University of Siena – Studying Dentistry in Italy

If you want to study dentistry in Italy, taught in the English language, then you are in luck! There is only one university that teaches this degree in English, and that is the University of Siena. Just like medicine, dentistry is a 6-year degree

Similar to medicine in English, the Italian dentistry degree has no prerequisite grades, degrees or interviews required. You simply need to have 12 years of schooling completed, speak English, and of course, pass the admission test. If you check all these boxes, you’re in!

The City

Size

A small Tuscan city with a bit over 50,000 people, you will experience a quiet, traditional lifestyle if you choose to study dentistry here. However, despite its small size, you can still enjoy a good student life since the student population makes up such a large amount of the city.

The University Location

You will be at the Polo Scientifico di San Miniato. Located a bit outside of the city, you will still not struggle to travel to this area as the city is so small. Walking and cycling are options, while buses will be the fastest choice. 

Transport

As mentioned, the small size of the city means that walking and cycling are easy ways to get around. Buses will be your best bet regarding public transport and will cost you around 20-30 euros per month. A Student’s three-month pass costs €56.00. Buses operate from early morning to around midnight (7 days per week). 

You can find more information here https://www.tiemmespa.it/viaggia-con-noi/tariffe-siena/ 

Weather

With a rather temperate climate, Siena will not overwhelm you with overly hot or cold temperatures. For summer expect an average temperature of 23°C with highs approaching 30, and for winter expect averages of 6°C with lows approaching 0. You can get snow in winter, but it is rare. The city is also quite windy

Cost of Living

Rent will vary, but is generally quite affordable. University accommodation is around 300 euros per month for a single room, while a single room in the centre will cost you 400 euros per month or more. You can reduce this price a bit by going further from the centre. If you choose shared accommodation, you can go lower to about 250-300 per room (depending on location). 

Food and amenities are about the same as in Rome. Going out to a restaurant is fairly standard prices for Italy. You can expect around 10 euros for a cheap restaurant and 20-25 for something fancier. There are luckily almost no tourist traps in this city, so you are less likely to be ripped off.

Safety

Siena is safe. It is a small town and is quite developed, so you are unlikely to experience crime. Nevertheless, you should always exercise common sense.

Activities

Siena is a quiet town, so the activities typically enjoyed are more relaxed (think bars, restaurants, parks etc). Nevertheless, the vibrant student community means there are ample opportunities to party but do not expect to be spoiled for choice regarding nightlife. 

The central piazza is beautiful and covered with beautiful buildings and churches. 

If you like horses, the Palio di Siena is held twice per year, which is a world-famous horse race. It is held in the Contrade of Siena. 

The University

The Campus

The university hospital is about 20 minutes from the city centre and is called the Polo Scientifico di San Miniato. This is where you will have your lessons. 

The Students

There are 28 places for EU students and 15 places for non-EU students. The class is quite small and fairly international. Most 28 places are given to Italians. 

Exams

Exams can either be oral or written. There are 4 exam dates per year for a subject, though this can be increased. You can reject grades you do not like, and take the exam again at a later date

Tuition Fees

Fees range from €0 to €5000 per year, but the actual amount depends on your family income (ISEE). You can use this calculator to get a better idea https://supportesse3.unisi.it/tasse20_21/index.php

Competitiveness

Dentistry is generally less competitive than medicine. However, this is the only dentistry course taught in English in Italy (and there are not many seats), so if demand for this course increases, you can expect competition to increase significantly. Here are the past IMAT scores required for entry

Scholarships

Regional scholarships are handled by DSU Toscana and can provide you with lump sum payments, dormitories, and reduced fee lunches at Mensa canteens. Your eligibility depends on your ISEE. Check out their website for more information https://www.dsu.toscana.it/web/ardsu/-/borsa-di-studio-a-a-2022-23 

Canteen Facilities

There is a Mensa (state-sponsored fee reduced canteen) as well as a bar, café and restaurant at the university campus.

Attendance

You are most often required to attend 75% of your lectures. Failure to do this can result in a lower grade, extra tasks before sitting the exam and in the absolute worst case the requirement to attend the course again (very rare).

For many courses these attendance rules are not enforced, you will have to see what each lecturer is like. 

What Subjects Will I Study?

Year 1

• C.I. CHEMISTRY
• CHOSEN BY THE STUDENT
• I.C. APPLIED BIOLOGY
• I.C. HISTOLOGY AND ANATOMY
• I.C. QUANTITATIVE METHODS
• I.C. SCIENTIFIC METHODS, BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES AND CRITICAL THINKING
• OTHER LANGUAGES
• TRAINING COURSE ON HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK – HIGH RISK – UNDER ART. 37 OF ITALIAN LEGISLATIVE DECREE 81/08

Year 2

• CHOSEN BY THE STUDENT
• DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING AND RADIOTHERAPY
• I.C. BASICS OF DENTISTRY
• I.C. BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY
• I.C. GENERAL PATHOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY
• I.C. PHYSIOLOGY
• PATHOLOGIC ANATOMY

Year 3

• I.C. DENTAL MATERIALS AND PROSTHETIC DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
• I.C. MEDICAL SCIENCES I
• I.C. MICROBIOLOGY AND HYGIENE
• I.C. ORAL PATHOLOGY AND DERMATOLOGY
• I.C.DENTAL MATERIALS AND PROSTHETIC AND LABORATORY TECHNOLOGIES
• PHARMACOLOGY

Year 4

• I. C. MEDICAL SCIENCES II
• I. C.GNATHOLOGY
• I.C. NEUROLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY
• I.C. ORAL AND DENTAL SCIENCES
• I.C. ORAL SURGERY
• LEGAL MEDICINE

Year 5

• I. C. DENTAL PROSTHODONTICS
• I. C. IMPLANTOLOGY
• I. C. ORTHODONTICS
• I.C. PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
• I.C. PERIODONTOLOGY
• I.C. RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY
• I.C.MAXILLO-FACIAL PATHOLOGY AND THERAPY

Year 6

• FINAL TEST
• I.C. INTEGRATED ORAL AND DENTAL THERAPY I
• I.C. INTEGRATED ORAL AND DENTAL THERAPY II

More Information

Course website: https://dentistry.unisi.it/en

Summary of the degree: https://en.unisi.it/ugov/degree/18094