Why choose the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Education
A ground-breaking Master’s offering the only university-accredited law and ethics course specifically for dental professionals.
Taught by an interdisciplinary team of university academics and visiting experts with wide-ranging legal and ethical expertise.
In the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2025, the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ ranks UK 29th overall; it ranks in the top 10 for skills development and in the top 15 for teaching and learning, assessment and feedback, and sense of community.
About the course
This flexible, part-time course offers a seamless progression from our highly regarded PgCert Dental Law and Ethics, extending your knowledge of fundamental concepts and theories of law and ethics as well as exploring how they are applied in practice. Encompassing both clinical and business settings, it provides you with the opportunity to examine your own practice, particularly when it comes to enhancing patient care and delivering excellent service.
To take this course, you must have a relevant qualification in the field and be working in the profession.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- 24/7 access to our library services with 194,000 e-books and 192,000 e-journals
- Guided learning materials and e-learning resources on the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½â€™s virtual learning platform
Your student experience
The course combines eight study days with online and self-directed learning.
Develop insights into the impact of legal and ethical considerations on everyday decision-making in a practice setting.
Gain an understanding of ways to address patient safety issues, and how you can develop and manage your dental team.
At final Master’s stage, move to greater levels of independence undertaking a supervised research project related to legal and/or ethical issues in dental practice.
Benefit from a wide range of learning and teaching methods including small-group workshops; micro-teaching; case studies; critical-incident analysis; and action learning sets.
Our academic team are research active and have published widely in their fields, in journals including the British Dental Journal.
Benefit from being at a ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ with a successful track record of supporting those returning to study after long periods in the workplace or after a career break.
Our Bedford campus is a small, thriving academic community where academic staff get to know you well.
Course schedule
The PgDip Dental Law and Ethics includes 2 units, over two semesters.*
For students who have completed their PgCert units (total 60 credits) in Dental Law and Ethics and wish to progress.
| Date | Location | Time |
| 2026/27 dates coming soon | Bedford campus | 10:00 - 4:00 |
| 2026/27 dates coming soon | Online | 10:00 - 1:00 |
| 2026/27 dates coming soon | Bedford campus | 10:00 - 4:00 |
| 2026/27 dates coming soon | Online | 10:00 - 1:00 |
| Date | Location | Time |
| 2026/27 dates coming soon | Bedford campus | 10:00 - 4:00 |
| 2026/27 dates coming soon | Online | 10:00 - 1:00 |
| 2026/27 dates coming soon | Bedford campus | 10:00 - 4:00 |
| 2026/27 dates coming soon | Online | 10:00 - 1:00 |
The final year of the MA Dental Law and Ethics includes 2 units, over three semesters.*
For students who have completed their PgCert and PgDip units (total 120 credits) in Dental Law and Ethics and wish to progress.
| Date | Location | Time |
| 2026/27 dates coming soon | Bedford campus | 10:00 - 4:00 |
| 2026/27 dates coming soon | Online | 10:00 - 1:00 |
| 2026/27 dates coming soon | Bedford campus | 10:00 - 4:00 |
| 2026/27 dates coming soon | Online | 10:00 - 1:00 |
| Date | Location | Time |
| 2026/27 dates coming soon | Bedford campus | 10:00 - 4:00 |
| 2026/27 dates coming soon | Online | 10:00 - 1:00 |
| 2026/27 dates coming soon | Bedford campus | 10:00 - 4:00 |
| 2026/27 dates coming soon | Online | 10:00 - 1:00 |
*All units are core, face to face contact takes place at Bedford campus, exact teaching rooms will be communicated via our online system (BREO) – dates may be subject to minor changes
Get in touch
For more information please contact the course lead Dr Hoda Wassif via email [email protected]
Course Leader - Dr Hoda Wassif - Associate Professor in Medical & Dental Education
I am a Principal Lecturer in Medical & Dental Education and Portfolio Lead Pre-Professional & Continuing Health Education Portfolio, part of the School of Nursing and Health Education.
As portfolio lead, I offer academic leadership and support related to a range of courses in Pre-Professional and Continuing Health Education including; Advanced Nursing Practice, Nursing Associates, short courses in health systems as well as Medical & Dental Education.
Dental law in practice – A comprehensive overview of aspects of the law that relate to dental care and practice.
Ethical dental practice – Examine the ethical issues relating to the provision of high-quality dental care.
Introduction to research methods – Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of approaches to ethical research in your field.
Research project dissertation – Using your research and critical appraisal skills, develop and conduct a small, individual research project in your field.
Law and ethics, concepts and theories – Gain the critical skills to identify and evaluate current and future ethical and legal challenges.
Developing ethical dental teams – How your workplace setting can comply with different sets of regulations as well as the profession’s legal and ethical guidance.
For an at-a-glance list of modules for this course, download the course specification.
You will have an opportunity to tailor assessment tasks in ways that allow you to deal with real issues you encountered in your professional lives. Tutor support for assessment activities is provided. This course is designed to address the various needs of those who are relatively new to dental practice as well as those who are more experienced.
Careers
This course is designed to develop the skills and practices of dental care professionals with an interest in legal and ethical dental practice. After completing the course you will be able to demonstrate a systematic understanding of the wide range of legal and ethical concepts and issues that directly or indirectly impact patient care. Your expertise will allow you to present your ideas and opinions in a structured planned and supported way.
As a graduate in this field you can enhance your legal role in dental practice (such as practice manager or clinical lead); indemnity organisations; primary care organisations; or as an expert witness to legal firms.
Entry Requirements
2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
