Abou Bekr Belkaid University of Tlemcen

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.

About the University of Tlemcen

Higher education in Tlemcen began in 1974 as a university centre that offered only the core curriculum in exact sciences and biology. Teaching was extended step by step, so that students could complete full degrees in Tlemcen. A new national university map in August 1984 turned some departments into full institutions, and a second postgraduate cycle began in 1991–1992.^[1]

The University of Abou Bekr Belkaïd itself was established by Decree No. 89-138 of 1 August 1989, amended by decrees of 1995 and 1998. It has eight faculties spread over five poles: Imama, Chetouane, Kiffane, Ring Road (the “New Pole”) and Miloud Barracks, plus an annex in Maghnia.^[1] Wikipedia gives 48,870 students and 2,013 staff, without a date.^[2]

Wikipedia’s article also gives 1 August 1989 as the establishment date.^[2] The year 1974, which older listings use, marks the start of the university centre, so we show both.

How is the University of Tlemcen ranked?

In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 the aggregator xuanxiao.org shows the university in the 2001+ band, and at 1871st in its US News 2027 column. The same page lists no QS 2027 position and no ARWU 2026 position.^[3]

The university’s own notice of 17 June 2026 says it is one of nine Algerian universities in the U.S. News Best Global Universities 2025–2026 list of 2,250 institutions, and gives no position for Tlemcen.^[8] 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 Tlemcen?

The university’s website lists these faculties and institutes:^[6]

• Sciences
• Technology
• Nature and Life Sciences and Earth and Universe Sciences
• Medicine
• Economic, Commercial and Management Sciences
• Human and Social Sciences
• Arts and Languages
• Law and Political Science
• Institute of Applied Science and Technology (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.^[7]

How much does the University of Tlemcen 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”).^[4] 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.^[9]

Amounts are per year.^[4] 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 Tlemcen on its own line, so ask the university which column applies to your programme.^[4]

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”.^[4]

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.^[9]

Tlemcen has a Faculty of Medicine, so the medical-sciences column ($3,000 for the pre-clinical and clinical cycles, $4,500 for residency) is the relevant one for medical programmes.^[4]

An older, different figure: the university’s own “Study in Algeria Admission” page, dated 24 December 2023, lists only a registration fee of 200 DA and no tuition.^[10] That page predates the 2025 decree and the national dollar schedule above, so use the national schedule and confirm with the university.^[11]

How do you apply to the University of Tlemcen?

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.^[11] 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.^[12]

• 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.^[11]
• Master’s: the high-school and bachelor’s diplomas and transcripts with certified translations, plus the common items above.^[11]
• 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.^[11]

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.^[11]

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.^[12]

The university’s own admission page (dated 24 December 2023) adds that foreign students must meet the same enrolment conditions as Algerian candidates for the course, that transfer students need a transfer form signed by both institutions, and that a welcome office for foreign students sits in the Vice-Rectorate building. It also points to the ministry’s international student registration platform.^[10] The university’s website links to its own platform for international students and a digital registration platform for master’s and PhD students.^[6]

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.^[5]

The national pages name no language tests and no minimum scores. Ask the University of Tlemcen which language your programme uses and what level it expects before you apply.^[5]

The university’s admission page does not state the language of instruction or a language requirement.^[10]

More about studying in Algeria

• Algeria: best universities
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• International Student Scholarships
• University Ranking Methodology

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