Studying dentistry abroad has become an increasingly attractive option for students looking for strong clinical education, lower tuition fees, and more accessible admission opportunities than those available in their home countries.
However, making this decision raises several important questions: Which country suits your academic average and budget? Will you need an entrance exam or foundation year? And will your dentistry degree be recognized in the country where you plan to work after graduation?
This guide to studying dentistry abroad covers tuition fees, admission requirements, scholarships, popular study destinations, and practical steps to help you choose the right country based on your academic and professional goals.
The advantages of studying dentistry abroad go beyond earning an international degree. When the destination is carefully selected, students can access broader options in terms of educational quality, cost, admission flexibility, and language of instruction.
Germany is one of the strongest destinations in this area, with established universities and advanced university hospitals.
Malaysia is another strong option, with specialized health universities such as IMU that integrate early clinical training and patient care into their dentistry programs.
Dentistry programs taught in English are available in Malaysia, Turkey, Russia, Georgia, and Northern Cyprus.
This gives international students more options if they prefer not to study the entire program in the local language from their first year.
English-taught dentistry programs can be found for approximately $6,000 per year in Georgia and around 410,000 RUB per year in Russia.
In Northern Cyprus, dentistry tuition fees start from approximately $5,000.
Students should also compare the wider cost of studying abroad, including accommodation and living expenses, rather than focusing only on tuition.
Many private universities in Turkey and Northern Cyprus accept students primarily based on their high school qualifications without requiring complicated academic entrance examinations.
This can make admission more accessible than in countries such as Germany or at some Russian universities.
Students can compare lower-cost universities in Georgia and Russia, strong English-medium programs in Malaysia, and more flexible private university admission options in Turkey and Northern Cyprus instead of limiting their decision to one country.
The main challenge is not studying outside your home country itself, but choosing a country or university without fully understanding the academic, financial, and professional challenges involved.
Admission is highly competitive, and programs at established universities such as LMU Munich and Heidelberg are taught in German.
Students therefore need to begin learning the language early and confirm whether their secondary school qualification is eligible for university admission before applying.
Admission to private universities is generally easier, but dentistry tuition fees can be high.
Students should compare scholarships, tuition discounts, and the total five-year cost before reserving a place.
You can also review the detailed guide to studying dentistry in Turkish universities before comparing individual universities.
Some dental schools have relatively high academic admission requirements and may require an interview or a suitable pre-university qualification.
Applicants should therefore verify that their academic background meets the program requirements before applying.
Although English-taught programs are available at relatively low tuition fees, some Russian universities require entrance examinations in subjects such as Chemistry, Biology, and language skills.
Russian can also become important during clinical training when students need to communicate directly with patients.
Admission to dentistry programs in Georgia can be relatively accessible and tuition fees are generally low.
However, recognition can vary between universities and from one country to another, so students should evaluate the specific university and dentistry program rather than relying only on the destination country.
Admission to private universities in Northern Cyprus is generally flexible, but professional recognition is not identical for every institution.
Students should verify the recognition of both the university and its dentistry program in the country where they plan to work before paying tuition fees.
For a more detailed overview, read the guide to studying dentistry in Northern Cyprus.
The cost of studying dentistry abroad varies according to the country, university, language of instruction, and whether the institution is public or private.
There can also be significant differences between universities within the same country.
The following table provides an estimated tuition fee range for 2027:
When calculating your budget, tuition should not be the only consideration.
Students also need to account for:
Dentistry programs may also charge additional fees for clinical equipment and materials.
For example, IMU estimates additional program equipment costs at approximately MYR 10,000.
For this reason, it is better to calculate the cost of the entire five-year degree rather than comparing universities only by first-year tuition fees.
Students specifically considering Turkey can also compare the detailed cost of studying dentistry in Turkey.
Yes, but full undergraduate scholarships for dentistry are less common than scholarships for many other academic fields.
Some universities also exclude Medicine and Dentistry from their standard tuition discount programs.
Among the notable scholarship opportunities for dentistry students in 2027 are:
Students considering Turkey can also explore the available Turkish scholarship options.
For Cyprus International University, students can review its admission requirements and application process before evaluating scholarship eligibility.
In Malaysia, Germany, and Georgia, universities may offer their own financial assistance and scholarships. However, the sources reviewed for this guide did not identify a single nationwide full scholarship available to all international students applying for Dentistry.
For this reason, scholarship opportunities should always be checked directly with the university during the year of application.
There is no universal minimum admission score for Dentistry.
More importantly, the minimum academic score accepted by a university may be different from the minimum score required by the student’s home country for future degree recognition.
This is especially important for students considering studying dentistry abroad with a lower high school average.
In general, applicants are expected to provide:
Students planning to study abroad after high school should compare both university admission requirements and the recognition requirements in their home country before applying.
For example, a Jordanian student currently needs a secondary school average of at least 90% to study Medicine or Dentistry abroad in order to meet the relevant requirements in Jordan, even if the foreign university itself accepts a lower score.
It is not accurate to say that an entire country requires entrance examinations at every university.
Among the six destinations discussed in this guide, Russia relies more frequently on academic entrance tests in some official programs.
Certain universities test applicants in subjects such as:
There is no mandatory academic foundation year for every Dentistry student across all six destinations.
In Malaysia, students may need a foundation program if their secondary school qualification does not meet direct-entry requirements.
In Turkey or Northern Cyprus, a language preparatory year is generally connected to the student’s language proficiency rather than being a compulsory academic foundation year for every applicant.
Many students postpone thinking about degree recognition until after graduation, only to discover requirements that should have been considered before enrollment.
A university being officially recognized in the country where it operates does not automatically mean that its Dentistry degree gives graduates the right to practice in every Arab country.
Before registering, students should ask three separate questions:
Requirements vary by country.
In Saudi Arabia, degree equivalency regulations require institutions and programs to meet the applicable recognition criteria or be evaluated under the relevant regulations. Regular attendance and residence in the country of study may also be considered.
Jordan maintains official lists of recognized universities as well as separate regulations for the equivalency of foreign qualifications.
The general process commonly includes:
Academic equivalency and professional licensing are therefore not the same process.
A graduate may successfully obtain academic recognition of the degree but still need to meet additional requirements from the dental or healthcare authority before receiving permission to practice.
Choosing a country for studying dentistry abroad should depend on four factors together:
The following destinations are among the main options worth comparing.
Germany is one of the strongest European options for Dentistry because of its established universities and relatively low tuition fees at public institutions.
Well-known universities include Heidelberg University and LMU Munich.
However, admission is restricted and highly competitive, and Dentistry is primarily taught in German.
Germany is therefore less suitable for students specifically seeking an English-taught Dentistry program.
Turkey frequently appears among relatively affordable European study destinations, particularly when compared with private universities elsewhere in Europe.
However, tuition fees at some private dental schools can be high, particularly at universities such as Istanbul Medipol University and Yeditepe University.
Private universities remain important options for international students because admission is generally more flexible and scholarships or tuition discounts may be available throughout the admission period.
Read the complete guide to studying Dentistry in Turkey.
Students comparing specific institutions can also explore the best universities in Turkey for Dentistry.
Malaysia is among the notable Asian destinations for Dentistry because it offers English-medium education and structured clinical training.
Popular universities for Dentistry include the University of Malaya and IMU.
The main challenge is that admission can be more competitive than at many private universities in Turkey or Northern Cyprus, while tuition fees at leading Malaysian universities are not always low.
Students comparing these destinations more broadly can review the guide to studying in Turkey vs Malaysia.
Russia is one of the lower-cost options for studying Dentistry in English, with tuition starting from approximately RUB 410,000 per year.
Popular institutions include Sechenov University and RUDN University.
However, entrance examinations and the need to communicate in Russian during clinical training can make the experience more demanding for some international students.
Georgia is among the more accessible and affordable destinations for Dentistry.
For example:
Programs are available in English, but students should carefully verify whether the specific university and program are recognized in the country where they intend to work after graduation.
Northern Cyprus is among the more affordable and flexible destinations in terms of private university admission.
Major options include Near East University and Cyprus International University.
Universities generally do not require a compulsory academic entrance examination, but students should verify professional recognition according to their home country.
Read the detailed guide to studying Dentistry in Northern Cyprus.
You can also compare the broader cost of studying in Northern Cyprus.
The following comparison helps you evaluate each destination based on practical differences rather than choosing only by country name.
Students trying to identify the most accessible destination can also read our guide to the easiest country to study Dentistry.
Academically, countries such as Sweden and the Netherlands perform strongly in the QS 2027 rankings.
Germany remains an attractive option for students seeking a combination of strong education and low public university tuition, provided they can meet the strict language and admission requirements.
If tuition fees alone are considered, German public universities are among the least expensive.
However, they are not necessarily the easiest universities to enter.
Among English-taught programs, Russia and Georgia appear among the more affordable options.
When comparing admission flexibility, entrance exams, language requirements, and foundation-year requirements, Northern Cyprus stands out as one of the more accessible choices, followed by Georgia in terms of admission flexibility.
Do not begin by selecting whichever university advertises the lowest tuition fee.
A better approach is to consider recognition, affordability, and your realistic admission chances from the beginning.
This is the most important first step.
The country where you intend to practice will determine recognition and licensing requirements.
Knowing this early helps you eliminate universities or destinations that do not support your long-term professional plans.
Review the official university lists published by the education and healthcare authorities in the country where you intend to practice.
Check:
Do not rely only on the reputation of the destination country.
Estimate:
Then determine the maximum amount you and your family can realistically afford without depending on an uncertain scholarship.
Compare your:
with the requirements of each university.
Germany, for example, may offer strong and relatively affordable education but may not suit a student without advanced German proficiency.
Turkey or Northern Cyprus may provide more flexible admission alternatives.
Once you choose a destination, compare universities based on:
Study abroad consultants can help narrow dozens of available options into universities that match your academic profile and budget.
New Horizons can review your profile and compare available Dentistry options in Turkey, Malaysia, and Northern Cyprus while explaining tuition fees, scholarships, admission requirements, and application procedures.
Final recognition should always be confirmed through the official authorities in the country where you plan to work.
Prepare the following as early as possible:
Apply before Dentistry seats are filled, as places in medical and health-related programs are generally more limited than in many other disciplines.
After receiving final admission, begin preparing:
Even when the Dentistry program is taught entirely in English, students may still need the local language during the clinical years to communicate effectively with patients.
Your decision about studying dentistry abroad should begin with the regulations of the country where you intend to practice after graduation.
After that, compare recognition, tuition fees, admission requirements, language, and clinical training.
If you are unsure which country or university best matches your academic average, budget, and professional plans, an educational consultation can help reduce the number of options and make the decision more manageable.
New Horizons can review your academic profile, budget, and intended country of employment, then explain the available study options before you submit an application or pay university fees.
I'm a passionate Web Content Writer with over 5 years of experience in creating SEO-friendly content in both Arabic and English. I specialize in writing clear, engaging, and reader-focused content that not only ranks on search engines but also speaks directly to the audiences across various industries, including healthcare, education, religion, tourism, and professional services .
After many years of working on registering thousands of students in Turkish universities, and answering an unlimited number of questions about studying in Turkey, these are the most important questions that concern students
Yes, there are private universities in some countries that accept lower grades than public and competitive universities, but you must first make sure that your grade meets the recognition requirements in your country; the equivalency body may impose a higher limit than the university itself.
You can get accepted into some universities without a prior language certificate, but you will need to pass a proficiency test or study a year of language before the program, and clinical training requires the ability to communicate with patients.
Universities require a translation of the high school diploma and transcript into the language specified by the university, along with the passport, photos, and language certificate if available. They may also require the documents to be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the embassy, depending on the country.
Russia is cheaper when comparing the programs available to international students with those offered by Turkish private universities, as some Russian dental programs start from around 410,000 rubles per year, while the fees at Turkish private universities clearly exceed that.
Turkey is more suitable for the student who prefers to choose from a wide range of universities and the flexibility of admission in the private sector, while Malaysia is more suitable for the student with the strongest academic record who wants to study in English within a more stringent admission system, but the final choice should be based on recognition, budget and your chance of acceptance.
The cost to study medicine abroad ranges from almost tuition-free study at some German public univer...
The easiest country to study dentistry is one that offers a flexible admission system without requir...
Italy and China are among the cheapest countries to study medicine in English. Tuition at some Itali...
The United States is the best country to study petroleum engineering in terms of academic strength,...
