Overview
The mouth is the gateway to the body and a window to our overall health and wellbeing. However, oral diseases continue to be a major burden globally.
It is now well established that there are two-way links between oral diseases and systemic diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases and endocarditis.
Delivery of effective oral health care to promote the overall health of a population continues to be a major challenge to healthcare systems globally.
This exciting MSc programme offers world-leading teaching in oral sciences. You’ll examine the latest research technologies and theories to advance the diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases.
You’ll develop your understanding of how oral health impacts on general health.
You will explore how the latest research informs delivery of oral healthcare in the UK and beyond. This includes:
- the epidemiology of oral diseases
- how health services are designed to address the challenges of oral disease prevention and treatment
- how care and research can be delivered to include vulnerable groups
You will also study:
- enabling technologies and methodologies for biomedical research
- research methods for health services and public health
- applied dental materials
- oral microbiology
- the immune response in oral health and disease
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you’ll learn
You will gain demonstrable, advanced knowledge and critical understanding in the latest cutting-edge research. This covers:
- research methodologies and how they help us to understand oral diseases and identify novel methods of diagnosis, treatment, and management
- the development of novel dental materials
- understanding the oral microbiome and its impact on oral health and systemic diseases
- understanding the oral immune response, and its links to systemic diseases
- manipulating the immune system as a therapeutic strategy
- novel methods for health services and public health research and how their application informs improved ways of delivering oral healthcare in the 21st century
- the application of health in oral health and in particular how we carry out economic evaluations and inform policy and clinical practice
- the importance of oral health and the bidirectional links between oral infectious diseases and systemic conditions.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
You’ll take all of the following modules:
| Ccompulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Research Methods for Public Health | 20 |
| Enabling Technologies and Methodologies for Biomedical Research | 20 |
| Oral and Dental Sciences | 20 |
| Applied Dental Materials Sciences | 20 |
| Oral Microbiology | 20 |
| The Immune Response in Oral Health and Disease | 20 |
| Oral Sciences Dissertation | 60 |
How you’ll learn
This course is typically taught and based on the Newcastle campus. It is delivered by the School of Dental Sciences. You’ll be taught using a range of methods, including:
- group discussions
- group seminars
- lectures
- laboratory practicals
- theoretical practicals
- group work and presentations
- invited research presentations
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Oral presentation
- Practical lab report
- Research proposal
Additional assessment information
Your specialist skills and knowledge will be developed through a combination of:
- data analysis reports
- written reports
- oral presentations
- a dedicated research project
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Our staff have extensive expertise in oral health and disease and the field of forensic psychology. They offer a range of research specialisms.
Dr Christopher Nile, Senior Lecturer in Translational Oral Biosciences (Degree Programme Director). Expertise includes:
- host-pathogen interactions and their role in health and disease
- immunological biomarkers of disease
- the role of the non-neuronal cholinergic system in the aetiopathogenesis of disease
Dr Chien-Yi Chang, Lecturer in Microbiology (Deputy Degree Programme Director). Expertise includes:
- bacterial sensing of other microorganisms and their environment and its role in health and disease
- interactions between bacterial cells and other microbes or host cells in complex and diverse communities in health and disease
- harnessing microbial cells/communities for therapeutical or biotechnological purposes
Prof Nick Jakubovics. Professor of Oral microbiology. Expertise includes:
- molecular mechanisms of adhesion and colonisation by oral streptococci
- bacterial biofilm formation, and the structure of biofilm matrices
- the formation of biofilms on dental materials
Dr Richard Holmes, Clinical Senior Lecturer in Dental Public Health. Expertise includes:
- undertaking epidemiological data collection in oral diseases
- interpretation and use of oral health epidemiology research
- understanding public health concepts in oral health
Dr Helen Rogers, Clinical Senior Lecturer in Paediatric Dentistry. Expertise includes:
- applying health economics methods in oral health
- patient-related outcome measures, economic valuation and their application in oral health
- care pathways in dental caries management
Dr Greig Taylor, NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Paediatric Dentistry. Expertise includes:
- applying health economic methods in oral health
- undertaking economic evaluation including costing and patient/public valuations in oral health
- management of adult teeth problems in children
Your development
You will gain professional skills in:
- laboratory skills
- qualitative research skills
- epidemiological research skills
- writing professional and analytical reports
- independent learning
- project planning
- problem-solving
- time management
- teamwork
- reflection
Your future
Graduate destinations
Graduates will be well placed to pursue a range of roles including:
- PhD student at UK or overseas universities
- Lecturer in microbiology
- Clinical lecturer
- Principal scientist for a multinational oral health care company
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 100 for Dentistry – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 100 for Medical and Health – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024Â
- Top 90 for Life Sciences and Medicine – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
As an Oral Sciences MSc student, you are based in the School of Dental Sciences. The School is part of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, located on the University’s city-centre campus.
You have great access to facilities like the University’s libraries, students’ union and sports centre. The School of Dental Sciences is also less than 10 minutes’ walk from Newcastle city centre.
You’ll also have access to our excellent practical facilities in the School, such as:
- state of the art learning and teaching spaces
- laboratories and research facilities
- a dedicated clinical research facility
- dedicated postgraduate office space
- a vibrant culture of learning with world leading academics and a diverse group of research and taught students
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A minimum of a 2:2 (or international equivalent) in a BSc in any healthcare or biosciences degree or a BDS.
