Understanding the award
What is SCQF Level 11?
The Dip.Imp.Dent(BCDIS) is awarded at EduQual SCQF Level 11. Here is what that means — and how it compares to qualifications you already know — drawn from the framework bodies and regulators themselves.
How Level 11 compares
This is a regulated, government-recognised UK qualification — set at the same academic level as a master’s degree.
Where does your qualification sit? Tap one:
The short version
What does Level 11 mean?
The Dip.Imp.Dent(BCDIS) is credit-rated at EduQual SCQF Level 11 — pitched at the same level as UK master's-level study.
The English comparison?
SCQF Level 11 sits alongside RQF/FHEQ Level 7 — the level of postgraduate diplomas and master's degrees in England, Wales and NI. EduQual's own framework table maps them together.
Why SCQF, not RQF?
Scotland and England each run a government-recognised national framework (SCQF / RQF). What matters is the level the award is set at, not the nation — the regulators publish the official mapping.
What does it mean for you?
Advanced postgraduate training for qualified dentists. Level 11 credit may support applications for advanced standing on university master's programmes — each university decides its own admissions.
The full mapping
Qualification levels across the UK are formally mapped by the regulators, so degrees you already hold place SCQF Level 11 on a familiar scale.
| Qualification | England, Wales & NI (FHEQ / RQF) | Scotland (SCQF) |
|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) — bachelor's degree with honours | Level 6 | Level 10 |
| BDS — primary dental degree | Level 7 | Level 11 |
| MSc / MClinDent — master's degrees | Level 7 | Level 11 |
| Dip.Imp.Dent(BCDIS) — EduQual SCQF Level 11 postgraduate diploma | Comparable to Level 7 | Level 11 |
| DClinDent — professional doctorate | Level 8 | Level 12 |
| PhD — doctorate | Level 8 | Level 12 |
Level mappings follow the UK regulators' joint guide Qualifications can cross boundaries (SCQF Level 11 sits alongside FHEQ Level 7). The FHEQ places primary qualifications in dentistry (BDS) at Level 7 — master's level — despite the bachelor's title. A level compares the demand of learning, not the size or type of a qualification: see the note below.
Who stands behind the award
EduQual — the awarding body
The Dip.Imp.Dent(BCDIS) is awarded by EduQual, a regulated UK awarding body. EduQual is recognised by Qualifications Scotland Accreditation (formerly SQA Accreditation) and is an SCQF Partnership-approved credit rating body — the status that allows it to allocate SCQF levels and credit to its qualifications.
- Recognised by Qualifications Scotland Accreditation
- SCQF Partnership-approved credit rating body
- Allocates SCQF levels and credit points to its awards
The SCQF Partnership — the framework
The SCQF itself is maintained by the SCQF Partnership, whose interactive framework shows every qualification type at every level — from National 4 to doctorates — including the credit rules for master's degrees and postgraduate diplomas at Level 11.
Official sources
Everything on this page is drawn from the framework bodies and regulators themselves.
SCQF Partnership — the interactive framework
Qualification types and credit rules at every SCQF level, from the body that manages the framework.
Qualifications can cross boundaries (QAA)
The UK and Ireland regulators' joint guide mapping levels across the SCQF, FHEQ, RQF and Irish frameworks.
The FHEQ (QAA, 2024)
The higher-education qualifications framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland — including primary dental degrees at Level 7.
GOV.UK — what qualification levels mean
The official list of qualification levels for England, Wales and Northern Ireland: master's degrees, postgraduate diplomas and certificates at Level 7; doctorates at Level 8.
EduQual — recognition
EduQual's regulatory recognition and SCQF credit-rating status, from the awarding body itself.
Qualifications Scotland — the SCQF explained
A plain-English introduction to SCQF levels and credit points, published by Scotland's national awarding body.
See the diploma the level describes.
Explore the EduQual SCQF Level 11 Postgraduate Implant Diploma — the curriculum, the faculty and the fees.