Dental Materials MSc

Course overview

The MSc in Dental Materials provides a unique and highly relevant approach to explore the developments in digital technology and dental materials with an introduction to the concept of commercialisation.

The MSc is delivered by leading scientists in the field, who will assist you to develop and apply your skills and knowledge in dental materials based on the latest evidence and workflows.

Dental materials are evolving rapidly with advancing biological approaches and the increasing use of digital technology. This course will provide you with a deep understanding of modern dental materials, with a focus on how they inform contemporary and natural materials, those used in additive and subtractive manufacturing and regenerative dentistry.

You’ll learn about the translation of new products to the clinic, and gain experience in research methodologies, modern dental materials, finite element analysis and artificial intelligence, micro-CT, CAD and CAM, 3D scanning and milling, 3D printing, and advanced microscope techniques.

The course will help you understand what questions to ask when deciding whether to adopt new materials and processes. You’ll also undertake an individual research project facilitated by access to the School’s extensive research facilities, allowing exploration of an area of particular interest to you.

Research highlights:

• You’ll be introduced to the skills needed for conducting scientific research, both qualitative and quantitative, including literature searching and critical analysis, project management, ethical issues and data analysis using appropriate statistical methods.
• You’ll be supported to formulate ideas and hypotheses to develop and prepare an individual, original research project.

Dental materials highlights:

• Mastery of materials used in dentistry including contemporary materials methods and processes.
• Learn how biomineralization of dental hard tissues informs and inspires biomimetic materials.
• Introduction to the use of biomaterials, stem cells and microbiology in tissue regeneration.
• Learn how mechanical, physicochemical and biological properties are linked to their longevity.
• Explore how the finite element method and artificial intelligence can help you predict and avoid dental materials failures.
• Study and engage with imaging techniques which reveal the microstructure of dental materials, such as microtomography and scanning electron and confocal microscopies.
• Experience digital technologies such as CAD and CAM, 3D and 4D Printing and their importance for the sustainability (circular economy) and functionalization of dental materials.

Commercialisation highlights:

• Study the concepts of commercialisation with international students from multidisciplinary backgrounds, providing great networking opportunities.

We look forward to welcoming you to the School where you can access and engage with excellent, modern teaching and research facilities, alongside the wider University resources.

Specialist facilities

There are state of the art research facilities, both within the School of Dentistry and University of Leeds with technical support, such as:

• testing facilities: mechanical testing, rheometric, impact, wear, profilometry, hardness
• imaging facilities: Scanning Electron Environmental Microscope, Confocal Microscope Optical Microscope, Micro and High-resolution Micro-CT
• digital dentistry facilities: 3D Printers (STL, DLS, and Multilayer), CAD/CAM milling machine, 4D Printer, Finite Element Analysis
• cell culture facilities, Real-time PCR and Bioreactors.

The School has a dedicated postgraduate study room with IT and social facilities, as well as a café. There are teaching spaces located throughout the University, which includes flat teaching space, seminar rooms and computing facilities. Additionally, you’ll have access to the Health Science library within the Worsley Building and multiple other libraries across the University.

Course details

This is a one year (12 months) full-time course starting in September and is structured into two halves.

There are three modules in which you will learn about:

• natural materials through to contemporary innovations in dental materials.
• how modern approaches to materials not only augment or mimic natural materials but may also be used to guide regeneration of materials produced in the body
• modern digital workflows influence in dentistry and drive on materials development, together with how properties data may be used digitally, to understand real life applications
• how innovations can develop and be taken to market.

Three further modules will develop your research capabilities. You will expand your understanding of research methods, the ethics of research and statistical analysis and be equipped to synthesize and appraise evidence coming from multiple sources. You'll then have the opportunity to undertake your own individual, original research project.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

All modules are compulsory.

Dental Materials (60 credits) – This module will enable you to develop a mastery of contemporary materials, how they are used clinically and in the dental laboratory using digital workflows. You’ll study the physical and chemical processes of biomineralization present in the formation of dental hard tissues. You’ll then use this knowledge to understand how nature informs and inspires biomimetic materials. You’ll learn how biomaterial design can support regenerative approaches in dentistry and the translation of new products to the clinic, delving into a range of raw materials and synthetic /manufacturing processes to customise biomaterial functions according to the specific dental application. You’ll be introduced to numerical methods to predict material or structure behavior.

Additive & Subtractive CAD Manufacturing in the Dental Workflow (15 credits) – This module focuses on existing techniques for fabricating dental models and prostheses using milling and 3D printing. You’ll explore the merits and disadvantages of both, and the current applications in clinical dentistry. You’ll practically engage with aspects involving preparation of digital files for both milling and 3D printing, and carrying out the actual manufacture of a mock dental prosthesis using both methods.

Innovation Management in Practice (15 credits) – The module aims to enhance your knowledge of the concepts and principles in innovation and provide critical understanding of specific innovation principles, practices, tools and processes needed for the management and development of innovation.

Individual Project (45 credits) – The preparation of an individual project leading to a written dissertation provides practical experience in independent research, which gives a solid foundation for further research. You’ll agree and undertake an individual project which may draw holistically from the course modules eg, capstone project, or be a traditional research project. This will deepen your understanding of the philosophy of research, include a literature review, methodology, with consideration of ethics and ethical approval, as well as good research practice. You may gain experience of working within research groups, with clinical and non-clinical colleagues. Skills will be enhanced in literature searching, data management, interpretation and the critical appraisal of published research, as well as safety and ethical issues. There will be opportunities for you to develop your experience of the presentation of data in both written and oral formats.

Research Methods, Ethics and Statistics (30 credits) – This module offers the basic skills for conducting a scientific research project. It includes training you on project management, searching relevant information, reviewing evidence, academic writing, understanding ethic issues and safety, and being able to analyse data collected from research using appropriate statistical methods.

Evidence Synthesis and Review Methodologies (15 credits) – A rigorous evidence review is an essential component of postgraduate level projects and is an essential skill for scientists working in health and social care to exhibit competencies in efficiently identifying, critiquing, and distilling evidence for informed decision-making. Evidence synthesis refers to any method of identifying, selecting, and combining results from multiple studies. This module will cover the use of explicit and transparent methodology in the formation of a research question for your individual project. Covering how studies are identified, selected, appraised, analysed, and the strength of the evidence assessed to answer the question posed. During the course you’ll work through the following examples of types of evidence synthesis: Systematic Review; Literature (Narrative) Review and Scoping Review.

Learning and teaching

You'll learn through a blend of lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory introductions and practical laboratory experience. These will be delivered by resident academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience providing excellent networking opportunities in your field of interest.

You'll use digital technology in the laboratories and for learning and teaching from our virtual learning environment – MINERVA. This provides access to teaching materials, literature searching via the online library facilities, preparing your own presentations, assignments and research. Active learning is essential throughout the course to maximise your learning opportunities, allowing you to fulfil your own potential.

The course integrates teaching with other programmes, both within the School of Dentistry and the wider University. This allows you to explore concepts with fellow students from different disciplines and develop your own interests in dental materials.

You will be allocated an experienced personal tutor from our academic staff and receive one-to-one supervision for your research project.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Assessments on this course have been designed to be authentic in reflecting the skills required to fulfill the learning outcomes and prepare you for your future career. These include:

• evidencing an ability to conduct independent in-depth enquiry within dental materials
• demonstrating the ability to apply breadth and/or depth of knowledge to this specialist area
• drawing on a range of perspectives on an area of study
• evaluating and criticising received opinion
• making reasoned judgements whilst understanding the limitation on judgements made in the absence of complete data.

Your written and verbal communication skills will be assessed in assignments, class debates, and presentations. Throughout the course you’ll be supported by your teachers to enhance your learning experience and progression.

Applying

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold either a:

• Primary Clinical Dental qualification which entitles them to register as a dental practitioner with the General Dental Council in the UK

OR

• Bachelor’s degree (minimum 2.2 or equivalent) in a subject related to medicine or 3D visualisation or a dental degree

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in every skill. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks). 

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Application deadline: 30 May 2025

If you have any questions about the application process please contact our admissions team.

Interviews for this course are panel interviews, conducted by video call and are scheduled to take place on the following dates:

Friday 15 November 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
Friday 24 January 2025
Friday 14 March 2025
Friday 11 April 2025
Friday 9 May 2025
Friday 6 June 2025

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

Taught Admissions Policy 2024-25

This course is taught by

School of Dentistry

Contact us

School of Dentistry Taught Postgraduate Programme Admissions team

Email: denadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £15,500 (Total)

International: £32,250 (Total)

Deposit

You must pay a £3,000 deposit when you accept your offer to secure your place on the course.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

Students who don't complete their research project by 30 September of the academic session following their enrolment will be required to transfer onto a second year variant of the course and pay further fees. Alternatively, students may choose to graduate with a Post Graduate Certificate (FHEQ Level 7) if they have successfully completed at least 60 credits.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Career opportunities

A degree of Master of Dental Materials enhances your career opportunities which may include application for:

Further study: progression to enroll for a research course such as a PhD

Postgraduate research: engaging in advanced research projects, often leading to academic and research positions in a University, which may include teaching dental materials and related higher education.

Research scientist: conducting research on dental materials, developing new materials, or improving existing ones in academic or commercial environments.

Industry and manufacturing product development scientist: working with dental product manufacturers to develop and test new dental materials and products.

Quality control specialist: ensuring the quality and safety of dental materials and products through rigorous testing and compliance with regulations.

Regulatory compliance officer: ensuring that dental materials and products comply with local and international regulations.

Clinical roles – dental materials specialist: working in dental clinics or hospitals, advising on the selection and use of dental materials for various treatments.

Technical and support roles – technical support specialist: providing technical support and training for dental professionals on the use of dental materials and equipment.

Sales and marketing: working with companies to promote and sell dental materials, often requiring in-depth technical knowledge to effectively communicate product benefits.

Government and regulatory bodies public health advisor: working with government health departments or agencies to develop policies and guidelines related to dental materials.

Entrepreneurship startup founder: starting a company focused on innovating or manufacturing new dental materials.

Forensic dentistry/forensic odontologist: applying knowledge of dental materials in forensic investigations to help identify remains or analyse bite marks.

Each of these career paths leverages the specialised knowledge of dental materials, making it a versatile and valuable degree.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.