The University of Adelaide

Bachelor of Dental Surgery

Nationally Recognised Higher Education

Dentists work to improve oral health in our communities. They’re lifelong learners who care about their patients and their work. Dentistry is a science and an art. It’s flexible and rewarding, and it changes lives.

Delivery mode

The University of Adelaide offers this course through the following delivery modes:

On campus

Work with instructors and classmates in a supportive and collaborative environment.


Locations
  • The University of Adelaide, Adelaide

Entry requirements

Domestic Students

  • There are no mandated entry requirements.

Prerequisites:

  • SACE Stage 2: Two Science subjects: one chosen from Chemistry, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics, Physics; and one chosen from Biology, Geology, Chemistry, Physics;
  • IB: Two Science subjects (one of Chemistry, Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (HL) or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL) or Physics AND one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics);
  • Equivalent University courses: (i.e. 1st year Human Biology as part of the Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences program).

Assumed Knowledge:

A necessary precursor for success is a high proficiency in the written and oral use of the English language.

Additional Entry Requirements:

  • The Dental Surgery Admissions Guide - domestic applicants details important information regarding the additional entry requirements for entry at the University of Adelaide. All applicants are advised to read the Guide before applying for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery. Failure to read this document will not be grounds for special consideration.
  • Rural Background Entry (RBE) pathway - applicants are required to sign and submit a statutory declaration within 5 business days of submitting their application as the only acceptable proof of rural background. This statutory declaration is available through the SATAC website at: SATAC website undergraduate downloads.

Selection Criteria

Recent Secondary Education: Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling.

  • To be considered as a secondary school leaver, applicants must not have completed more than 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) university study (48 units) at an Australian or overseas institution.
  • For full details of Tertiary Entrance Rules under the SACE/NTCE refer to the Tertiary Entrance Booklet 2023, 2024, 2025 published by SATAC (available at their website. Academic Score (ATAR).
  • To meet the minimum academic threshold for entry into the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program at the University of Adelaide, year 12 applicants (school leaver applicants) must achieve an Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors) of 90 or above,
    OR
    the equivalent International Baccalaureate score,
    OR
    the interstate/ overseas equivalent.

Higher Education Study: To meet the minimum academic threshold as a Higher Education applicant, you must have completed at least half a year full time equivalent higher education study, achieving at least a credit average (a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.0 or more).

  • Higher Education applicants must also meet the prerequisite subject requirements (refer above).

Work and life experience: To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as a pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2023.

  • If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2023 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2022 or 2021), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2021).
  • If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components.

Prerequisites:

  • SACE Stage 2: Two Science subjects: one chosen from Chemistry, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics, Physics; and one chosen from Biology, Geology, Chemistry, Physics;
  • IB: Two Science subjects (one of Chemistry, Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (HL) or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL) or Physics AND one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics);
  • Equivalent University courses: (i.e. 1st year Human Biology as part of the Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences program).

Assumed Knowledge:

A necessary precursor for success is a high proficiency in the written and oral use of the English language.

Additional Entry Requirements:

  • The Dental Surgery Admissions Guide - domestic applicants details important information regarding the additional entry requirements for entry at the University of Adelaide. All applicants are advised to read the Guide before applying for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery. Failure to read this document will not be grounds for special consideration.
  • Rural Background Entry (RBE) pathway - applicants are required to sign and submit a statutory declaration within 5 business days of submitting their application as the only acceptable proof of rural background. This statutory declaration is available through the SATAC website at: SATAC website undergraduate downloads.

Selection Criteria

Recent Secondary Education: Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling.

  • To be considered as a secondary school leaver, applicants must not have completed more than 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) university study (48 units) at an Australian or overseas institution.
  • For full details of Tertiary Entrance Rules under the SACE/NTCE refer to the Tertiary Entrance Booklet 2023, 2024, 2025 published by SATAC (available at their website. Academic Score (ATAR).
  • To meet the minimum academic threshold for entry into the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program at the University of Adelaide, year 12 applicants (school leaver applicants) must achieve an Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors) of 90 or above,
    OR
    the equivalent International Baccalaureate score,
    OR
    the interstate/ overseas equivalent.

Higher Education Study: To meet the minimum academic threshold as a Higher Education applicant, you must have completed at least half a year full time equivalent higher education study, achieving at least a credit average (a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.0 or more).

  • Higher Education applicants must also meet the prerequisite subject requirements (refer above).

Work and life experience: To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as a pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2023.

  • If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2023 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2022 or 2021), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2021).
  • If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components.

English Tests accepted by the University of Adelaide

  • IELTS: Overall 7, Reading 7, Listening 7, Speaking 7, Writing 7
  • TOEFL: Overall 94, Reading 24, Listening 24, Speaking 23, Writing 27
  • Pearson: Overall 65, Reading 65, Listening 65, Speaking 65, Writing 65
  • C1 Advanced: Overall 185, Reading 185, Listening 185, Speaking 185, Writing 185

Additional English Tests accepted: Occupational English Test (OET) - A minimum result of B/score of 350 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking)

Qualifications that meet minimum English requirements: A range of alternative qualifications may meet the University’s minimum English requirements

Additional requirements may apply.

Course fees

Estimated Fee* $59,000 - $437,500 Fees are based on full-time study.
* Fees are indicative only and vary based on your circumstances and eligibility for government funding.
Standard Tuition:
$59,000
Full Fee Tuition:
$437,500
Enquire with The University of Adelaide to find out more.
Study mode On Campus
Duration 5 Years
Estimated fee* $59,000 - $437,500 Support may be available

Career opportunities

The Bachelor of Dental Surgery will prepare you for the following roles.

About The University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide is ranked in the world's top 100 universities. We are recognised globally as a leading research university.

At the University of Adelaide, we embrace our role and purpose as a future-maker—for our state, our nation and our world.

We pursue meaningful change as we celebrate our proud history: applying proven values in the pursuit of contemporary educational and research excellence; meeting our local and global community’s evolving needs and challenges; and striving to prepare our graduates for their aspirations and the needs of the future workforce.

The University is uniquely positioned to design and drive a prosperous, entrepreneurial future for South Australia built on knowledge, innovation and collaboration.

We’re a dynamic participant in society, leading our community in leveraging change for social and economic benefit. We listen to industry. And we connect with diverse community groups far and wide to deliver education and research of the highest value and impact.