Algeria's public higher-education network is run by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS). The ministry's Study in Algeria portal describes 117 institutions in 48 of the 58 provinces (55 universities, 9 university centres, 40 national higher schools and 13 teacher-training schools) and states that since 1962 the country has trained more than 65,000 international students from 62 countries. Degrees follow the LMD system: a three-year bachelor's, a two-year master's and a three-year doctorate, plus five-year engineering degrees and longer medical programmes.
Since Presidential Decree No. 25-83 of 20 February 2025, foreign students can enrol on a fee-paying, contract basis, provided the host institution admits them within the seats allocated each year. Applications go through the Study in Algeria platform. For the 2026 intake the portal lists applications from 13 January to 30 June 2026 (later extended to 15 September 2026), ministry and university review in July-August, registration in September and classes from October. The portal says it is separate from the state-to-state cooperation scholarship programme, which is organised through bilateral channels rather than this open-enrolment route.
The ministry's published open-enrolment fee table for 2025-2026 is in US dollars per year: for universities, bachelor's 1,000 (science and technology) or 800 (social and human sciences); master's 2,000 or 1,500; PhD 3,000 or 2,500; medicine 3,000 for the pre-clinical and clinical cycles and 4,500 for residency. Elite national higher schools in Algiers (for example artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, mathematics and the Polytechnic School) are listed at 3,500 per year. University residences are listed at 15 USD per month. Languages of instruction are Arabic, French and English depending on the field; students who do not master the language of instruction take an intensive language course at the institution's language centre (CEIL).
Entry requires a visa issued by an Algerian embassy or consulate in the applicant's place of residence; a study visa is supported by proof of registration at an approved institution and proof of funds or a scholarship. After arrival, the stay is regularised with a foreigner's resident card from the local police services. Official sources found do not state student work rights or a post-study stay route, and the Study in Algeria portal gives no visa fee or processing time; these remain unverified. The UK FCDO advises against all travel within 30 km of several land borders and rates the terrorism threat as high; check current official advice before travel.
