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The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme at the HKU Faculty of Dentistry
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Undergraduate Programme
Guidelines for Undergraduate Admissions 2023
Applications are welcome from eligible candidates for admission to the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme at the Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong (HKU). Key information on the admissions schemes and the BDS programme requirements are highlighted below:
The JUPAS scheme is for local candidates (including current secondary school students and “non-school” candidates) who wish to apply for admission on the strength of their Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination results. Candidates who are, at the time of submission of JUPAS applications, enrolled in full-time bachelor’s degree programmes offered by the JUPAS participating institutions or by the SSSDP institutions should apply through the Non-JUPAS Admissions Scheme, regardless of whether they are applying on the strength of the HKDSE results*. Further details can be found at the JUPAS website.
Preference would be given to local candidates who put BDS as one of their Band A programme choices. The Faculty will shortlist eligible, Band A applicants for individual, face-to-face interview after the release of HKDSE Examination results and modification of programme choices.
Additional BDS programme entrance requirements for JUPAS candidates:
Level 4 or above in English Language and Level 3 or above in Mathematics and Liberal Studies.
One elective subject at Level 3 or above from the following:
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Combined Science, or Integrated Science.
* Please refer to the Eligibility section for details on the eligibility for application via JUPAS
 
For enquiries on the BDS programme, you are welcome to send e-mail to the Faculty of Dentistry at dental@hku.hk.
Enquiries in relation to application procedures, documentation, fees, scholarships, and University entrance requirements should be directed to the HKU Admissions Office at admissions@hku.hk.

Please note:
  1. The term “4-Year Curriculum” in the HKU and JUPAS websites corresponds to “6-Year Curriculum” at the HKU Faculty of Dentistry.
  2. The medium of instruction of the BDS programme is English.
Local candidates (who do not require a student visa to study in Hong Kong) who are
  1. applying for admission to HKU on the strength of qualifications other than HKDSE and Mainland China’s National Joint College Entrance Examination (or Gao Kao) (Note: local candidates studying at international schools or local schools in Hong Kong must have completed at least 6 years of secondary education by September 2023); or
  2. Associate Degree/Higher Diploma (i.e. sub-degree) graduates (or those who expect to obtain such a qualification by August 2023)
are welcome to apply for admission to the BDS programme through the IAS/NJ.
Given that the UGC-approved BDS intake has reached the upper limit of the teaching hospital’s capacity, the Faculty of Dentistry does not have room to admit non-local candidates to the BDS programme in September 2023.
Information on HKU’s admissions standards and application procedures, and the Application System for Undergraduate Programmes are available at the HKU website. Although the BDS programme does not set additional requirements on top of HKU’s admissions standards for non-JUPAS candidates, interested candidates are advised to make reference to the subject requirements for JUPAS candidates. Preference would be given to candidates who study science subjects in secondary education or above, have good academic records, and list BDS as their first programme choice.
There are no fixed quotas for non-JUPAS applicants. The number of applicants to be admitted is dependent on the quality of applicants each year from both the JUPAS and NJ schemes.
First Round Evaluation
The deadline for first round evaluation is 12:00 noon, November 16, 2022 (HKT). Offers to successful applicants in the first round will be made from January 2023 onwards.
Evaluation on Rolling Basis
Applications received after the deadline for first-round evaluation will be processed on a rolling basis and in phases. To allow sufficient time for the Faculty to review NJ applications, interested candidates are encouraged to complete your application with supporting documents before June 23, 2023.
Application Deadline
Application will officially close at 12:00 noon, August 24, 2023 (HKT).
 
For enquiries on the BDS programme, you are welcome to send e-mail to the Faculty of Dentistry at dental@hku.hk.
Enquiries in relation to application procedures, documentation, fees, scholarships, and University entrance requirements should be directed to the HKU Admissions Office at admissions@hku.hk.

Please note:
  1. The term “4-Year Curriculum” in the HKU and JUPAS websites corresponds to “6-Year Curriculum” at the HKU Faculty of Dentistry.
  2. The medium of instruction of the BDS programme is English.
Undergraduate Programme
BDS Curriculum Overview
The undergraduate degree curriculum at the HKU Faculty of Dentistry is future-oriented and builds on its international reputation as an integrated, student-centred, inquiry-based educational experience.
Professional competencies and learning outcomes are designed to prepare students to become dental professionals serving the needs of modern Hong Kong, global thinkers, and future leaders. In meeting these aims, the new curriculum model will encompass both compulsory “University Requirements” and the “Professional Core”.
University Requirements
The Common Core Curriculum is designed to broaden horizons beyond dentistry and give students the opportunity to explore issues of profound significance to humankind in the 21st century. Language courses support academic English in the Common Core Curriculum and focus on academic dentistry, including medical and dental terminology for the early years, in the Professional Core.
Professional Core
Inquiry-based learning
The undergraduate degree curriculum is led by an inquiry-based philosophy with many learning experiences occurring in small-group, facilitated discussions drawing on problem-based, case-based and journal-based formats. In problem-based learning tutorials, students discuss a series of structured, integrated, and interesting dental “problems” to introduce them to the main elements of biomedical, behavioural, social, and clinical sciences that underpin dental surgery. Case-based learning examines clinical cases in depth. Journal-based learning supports research and evidence-based approaches to understanding complex clinical problems.
Inquiry-based approaches encourage deeper understanding and make it easier to acquire and retain knowledge, instil life-long learning habits, and foster teamwork skills, all attributes of a good dentist. Whole-group classes and hands-on learning in practical sessions support the inquiry-based approach.
Early introduction to clinics and patient care in tandem with the inquiry-based approach exposes students to real-world applications and motivates learning.
Integration
Students will develop requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes through the integration of key aspects of modern dentistry:
  • Biomedical, behavioural, social, and clinical sciences underlying oral diseases and oral disorders
  • Prevention, clinical features, and management of oral diseases
  • Diagnostic, operative (manual), interpersonal, and communication skills to allow students to develop into competent dental practitioners
Capstone Experience
The final year “Portfolio” represents a culmination of student learning activities across the Professional Core. Sample tasks required in the portfolio include case presentations, written reports and reflections.
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME
BDS Regulations and Syllabuses
These regulations are applicable to students admitted to the BDS curriculum in the respective academic year and thereafter, save and except that they are not applicable to students admitted in a subsequent year if new degree regulations are later introduced and applied to those students.
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME
Facts & Figures
43
Faculty Professoriate staff
(2019)
402
Undergraduate students
(2020)
100%
Graduate employment rate
(2019)
1848
Undergraduate alumni
(2020)
Undergraduate Programme
Summary of the 6-Year BDS Programme
(applicable to BDS students admitted in 2019-2020 and thereafter)
Year
Professional Core
University Requirements
Focus
Knowledge and Reasoning
Practical Skill Learning
Clinical Learning in Dentistry
Integrative Projects / Capstone Experience
University Courses
BDS I
Healthy Person and Disease Awareness
DENT1003
DENT1004
DENT1005
DENT1006
Core University English (CAES1000)
Chinese language enhancement (CDEN9001 / CDEN9002)
Common Core Curriculum (4 courses)
BDS II
Common Oral Diseases
DENT2003
DENT2004
DENT2005
[Enrichment &
Personal Development]
Common Core Curriculum (2 courses)
BDS III
Management of Oral Diseases at Discipline Level
DENT3003
DENT3004
DENT3005
BDS IV
Advanced Clinical Care
DENT4003
DENT4004
DENT4005
BDS V
Integrated Patient Care across Disciplines and into Communities
DENT5003
DENT5004
DENT5005
DENT5032
English in the Discipline (CAES9350)
BDS VI
The Dentist into Practice
DENT6103
DENT6104
DENT6105
DENT6131
DENT6132
 
Note: Students can engage in enrichment and personal development during the clinical skills period (i.e. June-July) of the second year, including experiential learning that can be non-dentally related.
Undergraduate Programme
Spaces of Learning
Multidisciplinary learning takes place at the HKU Faculty of Dentistry in:
Venues for learning
  • Problem-based Learning Suite: Inquiry-based learning
  • Virtual Reality (Haptics) Training Unit; Simulation Laboratory; and Dental Technology Laboratory: Operative skills development
  • Polyclinics and discipline clinics: Provision of comprehensive dental care to patients under the supervision of experienced clinical tutors
  • Blended learning: Virtual resources and online support
Venues for learning
  • HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine: Practical classes and case-based learning
  • Government clinics, hospitals and private dental practices: Structured observations
  • Hong Kong communities: Community health projects
Venues for learning
  • Visiting dental schools and research institutions
  • Supporting communities in need
About Us
The Faculty of Dentistry at The University of Hong Kong is the premier dental school in Southeast Asia and the only institution in Hong Kong that provides undergraduate and postgraduate dental degrees.
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