Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)

The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) at the International Medical University (IMU) is one of the most recognized dentistry programs in Malaysia, designed to equip students with the clinical knowledge, technical skills, and professionalism needed to become competent dentists. As Malaysia’s first private medical and healthcare university, IMU has over 30 years of excellence in healthcare education and is consistently ranked under the Competitive (Berdaya Saing) category in SETARA 2022.

From early clinical exposure in Year 1 to hands-on patient care starting in Year 2, the IMU BDS programme adopts a student-centred, outcomes-based approach that prepares students for real-world dental practice and compulsory service after graduation. Students are taught by experienced academic professionals in state-of-the-art facilities, including the IMU Dental Skills Centre and Oral Health Centre, using the latest technologies in dental training.

With a curriculum that is benchmarked to international standards, students also have opportunities for credit transfer to partner universities abroad, opening doors for global practice. IMU’s multidisciplinary environment fosters collaboration and builds strong networks among future healthcare professionals in Malaysia.

Whether you're looking to study dentistry in Malaysia or explore top dental schools in Southeast Asia, the IMU Dentistry programme offers a comprehensive, future-ready path toward a rewarding dental career.

• A-Levels: BBB or ABC in Biology; and Chemistry; and Physics or Mathematics
• STPM: BBB or ABC in Biology; and Chemistry; and Physics or Mathematics
• Australian Matriculation: ATAR 80 including Biology; and Chemistry; and Physics or Mathematics AND attained 5Bs in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics / Additional Mathematics and Malay / English at SPM / O-Level or its equivalent
• NCEA Level 3: Average of 80% in Biology; and Chemistry; and Physics or Mathematics AND attained 5Bs in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics / Additional Mathematics and Malay / English at SPM / O-Level or its equivalent
• Canadian Grade 12/13: Average of 80% in 3 subjects: Biology; and Chemistry; and Physics or Mathematics AND attained 5Bs in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics / Additional Mathematics and Malay / English at SPM / O-Level or its equivalent
• Unified Examination Certificate (UEC): B4 in 5 subjects: Biology; and Chemistry; and Physics; and Advanced Mathematics I; and Advanced Mathematics II 
• Australian University Foundation Programmes: Pass with an average of 80% in 3 subjects: Biology; and Chemistry; and Physics or Mathematics AND attained 5Bs in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics / Additional Mathematics and Malay / English at SPM / O-Level or its equivalent
• Indian Pre-University: Average of 70% in Biology; Chemistry; and Physics or Mathematics AND attained 5Bs in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics / Additional Mathematics and Malay / English at SPM / O-Level or its equivalent.
• Ministry of Education Matriculation #: cGPA 3.00 in Biology; Chemistry; and Physics or Mathematics AND attained 5Bs in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics / Additional Mathematics and Malay / English at SPM / O-Level or its equivalent.
• International Baccalaureate (IB): 30 points, with a minimum score of 5 each in 3 of the following subjects: Biology; Chemistry; and Physics / Mathematics with a minimum of 2 subjects at Higher Level (HL) and one subject at Standard Level (SL) AND attained 5Bs in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics / Additional Mathematics and Malay / English at SPM / O-Level or its equivalent.
• American High School Diploma with Advanced Placement (AP): No specific requirement listed.
• Foundation Studies #: IMU Foundation in Science – cGPA 3.00 in Biology; Chemistry; and Physics or Mathematics AND attained 5Bs in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics / Additional Mathematics and Malay / English at SPM / O-Level or its equivalent. Foundation in Science or equivalent from other institutions will be subjected to the Dean's approval on a case-by-case basis.
• Degree: BSc in a related field; cGPA 3.00.
• Diploma: Diploma in Health Sciences; cGPA 3.50 AND provided duration is not less than 5 semesters or 2.5 years in the same accredited institution AND attained 2Bs each in Biology, Chemistry or Physics, and 3Cs
  in English, Mathematics or Additional Mathematics and another subject at SPM / O-Level

# The duration of this programme must be a minimum of 1 year in the same accredited institution and foundation in other disciplines are accepted.

Foundation in Science:

• Foundation in Science qualifications from other higher education institutions will be considered on a case by case basis for admission into the local IMU programmes.
• Students with IMU Foundation in Science can apply into IMU programmes and programmes with selected credit transfer options, upon meeting the entry requirement eligibility. **(Please refer to IMU Foundation in Science brochure for more details)

For admissions into the IMU Foundation in Science programme, students will need:

• Pass SPM / O-Levels with minimum 5 credits in Mathematics, 2 Science subjects and 2 other subjects.Note: Specific SPM / O-Levels requirements may be needed for admissions into IMU programmes.

English Proficiency Requirements:

• MUET: Band score of 4 (For Malaysian students).

• IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 (Not less than 6.0 for individual bands); or

• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): Overall score of 176; or

• Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): Overall score of 176; or

• Cambridge Linguaskill: Overall score of 180; or

• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Overall score of 63; or

• Credit Transfer: IELTS Overall band score of 7.0 (Not less than 6.0 for individual bands).

Dental graduates intending to seek employment in the public sector must fulfill the criteria set by the Public Services Commission of Malaysia (SPA).
**Applicable to IMU local degree only.

Semester 1:

• Biomedicine in Relation to Dentistry 1
• Socio-behavioural Science 1
• Dental Science & Practice 1
• Clinical Humanities & Wellbeing

Semester 2:

• Biomedicine in Relation to Dentistry 1
• Socio-behavioural Science 2
• Dental Science & Practice 1
• Clinical Humanities & Wellbeing

Semester 3:

• Biomedicine in Relation to Dentistry 2
• Dental Science & Practice 2
• Clinical Humanities & Wellbeing
• Elective

Semester 4:

• Biomedicine in Relation to Dentistry 2
• Dental Science & Practice 2
• Community Oral Health 1
• Clinical Humanities & Wellbeing
• Selective

Semester 5:

• Dental Science & Practice 3
• Community Oral Health 1
• Children's Dentistry &
• Orthodontics Special Study Module
• Clinical Humanities & Wellbeing
• Data Science & Analytics

Semester 6:

• General Dental Practice 1
• Community Oral Health 2
• Children's Dentistry & Orthodontics
• Oral Diagnostic Sciences 1
• Special Study Module
• Human Disease
• Clinical Humanities & Wellbeing

Semester 7:

• General Dental Practice 1
• Community Oral Health 2
• Children's Dentistry & Orthodontics
• Oral Diagnostic Sciences 1
• Special Study Module
• Human Disease
• Clinical Humanities & Wellbeing

Semester 8:

• General Dental Practice 2
• Community Oral Health 2
• Children's Dentistry & Orthodontics
• Oral Diagnostic Sciences 2
• Special Study Module
• Oral Maxillo-facial Surgery
• Clinical Humanities & Wellbeing
• Elective
• Outreach

Semester 9:

• General Dental Practice 2
• Community Oral Health 2
• Children's Dentistry & Orthodontics
• Oral Diagnostic Sciences 2
• Special Study Module
• Oral Maxillo-facial Surgery
• Clinical Humanities & Wellbeing
• Outreach

Semester 10:

• General Dental Practice 2
• Community Oral Health 2
• Children's Dentistry & Orthodontics
• Oral Diagnostic Sciences 2
• Special Study Module
• Oral Maxillo-facial Surgery
• Clinical Humanities & Wellbeing
• BDS Plus
• Outreach

• The curriculum is reviewed periodically and subject to change
• The MPU modules are compulsory modules required by Ministry of Higher Education under the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996 (Act 555)
• Every student must past all modules as a prerequisite for the awarding of the degree