Bachelor of Dental Science

I'm a domestic student, commencingstudent, looking to commence studying in 2026.
There are no upcoming offerings for the year 2026.
This course has no domestic offering.
This course has no international offering.

If you have a real desire to improve people's health, wellbeing and enjoyment of life, dentistry may be the ideal career for you. The fully accredited Bachelor of Dental Science from Charles Sturt University qualifies you for registration as a dental practitioner in all Australian states and territories.

Charles Sturt University is a proudly regional institution committed to improving opportunities and outcomes for the people of rural and regional Australia. This dentistry degree empowers you to make a positive contribution to the health of your local community.

 

This course is part of an articulated program of study. Articulated programs allow you to build on your study to achieve the right level of qualification for you.

    Make a difference

    At Charles Sturt you can create a world worth living in. Let's do it together.

    Key information

    Study mode and sessions

    On Campus
    Next session start: March 2, 2026
    Session 1 : March 2, 2026
    On Campus
    Orange

    Duration

    Minimum time - 5 year(s)
    Maximum time - 10 year(s)

    Entry score

    TBA

    Indicative fees

    TBA

    Course points and codes

    Credit Points: 320
    AQF: Level 7
    Cricos:

    Additional information

    • Commonwealth supported places available
    • Work-integrated learning
    • Professionally accredited course

    Bachelor of Dental Science at Charles Sturt

    Applications close February 12

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    Find out more

    Why study with us?

    Developed in cooperation with the Australian Dental Council, the Australian Dental Association, local dentists, oral health practitioners and senior consultants, the Bachelor of Dental Science is a five-year undergraduate program based at our Orange campus.

    Practical experience in on-campus facilities

    Develop your skills in our state-of-the-art simulation clinic, dental technology / clinical support laboratory, biodental science learning suite and anatomy teaching facilities. Charles Sturt University also has five dental and oral health clinics across its Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga campuses. These clinics are open to patients from the local community and will provide some of your first professional training. You could undertake placements at any Charles Sturt University clinic during your course, working under the supervision of qualified dental practitioners.

    Join a dynamic academic community

    We're committed to providing high-quality teaching and service to students and to rural and regional communities. You'll benefit from small class sizes and learn from dedicated and experienced academics and guest lecturers.

    Take your study overseas

    Towards the end of your dentistry degree, you can apply to embark on a short study tour to Cambodia or another destination.

    Professional Accreditation

    This course is professionally accredited by -

    • Australian Dental Council (ADC)

    Please refer to the Charles Sturt Professional Accreditation resource for specific information and a link to the accreditation body.

    We’re #1 in Australia for grads who get jobs

    85% of our undergrads get full-time employment within 4 months of graduating.

    *Good Universities Guide 2022/23

    Career opportunities

    When you graduate, you'll be ready to make your mark in a wide range of careers, including:

    • Dental educator
    • Dentist

    What you will study

    For each 8-point subject you are enrolled in, you should expect to spend 10 to 12 hours per week working on assignments and assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, and attending lectures, intensive schools, or examinations. If you are studying four subjects per session, this is equivalent to a full-time job. The workload for some subjects may vary as a result of approved course design.

    Intensive school

    You may need to attend an online or on-campus intensive school for certain subjects in this course. These schools usually involve lectures, tutorials and practicals that will give you a deeper understanding of your subject.

    Core subjects320 Credit Points

    Legend:
    • Intensive school
    • Workplace learning
    BMS181Human Anatomy and Physiology 18 credit pts
    BMS182Human Anatomy and Physiology 28 credit pts
    CHM102Chemistry for Dental and Veterinary Sciences8 credit pts
    DOH125Foundations of Dental Clinical Practice 112 credit pts
    DOH133Oral Microbiology8 credit pts
    DOH115Oral Anatomy and Histology12 credit pts
    IKC100Indigenous Australian Health8 credit pts
    DOH231Dental Biochemistry8 credit pts
    DOH233Pathological Basis of Human Disease8 credit pts
    DOH256Foundations of Dental Clinical Practice 216 credit pts
    DOH255Head and Neck Anatomy8 credit pts
    DOH244Foundations of Restorative Dentistry24 credit pts
    DOH336Prosthodontics 112 credit pts
    DOH337Foundations of Dental Clinical Practice 324 credit pts
    DOH346Endodontics16 credit pts
    DOH347Foundations of Oral Surgery8 credit pts
    DOH345Oral-Maxillofacial Pathology8 credit pts
    DOH404Dental Clinical Practice 432 credit pts
    DOH412Medicine and Surgery for Dental Practice4 credit pts
    DOH417Oral Surgery8 credit pts
    DOH418Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry8 credit pts
    DOH419Prosthodontics 28 credit pts
    DOH484Dental Clinical Practice 548 credit pts
    DOH491Gerodontics, Special Needs Dentistry, Dental Public Health8 credit pts
    DOH493Advanced Clinical Options8 credit pts
    For enrolment pattern please refer to the handbook.

    Graduation requirements

    As a Charles Sturt University student, throughout your course you have a responsibility to continue to develop skills in English language, literacy and numeracy as appropriate to your discipline. This ongoing development will enable you to effectively participate in your course and graduate prepared to enter the workforce.

    Costs

    Calculate my fee

    The section below is designed to allow you to select the option specific to your circumstances to discover the course fee and course offering information appropriate for you.

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    How is this calculated?

    This is an estimate

    • Fees calculated based on 1 year of full-time study (ETSL).
    • Fees dependant on chosen subjects.
    • Subject to annual increase each year.

    Scholarships

    We have scholarships and grants, totalling over $11 million annually!

    They cover various areas such as academic performance, volunteering, sports achievements, community service, specific courses, on-campus living and individuals in unique circumstances.

    Explore scholarships

    Entry requirements

    Selection rank:

    TBA

    Learn about how our selection ranks are calculated (including ATARs and adjustment factors).

    View the course profile for this course.

    General Admission Pathway (domestic non-First Nations and non-rural students)

    Selection for interview: To be considered for interview selection, domestic applicants who do not have a significant rural background and are not First Nations must:

    • Complete the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT). Applicants should consult the UCAT ANZ website for information about registration, fees and test dates.

    First Nations Pathway (domestic students)

    This pathway is only available to First Nations applicants. There is a separate process for admission.

    Selection for interview: First Nations applicants do not need to complete UCAT. To be considered for interview selection, First Nations applicants must:

    • Submit a Rural and Indigenous Pathway form. The form is located on the Charles Sturt Bachelor of Dental Science Course brochure and is to be uploaded with the UAC application.

    First Nations applicants will be interviewed using a culturally appropriate panel interview format. The panel will be composed of First Nations and non-First Nations members and will:

    • Assess the academic abilities and the motivation of the applicant
    • Assess the support necessary (if at all) to ensure a successful learning experience
    • Assess the suitability of the applicant to practice as a dentist

    Rural Entry Pathway (domestic students)

    Selection for interview: To be considered for interview selection, rural domestic applicants must:

    • Submit a Rural and Indigenous Pathway form (available on Charles Sturt website) and uploaded with the UAC application
    • Complete the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT). Applicants should consult the UCAT ANZ website for information about registration, fees and test dates.

    All domestic applicants must apply for entry to the Bachelor of Dental Science using UAC. There are a number of different admission categories and detailed requirements for each category are listed below. Each year at least 50% of places will be set aside for applicants who have a significant rural background or who are First Nations applicants.

    All domestic applicants will be notified if they have been selected for an interview in the last week of October. Interviews are held in late November/early December at the Orange campus of Charles Sturt, with applicants required to attend the interview in person. Alternatively, in certain circumstances the University may decide to use online interviews.

    The interview will be a panel interview and provides applicants the opportunity to demonstrate their communication skills and to further explore their motivation for undertaking a career in dentistry and their commitment to rural and regional dental practice. Applicants’ problem solving, decision making and spatial awareness skills will also be assessed.

    Domestic students: Applicants who are current Charles Sturt students

    This pathway is only available for current Charles Sturt University students. A minimum of 30 interviews will be made available for Charles Sturt students. 

    Selection for interview: Eligibility for interview is based on GPA in the year of application. Interviews may be granted to current Charles Sturt students who meet the following criteria:

    • Enrolled in any Charles Sturt course at the time of application
    • Have completed a minimum of 4 standard subjects (32 credit points) at Charles Sturt within the last 2 years and achieved a GPA of 5.5 or better at the time of application. At least 2 of these subjects must be in a health discipline.  
    • Demonstrate capacity for full-time study by being enrolled in a minimum of 6 standard subjects (48 credit points or more) in the year of application.

    IMPORTANT NOTE: As entry into this course is highly competitive, meeting these criteria does not guarantee an interview. Applications will be ranked for interview selection based on GPA, relevance of completed subjects and alignment with CSU Student Charter and Dental Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct. 

    Offers into the course: Final offers into the course will be conditional on obtaining a GPA of 5.5 or better at the end of the academic year of application, across a minimum of 6 standard subjects (48 credit points or more) in that year. No final offer will be made, irrespective of performance during interviews, to students who did not achieve a GPA of 5.5 or better at the end of the academic year, across all subjects attempted in the academic year.

    Current Charles Sturt students who do not meet the above criteria can apply through the Domestic Students, First Nations or Rural Entry pathways as applicable.

     

    International Pathway

    International applicants, including those living or working in Australia, seeking entry to the course should apply direct to the University or via an agent and will be selected for an offer of a place in the course based on previous academic performance. While there is no predetermined grade point average (GPA) cut-off the approximate minimum GPA for consideration based on previous intakes is 6.0 on a 7-point scale. The actual cut-off may be higher depending on the pool of applicants in a given year.

    International applicants studying their final year of school, including those studying in Australia, are required to provide school reports for the two final years of schooling.

    The closing date for international applications is 30th June.

    A minimum overall Academic IELTS score of 7.0 with no score below a 6.5 in each of the individual skill areas or a qualification deemed equivalent.

    OR

    Attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education, including at least two years between years 7 to 12, taught and assessed solely in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.

    Inherent requirements are the academic and other requirements of a course that all students must meet to achieve the course learning outcomes, and the knowledge, abilities, skills and qualities students will need to have in order to achieve them. Please visit our inherent requirements page for more general information about them.

    Supplementary application forms

    To apply for this course you will need to complete the following and upload it with your application:

    Credit and pathways

    If you’ve completed relevant tertiary study, or work experience related to your course, you could receive credit towards your degree. Which would mean completing your qualification quicker. Find out how to apply for credit and see our credit policy.

    Check your eligibility for credit

    We also have several admission pathways to help you take the step into your preferred course, even if you don't quite meet the entry requirements at first. Find out what admission pathways are available to you.

    How to apply

    Applying to Charles Sturt University is easy. Choose how you want to apply below, or get in touch with Charles Sturt University and we can help you with your application.

    Apply via UAC

    Important dates

    Refer to key dates on the UAC website

    Apply through UAC
    Apply via VTAC

    Important dates

    Refer to key dates on the VTAC website

    Apply through VTAC
    Apply directly to Charles Sturt

    Important dates

    Check out our direct application closing dates

    Check out our direct application closing dates

    Check out our direct application closing dates

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    My time with the Charles Sturt science lecturers prepared me for what was really out there and I cannot express my gratitude of what those one-to-one sessions meant to me as a student and mean to me now as an adult.

    Emily Nadwie - Bachelor of Dental Science
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