Studying dentistry in the Middle East as an international student is a path more families are exploring each year, and the region offers something specific: English-language teaching, modern simulation clinics, and cities that international students tend to settle into quickly. This guide walks through the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Qatar, with the programs, entry steps and costs worth knowing before you apply.
Information last updated October 2026. Requirements, fees and licensing rules change from year to year, so the university or licensing authority’s official page is always the final word.
Dentistry in the Middle East at a glance
Most undergraduate dental programs in the region run five years and lead to a BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) or a DDS. Some, such as the newer program at Qatar University, run six years and award a DMD. Teaching is generally in English, with Arabic used in some settings, and the first year often includes foundation courses in chemistry, biology and English.
The UAE is the most active hub for international applicants. Its dental schools include Ajman University, Gulf Medical University in Ajman, RAK College of Dental Sciences at RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, and the University of Sharjah’s College of Dental Medicine. In Dubai, the Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine at Mohammed Bin Rashid University focuses on postgraduate specialty training, which makes it a lovely destination later in a career.
Who studying dentistry here suits
Students who like a polished campus, hands-on clinical teaching and a multicultural classroom often feel at home. If you hold an American diploma, IB, A-levels or an Indian or Pakistani board certificate, several UAE universities publish clear pathways for your qualification. Families who want to stay close to home while still studying abroad also find the region convenient for flights and visits.
Admissions and requirements
Each school sets its own rules, but a few themes repeat. Strong grades in chemistry and biology matter most. The University of Sharjah, for example, describes dentistry as a competitive-entry program with a minimum average of about 85 percent for the relevant high school track, plus an EmSAT or SAT requirement. Gulf Medical University lists subject minimums for Indian board applicants and adds a short written situational assessment and an interview.
English proficiency is usually shown with an IELTS Academic score of around 5.0 or a TOEFL iBT score of around 61, and a recognized intensive English program is available if you need a little more time. Foreign certificates are normally authenticated and matched to a UAE Ministry of Education equivalency, so it helps to start that paperwork early. Dentistry places are limited, and applying in the first round of the cycle is a sensible habit.
Sharjah also describes a Foundation Year, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and at least 2.5 in the chemistry and biology labs needed to move into the dental degree. Think of it as a friendly runway: a year to settle in, sharpen your lab skills and meet your future classmates.
Costs at a glance
Fees below are the figures reported for recent intakes, converted at the AED peg of 3.6725 per US dollar and rounded. Treat them as planning numbers and confirm the current schedule with each university.
| University | Location | Program | Reported tuition per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajman University | Ajman, UAE | BDS, five years, 201 credit hours | About AED 106,700 (about USD 29,100), billed at AED 2,668 per credit hour |
| RAK College of Dental Sciences | Ras Al Khaimah, UAE | BDS, five years | About AED 107,000 (about USD 29,100) |
| Gulf Medical University | Ajman, UAE | BDS, five years | About AED 132,300 (about USD 36,000) |
| University of Jordan | Amman, Jordan | DDS, five years | About USD 10,920 (about AED 40,100) |
Ajman University adds a flat clinic and lab fee each semester, and reports merit deductions for strong results. RAK College of Dental Sciences has listed tuition concessions tied to Grade 12 scores. Budget separately for instruments and materials, which many schools ask students to buy, and for housing, which varies by city and campus.
What the years feel like
The first one or two years pair biomedical sciences with simulation. You practice on phantom heads, learn the names of every tooth surface and gradually build the steady hands that clinical work asks for. Ajman University’s program is credit-based, with roughly 40 credit hours a year, which is busier than many degrees but gives clinical skills time to mature. From the middle years, students move to supervised patient care in university dental clinics, then to broader rotations as graduation approaches.
Jordan’s dental faculties include the University of Jordan, whose DDS runs five years, and Jordan University of Science and Technology, and Amman is a calm, welcoming base for students from across the region. If you are curious about the city beyond the lecture hall, our Amman city guide covers hilltop stays and hummus mornings.
Qatar University opened its College of Dental Medicine with a six-year DMD, a small annual intake and sponsorship routes designed for Qatari students, so it is mainly a route for Qatari applicants. Visitors to Doha can still enjoy the city; our Doha travel guide is a good companion.
Student life in the Gulf and Levant
Campuses are modern, classrooms are international and weekends often mean short trips: the beach, the old souq, a desert evening. In the UAE, Dubai is a short drive from Sharjah and Ajman, and our Dubai travel guide is handy for family visits and days off. Many students share apartments near campus or choose university housing, and public transport and ride-hailing make city life easy.
Licensing and career afterward
The UAE’s unified healthcare qualification framework, updated in 2025, describes the usual steps for dentists: an accredited degree, a 12-month internship, primary source verification of your credentials and a licensing exam with the relevant health authority (the Ministry of Health and Prevention, Dubai Health Authority, Department of Health Abu Dhabi or Sharjah Health Authority). Graduates of UAE dental universities who apply soon after their internship have a smoother path to the general dentist title. Qualifications and recognition vary by country, so if you plan to practice elsewhere later, check that country’s licensing board early. Our guides to studying dentistry in Türkiye and getting into dental school in the US give a useful sense of other pathways.
Practical tips for applicants
- Pick two or three universities, then read each admissions page carefully, because entrance tests and subject minimums differ.
- Ask whether your school certificate needs a ministry equivalency letter, and begin attestation early.
- Practice for the interview or situational assessment: calm, curious and kind answers go a long way.
- Ask each school which instruments and kits you will purchase in the first two years.
- Look into scholarships and merit reductions at application time, since some are tied to your final school grades.
Dentistry is a craft built slowly, one careful appointment at a time. Choose a campus where you can picture yourself practicing in the lab at night and laughing in the cafeteria at noon, and the rest tends to follow.
This article is general information, not medical, legal or immigration advice.
