21 Top Dental schools for international students 2024

Are you an aspiring student interested in studying dentistry and seeking affordable dental schools for international students around the world? If so, grab a bottle of your favorite beverage and read to the end. You’ll discover the best universities, colleges, and institutions offering top dental programs for both domestic and international students, along with their rankings.

This article will provide information on the best dental schools that offer a straightforward path to your dream of becoming a dental professional.

Stay Informed Group, an education-oriented site, has conducted thorough research and compiled a list of the best dental colleges for both domestic and international students.

Dental schools for international students

This information about the most affordable dental schools worldwide was gathered by Stay Informed Group from reliable sources, ensuring the content’s trustworthiness and meeting your expectations.

Relax as we guide you through the world of sophisticated and affordable dental schools, including colleges and universities.

These top 21 dental schools are open to anyone interested in studying dentistry, whether at the undergraduate, master’s, or PhD level.

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School of Dentistry Prerequisites and Requirements

Studying courses related to medicine requires significant time and patience. However, having the right information helps you know what to expect and how to achieve your goals.

Like other medical professions, dental care requires years of training and hands-on experience. Platforms like DentalBe can connect you with the best dentists available.

Preparing for appropriate courses and university internships will enhance your chances of success in the field

Take an Undergraduate Degree

When pursuing a bachelor’s degree, ensure that the courses you take count towards the pre-dental program coursework.

Don’t be overwhelmed, as many of the required pre-dental courses are part of compulsory science courses. Depending on your dental program, you may need up to 8 credits in physics, general chemistry, biology, and organic chemistry.

Job Shadowing with a Dentist

As you work towards meeting the degree criteria, you will eventually need to work part-time with several dentists before applying to dental school.

Most dental programs require applicants to have 100 hours of experience in job shadowing and being mentored by multiple dentists to understand how different offices operate.

Participate in Extracurricular Activities

Enhance your dental school application by participating in clubs and other activities, demonstrating that you are a versatile and dedicated student. Explore local opportunities and consider joining a biology or health club.

Join the Student National Dental Association

Joining the Student National Dental Association can significantly aid your admission to top dental schools. It supports your application and connects you with other dental students and dentists at departmental events.

Pass the Dental Admission Test (DAT)

During your junior year, you can take the 4.5-hour Dental Admission Test (DAT). Passing this exam is a prerequisite for attending any dental school you are considering.

Building a Competitive Dental School Application

Creating a competitive application is crucial for gaining admission to dental schools. Research the schools you wish to apply to, considering the location and cost of the program, to choose the best option.

Your advisor can provide a list of reputable schools they think will suit you, some of which you may want to consider.

Do the Entrance Interview

After applying to dental school, you may be contacted for an interview. Prepare for this conversation by reflecting on your strengths and communication skills. Interviewers often inquire about your personality and desire to help others.

The tips above can help you get into the dental college of your choice.

Also Read: Requirements for Dental Schools

List of the Best Dental Schools for International Students in no Order

#1. Harvard University

When ranking universities, irrespective of the course of study, Harvard is a world leader. It is one of the most recognized dental schools in the USA.

The Harvard School of Dental Medicine, located in Boston, offers numerous courses in dentistry and lower-level programs. Harvard University is ranked 10 in THE and 7th in QS World University rankings for Dentistry for 2024, making it unarguably one of the best dental universities.

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Acceptance Rate: 3.7%
Tuition Fees: Around $85,070 per year
Employability Rate: 86.9%

#2. Karolinska Institutet, Sweeden

KI is one of the best dental schools for international students, known for its world-leading innovative teaching methods. The school enjoys a strong academic reputation and a high number of citations in every academic paper.

It also benefits from an excellent reputation with teachers. Karolinska Institutet is ranked 7th in the QS World University Ranking in the field of Dentistry and 12th in the overall World University Ranking.

Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Acceptance Rate: International student-friendly
Tuition Fees: For UK applicants, it’s £9,250 or $12,280 per year. International students pay £43,500 or $57,720 per year.
Employability Rate: 88.8%

#3. King’s College London

The college was amalgamated under the umbrella of the University of London. King’s College is among the best dental colleges for international students, with the most landmark dental school in the UK, graduating more than 150 dentists each year.

It offers a five-year BDS undergraduate program and provides local and international students the opportunity to gain dentistry experience in many world-class hospitals.

At the time of this article, the UK dental school is ranked 3rd in the QS World University Rankings in the field of Dentistry and 14th in the World University Rankings. It is one of the best dental universities.

Location: London, United Kingdom
Acceptance Rate: 13%
Tuition Fees: £9,250 or $12,280 per year for local students. International students pay £43,500 or $57,720 per year.
Employability Rate: 83.2%

#4. University of Michigan

The University of Michigan is one of the best dental schools in the world for international students, known for its athletic prowess.

This US university’s dental school, located on a picturesque campus in Ann Arbor, is one of the best dental institutions globally.

The institution in Ann Arbor ranks 1st in the QS World University Ranking for Dentistry and 14th in the THE World University Ranking.

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Acceptance Rate: 28.6%
Tuition Fees: The school charges $68,370 per year for tuition only.
Employability Rate: 90.2%

#5. University College London (UCL)

UCL is one of the UK’s top dental schools, consistently ranked among the best dental schools in the world. The Dental Institute is renowned as one of the most influential dentistry research organizations globally.

The institution ranked 7th by THE and 12th in the QS World University Rankings for Dentistry.

Location: London, United Kingdom
Acceptance Rate: About 7.43%
Tuition Fees: This school charges between $12,000 and $14,000 per year for tuition.
Employability Rate: 99.2%

Also Read: How to Become a Dentist: All you need to know

#6. University of Hong Kong

This is an international university located in Hong Kong. The institution is the first university established in Hong Kong, with a history tracing back over a hundred years. The university is research-focused, with 111 of its professors ranked among the world’s top 1% scientists by the Essential Science Indicators, Thomson Reuters.

The university is ranked 4th in the QS World University Ranking for Dentistry and occupies the 29th position in the THE World University Ranking.

Location: Pokfulam, Hong Kong
Acceptance Rate: About 10%
Tuition Fees: This dental school charges about HK$42,100 for local students and a whopping HK$164,000 per year for international students.
Employability Rate: 83.7%

#7. University of Washington

This university is located in the northwestern metropolis of Seattle. The institution offers students world-class dental training and education. However, the institution is very selective.

The dental school at this U.S. institution is ranked 11th by QS University Rankings for Dentistry and 15th by THE World University Rankings. Therefore, it is considered one of the best dental universities in the world.

Location: Seattle, Washington, USA
Acceptance Rate: 45.4%
Tuition Fees: Ranges from £77,160 to $102,000 per year for tuition only
Employability Rate: Undisclosed

Also Read: 25 Colleges with High Acceptance Rate

#8. University of California, San Francisco

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading institution in science-related courses and technology. The university has made significant advancements in bioengineering, health policy research, oncogenes, and AIDS research.

UCSF is highly regarded, ranking 10th in THE and 14th in the QS World University Rankings for the best dental schools and colleges for international students, making it one of the top dental universities globally.

Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Acceptance Rate: The UCSF School of Medicine acceptance rate is within 4%.
Tuition Fees: This US dental school charges around $12,245 to $63,226 per year.
Employability Rate: 80.7%

#9. University of Pennsylvania

As one of the Ivy League schools, the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) offers academic excellence in many fields, including dentistry. It is recognized as one of the best dental universities for international students.

Penn Dental School ranks 13th by THE and 19th in the QS World University Rankings for the study of Dentistry.

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Acceptance Rate: The University of Pennsylvania Dental School acceptance rate is 5%.
Tuition Fees: This institution charges $95,000 per year, excluding living costs.
Employability Rate: 92.6%

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#10. The University of North Carolina situated at Chapel Hill base

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) is renowned for its dentistry and dental hygiene programs. Its Oral Health Sciences locations, opened in 2012, are equipped with the finest technology to support its dental activities.

UNC ranks 14th in QS and 27th in THE for dentistry.

Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
Acceptance Rate: Less than 3%
Tuition Fees: This dental school charges $83,790 per year.
Employability Rate: 43.1%

#11. Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), The Netherlands

ACTA is a leading institution in teaching and research in dentistry, formed by a collaboration between the University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam. It is known for its research, educational programs, and patient care in dentistry.

ACTA ranks 2nd in QS World University Rankings for dental medicine but is not in the top thirty of the world’s university rankings.

Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Acceptance Rate: Unspecified
Tuition Fees: This European dental school charges around €4,166 to ‎€4,387 per year.
Employability Rate: 84.3%

#12. The University of Gothenburg, Sweeden

This is one of the top-ranking universities for dental medicine in Europe according to QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024. The Swedish university’s medical school covers a broad space of study and conducts successful research ranging from molecules to the community.

Their research covers many of the foremost endemic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The school of dentistry ranking for this university is placed 6th in the QS World University ranking for dental medicine.

However, it’s not among the best 30 on the list of the global University Ranking.

Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Acceptance Rate: Unspecified
Tuition Fees: This European dental school charges around £10,000 to £19,250 per year.
Employability Rate: 12.5%

Also Read: Best Countries to Study Abroad in Asia

#13. University of Zurich, Switzerland

This is another of the highest dental schools for international students in Europe. The university in Switzerland was founded in 1833, and it is reputable in the science field.

The school of dentistry ranking for this university is placed 8th on QS World University Ranking for dental medicine; however, it’s not on the top 30 list of the global University Ranking.

Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Acceptance Rate: Unspecified
Tuition Fees: This European medical institution and school of dentistry charges around $2,000 per year.
Employability Rate: 70.8%

#14. Bern University, Switzerland

This university offers quality education services to its students. It is esteemed for its wonderful teaching quality, scenic setting, and campus environment bustling with the social, economic, and political life of the city.

The university is also notable for worldwide research within the field of space research analysis. The dental school ranking for this university is 9th in the QS World University ranking for Dentistry but it is not on the top 30 list of THE World University Ranking.

Location: Bern, Switzerland
Acceptance Rate: Unspecified
Tuition Fees: This European school of dentistry charges around $52,000 – $54,000 per annum.
Employability Rate: 34.6%

#15. Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan

This dental university in Japan is one of the best dental schools for international students in the country. It has systems of graduate education and research analysis in Medical and Dental Sciences, Health Sciences, and Biomedical Sciences. The university prides itself on graduating scientists who are intellectually curious in their effort to find new information about existing procedures and discover new ones.

The school of dentistry ranking for this university is valued 10th on the QS World University ranking for dental medicine; however, it’s not on the top 30 list of the World University Ranking.

Location: Yushima Bunkyo-ku, Japan
Acceptance Rate: Unspecified
Tuition Fees: This Asian school of dentistry charges 535,800 yen per year.
Employability Rate: 6%

#16. University of Birmingham, United Kingdom

This university is one of the most effective universities for dental medicine within the United Kingdom. The town of Birmingham is home to some of the UK’s leading hospitals, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. This increases the Birmingham medical student’s probability of obtaining jobs upon graduation.

The dental school ranking for this UK university is 13th in the QS World University ranking for Dentistry but it is not on the top 30 list of THE World University Ranking.

Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom
Acceptance Rate: 79.2%
Tuition Fees: This United Kingdom School of Dentistry charges range from £9,250 to £38,100 per year.
Employability Rate: 84.9%

#17. New York University (NYU), the United States

This United States university is one of the most effective dental universities in the United Kingdom. The university enjoys superb reviews in dimensions like research, innovation, facilities, and specialist courses.

The dental school ranking for this US university is 16th in the QS World University ranking for Dentistry but it is not on the top 30 list of THE World University Ranking.

Location: New York, United States
Acceptance Rate: The NYU College of Medical acceptance rate is about 1.6%
Tuition Fees: This United States School of Dentistry charges around $49,062 per annum.
Employability Rate: 91.3%

#18. KU Leuven

Kicking off the favorable 18th place on our list is one of the most effective dental schools in the world for international students. The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, or simply KU Leuven, is a notable institution within the dental health sciences world. Being Belgium’s highest-ranked university, it is an authority to bank on.

The dental school ranking for this European university is 17th in the QS World University ranking for Dentistry but it is not on the top 30 list of THE World University Ranking.

Location: Leuven, Belgium
Acceptance Rate: Unspecified
Tuition Fees: This European school of dentistry charges around 922.3 EUR per year.
Employability Rate: 60.8%

#19. The University of Manchester, United Kingdom

This university offers over 1000 university degree programs across the humanities, business, science, and engineering subject areas at all levels of study. This UK university ranks among the most recognized and best medical colleges in the world, being a historical university for the advancement of science and technology.

The dental school ranking for this UK university is 18th in the QS World University ranking for Dentistry but it is not on the top 30 list of THE World University Ranking.

Location: Manchester, UK
Acceptance Rate: 70.6%
Tuition Fees: This United Kingdom school of dentistry charges from 9,250 GBP to about 21,000 GBP per year.
Employability Rate: 98.5%

#20. Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil

This is the pioneer South American university to join the list of best dental colleges in the world. This indicates that the university is among the best in the country and one of the best dental schools for international students. Indeed, the University of São Paulo (USP) is the largest university in Brazil and one of the most prestigious educational and research establishments in Latin America. It contributes to 20% of all Brazilian educational output.

The school of dentistry ranking for this South American university is placed 20th here, as well as in the QS World University ranking for dental medicine, although it’s not on the top 30 list of THE World University Ranking.

Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Acceptance Rate: 10 to 30%
Tuition Fees: This South American school of dentistry charges up to 1,000 USD annually.
Employability Rate: 80.4%

#21. University of British Columbia, Canada

This is one of the best dental schools for international students. It is well-regarded in its academic fields of earth science, mineral and mining engineering, and sports-related subjects. However, it’s one of the most effective Canadian universities, colleges, and dental schools to study dental medicine.

The school of dentistry ranking for this Canadian university is placed 20th in the QS World University ranking for dental medicine, tied with USP. However, it’s not on the top 30 list of the Global University Ranking.

Location: Vancouver, Canada
Acceptance Rate: 52.4%
Tuition Fees: This Canadian school charges from 5,646.4 CAD to 38,946.2 CAD annually.
Employability Rate: 88.1%