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Study Dentistry in Finland

Updated on 15 February, 2024

Neha Uppal

Neha Uppal

Sr. Content editor

Are you thinking about studying dentistry abroad? While the prospect of seeking education in a foreign land, getting acquainted with a new culture, and exploring a new city awaits you, you might also feel scared. Financial restraints, learning a new language other than English, and homesickness are a few ifs and buts holding you back. What if we tell you Finland as a study destination can be a one-stop solution? Leading in the Sustainable Development Index, World Happiness Index, and Work-Life Balance Index, the country offers a welcoming environment for students. As per research, 70% of the Finnish people speak English making it easier for international students to socialize and adjust to the new environment.

Not just that, the world’s happiest country is home to great universities and offers many options to study dentistry in Finland. The institutions provide students with the choice to pick a major from various disciplines in the Oral Sciences. Moreover, it proffers practical exposure to clinical training, including patient work and demonstrations, to be professionally competent. 

Let’s discuss more! 

Top Reasons to Study in Finland:

Here are the perks international students can leverage when they study in Finland:

Affordable Tuition Fees

When it comes to selecting a study abroad destination, students are mostly worried about tuition fees. Fortunately, Finland makes the cut in this aspect. Affordable costs make it an ideal destination for international students, with fees amounting EUR 6,000 to EUR 16,000 per year.

Good Scholarships Options

For international students, many universities in Finland provide funding opportunities for education, with scholarships primarily based on academic merit. Some institutions provide full coverage, but scholarships that cover tuition fees wholly or partly are more common.

High Standards of Living

Finland ensures students living in the country, irrespective of background and class, enjoy a high standard of living. Not only is the healthcare and education system top-notch, but the cost of living is manageable for most students. 

Job Support

Most Finland universities provide international students with career services. They are available to lend a helping hand in a job search, whether looking for a part-time position or a full-time one after completing the degree.

Top 5 Dental Schools in Finland:

Below are some of the best dental schools in Finland that are ranked based on their educational quality and research performance in Medicine and Dentistry.

University NameQS WUR 2023*LocationPopular ProgramsAverage Tuition Fee**
University of Helsinki106Helsinki
  • Licentiate of Dentistry
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Clinical Dental Care Orthodontics
EUR 13,000 to EUR 18,000
University of Turku291Turku
  • Licentiate in Dentistry
  • Finnish Doctoral Program in Oral Sciences
EUR 11,500
University of Eastern Finland551-560Joensuu
  • Licentiate degree in Dentistry

 

EUR 8,000 to EUR 10,000
University of Tampere415Tampere
  • Licentiate Degree Programme in Medicine
EUR 8,000 to EUR 12,000
University of Oulu392Oulu
  • Licentiate Degree in Medicine and Dentistry
EUR 9223

Study Dentistry in Finland-Eligibility Criteria:

The admission requirements to study dentistry in Finland depends on the educational institution. Students should visit the interested university website and check the specific eligibility requirement to study dentistry in Finland in English.

In general, to secure admission in graduate and post-graduate/doctoral study of dentistry is as follows:

Licentiate of Medicine or Dentistry:

A Licentiate of Medicine is an academic graduate degree of Dentistry with a duration of 5 to 6 years. For admission to this coursework, students must meet the given requirements:

  • Must have studied Science in grade 12 and an aggregate of 50% marks in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
  • Must be of at least 17 years of age for admission to Finland universities.
  • Must clear NEET examination with 50 percentile.
  • English proficiency test scores comprising IELTS score of 7.5 overall and TOEFL iBT®of 92 with a minimum 22 score in the writing section.

Post-Graduate or Doctoral Degree in Dentistry:

  • Most universities in Finland provide education in Dentistry at the post-graduate or doctoral level with specialization choice in various sub-areas of Oral Sciences. For this, students must fulfill the given entry requirements:
  • Must have completed graduate study in Dentistry or a related medical field with a minimum of 50% or above.
  • Must have a TOEFL iBT® score of 92 overall and no section marks below 20, or IELTS with a 6.5 score overall, with no section marks below 5.5
  • Must have PTE (academic) of 62 overall, with no section marks below 54.
  • Must have Finnish National Certificate of Language Proficiency (English): Proficiency level 5

How to Apply to Dental Schools in Finland?

For admission to dental schools in Finland, students can visit the interested university website.

Once you have decided on the degree program that is the right fit for you, check their entry and admission requirements. Each institution, though, will have its own criteria and list of documents, but the basic paperwork required by all the universities are

The applications are typically submitted online at the official website for Finnish applications. There are two types of applications available: 

  • Joint Application: Apply to six programs with one application
  • Separate Application: Apply directly to a university’s specific program, and there is no limit to the number of programs you can apply

Once you have filled out the application form and uploaded the documents, you will be asked to pay the application fee via debit or credit card. In a few weeks, you will receive the acceptance letter and will have to pay the tuition fee and apply for a student (R1) residence permit.

Dentistry and Related Career Prospects with Salary:

International students completing their education in Finland can opt for a one-year study visa to cover their stay while searching for a job. Once they obtain full-time employment and they can apply for a work-based residence permit. The average salary of a dentist in Finland amounts to EUR 29,362 per year.

Following are some more career prospects available to students who study dentistry in Finland in English with annual remuneration:

  • Orthodontist
  • Chief Dental Officer
  • Periodontist
  • Dental Hygienist
  • Dental Assistant 

Conclusion

Finland is like a box of opportunities ready to be unwrapped. Not only does it offer a distinct Nordic experience, but it also hosts the best universities in Europe that offer specializations in numerous sub-domains of Oral Sciences.

Plus, they provide a year extra residence permit to look for jobs and host various opportunities in health and social services.

To sum up, studying dentistry in Finland is definitely rewarding! 

Read More About Study in Finland:

FAQs

What are the visa requirements to study in Finland?

International students pursuing dentistry from Finnish universities will have to apply for both a travel visa and a student residence permit visa at the nearest Finland embassy or online. To learn more about the requirements, students can visit migri.fi.

Is it allowed to work part-time in Finland while studying?

The great thing about studying in Finland is that your student residence permit allows students to work for up to 25 hours per week. Besides, the living expenses for a student, on average often fall between EUR 700 to EUR 1000.

Neha Uppal

Sr. Content editor

Neha Uppal is a passionate content creator and editor. She carries 7.5+ years of experience working with leading edutech companies where she worked as a Faculty, Community Manager, and Content Marketeer. At upGrad, she is helping out people keep informed about the scopes and opportunities of studying abroad via informational articles/blogs.

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