Studying Dentistry in Russia in the 2025-2026 Academic Year

مقدمه

Studying dentistry in Russia has become one of the most popular choices for Iranian students, especially in recent years.

The combination of high educational quality, international accreditation of qualifications, etc. has made Russia a serious destination for dental applicants.

In this guide, we review the admission requirements, the pre-requisite course, the current costs of dentistry at universities approved by the Iranian Ministry of Health, and important points about language, scholarships, and career prospects.

It is possible to study in Russian or, at some universities, in English.

For the Russian language, you usually have to take a pre-requisite course first.

1. Global validity of documents

Russian medical and dental degrees are recognized by organizations such as WHO and UNESCO, and many Russian universities are on the list approved by the Iranian Ministry of Health.

This means that after graduation, it is possible to:

Equivalence of degree and work in Iran

Continue studying or working in other countries (Europe) by passing equivalence tests

.

2. Affordable tuition and living costs

Compared to Europe, America, and even some Asian countries, tuition and living costs in Russia are lower.

This makes studying dentistry in Russia very reasonable in terms of return on investment (ROI).

3. Possibility to study in Russian or English

You have two main paths:

Study in Russian: Lower tuition

Study in English: Usually higher tuition

Education system and duration of dental education in Russia

Duration of dental course: 5 years (main course)

Type of degree: Doctor of Dental Sciences (DDS)

After that, it is possible to enter specialization courses (residency) for 2 to 4 years.

General course structure

First and second year: Basic science courses (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, medical Russian, etc.)

Third to fifth year: Specialized courses and clinical work in clinics and teaching hospitals

Dental Residency Course in Russia (2025–2026)

To study dentistry in Russian, you usually need to take a pre-requisite course first.

Padfak Course Specifications

Duration of the course: about 11 months (from October to August) Tuition varies depending on the university, the duration of the course and the conditions of holding it in person or online

Tuition for in-person pre-doctoral training: varies from about 180 thousand rubles to more than 320 thousand rubles

Online pre-doctoral training: varies from about 145,000 rubles to 225 thousand rubles

Hostel fee (if there is space): about 1,200 rubles per month

Note: Admission to the pre-doctoral training does not mean a definite admission to the main course, but in many universities the admission path after the pre-doctoral training is much simpler.

Current cost of studying dentistry in Russia without exams

These amounts may change slightly each year and should be re-checked before final registration.

1. Tuition for the postgraduate course (medicine/dentistry)

11-month in-person tuition: about 438,000 rubles

Online tuition: about 145,000 rubles

Dorm: about 1,200 rubles per month (subject to availability)

2. Annual dentistry tuition at universities approved by the Iranian Ministry of Health

• The cost of the first year of the main course (in Russian) at approved universities is
• approximately as follows:
• Semashko (Evdokimovo) University – Moscow: 1,064,500 rubles per year
• Pavlov University – St. Petersburg: 483,000 rubles per year
• St. Petersburg National University: 475,000 rubles per year
• Kazan Federal University: 594,000 rubles per year

The main list of Russian universities approved by the Iranian Ministry of Health for medical and dental programs:

• Evdokimova (Semashko)
• State Medical and Dental
• University – Moscow
• Lomonosov State
• University – Moscow
• Novosibirsk State
• University
• Pavlov University – St.
• Petersburg
• Kazan Federal University
• St. Petersburg State
• University
• Tomsk University
• Russian National Research Medical University (Piragov)

Each of these universities differs in terms of:

World ranking, educational and clinical facilities, level of admission rigor, and the final choice should be made based on budget, preferred city, language of study, and ultimate goal (return to Iran or immigration).

Minimum GPA for studying dentistry in Russia

In general, there is no official and strict minimum GPA defined for all universities.

Some universities (such as St. Petersburg National) give special consideration to high GPA (for example, 19 and above) for admission without exams.

In some courses, such as Pavlov’s Podfek, priority is given to higher GPA due to limited capacity.

Therefore, it is possible to apply even with an average GPA, but for top universities and exam-free paths, a high GPA is an important advantage.

Required documents for admission to dentistry in Russia

• High school diploma + transcripts (with at least 50% in physics, chemistry, biology)
• Valid passport (valid for at least 18 months)
• Medical certificate + HIV test + chest x-ray
• Application form
• All documents must be officially translated into Russian.

After reviewing the documents, the university issues a preliminary acceptance letter. Then, the tuition fee must be paid and you apply for a Russian study visa from the embassy with an invitation.

Language of study: Russian or English

Study in Russian → Lower tuition fees, better job opportunities within Russia

Study in English → Higher tuition fees, suitable for those who do not want to delve deeply into the Russian language, but the number of approved English-speaking universities is more limited.

Dental specialization in Russia:

Offered in Russian only.

Course duration: approximately 3-4 years

Requirements:

• General Dentistry Degree
• Admission to the Specialty Entrance Exam

Scholarships and discounts

Russian government scholarships and university-specific scholarships

are very limited and usually competitive, and are mostly awarded based on high GPA, good grades throughout their studies, and a strong motivation letter.

Work and residence after studying dentistry in Russia

After graduation, it is possible to obtain a temporary residence permit and then a work visa.

After a few years of work and paying taxes, it is possible to apply for permanent residence.

To work in the medical field, proficiency in Russian is absolutely essential.

If you plan to return to Iran, you should:

Choose a university approved by the Ministry of Health from the beginning.

After returning, go through the process of equivalence of degrees and take internal exams.

Conclusion

Studying dentistry in Russia for people who

They don’t want to be involved in the Iranian entrance exam, they are looking for a valid and equivalent degree in Iran, they want to study dentistry at a more reasonable cost than in Europe, it is recommended.

By choosing the right university, knowing the exact costs (based on updated prices), and planning properly, you can create a safe and promising educational path for yourself.

The International Foundation Student Sending Institute (studentvisa.ir) is with you at all stages, from choosing a university to obtaining a visa and registering.