Applying for dentistry in your home country can be challenging. Education is expensive and admission requirements are very high. Even if you are eligible for entry into a dental course, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be accepted. Thousands of students apply for dentistry every year, and unfortunately not all get in.
This is why many students choose to study dentistry or medicine in English in Europe.
Applying for a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree overseas is simple. Мany applicants prefer to study dentistry abroad in English rather than in the UK or their home countries. More often than not, it’s significantly more affordable as well. Not only that, but after 5 or 6 years of study, you gain your Master’s Degree in dentistry and can work anywhere in the world!
A dentistry degree in the EU or the European Economic Area will be recognised in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and globally. The boundary for entry is significantly lower. Those who have unfortunately failed their exams or have received lower than expected grades due to some unforeseen circumstances can rest easy in knowing that there’s always a way to do the degree of their dreams.
Settling into the country of your choice and having a life abroad is an enlightening experience. You’ll gain a lot from meeting new people and sampling different cultures, as well as meeting like-minded students who will be more than happy to help out. You’ll end up paying less for rent and other necessities and living a more comfortable life without student debts.
European universities do not have a unified admission system. Many dental schools on the continent have devised their own entry requirements designed to target and attract the best possible applicants.
The two mandatory qualifications for all universities are secondary education and proficiency in English. Still, most schools offer a combination of the following entry requirements:
Since admission requirements are different for every European dental university, you can choose to skip the exam. Here are the universities where you can study dentistry in Europe without an entrance exam in Biology or Chemistry:
Note: Please bear in mind that you might have to sit an English proficiency exam if you are not coming from an English-speaking country.
Tuition fees on the continent range from €3,800 to over €30,000 per academic year. The difference in prices comes mainly from the economic state of the countries and the various fiscal rules they observe. Nonetheless, the cost of studying dentistry in Europe can be very advantageous for international students.
However, there are a few easy rules to illustrate the geographical distribution of prices. The further East you go, the lower the tuition fees get. Moreover, when you move to the North, prices get higher. Here is what these rules look like in numbers:
The DMD degree you obtain from a European medical school will be recognised worldwide as they follow the highest education standards. You can start to practise as a dentist right after graduation.
The General Dental Council in the UK and the Irish Dental Council require international graduates to have at least 1600 hours of clinical experience as part of their study programme. Every dental school overseas meets this requirement. You will automatically qualify to take the Overseas Registration Exam (ORE).
All European dental schools are listed on the World Directory of Medical Schools and recognised by the World Health Organisation. This means that the USA and Canada will accept your degree and grant you the right to apply for licensure.
To register in Australia, you must have passed a dental degree that includes at least 4 years of full-time academic study, and dental degrees in Europe are either 5 or 6 years long.
The top 10 universities to study dentistry in Europe for international students are:
Check out the full list of medical and dental schools in Europe that teach in English. If you'd like to save hours of researching on your own, contact an expert advisor now for FREE advice on your best options abroad.
The courses are generally split into pre-clinical and clinical years. The first couple of years of study focuses more on fundamental knowledge such as Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Physiology.
The clinical years are more practical-based. Here is where you’ll gain experience and try out the technical knowledge you’ve learned at dentistry universities abroad. You will interact with patients and treat their dental problems daily.
After your studies, you can work anywhere in the world! This is a popular option for students looking to follow their dreams of studying dentistry but, due to unfortunate circumstances (or even a large volume of applicants for a small number of places), cannot do so. There’s always a way in the end!
Sometimes you might end up in a better position than if you had just let that opportunity pass you. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of students who make the jump and aim for their goals with relative ease. That could be you, after all.
Studying dentistry abroad is worth it in several ways:
The financial benefits of studying dentistry abroad can be quite significant. In Georgia, students can enrol for €3,800 per year, and monthly living costs are only €600 with rent included. In the UK, tuition fees are £9,000 (€10,800) and living costs per month are almost three times more expensive than in Georgia. Studying abroad is about £19,000 (€22,000) cheaper per academic year in this case.
The psychological benefits are subtle but quite impacting in the long run. Applying to study dentistry can be challenging. Thousands of students apply for dentistry every year, and unfortunately, not all get in, even though they have good grades and test scores. Dealing with rejection, taking a gap year, and enrolling in a different course is a heavy price for pursuing a dream. Studying dentistry abroad can solve all these problems.
Here come the emotional benefits of a dentistry programme abroad. There is less competition, so the stress is also less. It is probably cheaper, so the financial burden is not quite as heavy. The availability of schools is also significant, so future doctors can choose with an abundance mindset instead of a scarcity one.
Last but not least, aspiring doctors will receive experiential benefits from pursuing education abroad. You will travel to exciting places, get to know an alluring culture, and even learn a new language. Moreover, students abroad become more self-reliant, mature, and disciplined. It comes with the territory.
Is it all worth it? It is. Every step of the way.
There are special online courses designed for dental students who prefer distance learning. These courses are also taught in English and recognised by Medical Councils worldwide. Only Dnipro Medical Institute in Ukraine currently offers these online courses, and hundreds of students have already signed up.
You will study the preclinical subjects from years 1 and 2 of dentistry via virtual lectures led by teaching dentists. Your schedules and curriculums will ensure a smooth learning experience. Virtual classes will be recorded for you to review later. There's an online portal where all study materials are available. Exams will also be held online.
For the clinical years of dentistry, you can travel to Ukraine and do your clinical rotations there or organise them yourself in your home country. If you choose the second option, the university will recognise your rotations when you provide the proper documentation from your teaching hospital of choice.
Many students have already studied Science-related degrees or Dental Therapy & Hygiene. Hence they have the pre-clinical knowledge needed to enter into an undergraduate 6-year dentistry course but start in year 2 or 3.
Most universities have dentistry programmes that are 5 or 6 years long. The graduate route into Dental Medicine is a fast-track accelerated dentistry programme allowing students to graduate sooner and become practising dentists quicker.
Students who already attend a specific dental faculty and wish to change universities in Europe can do so via Medlink Students. We have helped students easily transfer between dentistry courses in Europe.
You can schedule a call with one of our expert student advisors at no cost. The consultation is free of charge, and it’s through WhatsApp, so there are no extra phone call fees. Our student advisors will help you find the perfect university based on your preferences for tuition fees, cultural experience, and personal preferences.
Medlink Students guarantees your acceptance into dental school. We work closely with our partner universities, so we promise a smooth application process. We will do all the necessary paperwork on your behalf, so you can focus on what matters - studying your dream course.
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Depending on which European country you choose to study in, tuition fees can range anywhere between €3000 to €20000 per year. You can ask your advisor to list the best options according to your budget.
Again, depending on the university you choose, they might have unique requirements. For example, some universities may require AAA, or ABB, while others might not even take your grades into consideration for admission. Your advisor will be able to pinpoint your best options.
Yes, absolutely. Dental programmes abroad are designed to attract international students, so they comply with standards set by Medical Councils around the world. Universities in Europe acknowledge the fact that you'd like to return home and practise there.
All European universities have high teaching standards. Georgia and Ukraine are the best if you are looking for a balance between education costs and quality of life. Bulgaria, Romania, and Poland are a bit more expensive in terms of tuition fees and living costs. It all comes down to personal preference.