Studying Dentistry Abroad: Your Options in Europe

Why are UK students studying dentistry abroad?

The main reason is competition. The University of Manchester received 981 home applications for its five-year BDS for 2026 entry and made 139 offers. International students face even fewer seats: Queen Mary University of London lists just 4 overseas places, and UK international fees run from around £38,000 to £61,000 a year.

Studying dentistry abroad gives you more places to apply to, different selection methods and, in many countries, lower fees than UK international rates. Be clear about the career first, though. Dentistry is precise, hands-on clinical work, often in private practice. At Zenith we start there: the life, industry and skills you want, then the degree, then the country. If you are still torn between the two professions, compare it with what it takes to study medicine in Europe.

What does a European dentistry degree look like?

A European dentistry degree is a single, long-cycle programme at master's level. There is no separate pre-dental degree.

• Length: 5 years in Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, the Baltic states, Slovakia, Spain, Cyprus and Ireland; 6 years in Romania, Croatia and Italy; about 6 years in Bulgaria, including a final clinical internship.
• Title: DMD in Hungary, MDDr. in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, DDS at schools in Poland, Latvia and Cyprus.
• Structure: two years of sciences and preclinical work on models, then supervised treatment of real patients from around year 3. Semmelweis University adds four summer practices.
• Language: lectures are in English, but patients speak the local language, so you will learn it. Universidad Europea in Madrid asks for B2 Spanish for clinical placements.

Where can you study dentistry in Europe, and what does it cost?

Typical tuition per year for English-taught programmes (latest published figures, which change every year):

• Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland: around €15,000 to €24,500
• Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia: around €13,600 to €15,500
• Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia: around €7,000 to €12,000, over six years
• Cyprus: around €22,500 at its one dental school
• Italy: income-based public fees, but only two English-taught programmes
• Ireland: around €55,000 to €64,000 for non-EU students

Living costs, instruments and travel add to the cost of dentistry abroad, and the cheapest tuition is not always the cheapest degree.

How does admission work?

You apply directly to each university, usually between November and the summer before entry. Expect one of three formats: a written test in biology and chemistry (sometimes physics), often followed by an interview; an assessment of your school grades, used by Romanian universities; or Italy's national IMAT, held on 29 September in 2026. Semmelweis, for example, runs online tests and interviews from March to June, with a 31 May 2027 deadline for 2027 entry.

If this is your first application outside the UK system, our guide on how to study abroad sets out the timeline.

Will a European dentistry degree be recognised at home?

The General Dental Council still recognises listed EU dental degrees under arrangements the UK government extended in 2023 for five years, and it says it does not know what will apply after that. Students graduating in the early 2030s should plan for a possible Overseas Registration Exam. In the UAE, the DHA, DoH and MOHAP license dentists individually, so check their current rules before you commit.

Frequently asked questions

Can you study dentistry in Europe straight after A levels or the IB?

Yes. European dentistry degrees take students directly from school, so most start at 18 or 19 with A levels, the IB or an equivalent. Biology and chemistry matter most, and many universities set their own test in those subjects. Some, such as LSMU in Lithuania, can exempt applicants with strong A level or IB results from that test.

Is European dentistry easier to get into than UK dentistry?

It is less crowded, not easy. Many European universities admit larger English-taught cohorts and test you on science knowledge rather than the UCAT, which suits strong biology and chemistry students. You still need good grades, solid preparation for the entrance test and a convincing interview, and the workload once you are in is demanding.

Choosing where to study dentistry shapes the next five or six years of your life. If you want a clear shortlist of countries and universities that fits your grades, budget and career plans, Apply for a Strategy Call.