France is one of the best European destinations to study dentistry. Studying dentistry in France, which is also called the field of dental surgery or odontology, provides international students with the opportunity to work and practice in oral health professions. The duration of French dental education is at least 6 years, but it can be completed in 9 years in the case of specialized dental education. To study dentistry in France, you should note that all medical and paramedical programs generally start with a common core in the first year called PACES. In this article, we, the experts of Esthebanati Immigration Institute, describe how to study dentistry in France and its conditions and requirements.
Studying dentistry in France is very promising for international students and full of great student life experience in one of the best countries in the world. As an introduction, the following information about dental universities in France is provided:
Number of dental universities in France | 48 College of Dentistry |
Number of dental students in France | Sorbonne University has about 42,000 students, Paris Diderod University about 29,000, Paris-Sud University about 29,000, Toulouse Federal University about 100,000, Grenoble-Alpes University about 40,000 and Montpelier University about 40,000 students. |
Number of international students in dentistry in France | About 8% of the total number of students studying (the number of international students to study medicine and dentistry is more than 18,000 students annually.) |
Average salary of dentists in France | About 5.000 euros per month |
Advantages of studying dentistry in France
International students get the following benefits by studying in French dental universities:
- High-quality education: France is known for its high standard of education and has several prestigious universities and dental schools that offer comprehensive and rigorous dental programs.
- Obtaining an international degree: BDS degree from a prestigious French university has international recognition and ensures that graduates have the academic requirements and standards necessary for dental work in different countries.
- Clinical experience and practical training: Dental programs in France emphasize clinical practical training to provide students with hands-on experience.
- Research opportunities: BDS studies in France provide opportunities for students to participate in research projects, collaborate with professionals in the field, and contribute to the advancement of dental science.
- International life experience: Studying in France provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in French language, culture and heritage, and interaction with a diverse student community from around the world enhances intercultural understanding and networking opportunities.
- Access to advanced dental technologies: French dental schools are equipped with advanced facilities and advanced dental technology. Students learn dentistry using the latest tools and methodologies.
- Availability of job opportunities: France has a well-established health care system that includes a demand for qualified dental professionals. After receiving the BDS degree and meeting the necessary requirements, graduates have opportunities to work in the dental profession in France or explore career opportunities in other countries.
French dental universities
The following table shows the ranking of the best medical universities in France among European countries and the world:
French dental universities | Ranking among European universities | Ranking among world universities |
Polytechnic School | 117 | 329 |
Pierre and Marie Curie University | 127 | 359 |
Paul Sabatier University – Toulouse III | 144 | 410 |
Paris-Sud University | 148 | 420 |
University of Aix-Marseilles | 149 | 421 |
University of Strasbourg University of Strasbourg | 153 | 440 |
University of Bordeaux | 154 | 443 |
Universities approved by Iran's Ministry of Health and Science in France
In the table below, 27 universities approved by Iran's Ministry of Health and Science in France, which are among the best universities in France and the world, are presented:
Dental universities | University city | World ranking in the QS system |
Aix-Marseille University | Marseille | 501-510 |
University of Toulouse | Toulouse | 801-1000 |
National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse | Toulouse | – |
Normandy University | 1201 | Normandy |
Sorbonne University | 72 | Paris |
University of Burgundy | – | Burgundy |
Claude Bernard Lyon University 1 University Claude Bernard Lyon 1 | 651-700 | Lion |
University of Lorraine | 801-1000 | not |
University of Versailles Saint Quentin UVSQ | 801-1000 | Versailles |
University Grenoble Alps University Grenoble Alps | 314 | Grenoble |
Angers University | – | Ange |
University of Boredex | 501-510 | Bordeaux |
University of Lille University of Lille | 801-1000 | Lille |
University of Montpellier | 521-530 | Montpellier |
University of Nant University of Nant | 801-1000 | Nantes |
University of Rennes 1 | 801-1000 | Ren |
University of Strasbourg University of Strasbourg | 421 | Strasbourg |
University of Tours | 501-550 | Net |
University of Cote Azur | 701-750 | not |
University of Paris Nord 13 University Paris 13 Nord | 401-450 | Paris |
University Paris Descartes University Paris Descartes | – | Paris |
University Paris Diderot-Paris 7 | – | Paris |
University Paris-est Creteil Val de Marne | 151-200 | Paris |
Paris-Saclay University | 86 | Paris |
University Paris-sud University Paris-sud | – | Paris |
University Paul Sabatier Toulouse | – | Toulouse |
PSL University. PSL University | 355 | Paris |
The cost of studying dentistry in France
The costs of studying dentistry in France for non-EU students vary from around €5,000 to €20,000 per year depending on the university and the specific study program. The costs of studying dentistry in France in different study levels are:
Degree in French dentistry | Tuition/annual fees |
Bachelor of Dentistry | Annually around 2.770 euros |
Master of Dentistry | Annually around 3.770 euros |
Doctor of Dentistry | About 380 euros per year |
French University of Dentistry | Dental course BDS Bachelor of Dentistry | Duration of study | Dentistry tuition fees for international students from non-EU countries |
University of Paris Descartes | Periodontology | 3 years | About 10,770 euros per year |
University of Strasbourg University of Strasbourg | Oral surgery | 3 years | About 10,770 euros per year |
University of Lyon | Pediatric Dentistry | 3 years | About 10,770 euros per year |
University of Nantes University of Nantes | Dental prostheses | 3 years | About 10,770 euros per year |
University of Lille University of Lille | tooth root | 3 years | About 10,770 euros per year |
University of Marseille | Restorative Dentistry | 2 years | About 21,540 euros per year |
The cost of studying dentistry in France without an exam
Until many years ago, international students had to participate in the medical and dental entrance exam to study French medical and dental sciences. But currently, it is possible to study medicine and dentistry without an entrance exam. Study fees in French public universities are free without an entrance exam, but to study in private universities or English-language universities, students must pay study fees based on the type of university.
Conditions for studying dentistry in France
International students to immigrate to France by studying at dental universities in this country must meet the following conditions:
- Participation in the entrance exam: this exam evaluates students' knowledge in subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, and sometimes includes part of general knowledge related to health care and dentistry.
- Having admission criteria: In addition to the entrance exam, other factors such as academic performance, motivation letter, recommendation letters and sometimes interview may be considered.
- Proficiency in French: Having a certificate of French language proficiency is necessary for admission to dental courses in France. Most universities require a DELF or DALF language test or completion of a French language course.
Age requirements for studying dentistry in France
In general, there is no age limit for studying dentistry and medicine in France. However, it is important to mention that in the competitive admission conditions of French dental universities, naturally, students who have better age conditions succeed in getting admission. Students with a high school diploma should be under 27 years old, and students with a bachelor's or master's degree should be under 32 years old.
GPA requirement to study dentistry in France
International students must have high grades in the basic courses of high school experimental sciences in order to receive a study visa in France and study dentistry in this country. Basic high school courses include mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology and French. In addition, the student's GPA in high school should be around 18. In fact, having a minimum score of 70% or higher from the average of the twelfth year of high school and good grades in subjects such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology and language in high school is required to study dentistry in France.
Duration of dental studies in France
The duration of studying dentistry in France is about 6 years. The first year of study for dental students is shared with students of medicine, physiotherapy, midwifery and pharmacy. At the end of the first year, students must take an exam and only about 20% of students are accepted. There are 16 dental schools in France, not all teaching methods are the same. Before starting the dental course (second year), students must participate in a 2-week course as a caregiver and nurse in the emergency department of public hospitals. The duration of dental studies in France for international students is:
- The academic program of the first and second semesters is embryology, scientific English and dentistry, anatomy and teeth.
- The third and fourth semesters develop the previous topics and practice dental prostheses, endodontic treatments and some prosthetic preparations.
- The fifth and sixth semesters carry out laboratory procedures for patients' prostheses.
- The 7th and 8th semesters of the children's dentistry course learn preventive fillings, fillings and pulpotomy.
- At the end of the fifth year, they participate in the most important exam of the dental course and receive a certificate to write prescriptions as a dentist and work in a dental office.
- During the 9th and 10th semesters, in addition to the clinic, they must work one half day to assist in the department of dentistry or specialized dental surgery and one half day to work for general health care. In one year, they must do 250 hours of internship in a dental office as a dental surgeon.
- Then they can work as dentists and have to present their thesis.
Dentistry entrance exam in France
Since 2020, the French entrance exam for medicine and dentistry has been removed, and students must participate in the PASS or L.AS courses to study in these two courses and obtain the required grades from the exams of these two courses. When the student starts studying in the first year of dentistry, in addition to specialized dental courses, he also takes basic science courses and if he gets the required score in the PASS exam, he can continue his studies in the field of dentistry. In the case of the L.AS exam, the student who studies dentistry in the first year takes the common units with other students and by participating in this exam, he can study dentistry from the second year.
Free dental education in France
International students can study in French public universities for free with a French language certificate and no academic breaks. If to study in private universities in France, students have to spend around 3000 to 4000 euros annually. The most important condition for free education in French public universities is having a French language certificate.
Study dentistry in France without exams
Students do not need to participate in entrance exams to study dentistry in France, but after one year of study, they must participate in specialized exams and get the required score. In fact, first-year dental students study together with other students in medical sciences, and before starting the second year, they must participate in the PASS and L.AS exams and receive the required score.
Necessary documents to obtain admission to French dentistry
The most important documents required for admission to French dentistry are:
- Transcripts, high school diplomas or other educational documents
- High school diploma certificate
- Certificate of French language proficiency: language test certificate such as Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF) or Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française (DALF)
- Academic motivation letter
- Curriculum vitae (CV) including educational background, work experience (if any), extracurricular activities, achievements and any other relevant information
- 3 letters of academic recommendation from teachers, professors or specialists proving the student's scientific abilities, personality and academic characteristics to study dentistry
- Medical health certificate
- Identification documents, copy of passport or national card
- Passport size photo
Dental scholarship in France
French dental universities offer the following scholarships to study dental courses:
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program
Offered by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, this scholarship program provides financial assistance to outstanding international students studying for a master's or doctoral degree in fields such as dentistry. This French scholarship covers monthly stipends, travel expenses, health insurance and more.
French Government Scholarships
The French government offers several scholarships to international students, such as the Charpak Master's Scholarship and the France Excellence-Master Scholarship. These scholarships are based on academic merit and are reserved for master's degree students in various fields, including dentistry.
Erasmus+ Program scholarship
The Erasmus+ Scholarship Program, funded by the European Union, provides financial assistance to international students studying in various fields such as dentistry to study in European countries, including France.
Institutional Scholarships
Many dental universities in France offer scholarships or financial aid programs to support international students. These scholarships can vary in terms of eligibility criteria, coverage and application procedures.
External Scholarships and Grants
Foreign organizations, foundations and governments offer scholarships and grants to international students studying in France. The most important of these scholarships are Fulbright Program, Aga Khan Foundation and Rotary Foundation.
Studying dentistry in France
Dental universities in France offer 4 dental specialties:
- Dental-Surgeon (Dentist)
- Orthodontist
- Oral Surgeon
- Oral doctor
Of these, the last 3 are dental specialties by themselves. General dentistry students can apply for studies in the 5th or 6th year to immigrate to France by studying these dental specialties.
In addition, they must work full-time in dental clinics for several years.
The specialization of oral surgeon is between dentistry and maxillofacial surgeon and the duration is 4 years. The study period of an orthodontist and oral specialist is 3 years. Oral specialist training programs are quite similar to dental surgeons, but because they require more years of work in a hospital, specialists in this field have more advanced medical aspects and practical and theoretical skills of dentistry.
Working while studying dentistry in France
International students studying dentistry in France can work in this country by obtaining a part-time student work permit. Working while studying for international students has 2 big advantages: providing a large part of the costs of studying and living in an expensive country like France and gaining valuable work experience for work and medicine after graduation. The duration of work while studying dentistry in France is up to 20 hours per week. The general wage for each hour of student work in France is around 9.5 euros.
Income of dentists in France
In France, there are about 42,700 dental surgeons (for a population of 67,000,000 in France) and about 85% of them are self-employed in their dental offices. The table below shows the average income and salary of dentists in France:
Average salary of a dentist in France | About 5.000 euros per month |
Income and gross salary of a dentist in private practice in France | Annually around 40,000 to 100,000 euros |
Income and basic salary of a dentist in French public clinics | Around 35,000 to 45,000 euros per year |
Income and salary of a dentist as a university professor or researcher in France | Around 35,000 to 45,000 euros per year |
Income and salary of a specialist dentist in France | Yalane about 60,000 to 150,000 euros |
Residence in France through dental studies
International students studying dentistry in France and graduating, if they find a suitable job in dentistry, can stay in this country and convert their study visa into a work visa. The duration of job search in France is about one to two years. During this job search deadline, graduates can find the desired job in the dental field and search for work by obtaining an APS permit from the French Immigration Office.
last word
In this article, we provided the necessary explanations about studying dentistry in France. In addition, necessary information was explained about entrance exams, studying without exams, costs of studying dentistry and the best dental universities in this country. If you are planning to study dentistry in France and you don't know where to start, the consultants of Istehabanati Immigration Institute will provide you with the best necessary guidance. Among the immigration services of this top immigration institution, we can mention the admission to French universities, admission to French language college courses, obtaining a French study visa, and providing immigration advice until departure to France.
Frequently asked questions about studying dentistry in France
1- Is it possible to study French dentistry in English?
Yes. Some dental colleges in France are approved by MCI and offer study programs in English.
2- What is the duration of studying French dentistry?
Studying French dentistry takes about 5 to 6 years full-time.
3- What is the GPA requirement to study dentistry in France?
The student must have a minimum score of 70% or higher from the twelfth year of high school and good grades in physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology and language in high school.
4- What is the language certificate required to study dentistry in France?
French language diploma DELF and concentrated French language diploma (DALF) or French language certificate at B2 level is required.
5- Which is the best French medical college in English?
Tor Medical College is a college that offers English language programs with tuition fees.
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