The University of Constantine 1, also called Frères Mentouri University, was created by Decree No. 69-54 of 17 June 1969 and stands on the road from the airport to the centre of Constantine.[1] Wikipedia gives about 63,000 students and more than 98 specialisations in 38 departments.[1] It appears in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 in the 2001+ band, and we could not confirm a QS 2027 position.[2]
International students who enrol through the national Study in Algeria portal pay annual fees in US dollars: $1,000 for a bachelor’s in science and technology, $800 in social and human sciences, $2,000 or $1,500 for a master’s and $3,000 or $2,500 for a PhD, under the 2025–26 national schedule.[3] Algerian universities teach in Arabic, French and English depending on the field.[4]
Key facts
| Official name | Université Frères Mentouri – Constantine 1 (Arabic: جامعة الاخوة منتوري قسنطينة 1)[5] |
| Location | Constantine (BP 325, Route de Aïn El Bey, 25017 Constantine)[5] |
| Type | Public university created by decree[1] |
| Founded | 1969, by Decree No. 69-54 of 17 June 1969; earlier a university centre attached to the University of Algiers[1] |
| Students | About 63,000 (Wikipedia, undated)[1] |
| Campus | 544,660 m² across 13 campuses; 38 departments with more than 98 specialisations[1] |
| Faculties and institutes | Nine on the university’s menu: Natural and Life Sciences; Science and Technology; Earth Sciences; Letters and Languages; Exact Sciences; Law; Nutrition, Food and Agri-Food Technologies (INATAA); Veterinary Sciences; Applied Sciences and Techniques (ISTA)[5] |
| Study cycles | Bachelor’s 3 years · master’s 2 years · PhD 3 years (LMD system)[6] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Not confirmed; the aggregator shows “Not ranked”[2] |
| THE World University Rankings 2027 | 2001+ band (aggregator)[2] |
| Main language of teaching | Arabic, French and English, depending on the field[4] |
| Tuition, international students, 2025–26 national schedule | Bachelor’s $1,000 or $800 · master’s $2,000 or $1,500 · PhD $3,000 or $2,500[3] |
| Official website | umc.edu.dz |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About the University of Constantine 1
The University of Constantine 1 was created in 1969 by Decree No. 69-54 of 17 June 1969. It had previously been a university centre affiliated with the University of Algiers.[1] According to Wikipedia, President Houari Boumediene commissioned the project and the Minister of Higher Education, Seddik Benyahia, coordinated it from 1971 to 1977.[1]
The university lies on the road that links the airport to the city centre. It covers 544,660 m² across 13 campuses, with 38 departments and more than 98 specialisations, and about 63,000 students; Wikipedia gives no date for the student figure.[1] The university’s own website lists a language centre (CEIL), a careers centre and an “American Corner” among its centres.[5]
How is the University of Constantine 1 ranked?
In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 the aggregator xuanxiao.org shows the university in the 2001+ band. The same page lists no QS 2027 position and no ARWU 2026 position.[2]
We could not read QS’s own pages (topuniversities.com blocks automated access), so the missing QS position is not confirmed either way. Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at the University of Constantine 1?
The university’s website menu lists these faculties and institutes:[5]
- Natural and Life Sciences
- Science and Technology
- Earth Sciences
- Letters and Languages
- Exact Sciences
- Law
- Institute of Nutrition, Food and Agri-Food Technologies (INATAA)
- Institute of Veterinary Sciences
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Techniques (ISTA)
Studies follow the LMD system with three cycles: a 3-year bachelor’s (licence), a 2-year master’s that ends with a dissertation defended in a public viva voce, and a 3-year PhD that ends with a thesis defended the same way.[6] Wikipedia counts 38 departments with more than 98 specialisations.[1]
How much does the University of Constantine 1 cost for international students?
Algeria publishes one national schedule of annual training fees, in US dollars, for international students who enrol through the ministry’s “Study in Algeria” platform (“open enrollment”).[3] The fee document is titled “Training fees for the 2025–2026 academic year”, but the page that links it is headed “Tuition Fees for the 2026–2027 Academic Year”. We found no separate 2026/27 table, so confirm the current amounts on the portal before you budget.[8]
| Level | Science and technology | Social and human sciences | Medical sciences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | $1,000 | $800 | – |
| Master’s | $2,000 | $1,500 | – |
| Doctorate (PhD) | $3,000 | $2,500 | – |
| Engineering degree | $2,500 | – | – |
| Pre-clinical and clinical cycles | – | – | $3,000 |
| Residency | – | – | $4,500 |
Amounts are per year.[3] The table sets these rates for “universities” in general and names some higher schools separately at $3,000 to $3,500. It does not list the University of Constantine 1 on its own line, so ask the university which column applies to your programme.[3]
Housing and living costs
For university residences the schedule lists catering at 1.20 DZD (the table gives no unit), accommodation at $15 a month, and transport at the same rate as for Algerian students. For a private three-room apartment of about 65 m² it quotes $112 to $450 a month, depending on the city, “for reference only”.[3]
How to pay
Registration fees are paid to the Bank of Algeria through correspondent banks, with the university as beneficiary. Payment may be made after the visa is obtained; students who are exempt from visas or already hold one can pay at once. The receipt is uploaded as a PDF during the application.[8]
The university’s website has an international students’ office page, a June 2023 English-language brochure and scholarship announcements from foreign governments, but the pages we read state no fee amounts.[5]
How do you apply to the University of Constantine 1?
Under Presidential Decree No. 25-83 of 20 February 2025, international students may enrol if the host institution admits them on the basis of the available places and they pay the required tuition.[9] Applications run through the ministry’s Study in Algeria portal: you choose a programme and university, upload your documents, the ministry checks them administratively, and the universities you chose review them academically. Registration at the host university follows once the regulatory steps are done.[10]
- Bachelor’s: high-school diploma and transcript with certified translations, proof of nationality, the first page of a valid passport, a motivation letter, at least one recommendation letter, a medical certificate stating you are free of bacterial or contagious disease, and a recent photo.[9]
- Master’s: the high-school and bachelor’s diplomas and transcripts with certified translations, plus the common items above.[9]
- PhD: diplomas and transcripts from every earlier level (including engineering, architecture, medical or veterinary degrees where relevant) with certified translations, the common items, and a copy of your master’s thesis or internship report.[9]
The ministry authenticates your diplomas and checks your transcripts. Its Equivalence Department then issues two documents: a certificate that places your degree in the Algerian classification, and a document that converts your grades to the Algerian grading grid.[9]
We give no dates here because the application window changes every year. Read the current window on the portal and in the programme’s own notice before you start.[10]
The university’s website lists an international students’ office (“Bureau des internationaux”), but the page we read gives no contact details.[5]
Which language do you need?
Algerian universities teach in Arabic, French and English, and the language depends on the field and specialisation. Students who do not master the language of instruction follow an intensive course at the Intensive Language Teaching Centres (CEIL) attached to their institution.[4]
The national pages name no language tests and no minimum scores. Ask the University of Constantine 1 which language your programme uses and what level it expects before you apply.[4]
The university’s website lists a language centre (CEIL) among its centres.[5]
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the University of Constantine 1 free for international students?
Not under the national schedule for students who enrol through the Study in Algeria portal. For 2025–26 it lists $1,000 (science and technology) or $800 (social and human sciences) for a bachelor’s, $2,000 or $1,500 for a master’s and $3,000 or $2,500 for a PhD.[3] Confirm the current amounts on the portal.[8]
Is the University of Constantine the same as Constantine 2 or 3?
No. Constantine 1 (1969) is separate from Constantine 2 and Constantine 3, which were both established in 2011.[7]
Which language are courses taught in?
Algerian universities teach in Arabic, French and English depending on the field. Students who lack the language of instruction can take an intensive course.[4]
How do I apply as an international student?
How is the University of Constantine 1 ranked?
The aggregator we read shows the 2001+ band in THE 2027 and no QS 2027 position, which we could not confirm with QS itself.[2]
More about studying in Algeria
- Algeria: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Algeria
- University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB)
- University of Algiers 1
- University of Oran 1 Ahmed Ben Bella
- Abou Bekr Belkaid University of Tlemcen
Sources
[1] Wikipedia: Constantine 1 University (founding, decree, campus and student figure; page without edition)
[2] xuanxiao.org: Universities in Algeria (QS 2027, THE 2027, ARWU 2026, US News 2027 columns; QS and THE publish at topuniversities.com and timeshighereducation.com) (page without a date; aggregator, read 9 Nov 2026)
[3] Study in Algeria (Ministry of Higher Education): Training fees for the 2025–2026 academic year (PDF) (document titled 2025–2026; linked from the fee page headed 2026–2027, whose page date is 25 Mar 2025)
[4] Study in Algeria: Languages of Instruction in Algeria (page dated 20 Mar 2025)
[5] Université Frères Mentouri – Constantine 1: official website (page without a date; the footer shows 2006–2020, the menu page showed 9 Nov 2026)
[6] Study in Algeria: Study Phases and Awarded Certificates (page dated 20 Mar 2025)
[7] Wikipedia: University of Constantine (disambiguation) (lists Constantine 1, 2 and 3; page without edition)
[8] Study in Algeria: Training and University Services Fees (page dated 25 Mar 2025)
[9] Study in Algeria: Join Our Universities (entry requirements and application steps) (page dated 20 Mar 2025)
[10] Study in Algeria: Registration Portal (page dated 20 Mar 2025; the page’s own dates conflict, so check the portal for the current window)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.