Master's courses & Clinical Specialisation in Orthodontics 2026-2030

About the training

The clinical training for obtaining specialisation in Orthodontics has been conducted since 1993 at the Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet. The Master’s courses and clinical specialisation in Orthodontics is reviewed and approved by the Board of Higher Education at Karolinska Institutet for fulfillment of a Degree of Master of Medical Science (120 credits) with a Major in Odontology.

The courses provided in the training are designed to meet the requirements of the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (HSLF-FS 2017:77) and follow the recommendations given by the ”Erasmus Committee” (European Journal of Orthodontics 1992,14:85-94; updated (2014) Eur J Orthod. 2014, 36:340-9.

The Division of Orthodontics is a full member of NEBEOP (Network of Erasmus Based European Orthodontic Programs).

Goal

The aim of the Master’s courses and clinical specialisation in Orthodontics is to offer residents specialisation with a broad and solid academic foundation. The education provides knowledge and skills needed for diagnosis and care of children, adolescents and adults with an orthodontic treatment need. The education also emphasises health ethics, pedagogics and leadership.

Place and time

Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet.

Campus Flemingsberg, Stockholm, Sweden.

The Master´s courses and clinical specialisation in orthodontics starts in September 2026 and ends in March 2030.

Content

The Master’s courses and clinical specialisation in Orthodontics comprises three and half year’s full time study and follows a fixed timetable. A total of 120 credits, including orthodontic theory, basic science courses and preparation of a Master’s thesis, are integrated in the weekly schedule.

Each resident will start the treatment of a minimum of 70 patients. In addition, they will finish the treatments of a various number of patients transferred from previous residents. The treatments comprise the whole panorama of orthodontic problems including orthodontic treatment as a part of oral rehabilitation. Exposure to the orthodontic management of patients with cleft lip and palate is included.

In average, each week involves 7 half-day sessions with patient related clinical activities and one full day of theoretical reviews. The remaining sessions are reserved for research, self-study, undergraduate teaching and external courses and congresses. Particular topics are covered by participation in national courses whereby residents from all the postgraduate training centres in Sweden converge.

The residents attend lectures delivered by distinguished lecturers nominated by the European Orthodontic Society. They also attend courses arranged by the Swedish Orthodontic Association, and once during the specialist training they are encouraged to present their research at an international congress. To have full coverage of costs for extramural activities, residents have to apply for membership in the Swedish Orthodontic Association and the European Orthodontic Society.

Examination, certificate and degree

After a minimum of three and half year’s full time service and a final examination conducted by an external examiner, a certificate of Specialisation in Orthodontics is issued by the Department of Dental Medicine. Legitimacy to work as a specialist in Sweden can only be given by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare to dentists who are registered as fully licensed dental practitioners in Sweden at the commencement of specialist training. Master of Medical Science (120 ECTS credits) with a Major in Odontology is issued by the Board of Education at Karolinska Institutet after pass in all courses and defence of the Master’s thesis. It is expected that each thesis generates material which qualifies for presentation at an international congress and publication in peer reviewed scientific journals.

Master's courses as contract education

The master's courses are offered as contract education, in accordance with the Ordinance (SFS 2002:760) on Contract Education at Universities and University Colleges, and the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education's directions for Contract Education at Universities and University Colleges (HSVFS 2003:3).

Thus, the courses can be commissioned only by a legal entity - an organisation, company or the equivalent.

Eligibility requirements

Degree in Dental Surgery from a University recognised by Karolinska Institutet and a minimum of two years (full time) of clinical experience in general practice as a registered dentist.

Application process

Before registering your application, please prepare your documents carefully. All applications must be complete to be considered. Incomplete applications will be rejected.

All documents attached in any other language than English or Swedish must be translated by an official translator.

IMPORTANT: The attached university degree documentation must be scans of the original degree diploma, transcript of record and official translations (if applicable). Karolinska Institutet will not accept scans of copies/certified copies. If your documents have been issued in colour, then you must scan them in colour. Please make sure that you scan all pages (including for example diploma covers, pages which only contain stamps or information on the education system), and make sure that all details are visible.

Application content

The application comprises eight parts as specified below.

1. A detailed EU Curriculum Vitae.
   OBLIGATORY: It is obligatory to use the The Europass Curriculum Vitae (CV) format that can be downloaded or filled in online at https://europass.europa.eu/en.
   Applications without the The Europass Curriculum Vitae (CV) will be rejected.
   
   
2. A personal Letter of Motivation.
   OBLIGATORY: It is obligatory to attach a typed letter of motivation (in English). The letter may consist of a maximum of 2 pages. Handwritten letters of motivation or Letters of motivation that are longer than 2 pages will be rejected.
   
   
3. Degree and diplomas.
   You need to upload documentation of a university degree diploma in dental surgery and an official transcript of records of completed courses and grades for each semester from a recognised institution. The attached documents must be scans of the original degree diploma, transcript of record andofficial translations (if applicable). Karolinska Institutet will not accept scans of copies/certified copies. If your documents have been issued in colour, then you must scan them in colour.  Please make sure that you scan all pages (including for example diploma covers, pages which only contain stamps or information on the education system), and make sure that all details are visible.
   
   
4. Work Certificates.
   A document from your present and all previous employers indicating at least your position, type of clinical activity, period of time employed, amount of working hours in relation to a full time job (each day per week equals to 20% of a full time employment). A minimum of 6 months of the clinical activities have to be related to general dentistry for children and adolescents.
   
   
5. English Language Certificate.
   An internationally recognised certificate of English language studies. The requirements are: A good command of English, documented by an internationally recognised proficiency test such as: TOEFL, IELTS or the equivalent. TOEFL iBT, TOEFL iBT Home Edition or TOEFL iBT Paper Edition with a total score of at least 90 and minimum score of 20 on written test.  Please upload a scan of the test scores. Please also order the test scores directly to Karolinska Institutet by selecting Karolinska Institutet, code 4917, as the recipient. Karolinska Institutet can verify the TOEFL test results electronically after you have selected Karolinska Institutet as the recipient. The test scores can be verified up two years after the test date. IELTS Academic with an overall mark of at least 6.5 and no band less than 5.5. Please upload a scan of the test report form.
   Proficiency tests in English are not required if: If the language of instruction has been English throughout your upper secondary education or during your university studies, please provide a document to certify this.
   
   
6. Recommendations.
   You may include personal recommendations from reputable persons within the field of orthodontics (no more than three recommendations will be considered).
   
   
7. National ID/passport.
   
   
8. Financial Guarantee Certificate.
   If your employer finances the course with a national sponosrship, you must attach a certificate from your sponsor with the responsible persons name and contact details.

Course fee

2 992 500 Swedish Kronor (SEK). No VAT included; no VAT will be added. 

Some countries offer national sponsorship for participants' course fees. Please note that Karolinska Institutet does not offer any sponsorship or scholarships. 

Application 

Apply here if you have national sponsorship.

Apply here if your employer will finance your participation (no sponsorship).

Last day to apply is 12th of June 2025 by 23:59 hrs (Central European Time). Applications received after the deadline will be rejected.

Contact information

If you have any questions please email: 

epe.admissions@ki.se

Terms and conditions

Information about the terms and conditions that apply can be found here.