Yearbooks

2025

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This is the four year programme that, on completion, allows the incumbent to register with HPCSA as a
specialist maxillofacial and oral surgeon. The programme offers specialised training in maxillofacial and oral
surgery. In addition, UP registrars are exposed and trained in the sub-speciality fields like head and neck
oncology and cleft deformities of the face.

1. BChD (or equivalent) degree 
2. Registration as a dentist and/or physician with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) in the category Independent Practice for at least one year
3. Passed the Advanced Trauma Life Support Course (maximum three attempts), primary subjects in accordance with/equivalent to Part 1A of the College of Maxillo-Facial and Oral Surgeons of South Africa (Anatomy and Embryology, Physiology, Principles of Pathology and Microbiology 

Exemption
Exemption may be granted by the Dean Chair of School, on the recommendation of the relevant head of
department by virtue of comparable training and/or experience in terms of the requirements of School
Regulations, with the proviso that exemption from the examination and evaluation in the major subject may not
be granted.

Please note: The regulations of the Health Professions Council of South Africa, as published in the
Government Gazette No. 4631 of 11 January 1991 – Notice No. R.40 (as amended), will be used as a
criterion in determining the period of exemption.

Examination in the basic subjects
A student must pass all the basic subjects [University of Pretoria or the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa]
before he or she may be admitted to the first year of study.

Examination and evaluation in the major subject
Admission to the examination in the major subject is determined by the relevant head of department.
a. Only candidates who have met all the requirements for the MChD degree except for the major subject(final examination), i.e. passed all the prerequisite subjects; completed all applicable training as prescribed
by the relevant head of department; and completed the required research component for the degree, will be allowed to write the examination and qualify as a specialist.
b. A minimum number of procedures must have been performed before a registrar is allowed to write the final examination.
c. Candidates who have met all of the above criteria may choose to sit for the final Colleges of Medicine South Africa (CMSA) Part II examination in place of / in addition to the final MChD
examination, and be credited for this where applicable. They will however still have to gain signed approval from their respective Heads of Department that they have fulfilled all of the
necessary requirements. Registration costs for the CMSA examination will be at their own expense.

Also consult the General Regulations.
i. Examinations in the basic and subsidiary subjects (with the exception of KGM 803):
a. A student must pass these subjects prior to admission to the examination in the major subject. A minimum of at least 50% is required to pass.
b. Examinations in the basic and subsidiary subjects must be passed before the end of the third year of study, or at a time as determined by the relevant head of department.

ii. Examinations in the major subject: Admission to the examination in the major subject is determined by the relevant head of department.
iii. If a student fails one or more of the basic subjects, subsidiary subjects or the major subject, the relevant head of department may recommend to the examination moderating meeting, that he or she be admitted to a
supplementary examination. A student who has been admitted to a second examination in a basic subject must write the examination during the next examination period. Second examinations in the major subject
may only take place after a minimum period of six months has elapsed since the examination in which the student failed.
NB:
a. In view of the fact that a postgraduate student may repeat an examination in any subject only once, a student who fails a second examination will have to discontinue the programme. In this event, a student who
has been holding a registrarship, will have to vacate the position as soon as possible after one calendar month's notice to the University of Pretoria and/or other recognised training institution, where applicable.
b. If a student is admitted to a second examination in the major subject, the relevant head of department will determine whether he/she has to vacate the registrarship at the end of the training period, or immediately
after the second examination.
iv. Subminimum: In order to pass in the major subject a student must obtain a subminimum of 50% in all the sections of the examination, with a final mark of at least 50%.
v. The stipulations of the General Regulations are applicable with regard to attendance courses.
vi. In addition to the stipulations already mentioned, a dissertation on a topic related to the major subject must also be submitted. In order to pass in the final examination, a pass mark must also be obtained for the
dissertation.

The student must submit prior to sitting for the final examination (to the external examiner) and pass a
dissertation on an approved topic related to the major subject and submit a manuscript for publication as
required in obtaining the MChD.

A student who obtains a final mark of at least 75% (with the first attempt) in the major subject qualifies to
obtain the degree with distinction.
An MChD student, who has obtained an average of 75% in the whole programme with the first attempt in his
major subject, and the dissertation, will receive the degree with distinction.