The University of Oran 1 is one of the largest universities in Algeria. It was originally founded in 1961 as the National School of Medicine and Pharmacy, and became an independent university in 1967. It was the first university established after the independence of Algeria in 1962.
The university is located in Oran, in the north-western area of Algeria. As the second largest city in the country, Oran is a commercial, cultural and industrial hub. It is also situated along the coast, so it boasts beautiful views of the cliffs and harbour. The construction of Oran was actually inspired by the French seaside town of Nice.
Algeria, a predominantly Muslim country, is located in North Africa. Part of the Sahara Desert spans across the southern part of the country. Algeria is an important part of the Arab world due to its Islamic heritage, history, language and traditions. Its location is excellent for students looking to explore the rest of Africa but also for those who are keen to travel slightly further to discover what Europe has to offer.
There are five faculties for students at the university to specialise in including exact and applied science; humanities and Islamic sciences; literature and arts; medicine, and natural and life sciences. The university also offers students the opportunity to study within The Institute of Science and Applied Technology or the Institute of Translation.
Research is an important part of the university. It therefore has more than 60 accredited research laboratories and 800 researchers involved in the latest projects.
