The University of London masters degree programme in dentistry has successfully completed its first ever residential course in Dharwad, India. The nine-day courses, which have been running in the UK since 1999, provide supplementary face-to-face teaching for external students from the Indian subcontinent, Australasia and the Middle East, who together constitute over a quarter of the intake of the world's only fully-online postgraduate distance learning course in clinical dentistry. Until now, students taking the distance learning degree were required to join a residential course held in London during the first three years of the programme. However, from February 2006, the once-a-year courses will be available at the SDM College of Dental Sciences, Dharwad. 'We can now provide intensive hands-on training outside the UK, to supplement the online course material,' said the programme director, Dr Brian Millar. 'By bringing this course to India, we have responded to growing demand and extended access to more dentists who do not have the time or money to travel to the UK.'

The University of London's distance learning course enables dentists to access interactive educational material at a time and location suited to their personal circumstances. Students can learn up-to-date techniques from the close-up videos, high quality photographs and 3D images. There are tutor-supported online seminars; easy access to tutors and administrative staff via email hyperlinks; regular online updates on examination timetables, seminar schedules and upcoming events; a dedicated webpage to help answer students' queries and access to the University's online library.