Where would you prefer to live: Brisbane or Adelaide? I think that’s the main consideration here.
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Choosing Between Offers: Dentistry
- Thread starter Luken
- Start date
Heyo, ucatsyd. This link has a lot of great information that was opened by someone who was once in your position:
Adelaide vs University of Queensland
I received offers for both, and was looking for opinions on which one to take. The only difference so far I've been able to find is that Adelaide is an integrated stream, while UQ takes subjects. Also, UQ seems to be building a new dental facility to open in 2013- not sure about Adelaide's...
medstudentsonline.com.au
Not at all, there is actually an over supply of housing atm in Brisbane.
Hobart is the smallest capital city and has the worst housing availability in the country and is, all things considered, the least affordable place to try and find rentals and has been since 2017. Adelaide is close to second I believe: Hobart named Australia's least affordable city for renters for second year.
unknownuser123
Member
Does anyone have insight into the differences between CSU and Griffith in terms of actual dental education? I also aim on specialising eventually, so does it matter which university I graduate from (i.e. is favouring selection between university graduates a thing for the Doctor of Clin Practice program/s)? I am aware that Griffith will cost all up around 160K whereas CSU would be around 60K. Cheers all
It doesn't particularly matter where you go to uni for where you specialise because you have to do a.few years of general dental experience before you can apply to most of them. I would take the 60k option unless there is a reason not to. Saves you lots of money in the long run.
I don't know anything about Griffith. However CSU has had some problems with their program. You can read this article. I'm a dental assistant heading to JCU for dent soon. The dentists I work with have had differing opinions. Some have said it would be best to avoid CSU at the moment with these issues, one has said CSU is an excellent program and probably the best piece of advice I got was that "if you learn the skills and are a good person you'll be fine" (from the owner of the dental surgery). I am still intending to go to CSU if I get a late top up offer there as it's heaps closer then JCU. I just think it's important people are aware of this before going there.
iwannastudydent
Member
What are your guys' thoughts on UQ vs UADEL?
Hard question to answer because there are so many different factors to consider. Whilst my opinion is biased towards Adelaide, I will try and be as objective as possible. Cal & Dreamer & Yamster are UQ dent students who can definitely give their respective insights for you.
Course Program Differences
Both degrees are 5 years in duration.
University of Adelaide's dental program is entirely integrated meaning that rather than having 4 different subjects/units, it is all combined into one. This is typically done through Integrated Learning Activities (ILA or PBLs) which helps to contextualise everything that you learn in lectures, sim clinic, clinic and workshops into a dentist/dental-assistant/patient context. Personally, the lecturers who teach the dental-related content are extremely good at their field but the ones who teach biology-related foundational content can vary greatly at times. With regards to the recent outbreak of COVID-19, our coordinators have worked marvels in making the transition for us as smooth as possible despite the recent set of events -> can definitely vouch for my dental school being very adaptable when it comes to making course amendments on the brim.
Definitely need some more clarity on this one but UQ's program is an embedded honours right from the start which could definitely play a factor if you are interested in specialty programs (although Adelaide uni also has options for honours as well if you are able to maintain great grades).
Rankings
Rankings are generally not reliable indicators of uni performance. UAdel & UQ are both highly-reputable universities for dentistry and as such, this should not be a major factor when it comes to choosing your school. In fact, any dental school that is accredited by the Australian Dental Council are great options. You ultimately graduate as a dentist in the end.
Vibes
Generally, Adelaide's vibe is generally much calmer compared to Brisbane. In addition, the weather here in Adelaide is much cooler in temperatures compared to Brisbane. The parklands here around Adelaide are plentiful and really gives off a great vibe especially after a busy uni day (not that I have been to uni that often ever since f2f classes). With regards to costs of living, both cities are generally pretty similar -> it mainly depends on you personally and what your spending priorities are when it comes to your daily lifestyle. In addition, UAdel as a Go8 university has a relatively smaller campus which is more lacking in extracurricular activities, sports & clubs in general when compared to UQ. Whilst most of the major stores are available here in Adelaide, a major minus here is the absence of stores like Uniqlo and 7/11 (as examples) which are otherwise present in Brisbane. However, Adelaide uni is sooooo close to Rundle Mall which is houses almost every big store that you can think of.
Both Adelaide and UQ have up-to-date sim clinics with modernised tech, x-rays, etc.
However... SA has generally been one of the best states to be in when it comes to being safe from COVID-19. Also, Adelaide has the super cool-looking AHMS building with the Adelaide Dental Hospital on the top few levels. Say less.
Final Summation
These are just some ideas that I came off the top of my head with. Definitely not an exhaustive list. Main points to consider are whereabouts you live in (which place is closer or further to you), what vibes more with your preferences, climate atmosphere, preferences for integrated course and just sorta what kind of views you want to experience or be a part of in your journey.
iwannastudydent
Member
Just re-reading this and the integrated learning really caught my eye. Does that mean even though you do 4 courses/term, they all link up really nicely with each other? Also do you have 4 different exams per sem?
Also any input on the fail rate of adel? Is this just due to not studying or not doing well in sim labs too?
Also Cal could you please comment on the ‘Honours’ portion of UQ and how this may relate to specialisation?
ty!!!
Yep, so ILA is adapted from real-life clinical practice which depicts a scenario of a PT and certain exams, procedures or complications which can happen. You make mindmaps from the scenario which are compiled summaries of everything you learn from lectures, tutes, workshops, sim clinic and clinic. It's a one course thing throughout the whole year (you enrol in 2 units/year or 1 unit/semester) so you can fail the semester 1 but get rly good marks in semester 2 and still pass the whole year. Pass/fail is based on the results of both S1 & S2 combined. Can't really comment on fail rates other than the fact that if you stay committed to the course and don't fall way below average in the practical component, you should be good. You get rewarded more for working hard and self-reflecting than being lazy and having naturally-gifted talent.Just re-reading this and the integrated learning really caught my eye. Does that mean even though you do 4 courses/term, they all link up really nicely with each other? Also do you have 4 different exams per sem?
Also any input on the fail rate of adel? Is this just due to not studying or not doing well in sim labs too?
Also Cal could you please comment on the ‘Honours’ portion of UQ and how this may relate to specialisation?
From a My perspective of the "UQ vs Uadel" comparison here are the biggest points you want to be looking at:
The City itself - Adelaide is quite a small city, with more of a town than a city feeling from my experience, but brisbane does actually feel like a city, and is much more expansive. So it depends on what kind of vibe you would like, both have the uni campus very close to the city (Brisbane a 5 min bus trip and Adelaide is legit in the city)
The Campus - Adelaide's campus is very modern, and right next to the hospital, and yes it is very high tech, which makes it appeal to some, although there is no dedicated Oral health building, all the health subjects relevant are combined into the one building, where as UQ has a whole Oral health centre which also looks very cool, with clinics open to the pubilc you will eventually train in. Food options at UQ are few and far between, but you can travel 5 mins to the CBD and get great food. I cannot remember whether there was much at Uadel
The Course - The only difference is A) the Name Bachelor of Dental Science (honours) vs Bachelor of Dental Surgery. So if you want to feel like a surgeon for whatever reason, even though there is legitimately no difference in physical outcome of degree, then you choose adelaide. Only difference really is the honours program at UQ, which allows you to get into research earlier and possibly gives you a head start into the specialty sphere. Also Uadel has fewer of the major specialties, I think UQ is the university with the most. The course itself at UQ is run in specific individual courses, vs a Integrated learning experience at UADEL so it depends what you prefer there. There is a larger cohort size at UQ which may or may not annoy you, but they do have more resources to deal with it because that is what they have planned for. I am pretty sure both unis get into the clinic first year to practice on other students and phantom heads, so getting in early is a + for both.
Cost - Not 100% sure but I think Adelaide has quite a high cost of living, and the course itself is like 1k more a year according to current fees (I don't know why). That is all I have to say about that.
Prestige -Same old same old, not really any difference, UQ might have a slightly better research program, but Idk really not much different at all tbh.
Comes down to preference as always, one is not better than the other, but make sure when you go to your first day tell em cactus jack sent you
my DM's are open if anyone wants clarification
The City itself - Adelaide is quite a small city, with more of a town than a city feeling from my experience, but brisbane does actually feel like a city, and is much more expansive. So it depends on what kind of vibe you would like, both have the uni campus very close to the city (Brisbane a 5 min bus trip and Adelaide is legit in the city)
The Campus - Adelaide's campus is very modern, and right next to the hospital, and yes it is very high tech, which makes it appeal to some, although there is no dedicated Oral health building, all the health subjects relevant are combined into the one building, where as UQ has a whole Oral health centre which also looks very cool, with clinics open to the pubilc you will eventually train in. Food options at UQ are few and far between, but you can travel 5 mins to the CBD and get great food. I cannot remember whether there was much at Uadel
The Course - The only difference is A) the Name Bachelor of Dental Science (honours) vs Bachelor of Dental Surgery. So if you want to feel like a surgeon for whatever reason, even though there is legitimately no difference in physical outcome of degree, then you choose adelaide. Only difference really is the honours program at UQ, which allows you to get into research earlier and possibly gives you a head start into the specialty sphere. Also Uadel has fewer of the major specialties, I think UQ is the university with the most. The course itself at UQ is run in specific individual courses, vs a Integrated learning experience at UADEL so it depends what you prefer there. There is a larger cohort size at UQ which may or may not annoy you, but they do have more resources to deal with it because that is what they have planned for. I am pretty sure both unis get into the clinic first year to practice on other students and phantom heads, so getting in early is a + for both.
Cost - Not 100% sure but I think Adelaide has quite a high cost of living, and the course itself is like 1k more a year according to current fees (I don't know why). That is all I have to say about that.
Prestige -Same old same old, not really any difference, UQ might have a slightly better research program, but Idk really not much different at all tbh.
Comes down to preference as always, one is not better than the other, but make sure when you go to your first day tell em cactus jack sent you
my DM's are open if anyone wants clarification
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I think the living cost in Adelaide is cheaper than Brisbane. In addition, UQ dent you need to travel between herston and St Lucia at least in the first two years (may be in 3rd yr as well), Adelaide dent seems more convenient because you don't need to travel.From a My perspective of the "UQ vs Uadel" comparison here are the biggest points you want to be looking at:
The City itself - Adelaide is quite a small city, with more of a town than a city feeling from my experience, but brisbane does actually feel like a city, and is much more expansive. So it depends on what kind of vibe you would like, both have the uni campus very close to the city (Brisbane a 5 min bus trip and Adelaide is legit in the city)
The Campus - Adelaide's campus is very modern, and right night to the hospital, and yes it is very high tech, which makes it appeal to some, although there is no dedicated Oral health building, all the health subjects relevant are combined into the one building, where as UQ has a whole Oral health centre which also looks very cool, with clinics open to the pubilc you will eventually train in. Food options at UQ are few and far between, but you can travel 5 mins to the CBD and get great food. I cannot remember whether there was much at Uadel
The Course - The only difference is A) the Name Bachelor of Dental Science (honours) vs Bachelor of Dental Surgery. So if you want to feel like a surgeon for whatever reason, even though there is legitimately no difference in physical outcome of degree, then you choose adelaide. Only difference really is the honours program at UQ, which allows you to get into research earlier and possibly gives you a head start into the specialty sphere. Also Uadel has fewer of the major specialties, I think UQ is the university with the most. The course itself at UQ is run in specific individual courses, vs a Integrated learning experience at UADEL so it depends what you prefer there. There is a larger cohort size at UQ which may or may not annoy you, but they do have more resources to deal with it because that is what they have planned for. I am pretty sure both unis get into the clinic first year to practice on other students and phantom heads, so getting in early is a + for both.
Cost - Not 100% sure but I think Adelaide has quite a high cost of living, and the course itself is like 1k more a year according to current fees (I don't know why). That is all I have to say about that.
Prestige -Same old same old, not really any difference, UQ might have a slightly better research program, but Idk really not much different at all tbh.
Comes down to preference as always, one is not better than the other, but make sure when you go to your first day tell em cactus jack sent you
I agree with your travel point, but I thinks surprisingly Adelaide is actually more expensive, I did do some research on this at some point. Maybe not in the CBD but where your actually will end up staying it is definitely.
Still need to travel in 3rd year? Gee it makes you wonder why they even built the ohc
No there is no travel in 3rd year. Just to herston. In second year it is a majority of courses at herston as well. It really isn't as much of the course as people make it seem tbh.
