The University of Western Australia

Bachelor of Biomedicine (Specialised), Doctor of Dental Medicine

Undergraduate
Apply To This Program

Details

University Location Perth, Western Australia
City Population 2.1 million
Student Population 28,000
Int'l Student Population 7,900
Main Campus Crawley
Program Campus Nedlands
Program Duration 3 + 3 years
Estimated Annual Tuition AUD$48,700 (2025 fees; subject to increase)
Semester Intake February
Next Available Intake 2026
Application Deadline June 26, 2025*
Apply To This Program

Overview

The University of Western Australia Dental School believes that students learn best when teaching and learning methods focus on student-centred approaches whenever possible. Students develop a broad base of knowledge, multi-faceted experiences, and the ability to think critically and apply knowledge to solve problems through problem-based clinical situations, computer activities, lectures, and self-directed learning programs.

UWA Bachelor of Biomedicine (Specialised) students have access to a range of world-class facilities that enhance your learning and give you hands-on experience before you enter the workplace:

  • UWA Health Campus
  • Biomedical Sciences Teaching Laboratories
  • Biomedical Sciences E-Learning Suites

As a biomedical science student, you’ll be taught by world-class researchers in cutting-edge laboratories and tutorial rooms at UWA’s main campus and at the Queen Elizabeth II hospital campus.

Program

The Bachelor of Biomedicine (Specialised) is a practical 3-year degree providing essential pre-clinical knowledge across a broad arena of health and medical disciplines, designed to articulate with UWA’s accredited health professional degrees, including the Doctor of Dental Medicine (3 years).

This extended major is only available to students who are offered an Assured Pathway to the Doctor of Dental Medicine. It draws on all biomedical scientific disciplines to understand and manage human disease and illness. It contains foundational learning about the roles of a dentist and introduces the student to pre-clinical dental training. If successful in completing this extended major, you’ll be eligible for credit towards the Doctor of Dental Medicine and a shorter 6-year pathway.

Integrated Dental Sciences Major
The Integrated Dental Sciences extended major encompasses a wide range of disciplines within the health and medical sciences. It will provide you with the background knowledge across all the biomedical scientific disciplines including, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, hematology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, and public health. These disciplines will be integrated within level 3 units, where science, clinical, and professional content will be presented longitudinally and built around the core clinical conditions and presentations.

As a Bachelor of Biomedicine (Specialised) student majoring in integrated dental sciences, you’ll learn to

  • demonstrate sound knowledge in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, hematology, microbiology, anatomical pathology, and pharmacology;
  • apply clinically relevant aspects of biomedical science and the principles of clinical reasoning to core dental and oral conditions;
  • apply medical- and dental-history taking and oral examination, along with an understanding of the patient’s perspective and quality patient-centred care; and
  • undertake clinical dental procedures in a simulation environment.

Practical Learning
You’ll also commence pre-clinical simulation training in the dental school’s Simulation and Operative Technique Laboratories. This training is essential to develop your hand skills and will help you become competent in the various dental procedures before your progress to the clinical years of the Doctor of Dental Medicine, where you’ll be treating patients in the clinics of the Oral Health Centre of WA and at various external placement clinics, an essential part of the training of dentists.

Admission Requirements

The direct pathway is only available to

  • current Grade 12 students; or
  • applicants who have completed Grade 12 (or equivalent) no more than 1 year previously and have not since undertaken any post-secondary studies.

Entry into the Assured Pathway is competitive. Applicants are ranked according to their academic performance, admissions test, and interview scores, with the highest-ranking applicants being offered a place.

1. High school diploma
A minimum of 93% overall average. Averages and calculations depend upon province (see below). Entry to this program doesn’t require specific prerequisites; however, chemistry, biology or human biology, math, and physics are recommended. If you haven’t completed these courses at Year 12, you will need to include these units in your first year of study at UWA.

  • ON – Top 5 Grade 12 subjects
  • QC – Assessment is based on all subjects’ results presented in each transcript
  • All other provinces – Top 6 Grade 12 subjects

2. Admissions test
International applicants must sit the International Student Admissions Test (ISAT) and meet the minimum score of the 25th percentile or higher in each section of the test. ISATs are valid for the preceding 3 calendar years.

3. Interview
Interviews will be held in mid-August for students who meet both the minimum educational score and ISAT. After the interview, final course offers are ranked according to GPA equivalent, interview score, and ISAT overall score, weighted 30%/50%/20%.

Progression into Doctor of Dental Medicine
Successful applicants who gain a place in the Assured Pathway will commence UWA undergraduate studies and progress to their postgraduate degree without the need to sit a graduate admissions test or undergo further interviews. The International Assured Pathway place in the postgraduate DMD is conditional on

  • successful completion of a UWA bachelor’s degree with a minimum faculty grade point average (FGPA) of 5.5; and
  • retention of international student status.

Admission Timeline

*While the application deadline for the 2026 intake is June 26, 2025, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

See the Dentistry Admissions Timeline for details.