BDS in China vs BDS in UAE – Which Is Better for Omani Students in 2025?

Home > BDS in China vs BDS in UAE – Which Is Better for Omani Students in 2025?

Choosing where to study dentistry is an important decision in life; Omani students mainly include China and UAE. While both destinations provide high career opportunities and good standards of education. China offers greater global recognition, more scholarships, and affordable living costs. We prepare a complete comparison between BDs in China vs BDS in UAE, explaining every aspect, from admission requirements, cost of living, to career opportunities.

Overview: BDS in China vs BDS in the UAE

When comparing BDS in China vs BDS in the UAE, Oman students should get a quick overview of both structures, education standards, and accessibility. Both destinations are best for dental education, but China is better in every aspect, giving a better return on investment. Read the comparison below and find out which is the ideal choice for your dental career.

Categories Comparison

Categories	BDS in China	BDS in UAE
Duration of Program	The time duration typically spans for BDS in China around 5 years. Last year was dedicated to hospital-based clinical internship.	Timelines generally last for 5 years for BDS in the UAE. The final year is for professional clinical internships.
Clinical internship	Mandatory (1 Year or 6 months)	Mandatory (1 Year)
Teaching Style	Mainly focus on practical learning, like problem-solving learning, case discussion, and research-based learning.	Mostly theory-focused, developing professional skills, lectures, small-group learning, and research integration.
Internationalization	More enrollments of international students, a hub for GCC students.	Mostly locals, but a great number of Middle East students enrolled in UAE BDS programs.
Medium of instruction	English-medium offered in MOE-listed universities	English-medium dental education
Cultural Environment	Multi-cultural and peaceful environment is different for Omani students	Shared culture and modern urban environments
Entrance Examination Process	Simple & straightforward admission system, no entry exam required.	Requires passing the EmSAT, competitive, and a low success rate.
Recognitions	A BDS degree from China is approved globally and a higher choice for international students, like: UAE, Europe, GCC, WHO, and WFME. Pakistan and others.	The UAE BDS degree is accredited in the UAE & GCC states.
IELTS required	Chinese dental institutions don't require any English proficiency exam like IELTS.	For admission in English-taught UAE universities, Omani students are required to pass IELTS with 5.5 to 6.0 scores.
Scholarship	The Chinese government sponsors several students with fully or partially funded scholarships that cover the full financial burden.	A small number of merit-based scholarships are available for Omani students, difficult to secure.
Standards of living	Affordable lifestyle and tuition fees for BDS	The most expensive lifestyle and Tuition fees for BDS
Degree requirements	12 years of education in science subjects.	Hold a high school diploma with higher scores in the science program
Credit hours	220-240	210-230
Admission Competition	Moderate	Highly competitive
Reputation and accreditation	Mostly, Chinese dental colleges are listed globally	A less reputable and recognized dental institution
Education Standards	Follow the internationally benchmarked dental education system	Follow the European model, UK-based

BDS in China vs UAE Tuition Fees & Cost of Living

To help Omani students in making informed decisions, understanding tuition fees and living expenses is crucial. The table below compares the average BDS in China and the UAE, helping Omani students understand affordable dental studies.

Expense Category	BDS in China (Average per Year in OMR)	BDS in UAE (Average per Year in OMR)
Tuition Fee	OMR 1,900	OMR 9,800
Accommodation Rent	OMR 260	OMR 2,100
Food Expenses	OMR 340	OMR 1,000
Transportation	OMR 70	OMR 280
Utilities & Internet	OMR 60	OMR 340
Books & Study Materials	OMR 60	OMR 170
Health Insurance	OMR 50	OMR 280
Visa Renewal	OMR 60	OMR 240
Personal Expenses	OMR 280	OMR 850
Total Estimated Annual Cost	≈ OMR 3,080 per year	≈ OMR 15,060 per year

Admission requirements for BDS in China vs BDS in UAE

The BDS admission requirements in China vs the UAE vary in terms of entry standards, language requirements, and academic criteria. Below are side-by-side comparisons explaining the complete admission requirements for both countries.

Categories	BDS in China requirements	BDS in UAE requirements
Qualification	12 years of schooling with science subjects include Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.	High school diploma with excellent performance in science subjects, including Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
Academic scores	Usually, 60-70% scores are enough to secure admission in any high-ranking Chinese dental college.	Generally, the academic criteria are very high, between 80-90% with higher scores in science subjects.
Age limits	For Omani applicants, Chinese universities accept an age limit between 17-25 years.	The ages are often minimum 17 to maximum 24 for almost all UAE dental universities.
English Proficiency Exams	Omani students with an English-medium previous education background are acceptable. Sometimes a brief English interview is conducted.	The UAE dental colleges require competitive English proficiency exams like IELTS or TOEFL with a score of 5.5 to 6.0 at least, sometimes higher.
Entrances exam	Chinese admission is very straightforward, unlike any university entrance exam conducted; admission is primarily based on a high-school degree.	The competitive dental college Exam EMSAT, conducted every year necessary to pass to increase admission chances. Additionally, the interview is also conducted.
Nationality	Opens for all GCC students, including Oman.	Prioritize GCC students, including Oman.
Health Requirements	To apply for BDS in China, students need to prove their health with a medical fitness certificate. The certificate includes a blood test, Chest X-rays and vision. The vaccinations, such as Hepatitis B, tetanus, and MMR, are advised for all Omani students.	To study BDS in the UAE, students should have good health. The medical certificates are mandatory and include vaccination proofs (X-ray, Varicella, and Polio), and health screening.
Documentation	Passport valid for at least six months, Visa application form, JW201 form, Police Clearance Certificate, Legal residence status, Transcript & certificates of high school, Personal statements	High school diploma certificate attested by the Omani MOE and the UAE Embassy in Muscat, IELTS, TOEFL proof, Passport with at least 12 months' validity, Police Clearances Certificate, Admission letter, ESMAT (Emirates Standardized Test) by the UAE MOE

BDS in China vs BDS in UAE Career Opportunities After Graduation

For Omani students aiming to build a rewarding dental career, both the UAE and China offer good opportunities. Here's a closer look at which career paths await you after securing a BDS degree, either in China or UAE.

Career Opportunities After BDS in China

1. Eligibility for MOH/DHA Licensing

Graduates from WHO-listed and MOE-approved Chinese dental universities are fully eligible for MOH or DHA licensing after completing equivalence procedures in Oman or the UAE. This makes it simple for Omani students to return home and begin the process of professional registration through:

Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB)
Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
UAE Ministry of Health (MOH)

2. International Internships and Practical Training

Most Chinese universities include clinical internships in international or university-affiliated hospitals, giving students hands-on training in modern dental technology.

3. Opportunity to Pursue MDS or Practice Abroad

After completing BDS, students can pursue MDS or PhD programs in China with affordable tuition or full scholarships. Graduates also have the flexibility to apply for international licensing exams, like:

INBDE (USA)
ORE (UK)
ADC (Australia)

This makes Chinese degrees globally competitive and suitable for careers anywhere in the world.

4. Why China Is Better for Omani Students

For Omani students, BDS in China offers unmatched career flexibility. It provides:

Global and GCC-wide recognition.
Affordable specialization options.
Clinical experience in top-tier hospitals.
Pathways to practice in Oman, UAE, or other countries.

Career Opportunities After BDS in UAE

1. Practice After Passing MOH/DHA Exams

Students who complete BDS in the UAE can practice within the country after passing the DHA, DOH, or MOH licensing exams. These are mandatory for all dentists who want to work independently in the UAE.

2. Employment and Career Growth

The UAE has a high local employment rate in private dental clinics and hospitals. However, spots for non-UAE graduates are limited, and competition is strong. Omani students often start as dental assistants or interns before moving to full-time dentist positions after gaining experience and clearing additional licensing requirements.

3. Postgraduate Options

Postgraduate or MDS programs in the UAE are well-developed but expensive and limited in availability. Unlike China, scholarships for international students are rare, which makes continuing education in the UAE less affordable for most Omani students.