieve the required subjects grades in high school will be accepted conditionally and will have to register and pass alternative qualifying courses at the university, which is equivalent to zero credit hours and is not included in the calculation of the cumulative average. The University of Sharjah accepts students who are academically qualified and behaviorally distinguished, regardless of their nationality, color, religion, or disability. All applicants must satisfy the following basic admission requirements: • Completion of secondary education or an equivalent level with the required average attained no earlier than three years prior to joining the University. Applicants to the College of Medicine and Dental Medicine need to have finished their secondary education no more than one year previously. • The applicant should not have been expelled from the UoS or any other institution for academic or disciplinary reasons. • The applicant should be medically, physically, and mentally fit, and must provide evidence of immunization against major blood-borne viral infections in accordance with the requirements for their major. • Applicants should indicate their order of preference for majors on the application form. • Admitted students are allocated to the University's colleges within the limits of the approved number of seats for each college, based on the capacity of each program. This is done according to their preferences and their grades. Admission to the University of Sharjah is competitive, with priority given to citizens of the UAE and students with high secondary school grades. • Applicants should complete and submit the application form and required documents to the Admissions Department by the stated deadlines, and pay the application fee of AED 360. • Meeting the secondary education grade requirements, fulfilling other admission requirements, submitting the application, paying the application fee, and receiving an ID number does not guarantee admission to the University. Students are required to pay a reservation fee after meeting specific criteria on a competitive basis, in accordance with University policy. Student reservation fees are nonrefundable if the student withdraws or does not enroll in the University, and are applied toward tuition fees if the student enrolls in their program. • Applicants to the Colleges of Medicine and Dental Medicine pay a 1500 AED fee for their applications to be considered as part of the admissions competitive process. This fee is non-refundable if the applicant is rejected or withdraws from the university. • Applicants who are still enrolled in secondary school will receive conditional admission until their final results are submitted. Meeting the required conditions and the minimum grade based on competitive standards is mandatory. • Students accepted conditionally will be given a specific period of time according to the related undertaking, and they must fulfill the conditional admission requirements to continue studying at the university. • Professional diploma Certifications are not acceptable for admission into undergraduate programs. Admission Regulations and Academic Qualification Requirements: • The grade averages stated above represent the minimum requirements for admission to the University. Please note that students meeting the above average requirements are not guaranteed admission but are subject to the University's approved competitive admission regulations and standards. Conditional Admission and Remedial Courses: • Failure to Meet the Minimum Required Grades in Qualifying Secondary School Subjects: Students who do not satisfy the minimum grade requirements in the qualifying secondary school subjects may be granted conditional admission. Such students will be required to complete equivalent remedial courses during their first semester of study. These courses carry zero credit hours and are not included in the calculation of the cumulative GPA. Successful completion of the remedial courses is required in accordance with University regulations. • Opportunity to Repeat Remedial Courses: Students who fail a remedial course on their first attempt will be granted one additional opportunity to repeat and pass the course. • Continuation in the Academic Program: Students who fail to successfully complete the required remedial course(s) after exhausting the permitted repeat opportunity will not be allowed to continue in their current academic program and must transfer to another program that does not require the relevant qualifying subjects. • Exception - Colleges of Medicine and Dentistry: Applicants to the Colleges of Medicine and Dentistry must fully satisfy all qualifying subject grade requirements for direct and final admission. Conditional admission and remedial courses are not permitted under any circumstances. Curriculum-specific requirements for the College of Dental Medicine (Undergraduate Admissions page): American High School Diploma: Admission to the Colleges of Medicine or Dental Medicine: • Students must have pursued the Scientific or Advanced track, or its equivalent. • Admission to the College of Medicine requires a minimum overall average of 95% and is subject to competitive selection, while the College of Dental Medicine requires a minimum average of 85%. • Year-based system: Students must have completed Mathematics and two science subjects (Chemistry, Biology, or Physics) in Grade 12 with a minimum grade of 90% or grade "A". • Credit hour system: Students must have completed Mathematics and one science subject (Chemistry or Biology) in Grade 12 with a minimum grade of 90% or grade "A", and must have studied the other science subject (Chemistry, Biology, or Physics) in a previous high school year with at least a grade of 90% or grade "A". British Curriculum Certificate (IGCSE, GCSE, GCE): Admission to the Colleges of Medicine or Dental Medicine: • A minimum overall average of 95% is required for competitive admission to the College of Medicine, while a 85% average is required for the College of Dental Medicine. • Students must have studied Mathematics and two science subjects (Chemistry, Biology, or Physics) across IGCSE/GCSE (O-Level), AS-Level, or A-Level with a minimum grade of "A". • Chemistry and Biology, or at least one of them, must be taken at AS-Level with a minimum grade of "A", or at A-Level with a minimum grade of "B". • Admission to the College of Medicine is competitive, with priority given to students who achieve the highest scores among those meeting the eligibility requirements. International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: Admission to the Colleges of Medicine or Dental Medicine: • Admission to the College of Medicine requires a minimum of 35 points and is subject to competitive selection, while the College of Dental Medicine requires a minimum of 29 points. • Students must have studied Mathematics and two science subjects (Chemistry, Biology, or Physics) with a minimum score of 5 at HL or 6 at SL. One of the science subjects (Chemistry or Biology) must be studied at HL. • Admission to the College of Medicine is competitive, with priority given to students who achieve the highest scores among those meeting the eligibility requirements. Australian High School Certificate: Admission to the Colleges of Medicine or Dental Medicine: • Students must have pursued the Scientific or Advanced track (ATAR or equivalent). • Admission to the College of Medicine requires a minimum overall average of 95% and is subject to competitive selection, while the College of Dental Medicine requires a minimum average of 85%. • Students must have completed Mathematics and two science subjects (Chemistry, Biology, or Physics) in Grade 12 with a minimum grade of 90% or grade "A". • Admission to the College of Medicine is competitive, with priority given to students who achieve the highest scores among those meeting the eligibility requirements. Indian or Pakistani Board Certificates: Admission to the Colleges of Medicine, Dental Medicine, or Pharmacy: • Students must have pursued the Scientific or Medical track in Higher Secondary education, including Chemistry and Biology. • Graduation certificates and transcripts for Grades 10 and 12 must be officially attested. • Admission to the College of Medicine is competitive, with priority given to students who achieve the highest scores among those meeting the eligibility requirements.

English: Required English test for this programme: 5.5 in IELTS Academic, 61 in TOEFL (IBT), 500 in TOEFL (ITP) or its equivalent. Upon admission to UoS and prior to course registration, all students admitted to UoS (new, transfer and bridging) must demonstrate a level of English proficiency consistent with the requirement of their college. The certificate must be submitted to the Admission department through their Admission Services Portal to be reviewed and approved by the English Language Center at the UoS. Accepted tests: • IELTS (Academic): accepted from any country; accepted from IDP and British Council; UKVI version accepted; computer and paper based accepted; Home Edition not accepted. • TOEFL iBT: accepted; Home Edition not accepted. • TOEFL ITP: accepted only if taken at the University of Sharjah (UOS), AMIDEAST Dubai (Head Office) or AMIDEAST Abu Dhabi (Head Office). • PTE Academic: accepted; Home Edition not accepted. Important notes: • English proficiency test Certificates older than two years are not accepted. • Students who achieve a score of 5.5 in the IELTS test are exempted from remedial skill courses. • Students who couldn't obtain the required score in any of the above listed English Proficiency tests will be enrolled in an "Intensive English Program" course, in which their English level will be determined by the result of their English proficiency test. All students are placed in the Intensive English program with a recognized Language qualification. • The UoS reserves the right to require students to attend an interview in the Languages Institute. Students may be required to take a further in-house test to ensure their scores are consistent with their English Language proficiency.

Careers

Qualified graduates have the opportunity to pursue a range of positions, including leadership roles, within the realm of health sciences. They can offer dental services in both public and private sectors, spanning police or military services, health-related industries, educational institutions, and community settings like hospitals, health clinics, schools, universities, and primary healthcare centers. Additionally, they may extend their services to rehabilitation centers, elderly homes, social centers, and research institutes seeking dental expertise.

Accreditation & Professional Recognition

Accredited by the Australian Dental Council (ADC).

Programme Details

Award

BDS

Start Date

Fall

Duration

5 Years

Qualification

BDS

Subject Area

Medicine

Study Pattern

Full time

Tuition Fee

AED 126,760/yr

Apply online through the University of Sharjah admissions portal. The undergraduate application fee is AED 360 and is non-refundable; applicants to the Colleges of Medicine and Dental Medicine pay AED 1,500 to be considered in the competitive process.

Enquire View University of Sharjah

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