Yearbooks

Programme: MChD (Orthodontics)

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.
Code Faculty Department
10252025 Faculty of Health Sciences Department: School of Dentistry
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 4 years Total credits: 540 NQF level:  09

Admission requirements

  1. BChD (or equivalent) degree
  2. Registration as a dentist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) in the category Independent Practice

Other programme-specific information

Exemption may be granted by the 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.

Examinations and pass requirements

Examination and evaluation in the major subject
Admission to the examination in the major subject is determined by the relevant head of department.

  1. 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 final MChD examination, after which they will obtain the MChD specialist qualifications.
  2. The student must submit and pass a dissertation on an approved topic related to the major subject and submit a manuscript for publication as required.
  3. 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 Academic Regulations.

  1. Examinations in the basic and subsidiary subjects (with the exception of KGM 803):
  1. A student must pass these subjects prior to admission to the examination in the major subject. A minimum ofbat least 50% is required to pass.
  2. 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.
  1. Examinations in the major subject: Admission to the examination in the major subject is determined by the relevant head of department.
  2. 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: 

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  1. 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%.
  2. The stipulations of the General Aademic Regulations are applicable with regard to attendance courses.
  3. 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.

Research information

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

Pass with distinction

An MChD student, who has obtained at least 75% with the first attempt in both his major subject and the dissertation, will receive the degree with distinction.

General information

University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project

The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.


Regulations and rules
The regulations and rules for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information.

The General Academic Regulations (G Regulations) and General Student Rules apply to all faculties and registered students of the University, as well as all prospective students who have accepted an offer of a place at the University of Pretoria. On registering for a programme, the student bears the responsibility of ensuring that they familiarise themselves with the General Academic Regulations applicable to their registration, as well as the relevant faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the relevant yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression, or basis for an exception to any of the aforementioned regulations.

University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project
The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.

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