MDS in Germany for International Students: Comprehensive Guide

The most important reason to choose MDS in Germany is that it trains dentists in 3D-guided implant placement, which Indian programs rarely cover, so you learn skills for 20 percent higher success rates in procedures. 

Below are other reasons why one should study MDS in Germany: 

• High-Quality Education: Germany runs five dental universities in the top 50 QS Rankings 2025 that test new composites on 10,000 patients yearly. You work in setups at Heidelberg that match EU standards for specialist titles.
• MDS Specializations in Germany: Germany lists over 50 tracks in the dental field that add to BDS with 1,000 clinical hours. You choose implantology or endodontics, where 85 percent of students treat live cases from day one.
• Research and Innovation: Germany funds EUR 1.2 billion in oral health R&D that supports student theses on laser gum therapy. If you join to study in Germany at RWTH Aachen, your work contributes to projects that help shape clinical guidelines followed by over 15,000 dentists.
• Multicultural Experience: Germany draws 10,000 dental students from abroad who rotate in Berlin teams with 500 Indian peers. You build contacts in groups that host 50 visa workshops yearly for smooth starts.

Best German universities for MDS, like TUM and LMU, rank high in QS for dentistry and provide English/German master's that align with MDS goals. Indian students favor them for low fees and approbation support.

Below is the list of the best universities in Germany for MDS with QS 2026 ranks:

Let's get into the details on each university and the dental programs they run, which match MDS for Indian students.

Technical University of Munich (TUM)

TUM offers a 2-year MSc in Oral Implantology with 120 ECTS, where you spend 90 minutes in lectures and 15 hours a week on clinical simulations. You learn surgical planning and prosthetic integration, and you explore digital implant workflows and discuss cases in seminars with other disciplines.

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich)

LMU Munich’s 2-year MSc in Orthodontics includes 120 ECTS, with 90-minute lectures and 18-hour weekly lab sessions covering appliance mechanics. You practice cephalometric analysis, retention protocols, and patient care in supervised rotations. Graduates earn Fachzahnarzt recognition and gain strong clinic leadership skills.

Heidelberg University

Heidelberg provides a 2-year MSc-equivalent in Esthetic Dentistry totaling 120 ECTS. Students attend 90-minute lectures and 16 hours of weekly workshops on veneers, color matching, and adhesive restorations. You complete a research-based thesis to specialize in cosmetic dentistry.

Free University of Berlin

Freie Universität Berlin, with Charité, offers a 2-year MSc in Periodontology with 120 ECTS. You join 90-minute seminars and 20-hour weekly clinical rotations focusing on non-surgical therapies and regeneration. The program gives exposure to hospital-level patient care.

RWTH Aachen University

RWTH Aachen runs a 1.5-year blended MSc in Periodontology with 60 ECTS, featuring 8 to 10-hour daily blocks and two-day attendance modules. You cover diagnostics, operative procedures, and manage clinical cases. The final semester focuses on a thesis analyzing periodontal disease treatment.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

KIT offers a 2-year MSc in Oral Surgery with 120 ECTS, where you attend 90-minute lectures and 18-hour weekly surgical labs on maxillofacial trauma. You practice preoperative planning and postoperative care in simulations. This program helps you with interdisciplinary surgical skills and EU dental readiness.

Humboldt University of Berlin

Humboldt University offers a 2-year MSc in Prosthodontics with 120 ECTS. Lectures last 90 minutes, and students spend 16 hours weekly in CAD labs and clinics on crowns, bridges, and occlusal adjustments. You gain strong restorative dentistry skills for clinical practice.

Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin)

TU Berlin’s 2-year MSc in Pediatric Dentistry totals 120 ECTS, with 90-minute seminars and 20-hour weekly clinics focusing on behavior guidance and preventive care. You work on sealants, early orthodontics, and pediatric treatments in hospitals. The program prepares you for specialized youth dental services.

University of Hamburg

Universität Hamburg offers a 2-year MSc in Oral Pathology with 120 ECTS, combining 90-minute lab sessions and 15-hour weekly microscopy work on biopsies and histopathology. You study molecular markers and tumor diagnostics in your thesis research.

University of Freiburg

Freiburg offers a 2-year MSc in Conservative Dentistry with 120 ECTS. You spend 90 minutes in lectures and 18 hours in clinical sessions weekly, learning adhesive techniques, pulp care, and aesthetic repairs. The program supports approbation and specialization in restorative dentistry.

Germany excels in areas like implantology and orthodontics, so you get to select programs tied to its 40,000 dental clinics. Indians target these for 80 percent employability in specialist roles.

Here are the popular specializations that extend your BDS and open doors at big companies:

• Oral Surgery: Focuses on the surgical treatment of teeth, jaws, and surrounding oral tissues.
• Orthodontics: Deals with the alignment of teeth and jaws using braces and corrective appliances.
• Periodontology: Concentrates on the gums, periodontal ligament, and supporting structures of teeth.
• Prosthodontics: Specializes in restoring and replacing missing teeth with crowns, bridges, and dentures.
• Endodontics: Focuses on the tooth pulp and root canal treatments.
• Pediatric Dentistry: Dedicated to dental care for children, including primary (baby) teeth and oral development.

Indian BDS holders should begin with APS verification to align their degrees with German standards, and they should make sure they are meeting the country’s clinical and language requirements for patient-facing courses.

Eligibility Criteria 

Here  we’ve explained the main eligibility criteria for MDS in Germany:

• Good Academic Records: You must have completed a BDS degree with 60 to 70 percent marks (CGPA 7.0 to 7.5 / German GPA 2.5) to qualify for MDS programs.
• German Language Proficiency: You need a C1-level certification in German (TestDaF 4 or DSH-2), and some programs may require IELTS 6.5 if English-taught modules are included.
• APS Certificate: Indian students must obtain this certificate, which involves embassy verification of the BDS degree, typically taking 8 to 12 weeks.
• Clinical Experience: One year of post-BDS clinical experience is preferred for specialist tracks to ensure practical readiness.
• Other Tests: You may need to clear the Kenntnisprüfung (knowledge exam) if your degree is not fully equivalent; the GRE is generally not required.

Documents Required 

Here are the main documents you must prepare and submit when applying for MDS in Germany:

• Marksheets and Certificates: You must provide transcripts and the degree certificate to show your academic performance.
• Motivation Letter: A 500-word statement explaining your goals and fit for the chosen program is required.
• Letters of Recommendation (LORs): Two letters from mentors or supervisors highlighting your clinical skills must be included.
• Resume/CV: You should provide a detailed CV that lists your education, internships, and professional achievements.
• Passport: A valid passport copy is required for visa processing and identification purposes.
• Other Supporting Documents: You may also need to submit approbation proof, work certificates, or a portfolio if required.

To apply for MDS in Germany, most candidates submit their applications through uni-assist, which charges a verification fee of EUR 75 (₹7,706). Make sure to also follow individual university portals for the latest updates and specific requirements.

Here are the main steps for applying to MDS in Germany:

• Step 1 - Research Universities and Courses: Look for 3-5 MSc tracks that match your BDS specialization and
• Step 8 - Await Decision and Apply for Visa: Universities res career goals.
• Step 2 - Get APS Certificate: Submit your BDS documents to the German embassy in India for the APS certificate.
• Step 3 - Prepare Academic Documents: Collect, attest, and scan all BDS marksheets and degree certificates.
• Step 4 - Achieve Language Proficiency: Pass C1 German (TestDaF/DSH) or IELTS 6.5 if required for English modules.
• Step 5 - Write Motivation Letter: Draft a 500-word letter explaining your career objectives and program choice.
• Step 6 - Secure Letters of Recommendation: Obtain two letters from professors or supervisors highlighting your clinical and academic abilities.
• Step 7 - Submit via Uni-Assist or University Portal: Upload documents, pay the fee, and apply to multiple universities.pond within 6-10 weeks. Use the admission offer to apply for a German student visa (Type D).

Dental students in Germany budget EUR 9,500 to 11,500 yearly (INR 9.79 L to 11.85 L) as most public universities in Germany charge no tuition fees. This budget supports part-time work at dental clinics, where you earn EUR 12/hour for up to 120 days annually to offset material costs.

Tuition Fee 

Here are the key points on tuition fees for MDS programs in Germany:

• Public dental programs at universities like LMU Munich charge zero tuition, letting Indian students redirect funds to clinical rotations.
• Semester contributions range from EUR 200 to 350 (INR 20,600 to 36,050) and pay for student union fees plus unlimited regional train travel.
• Select private dental institutes, including those linked to Goethe Frankfurt, run EUR 14,000 to 20,000 annually (INR 14.42 L to 20.6 L).

Cost of Living in Germany

Below is the table showing the approximate monthly and annual costs of living in Germany for MDS students:

DAAD backs 1,000 dental Indians yearly with grants covering clinics and books. You can apply post-admission, with 25 percent success on BDS scores and essays.

Below is the table showcasing Germany scholarship options for the MDS program with eligibility and benefits:

You get to tap 3,000 annual dental vacancies as clinics expand in implant tech. Germany aims for zero oral disease by 2030, with growing pediatric roles of 12 percent yearly. You can extend your stay with an 18-month Germany job seeker visa.

Below is the table showcasing 10 popular job roles along with their estimated annual salaries:

Handling MDS applications in Germany overwhelms many students, particularly with the approbation and FSP steps. A frequent hurdle is matching BDS to German equivalence amid tight intakes. Our advice: leverage DAAD early, calendar deadlines, and consult alumni for clinic insights.

Yocket Premium eases this with custom BDS matches, FSP prep, and expert chats on APS. It monitors apps and spots scholarships, cutting errors for seamless starts.