Studying a dental programme as your first undergraduate degree

Tuition fees

• In your first four years of study, you can apply for a tuition fee loan from the government.
• In your fifth year and further years of the Dental Surgery (BDS) programme, your tuition fees will be paid by the NHS Business Services Authority.

Living costs

You can apply to the government for a maintenance loan during your first four years of study. In years two, three and four, you'll have a longer academic year due to practice placements. If you receive the means-tested part of the maintenance loan, you'll be entitled to an additional loan to cover these extra weeks.

In the fifth year and further years of the Dental Surgery (BDS) programme, you can apply to the NHS for a non means-tested grant. You may also be eligible for an additional means-tested bursary. You can also apply to Student Finance for a reduced-rate maintenance loan for living costs. You can read more about NHS bursary student funding on the NHS Business Services Authority website.

Studying a dental programme as your second undergraduate degree

Tuition fees

• If you are studying a dental programme as your second undergraduate degree, you are not entitled to a tuition fee loan from the government. You are for the first four years' tuition fees yourself.
• In your fifth year and further years of the Dental Surgery (BDS) programme, your tuition fees will be paid by the NHS Business Services Authority.

Living costs

You can apply to the government for a maintenance loan during your first four years of study. In years two, three and four, you'll have a longer academic year due to practice placements. If you receive the means-tested part of the maintenance loan, you'll be entitled to an additional loan to cover these extra weeks.

In your fifth year and further years of the Dental Surgery (BDS) programme you can apply to the NHS for a non means-tested grant. You may also be eligible for an additional means-tested bursary. You can also apply to Student Finance for a reduced-rate maintenance loan for living costs. You can read more about NHS bursary student funding on the NHS Business Services Authority website.

Second-degree students who live in Wales are not eligible for maintenance grants for living costs from Student Finance Wales, but can still apply for the maintenance loan for their first four years of study.

Maintenance loan rates are based on Student Finance England. Note that Student Finances Wales, Student Finance Northern Ireland, and Student Awards Agency for Scotland may differ.

Applying for funding

Where you apply for financial support depends on where you normally live when you're not at university.

• Students from England: apply to Student Finance England.
• Students from Wales: apply to Student Finance Wales/cyllid myfyrwyr cymru.
• Students from Northern Ireland: apply to Student Finance NI.
• Students from Scotland: apply to Student Awards Agency for Scotland.

NHS funding for Dental Surgery (BDS) students

You need to apply for your NHS funding; it isn't automatic. The NHS Business Services Authority's student website contains useful information about how to apply for your funding.

Other sources of funding

• If you receive the NHS means-tested bursary, you can claim for practice placement expenses such as travel and accommodation. Download a guide to completing the PPE form.
• Current students who are experiencing financial difficulty can apply to the University Financial Assistance Fund.