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Diagnostic Oral Pathology
School of Clinical Dentistry,
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health

Course description
This is the only course in the UK in this specialist field. It focuses on the pathology of diseases and disorders that affect the tissues and organs of the oral cavity and its related structures.
The course aims to give you a critical, systematic understanding of oral pathological conditions that require diagnosis by histopathological methods. You’ll study the laboratory methods used to prepare oral diagnostic material for histopathological examination and the research tools used to advance the practice of diagnostic oral pathology.
We teach you competence in the microscopical diagnosis of common and significant oral pathological lesions. You’ll learn when further information or additional procedures are needed to confirm a diagnosis. The course is taught by experienced senior oral and maxillofacial pathologists and scientists with international reputations.
The course builds upon the basic understanding of pathology and oral pathology that you’ll have gained at undergraduate level and is particularly suited to those who have obtained relevant postgraduate experience in a related clinical discipline.
It provides a sound basis for further studies in oral pathology. It will also feed into your training in related clinical disciplines.
Once you've graduated, you’ll have a high level of competence in diagnosing common and significant oral pathological lesions and conditions. You'll be able to determine the steps necessary to resolve a diagnosis for specimens beyond your immediate capabilities.
You’ll also have knowledge and understanding of the common laboratory methods used to prepare oral diagnostic material for histopathological examination and the main research tools and methods used to advance the practice of diagnostic oral pathology.
Modules
Core modules
- Basic Principles of Pathology
- Basic Techniques in Histopathology
- Research Problems and Approaches
- Laboratory Research Methods
- Diagnostic Oral Pathology
- Tissue Engineering
- Advanced Oral Histopathology
- Dissertation
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption. We are no longer offering unrestricted module choice. If your course included unrestricted modules, your department will provide a list of modules from their own and other subject areas that you can choose from.
Open days
An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses. You'll find out what makes us special.
Duration
1 year full-time
Teaching
- Induction period
- Supervised reporting
- Staff and student-led seminars
- Practical laboratory techniques
- Lectures
- Literature review
- Dissertation
- Independent directed self-study
Assessment
- Introductory multi-choice assessment
- Examinations at the end of each semester consisting of written papers and a microscope-based exam
- Assessed essays
- Presentations at journal clubs and seminars
- Dissertation project
Entry requirements
A recognised dental or medical qualification. You must have at least one year's postgraduate experience in a relevant clinical discipline.
Overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component, or equivalent.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an online interview.
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the department.
Fees and funding
Additional costs
The cost of dissertation binding is not included in your course fees.
Apply
You can apply for postgraduate study using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.
Contact
dentalpgtadmissions@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 215 9318 or +44 114 215 9319
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.