The Postgraduate Diploma in Dental Education has been designed collaboratively by University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) and the School of Clinical Medicine’s Clinical Deanery.
The design of the Postgraduate Diploma reflects the increasing emphasis placed on educational and educational leadership roles and builds upon the Postgraduate Certificate in Dental Education. The course offers opportunities to extend expertise in curriculum design, assessment practices, faculty development and educational supervision (i.e. longitudinal roles that include mentoring, supervision and appraisal of dental care professionals, including those in training).
It is only available to students who have successfully completed the University's Postgraduate Certificate in Dental Education.
Course Dates
Course details
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Our learners
Key course information
Who is the course designed for?
The programme is only open to those who have successfully completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Dental Education at PACE.
This postgraduate diploma is aimed at professionals with or aspiring to educational roles in dentistry, including clinical supervision (direct oversight of the day-to-day practice of a dental student or trainee), educational supervision (overview of the performance and development of one or more trainees), formal teaching in academic settings (undergraduate and postgraduate), specific educational leadership roles, such as those of training programme director, and other professionals allied to dentistry that have a role in teaching both undergraduates and postgraduates.
Aims of the programme
The programme's aim is to:
- develop individuals’ ability to adopt an informed and critically reflective stance to their own and others’ practice as dental educators and leaders
- invite consideration of strategies to create and sustain safe working and learning environments, including supporting and developing faculty to deliver high quality dental education and training
- establish the features of high-quality formative and summative assessment practices and how these are used to assess performance and support the development of learners, foundation programme participants and trainees (including differentiation of performance and supporting trainees who are failing to progress)
- support a focus on curriculum and course design at two levels i.e. firstly, to enable an informed critique of adopted curriculum, their limits and potentials and secondly to familiarise participants with core curriculum design skills
Progression
Upon successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Dental Education, students may apply to progress to:
- MSt in Dental Education, 1 year, part-time (available from 2027 to 2028)
Please note that the MSt is not guaranteed to run each year. It is anticipated that the MSt will be available from 2027 to 2028.
We welcome applications from students with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. As part of our admissions process, you’ll need to meet certain requirements and make sure you’re able to attend teaching sessions in the UK.
Standard entry requirements
Typically, we expect a good UK undergraduate degree, such as a 2.1, or international equivalent.
If your degree is not from the UK, check international qualifications on the University’s postgraduate site to find the equivalent in your country.
If you wish to apply to join the programme you must have successfully completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Dental Education at PACE.
English language requirements
Our courses are taught in English and require a good level of fluency. If English is not your first language, you'll need to prove you have sufficient fluency before admission. If we offer you a place, it will be subject to you meeting this requirement. For more information, visit Postgraduate and Master's admissions and the University’s English language requirements.
Visa information
We welcome applications from international students. If you’re coming from overseas, you would attend the in-person teaching sessions for this course with visitor immigration permission.
It's important to be aware that entering the UK as a visitor for study purposes comes with certain expectations and restrictions. To make sure you understand the requirements, we advise you to read the in-depth information on the University’s International Students website.
Teaching
The course is delivered through in-person and online teaching sessions requiring attendance in Cambridge, self-directed and peer learning, and synchronous and asynchronous approaches provided via the course Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
During the diploma, teaching is provided in conjunction with learners undertaking the Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Education, to foster a shared learning environment. There are separate breakout sessions for the dental and the medical learners, to focus on the specifics of their own profession. Small group, task and project-based work is an important element of course design that links teaching, learning and assessment activity. Teaching and learning are jointly facilitated and moderated by the dental and medical education course directors and faculties
The PG Diploma comprises of 3 modules and combines in-person study days with online activity, study and assignments. There are 8 contact days in total and in-person attendance is mandatory.
Below are the expected teaching dates for this course. If they change, we'll update offer-holders in line with the University's terms of admission. Exact teaching dates will be added to this page in due course.
Module 1
Curriculum and assessment: design and development
- TBC October 2026 (one-day teaching session)
- TBC November 2026 (2-day teaching block)
- TBC December 2026 (2-hour online session)
Module 2
Supporting work-based learning
- TBC January 2027 (one-day teaching session)
- TBC February 2027 (2-day teaching block)
Module 3
Developing practice and leading learning
- TBC March 2027 (one-day teaching session)
- TBC May 2027 (one-day teaching session)
Assessment
There are 3 assessment points, one formative, which helps students develop, but which does not contribute to the final award (first term) and 2 summative in the second and third terms, which do contribute to the final award.
Assessment will be through a range of formats which may include coursework, written and oral examinations, posters, presentations and projects and will total 9,000 to 12,000 words.
Fees
The total fees for this course are shown above in 'Course details'.
To understand which fee status applies to you, whether as a home or overseas student, visit the University’s fee status page.
To help you manage your finances more comfortably, you can pay the fee in instalments. See how to pay for more.
There are also some additional costs you’ll need to cover as part of this course. These are usually:
- an application fee of £85, unless you're eligible for a fee waiver, payable online
- any travel, accommodation and subsistence costs for the residential teaching sessions held in Cambridge
Funding
We're dedicated to reducing and removing financial barriers to learning. Visit financial support ahead of the application deadline to find out what options may be available to help you in your studies. You can explore external funding and stay up to date on our concessions and bursaries.
Please note that places on the Postgraduate Diploma in Dental Education are offered on merit rather than funding. We recommend that you explore any potential funding well in advance of the application deadline.
Considering applying? We look forward to receiving your application. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Interviews will be held as part of the selection process if required.
Key timings for your application
- The application deadline is 28 May 2026.
- Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
- Shortlisted applicants may be required to interview, in which case we’ll contact you to arrange a time and format for yours.
How to apply and what you'll need
The ‘Apply now’ button will take you to the Applicant Portal. There, you can:
- create, save, and submit your application
- upload your supporting documents
- submit and manage your references
- pay your application fee
- track your application
Supporting documents
When you submit your application, you’ll need to provide supporting information.
Qualifications and transcripts
Upload details of degree-level courses you have completed or are studying.
Employer letter of support
Upload a letter from your employer confirming release of time to study.
Evidence of funding
Upload details for any funding you have secured for this course.
References
Submit contact details for 2 academic referees, who we will contact on your behalf.
For more information on applying and admissions, see Postgraduate and Master's admissions.
We're committed to supporting you in your learning journey, and we offer a variety of support opportunities to meet individual needs. Visit student support to find out more about how we can help.
