Study Dentistry in Spain: International Students’ Guide

Dentistry in Spain: Top Courses in English, Fees, Eligibility, Scholarships, and Career Scope

Dentistry in Spain is a five-year degree after high school. Candidates for dentistry programs must have studied biology and chemistry in high school. The format of dentistry courses is unlike general medicine courses, which are in Spanish and English languages. There are a few Spanish universities that offer dentistry in full English.

Spanish universities are particular with their preclinical internships and clinical practice. The students must complete certain hours of internships and training to get their degrees. Additionally, most universities have dental clinics where students can practice and gain hands-on experience by treating actual patients.

Read this article to discover the various universities offering dentistry in Spain. Also, find out the cost of studying dentistry in Spain as an international student, admission requirements, and more.

Top universities for Dentistry in Spain

Unlike general medicine programs, there are just a few options for studying dentistry in English in Spain. Students should consider learning Spanish, as many universities offer dentistry in only Spanish or a combination of Spanish and English. Knowing Spanish can give students more options when choosing a university.

The duration of a bachelor’s in dentistry in Spain is five years. The table below categorizes dental universities in Spain by language and then by ranking. The national rankings are obtained from UniRank 2022. 

Dentistry in Spain places emphasis on theoretical and practical training. The programs help students gain confidence and expertise in dental pathologies of varying complexities. 

The curriculum is well-rounded and teaches students every aspect of the profession. Some disciplines introduced within the five years are

• Implantology
• Periodontics 
• Orthodontics
• Prosthodontics
• Surgery
• Pediatric Dentistry 
• Cosmetic Dentistry

That’s not all. Spanish dentistry courses work extensively toward updating students about advancements in the industry. In addition, they encourage students to participate in national and international conferences and activities.

Dentistry coursework in Spain usually consists of

• • Human Anatomy
  • Biochemistry
  • Physiology
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Applied Surgical Therapy
  • Pharmacology
  • Periodontics
  • Orthodontics
  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Cosmetic Dentistry

Admission requirements for Dentistry in Spain

International students planning to study in Spain should consider learning Spanish. Spanish medical universities expect students to learn the local language. This is crucial for a few reasons. 

First, not all programs in dentistry are offered in English. Most high-ranking public universities have dentistry programs in Spanish. Knowing the language can increase one’s options for applying to universities. 

Second, internships during the final year of study focus on patient interaction. Fluency in Spanish will help students interact with their coworkers, trainers, and patients and learn better.

Some universities require students to take university entrance exams (EBAU/PAU) to assess their credentials for admission.

Qualifications for Dentistry programs include:

• Physics, Biology, and Chemistry as high school subjects
• Overall high school average more than 75%
• IELTS 5.5 and above or English B2 level proficiency
• Spanish proficiency of at least B2
• EBAU/PAU scores (if required by university)

Documents required:

• Valid passport
• Photo (passport-size)
• Academic transcripts of the studies you have carried out to date. In the case of secondary school students, the grades for the last two completed academic years
• Motivation letter
• Curriculum Vitae (optional)
• Language certificates
• Grade equivalence document – need to be submitted by those students who have completed a pre-university system other than Spanish

How to apply?

Dental schools in Spain do not have a centralized application system. This is unlike the United States AMCAS and UK’s UCAS. So, students can submit their applications to each university online.

Students can also make use of Gyanberry’s services. At Gyanberry, you can receive professional guidance at every step of your application journey. Through us, you can also connect with students of your desired university to learn about student life in Spain.

Tuition fees for Dentistry in Spain

The cost of studying dentistry in Spain varies depending on the type of university. Public universities follow the ECTS, and the state usually sets the fees. Dentistry degrees, which have 60 credits per year, cost EUR 1,500-3,300 per year or lower at public universities.

This table features the annual tuition of a few universities for dentistry in Spain.

Cost of living in Spain

An average international student may spend EUR 900-1,300 (USD 930-1,343*) each month. Here’s a breakdown of some of the commonly incurred expenses in Spain as an international student.

*Tuition fees and living expenses in EUR are converted to USD at 1 EUR = 1.03 USD. Current exchange rates fluctuate periodically.

Scholarships for international students

Foreign students can receive financial aid to support their education in Spain. However, the number of scholarship programs is limited and can be pretty competitive.

Spanish Studies Abroad Scholarship Program

The Spanish Studies Abroad scholarship program encourages international students to study in Spanish-speaking countries. Students can enroll to study in any of the partner institutions for the program. Undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible. The award ranges from USD 500 to USD 1,500. This award is not meant to cover tuition expenses. Instead, students must use the fund to cover other living and travel charges.

Some of the required documents and selection criteria for this scholarship program are

• Cumulative GPA of 3.0-3.5
• Scholarships application to be submitted along with your name, program, and home college or university
• 400-500 word essay on students’ dedication to the Spanish language and motivation to apply for this scholarship.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Some universities provide scholarships to students who excel academically.  For example, UIC Barcelona’s International Excellence Scholarship provides a 20% discount on tuition fees. It is available to all international students pursuing undergraduate courses. These are merit-based aids and are given to a limited number of candidates. The Spanish Ministry of Education offers financial support to students. In addition, students can take the help financial aid offered by the independent organizations in their country.

Career scope after Dentistry studies in Spain

Dentistry provides a wide range of opportunities in private and public healthcare systems. Dentists can be self-employed or work as employees. The public healthcare system in Spain has multiple vacancies for dentists in hospitals and healthcare centers. 

Some workplaces for dentists can be:

• Public hospitals and healthcare 
• Private clinics
• Research centers 
• Universities 
• Corporations in the healthcare industry

Popular jobs that dentistry graduates take up are:

• Dentist
• Dental technician
• Dental therapist
• Dental hygienist
• Anatomical pathology technologist
• Health improvement practitioner
• Health service manager
• Higher education lecturer
• Medical sales representative
• Educator
• Teaching laboratory technician

To practice as a dentist in Spain, students must be registered with the Spanish Dental Association (officially the Consejo General de Colegios de Odontólogos y Estomatólogos). Students must ensure that their degree is awarded by an institution recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Culture.

The average salary of a dentist in Spain is EUR 78,900 per annum. Some of the highest-paying cities and the average annual income are:

*Average salary in EUR are converted to USD at 1 EUR = 1.03 USD. Current exchange rates fluctuate periodically.