With over 260,289 students, Turkey is a popular study-abroad destination for international students. It features some of the world’s best dental schools, ranked in the top 1,000-2,000 universities worldwide. More than 20 universities offer dentistry programs in Turkey. Surprisingly, a large chunk of these universities offer their courses in English at an affordable price. Here are some highly ranked public and private institutions to study dentistry in Turkey in English-
- Ankara University
- Istanbul University
- Marmara University
- Istanbul University – Cerrahpasa
- Eastern Mediterranean University
- Bahcesehir University
- Istanbul Aydin University
- Yeditepe University
- Altinbas University
The typical duration of an undergraduate dental degree in Turkey is five years. The average tuition fees for studying dentistry in English in Turkey can range from 1,835 – 27,500 USD depending on the type of university. The vast difference comes from the fact that public universities in Turkey offer very affordable education but only a handful of them provide education in English.
In Turkey, full-time dentists earn well over 200,000 USD (734,620 AED). With 16% job growth in the medical industry over the last decade, dentistry in Turkey offers excellent career possibilities for future generations.
Overview of dentistry studies in Turkey
| Program offered | Undergraduate dentistry program |
| Duration | 5 years |
| Annual fees at public universities | 1,200 to 19,000 USD |
| Annual fees at private universities | 17,000 to 27,000 USD |
| Minimum eligibility criteria | High school diploma |
| Admission entrance test | YOS, SAT, ACT, International Baccalaureate, ABITUR, etc. |
Why study Dentistry in Turkey?
- Turkish universities have prominent status in the fields of dentistry. They rank in the top 2,000 universities worldwide.
- They are known for providing high-quality dental education with the use of cutting-edge technology.
- Over 20 universities in Turkey offer dentistry programs in English.
- The cost of living in Turkey is inexpensive (4,010 to ~6,000 USD per year) and it is half the cost of living in Ireland.
- Being a hub for dental tourism, Turkey offers ample career opportunities for international students who wish to practice dentistry in Turkey.
Best universities to study Dentistry in Turkey
Dental universities in Turkey are accredited by the YOK-Council of Higher Education. They offer programs that are designed as per the European standards and thus follow the Bologna process. Here is a list of some best universities to study dentistry in Turkey in English.
| University name | National Rank (Uniranks, 2022) |
| Istanbul University | 4 |
| Ankara University | 5 |
| Marmara University | 11 |
| Istanbul Aydin University | 27 |
| Yeditepe University | 32 |
| Bahcesehir University | 47 |
| Altinbas University | 150 |
| Istanbul University – Cerrahpasa | 162 |
| Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) | NA |
Admission requirements to study Dentistry in Turkey
Eligibility criteria
| Higher secondary education | 10+2 |
| English proficiency test | TOEFL or IELTS |
| Entrance admission test | YOS, SAT, ACT, International Baccalaureate, ABITUR, etc. |
Only public universities administer the YOS test. Each public university will create its own YOS exam, and the scores are transferable to other Turkish universities. Some Turkish universities offer an English admission exam through YOS if an applicant fails the English competence test. Private universities, on the other hand, accept international exams like the SAT, ACT, International Baccalaureate, ABITUR, etc.
Application process
Students can apply vis the university online portal or via Gyanberry application services. They shall submit the following admission documents along with their application form-
- Passport
- High school diploma (students in final year are also welcome to apply)
- Official high school transcript
- English proficiency test score
- Entrance admission test score
- Motivational letter
The application process can be difficult, which is why we at Gyanberry offer complete assistance in the application and admission process. We also provide visa counseling and other forms of assistance for prospective students planning to study dentistry in Turkey. Get in touch with us to learn more.
Cost of studying Dentistry in Turkey: Tuition fees and living expenses
Tuition fees
| University name | University type | Annual tuition |
| Ankara University | Public | 6,438 USD or 23,647 AED |
| Marmara University | Public | 7,521 USD or 27,624 AED |
| Istanbul University – Cerrahpasa | Public | 1,234 USD or 6,739 AED |
| Yeditepe University | Private | 27,500 USD or 101,004 AED |
| Bahcesehir University | Private | 20,000 USD or 73,460 AED |
| Istanbul Aydin University | Private | 17,500 USD or 64,277 AED |
| Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) | Public | 19,192 USD or 70,491 AED |
| Altinbas University | Private | 20,000 USD or 73,459 AED |
*Tuition fees in USD are converted to AED at 1 USD = 3.67 AED. Please note that current exchange rates are subject to change.
Cost of living
Turkey is an affordable country to live in as compared to many European countries especially for students. The CEOWORLD Magazine classified it as the second cheapest European country to live in after Ukraine. Students can refer to the following table to estimate their living expenses if they are planning to study dentistry in Turkey.
| Rent | 3,250 to 5,200 USD |
| Food | 300 USD |
| Transport | 280 USD |
| Leisure | 140 USD |
| Books and stationery | 40 USD |
| Total | 4,010 to 5,960 (~6,000) USD |
Scholarships to study Dentistry in Turkey
Dental students are eligible for a variety of scholarships in Turkey. Let us discuss some prominent ones
Türkiye scholarships
In addition to providing financial aid, Türkiye scholarships allow international students to be placed in the university of their choosing, in their selected application program. Because of this, it stands out among other scholarship programs around the world. Türkiye Scholarships are designed to provide students with opportunities for social and cultural activities as well as university education while in Turkey. This also covers student needs such as accommodation and health insurance during the educational session. To be eligible to apply for the Türkiye scholarship, students must score 90% and above in their high school education.
CoHE Scholarship for International Students
It is targeted at international undergraduate and graduate students from countries that have signed agreements with Council of Higher Education (CoHE). It covers tuition fees, accommodation, Turkish language education fees, and health insurance fees. If accepted students do not have a Turkish Proficiency certificate, they are given a year of free Turkish language training.
Additionally, international dental students in Turkey are also eligible for university-funded scholarships.
Overall, a lot of Turkish universities offer dentistry programs in English at affordable tuition. Annual tuition fees at public universities can be as low as 1,200 USD and as high as 19,000 USD. The fees for private universities are in the range of 17,000 to 27,000 USD. Although the fees for public universities appear to be affordable, students must pass a university-specific YOS entrance exam. Private institutions do not administer specialized tests and instead accept scores from the SAT, ACT, Foreign Baccalaureate, ABITUR, and a variety of other international exams. Thus, Turkish private universities are preferred by international students to study dentistry. The country has a very positive perspective for international students and offers a lower cost of living with a comfortable lifestyle. Studying dentistry in Turkey is an investment that is bound to give fruitful returns.
