The Dentistry and Oral Surgery Program is part of Al Arab University for Medical & Technological Sciences. It was established under University Board Chairman’s Decision No. 1 of 2024 and is based at the university’s administrative campus in Benghazi. Teaching began in October of the 2024–2025 academic year.
The program comprises five academic years followed by a one-year compulsory internship, leading to a bachelor’s degree in Dentistry and Oral Surgery.
Vision
Leadership and excellence in dentistry, scientific research and community service.
Mission
To provide outstanding education and prepare competent, ethical dentists who can deliver preventive and therapeutic services and play an effective role in research serving society.
Objectives
- Prepare dental and oral surgery professionals with strong scientific knowledge, professional competence and behavioral skills.
- Enrich dental and oral surgery research and meet community needs in this field.
- Strengthen community participation through seminars, conferences, workshops and training in dentistry and oral surgery.
- Build academic and research cooperation with equivalent programs locally and internationally.
Language of Instruction
English is the language of instruction.
Study System and Academic Calendar
The program follows an annual academic system in which students take a set of courses each year using earned credit hours. Each academic year allocates 28–32 weeks to teaching according to the University Council’s approved academic plan. This includes final examinations and excludes registration.
- The Ministry of Education determines the start and end of study, the midyear break and examinations, taking account of faculties requiring practical training. Study may be suspended or interrupted only by a ministry decision.
- The academic year normally begins on October 1 and ends on July 31, unless the Ministry of Higher Education directs otherwise.
- The University Council determines the timing and method of partial examinations, which must not exceed three consecutive weeks. It may approve other academically appropriate assessment methods by a decision issued before the academic year begins.
- First-round examinations begin in early June and end in early July; second-round examinations begin in the last week of July and end in mid-August. The regulations also set a first-round examination period from mid-May to the second half of June.
- The academic year and examination dates may be changed on the Program Director’s recommendation with University Council approval, in accordance with applicable rules. Examinations in total must not exceed twelve weeks in the academic year.
Stages of Study
- Preclinical stage: three academic years, covering years one, two and three.
- Clinical stage: two academic years, covering years four and five.
- Internship: one full calendar year of compulsory training.
Admission Requirements
- A general secondary school certificate in the science stream, or an equivalent qualification recognized by the competent recognition authority.
- Medical fitness, freedom from communicable diseases, and the ability to undertake theoretical and practical study.
- The minimum percentage set by the University Council.
- Good conduct.
- Full-time study without concurrent enrollment in another university or higher institute.
- No more than three years since completion of secondary education.
- Payment of the prescribed fees.
- Passing an admission examination if the University Council decides to hold one.
International Applicants
International students may be admitted if they maintain lawful residence in Libya throughout their studies and pay tuition according to university regulations, subject to reciprocity provisions in relevant international agreements.
They must also hold a recognized science-stream secondary certificate or equivalent, meet the University Council’s required percentage, be medically fit and free from communicable diseases, be able to undertake theoretical and practical study, demonstrate good conduct, study full time without concurrent enrollment elsewhere, have completed secondary education no more than three years earlier, and pay the prescribed fees.
Transfers from Equivalent Programs
The Program Director may approve transfers from equivalent faculties, subject to available capacity:
- The applicant must meet the admission conditions in Article 5 of the program’s internal regulations.
- Certified documentation must identify the courses taken, their syllabuses and evidence of passing the courses proposed for equivalence.
- The program’s equivalence committee assesses the application. It may interview the student or require an oral or written examination, separately or in combination. Registration cannot take place before equivalence is completed. Specialized courses require at least 60%; general courses require at least 50%, as specified in Article 14(2). Courses not accepted for equivalence must be repeated.
- Course syllabuses must match at least 75% of the corresponding program content, with no fewer teaching hours and due consideration of the scientific component.
- The student must have passed the requirements for progression to the year of transfer.
- The student must complete at least half the total study period within the program before graduation.
- The student must complete courses not previously studied or not accepted for equivalence, as required for the degree.