Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)

ACADEMIC MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENTRY INTO A DENTAL PROGRAMME
(MALAYSIAN QUALIFICATION FRAMEWORK, MQF LEVEL 6)

A high level of academic attainment is expected.

1. An understanding of science, in particular chemistry and biology, is central to the understanding of Dentistry. However, the Council recognizes the diversity of subjects taken by applicants and the contributions of those who have entered dental schools with other qualifications.
2. All applicants shall have attained a level of competence in English to enable them to complete the course successfully. (For SEGi University, exemption is given for those international students from countries using English as their official language and also for those students who have done Foundation in Science with English as the medium of instruction).
3. All applicants entering the dental programme via matriculation, foundation or pre-dental programme, except those with a degree qualification, STPM or A level shall have passed and attained a minimum of the following at School Certificate level or its equivalent:
   

   Examinations	Requirements
   Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM)	5 Bs each in: Biology and Chemistry and Physics and Mathematics/ Additional Mathematics and Another subject (except Art/KSI) (KSI referring to the subjects of Kemanusiaan & Sastera Ikhtisas)
   General Certificate of Education Ordinary (“O”) levels	5 Bs each in: Biology and Chemistry; and Physics; and Mathematics/ Additional Mathematics; and Another subject (except Art/KSI)
   Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)	B4 each in 3 subjects i.e. Biology; and Chemistry; and Physics; or Mathematics/Advanced Mathematics

   Note:

   1. Any applicants with School Certificates that are not mentioned in this guideline must refer to ‘The List of Entry Qualifications for International Students’ by Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) for the purpose of qualification equivalency.
   2. A combination of SPM and O-Level results is allowed to fulfil the entry requirement as stated in Keputusan Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Induk MQA-SPIPIT Bil. 1/2019 bertarikh 11 Mei 2009 and Keputusan Mesyuarat MQA Bil. 4/2019 bertarikh 27 Mei 2009 (Kompilasi Dasar Jaminan Kualiti Pendidikan Tinggi {2009 – 2020: Edisi Ketiga).
   3. UEC eligibility is only for admission to higher education programs in Private Higher Leaning Institution (IPTS) as stated in: Surat Pekeliling Ketua Pendaftar Institusi Pengajian Tinggi Swasta, Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia Bil. 2/2004 – Kelayakan dan Kedudukan ’Unified Examination Certificate’ (UEC) dated 19 Mac 2004 No. Ruj: KP(JPS)5181/01/02/Jld.3(6)
4. All applicants, except those with a degree qualification in sciences, arts or humanities, shall have passed and attained a minimum of the following at:
   1. Higher School Certificate level or its equivalent (STPM or A-Level)
      

      Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM)	5 Bs each in: Biology and Chemistry and Physics and Mathematics/ Additional Mathematics and Another subject (except Art/KSI) (KSI referring to the subjects of Kemanusiaan & Sastera Ikhtisas)
      General Certificate of Education Advanced (“A”) levels	5 Bs each in: Biology and Chemistry; and Physics; and Mathematics/ Additional Mathematics; and Another subject (except Art/KSI)

      Note: Combination of A-Level or STAM and STPM is allowed to fulfil the entry requirement as stated in Keputusan Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Induk MQA-SPIPTS
      Bil.1/2009 dated 1 May 2009 and Keputusan Mesyuarat MQA Bil. 4/2019 dated 27 May 2009 (Kompilasi Dasar Jaminan Kualiti Pendidikan Tinggi (2009 – 2020: Edisi Ketiga

      OR

   2. Matriculation, foundation or pre-medical programme or its equivalent (all applicants must fulfil the requirement as SPM/O-level or its equivalent)
      

      Matriculation or Foundation in Science or Pre- Medical course	CGPA 3.0 (out of 4) in 3 subjects i.e. Biology; and Chemistry; and Physics or Mathematics And Provided the course is not less than 1 year in the same accredited institution.
      Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)	B4 each in 5 subjects i.e. Biology; and Chemistry; and Physics; and Mathematics; and Advanced Mathematics
      Monash University Foundation Pre University Program (MUFY) or University of New South Wales (UNSW) Foundation or Western Australia Curriculum Council or HSC Sydney Australia or Trinity College Foundation Studies or Australian Universities Foundation Programmes or South Australian Matriculation (SAM) or Victorian Certificate of Education, Australia Year 12 or equivalent	Aggregate or average of 80% or the equivalent of B in 3 subjects i.e. Biology; and Chemistry; and Physics or Mathematics or 80% ATAR provided the subjects include Biology; and Chemistry; and Physics; or Mathematics
      National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 or New Zealand Bursary	Average of 80% in 3 subjects i.e. Biology; and Chemistry; and Physics or Mathematics
      Canadian Pre-University (CPU) or Canadian International Matriculation Program (CIMP) / Canadian Grade 12/13	Average of 80% in 3 subjects i.e. Biology; and Chemistry; and Physics or Mathematics
      Indian Pre-University	Average of 70% in 3 subjects i.e. Biology; and Chemistry; and Physics or Mathematics
      International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme	A minimum of 30 points overall and attained a minimum score of 5 each in 3 of the following subjects: Biology; and Chemistry; and Physics or Mathematics with a minimum of 2 at Higher Level (HL) and 1 at Standard Level

   3. Diploma level
      

      Diploma in Health Sciences or equivalent

      CGPA 3.0 (out of 4) And Provided the course is not less than 5 semesters or 2 1/2 years in the same accredited institution and At SPM/ O-Level or its equivalent: Minimum 2 Bs in any 2 subjects Biology; and/or Chemistry; and/or Physics and Credits in 3 subjects English; and Mathematics or Additional Mathematics; and Another subject

      OR

   4. Degree level
      

      Degree in Medical Sciences (MBBS or Equivalent)	CGPA 3.0 (out of 4) and; pass a bridging course at a year 2 level before entering to year 3 Note: The candidate can be exempted for the first year (direct entry into second year) and can also be given exemption for other relevant courses (e g. Basic Medical Science & General Surgery and General Medicine
      Degree in Sciences/Life Sciences	CGPA 3.0 (out of 4)
      Degree in the Arts or Humanities	CGPA 3.0 (out of 4)

   5. Applicants shall be required to pass an aptitude test and/or an interview and/or a university entrance examination.
   6. Graduates seeking employment in the government need credit in Bahasa Malaysia at SPM level.
   7. For examinations not listed in this document, the institution must obtain an equivalence assessment of the examination from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).
   8. Clarifications shall be sought from the Council in situations for which there are no provisions in this guideline.
   9. Graduates from a dental programme who seek employment in the public sector must fulfil the criteria set by the Public Services Commission of Malaysia (SPA)

Acknowledgements

This document was adapted from the guidelines prepared by the Ministry of Education and refined by the Dental Deans’ Council on the 11 March 2022 and approved by the Malaysian Dental Council on 14 March 2022.

Revision approved by MoHE and MQA in Mesyuarat Kajian Semula Dasar & Jaminan Kualiti Bil. 2/2022 on 11 Ogos 2022.

THE EFFECTIVE DATE IS 1ST. JANUARY 2022

HEALTH ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Prior to admission, all shortlisted applicants are required to undergo a medical checkup to ensure they are free from communicable diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis; and to undergo immunisation against Hepatitis B.