University College London (UCL)
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery MSc
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 65,500 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international students: full time £65,500 - part time £32,750 | UK students: full time £39,800 part time £19,900. Additional fees may apply
The MSc in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is designed for dental professionals who want to deepen their understanding of this specialized field. The program covers a wide range of topics, including the diagnosis and management of complex facial injuries, tumors, and congenital anomalies. Students gain hands-on clinical experience, working under supervision to develop skills necessary for surgical procedures and patient care. The course combines theoretical learning with practical training, equipping students to handle real-world challenges in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
The program also emphasizes research and academic skills, encouraging students to critically evaluate current practices and contribute to the field’s knowledge. Throughout the course, students learn to develop comprehensive treatment plans and improve their decision-making capabilities. The curriculum is flexible enough to allow part-time study, making it accessible for working professionals. Overall, the program aims to prepare students for specialist practice, ensuring they have the expertise and confidence needed to succeed in a demanding but rewarding area of healthcare.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Master's Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Master's Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or an ethnic or religious background, it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a mix of online learning resources, lectures, tutorials and interactive teaching sessions, case-based discussions, problem-based learning, self-directed learning, hands-on clinical skills sessions, supervised clinical consultation clinics and surgical procedures under local anaesthetic, conscious sedation, and general anaesthesia.
Assessments vary during the formative learning and the summative examination stages, enabling you to develop and refine a range of written and verbal communication skills.
You will receive feedback either verbally or in writing at every opportunity to identify your strengths and areas for improvement.
Modules
Full-time
Full-time students complete seven compulsory modules, including the research dissertation, in one academic year.
Modules cover 'Clinical Science and Research Methods', 'Principles of Treatment', 'Clinical Care', 'Theory of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery', 'Dento-Alveolar Surgery', and a research dissertation.
Currently, the first two modules are completed in term one. 'Clinical Science and Research Methods', with an emphasis on statistics, prepares you for the research project and dissertation module in the third term. Projects might include a clinical, laboratory or computer informatics-based project.
'Principles of Treatment' is a hands-on, clinical surgical skill lab-based course held at the university, away from the distractions of the clinical environment. This is also completed in term one to prepare you for the patient-facing 'Clinical Care' and 'Dento-Alveolar Surgery' modules over the second and third terms.
'Theory of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery' extends across all three terms, culminating in a written essay paper in term three.
Modules are therefore studied concurrently over the length of the programme, and time allocated to each module is not necessarily defined by academic terms.
In the third term, case reports and presentations are submitted, a written essay paper, oral viva examinations are held, and the thesis and oral presentation of the research project are completed.
Part-time
Part-time students complete the seven compulsory modules over two years.
Modules cover: 'Clinical Science and Research Methods', 'Principles of Treatment', 'Clinical Care', 'Theory of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery', 'Dento-Alveolar Surgery', and a research dissertation.
Our current structure targets the completion of four modules in year one and three modules in year two. This appeals to students with current UK part-time dental practice-based employment or family commitments.
Currently, the first two modules are completed in term one. 'Clinical Science and Research Methods', with an emphasis on statistics, prepares you for the research project and dissertation module completed in the second year. Projects might include a clinical, laboratory or computer informatics-based project.
'Principles of Treatment' is a hands-on, clinical surgical skill lab-based course held at the university, away from the distractions of the clinical environment. This is also completed in term one to prepare you for the patient-facing 'Clinical Care' and 'Dento-Alveolar Surgery' modules that take place during the second and third terms of year one and throughout year two.
'Theory of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery' extends over two years, culminating in a written essay paper in term three of the second year.
In the final term of the second year, case reports and presentations are submitted, oral viva examinations are held, and the thesis and oral presentation of the research project are completed.
Compulsory modules
- Principles of Treatment Core Course (Oral/Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery)
- Clinical Care Core Course (Oral/Oral Maxillofacial Surgery)
- Theory of Oral/Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Dento-Alveolar Surgery 1
- Dento-Alveolar Surgery 2
- MSc in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Dissertation
- Clinical Science and Research Methods
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment, and module content and availability are subject to change.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
What this course will give you
This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities.
- A broad knowledge of the topic, with opportunities to attend operating sessions, outpatient clinics, lectures, demonstrations, practical clinical skills and seminars.
- An understanding of the diagnosis and management of orofacial surgical disease, using investigative techniques.
- Full involvement in the supervised clinical care of patients.
- The opportunity to develop and improve your communication skills and proficiency in history taking.
- The opportunity to take part in the examination, investigations, diagnosis, treatment planning and hands-on surgical management of cases under local anaesthetic, conscious sedation, or general anaesthesia.
- The chance to work alongside experienced academics and researchers on a range of often innovative and clinically relevant research projects, to develop your confidence in research, including critical appraisal and literature review skills.
- A good grounding should you wish to consider further research or academic degrees after graduation.
The foundation of your career
The programme has an international reputation and has launched many successful careers over the past decades. You will gain a solid foundation for a range of career options in research, academia, hospital, NHS or private practice.
According to the HESA Graduate Outcomes survey (2018-2022), over 85% of MSc Oral and Maxillofacial graduates have remained in, or progressed onto, highly skilled work, both in the UK and overseas. Our alumni often become leaders in their field.
Employability
Graduates follow a broad range of career trajectories following graduation, ranging from clinical practice and hospital posts to research and academic careers, with appropriate guidance provided.
If you demonstrate a particular acumen for the research elements of the programme, you might want to consider applying for a PhD postgraduate research degree in the UK or overseas.
If you are inspired by the opportunities of oral surgery and are eligible to work in the UK, you may go into the NHS or a private dental practice. Alternatively, depending on your previous experience, you could apply for competitive NHS clinical training posts, either foundation DCT (Senior House Officer) posts in UK teaching hospitals or specialist registrar training posts to become NHS consultants.
Other graduates of the course have applied directly for speciality doctor/dentist and clinical fellowship posts. Graduates who are already qualified in both dentistry and medicine have successfully obtained competitive specialist registrar training posts, with the aim of becoming hospital consultants.
If you are inspired by the opportunities in maxillofacial surgery, you may consider applying for medical school in the UK, EU, or overseas, to work towards a hospital career in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
If you are an overseas student, you may want to continue specialist training, research, teaching, or an academic career in your home country. Alumni often become leaders in their field as their careers progress.
Networking
There are regular networking opportunities, including events where you can hear from expert speakers. We encourage students to broaden their skills and expand their networks by attending and participating in conferences.
Accreditation
Successful completion of the MSc in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery may be considered as cumulative training and experience when the overall length of your oral surgery specialist training is reviewed.