Master [Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery] From The University of Hong Kong

Master of Dental Surgery in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at The University of Hong Kong is a three-year full-time specialist surgical programme for international dentists. Non-local students pay approximately INR 42.60 to 48.68 Lakhs per year. The March 31, 2026 application deadline applies. Entry requires a BDS degree and preferably one year of clinical work experience. Classes start in August or September 2026.

This programme trains surgeons to manage complex oral, jaw, and facial conditions through structured clinical and research training. What distinguishes HKU’s MDS programme is its access to the Prince Philip Dental Hospital’s facilities, combined with faculty expertise recognized regionally. The ideal candidate is a BDS graduate seeking advanced surgical skills, specialization credentials, and pathways to consultant positions in Hong Kong or Asia-Pacific.

• Three-year full-time specialist training with strong clinical emphasis on surgical techniques and patient management.
• Direct pathway to specialist accreditation (FHKAM and FCDSHK credentials) recognized across Hong Kong and the region.
• Covers implantology, orthognathic surgery, trauma management, salivary gland pathology, and orofacial pain conditions.

Also Check: The University of Hong Kong Admission Process

The University of Hong Kong Master Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Fees 2026

Tuition fees for non-local students in HKU’s MDS programmes range from HKD 300,000 to HKD 400,000 annually. The exact fee for the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery specialization will be announced by the university. The table below shows estimated costs based on comparable MDS specializations at HKU.

Source: HKU Faculty of Dentistry, Schedule of Fees 2025-26 (estimates pending official 2026-27 publication)

• Tuition is the primary cost; exact fees for the MDS in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery will be announced by June 2026.
• Health insurance is mandatory for all international students; covers basic medical and hospitalization needs in Hong Kong.
• Examination and administrative fees cover registration, invigilation, and degree conferment processing.
• All fees are subject to annual increases; budget for a 3 to 5 percent rise in subsequent years.

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of HKD 1 = INR 12.17 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily; verify before applying.

Cost of Living in Hong Kong for Master of Dental Surgery Students

Monthly living expenses in Hong Kong for postgraduate students range from INR 1,17,340 to INR 1,98,000. Below is a breakdown of typical monthly costs.

Cost Reality for Indian Students: Plan for INR 1,50,000 to 1,80,000 monthly if living off-campus in Causeway Bay or Mong Kok; on-campus options reduce this to INR 90,000 to 1,20,000. Shared flats near the MTR are the most cost-effective choice for postgraduate students.

The University of Hong Kong Master Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Admission

Admission to the three-year MDS programme opens once per year for the August intake. International applicants compete globally; selectivity is moderate to high due to limited specialist training seats.

Academic Eligibility

Entry to the MDS programme requires a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree from HKU or a qualification recognized as equivalent by the university. One year of professional dental work experience is strongly preferred but not mandatory.

English Language Proficiency for International Applicants

Non-local applicants from countries where English is not the official language of instruction must demonstrate proficiency via an approved test.

• IELTS: Minimum overall band 6.0; no component below 5.5.
• TOEFL (Internet-based): Minimum score 80; no single subsection below the 15th percentile.
• Equivalent qualifications (e.g., Cambridge English, Duolingo) accepted; contact the Faculty of Dentistry for approval.

Tip for Indian Students: Most Indian BDS graduates meet the English requirement; however, take the TOEFL or IELTS early to avoid delays near the March 31 deadline. IELTS results arrive within two weeks; TOEFL within four weeks. The University of Hong Kong is ranked 11th globally by QS 2026 and 2nd globally in Dentistry by QS 2025, reflecting strong research and teaching in dental sciences.

The University of Hong Kong Master Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Application

Applications are submitted online through HKU’s Taught Postgraduate Admissions portal. All supporting documents must be uploaded by the March 31 deadline. Late submissions are not accepted.

• Application fee: Approximately HKD 450 (INR 5,477) for most programmes; check the portal for the exact amount.
• Document processing: Scanned PDFs accepted for BDS transcripts; official sealed transcripts required if admitted.
• Portal account: Create one account early; password resets can delay submissions.

Application Tip: Apply by late January to allow time for reference letters and English test result delays. The March 31 deadline is final; offers typically begin rolling out in May for early applicants.

The University of Hong Kong Master Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Scholarships

HKU offers limited scholarships for postgraduate students, including a HKD 100,000 (INR 12,17,000) award available for MDS specializations. Scholarship awards are highly competitive and merit-based.

For a student paying the estimated annual tuition of INR 43,18,564, a HKD 100,000 scholarship (INR 12,17,000) covers approximately 28 percent of the first-year tuition cost. This reduces the annual out-of-pocket expense to approximately INR 31,01,564 for year one.

• Merit-based scholarships: Awarded to top 5 to 10 percent of applicants with strong BDS records and clinical credentials.
• Faculty-level awards: Check with the Faculty of Dentistry directly for discipline-specific scholarships or departmental bursaries.
• External scholarships: Government of Hong Kong and bilateral agencies occasionally fund postgraduate dentistry students from India; contact the Indian Consulate in Hong Kong for current schemes.

Scholarship Reality: International postgraduate scholarships at HKU are limited; self-funded students should budget the full three-year cost of INR 1,29,55,692. Apply for scholarships but treat them as a bonus, not a guarantee.

The University of Hong Kong Master Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Salary

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Hong Kong earn significantly above the average dentist salary. Entry-level specialists with the MDS degree earn gross salaries reflective of their advanced training and surgical scope of practice.

Source: Salary Expert (Hong Kong), HKU Graduate Employment Survey 2024 projections

Take-home salary in Hong Kong averages 70 to 75 percent of gross due to mandatory Mandatory Provident Fund contributions (5-12 percent) and salaries tax (2-17 percent progressive rate). Use the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department’s online tax calculator to estimate your net income after offer.

ROI Reality for Indian Graduates: The three-year programme costs approximately INR 1.30 Crore. First-year entry-level salary of INR 1.29 Crore recovers most of the programme cost within the first year; career earnings easily offset the investment within 18 to 24 months.

Hong Kong Visa and Work Pathway for Master Dental Surgery Students

International students are granted a student visa (Category D) valid for the duration of their studies, up to six years. After completing the MDS, graduates are eligible for the Immigration Arrangement for Non-local Graduates (IANG) scheme, which grants a 24-month work visa with no job offer required.

• Student visa covers full three-year programme; renewable annually upon confirmation of enrollment status.
• IANG post-study work permit: 24 months of unrestricted employment; no sponsorship letter required during this period.
• Permanent residency pathway: Seven years of continuous residence in Hong Kong qualifies you for PR status; many dentists apply after 8-10 years.
• Spouse and dependent eligibility: Spouses and dependent children can apply for dependent visas if the student/graduate holds valid residence status.

Visa Reality: The 24-month IANG visa is sufficient to secure a consultant position or establish a private practice. Many MDS graduates transition to employment pass sponsorship before the IANG expires or pursue Hong Kong permanent residency.

The University of Hong Kong Master Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Ranking 2026

HKU’s Faculty of Dentistry is ranked 2nd globally for Dentistry by QS World University Rankings 2025, reflecting excellence in research, teaching, and clinical training. The University of Hong Kong overall is ranked 11th globally (QS 2026) and 35th by Times Higher Education (2026).

The oral and maxillofacial surgery division is recognized as a leader in Asia-Pacific specialist training, with faculty expertise in implantology, orthognathic surgery, and surgical trauma management. The MDS degree is accredited by Hong Kong’s Dental Council and qualifies graduates for specialist recognition (FHKAM and FCDSHK).

Key Insight: HKU’s Dentistry ranking reflects consistent research output, specialist training excellence, and strong graduate employment outcomes. The MDS credential is recognized across Asia and acceptable for pursuing consultant roles or private practice in multiple jurisdictions.

Preparation & Decision

The MDS in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is designed for BDS graduates ready to specialize in advanced surgical techniques, research, and consultant-level practice. Choose HKU if you seek regional specialist accreditation, expert faculty, and strong postgraduation earning potential in a leading dental hub.