What is the Dental Bursary?
It is a £4000 bursary payable to students undertaking the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) in Scotland. It is open to those students in Glasgow and Dundee from year 2 of the degree course and for all 4 years of the graduate entry course at Aberdeen. The bursary is available on the condition that recipients tie into carrying out a set number of years of service (maximum of 5, or part-time equivalent) with NHS Scotland.
Why did you introduce the Dental Bursary?
We introduced the bursary to try and help address the shortage of NHS Dentists in Scotland .
Who is eligible?
All students undertaking the BDS at Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen University . This includes students from the rest of the UK and those from overseas, providing they intend working with NHS Scotland after graduation. Overseas students who do not have the necessary residency status to remain in Scotland after graduation, will not be eligible for the bursary.
What are the conditions of the tie-in with NHS Scotland?
- If students take out the bursary for the maximum of 4 years, they must carry out a total of 5 years (or part-time equivalent) dental work with NHS Scotland. If you only claim the bursary for 3 years, 2 years or 1 year the tie-in period will be 4 years, 3 years and 2 years.
- The period of employment must begin within one calendar year of graduation.
- At least 80% of an individual's total earnings must be from NHS Scotland.
What happens to the bursary if I withdraw from my course?
If you withdraw from the BDS, you will be required to repay the bursary you received for that year. For example, if you received a £4000 bursary in years 2 and 3, and then withdrew in year 3, you will be required to repay £4000. We will arrange repayment terms on an individual basis but we will not ask you to repay the whole amount in a lump sum.
What happens to the bursary if I do not comply with the NHS Scotland tie-in period post graduation?
You will be required to repay a proportion of your entire bursary if you do not meet the conditions of the tie-in period. The amount you repay will depend on how much of the tie-in period you actually complied with. If you did not comply with any of the tie-in period then you would have to repay the entire Dental Bursary you received throughout the degree. We will arrange repayment terms on an individual basis but we will not ask you to repay the whole amount in a lump sum.
What if I cannot meet the tie-in period due to special circumstances?
There is scope to extend the tie-in period to equate to the number of years required service if there are exceptional circumstances. Examples that we could consider would include, long term illness, NHS Career break, Maternity period, Voluntary work, etc. We will consider every case on its own merits.
Will I be eligible to claim the bursary for any year of my BDS that I have to repeat?
We will give consideration to requests for repeat years. It will depend on the circumstances of each case as to whether we award the bursary.
Does the new Dental Bursary have any impact on the student support I already receive?
There is no link and the Dental Bursary is not income-assessed. There is also no link with this bursary and the healthcare bursary that some year 5 students at Dundee and Glasgow may receive as part of their overall student support package.
Does the tie-in period include the Vocational Training (VT) or General Professional Training (GPT)?
Yes.
Am i still eligible for the £3,000 lump sum for VT in Scotland ?
Yes.
Are there any plans to cap or cut salaries if I tie myself in to the retention period with NHS Scotland?
No. VT salaries are a nationally negotiated salary and quite separate from the new bursary arrangements, which are only in Scotland .
Are more VT and or GPT places going to be made available in Scotland to allow me to work in NHS Scotland, rather than having no option but to look elsewhere in the UK for jobs?
Yes, but General Dental Practices will be the main career destination. Places in Scotland are by open competition and they are not guaranteed a VT or GPT place. If you can't get a place in Scotland and have to do VT elsewhere, then you would have to return to a NHS Scotland post after VT, or repay the bursary.
How do I apply for the bursary?
When applying for the bursary for the first time you must also sign and return the 'contract' as well as the application form itself. Thereafter, you need only complete an application annually. The contract will cover you for the duration of your degree.
The Dental Schools have the necessary documentation you require in order to apply.
When do I receive my bursary?
Providing you have fully completed the application and contract then we will arrange to pay you as soon as we get confirmation from the university that you are in attendance.
Will I be eligible for the bursary if I am undertaking the BDS as a second degree?
Yes. Degree holders are eligible.
As a graduate entry student, will I be eligible to have my fees paid?
Yes, we will pay the standard rate of tuition fees direct to your institution, on your behalf. However, graduates should be aware that they may be charged a higher rate of fees by their University, than the amount paid by SAAS. Please check this with your University
Do I have to apply for the bursary in order to get my fees paid?
No, applicants do not have to sign up for the Dental Bursary Scheme or sign a contract to receive their course fees and there is no tie-in to the NHS.
Will I be eligible for the bursary if I undertake an intercalated degree during the BDS?
No. The bursary only applies to the actual BDS.
Will I be eligible for the bursary if after graduation I wish to specialise in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery?
No. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is regarded as a medical specialty rather than a dental one.