This initiative takes place alongside a renewed interest among Algerians for UK education: the new HESA data shows a 15% increase in the numbers of Algerians studying in the UK from 12/13 to 13/14.

In the past academic year 2014/15, 20 Algerian PhD scholars have so far been placed in about 10 UK universities. This placement is continuing at the moment and all scholars selected last year (69 in total) are eligible for funding from 2015/16 (ie they will not lose their awards) if they meet the criteria and find a placement in a UK HEI in the coming year. The Ministry has now accepted funding for pre-sessional English courses in UK HEIs where this is a condition of entry. The Ministry has identified 76 students to sit the selection exam ‘concours’ on 26 February 2015 in the same areas as last year – English language, linguistics, literature, ‘civilisation’, education. The students again come from the top six masters (maitrise) holders from universities following the new LMD system. The British Council is providing its Aptis diagnostic English test as part of the one day exam to assess English language ability.

The British Council in Algeria would like to share key information on each UK university interested in participating in this initiative with the students and their professors and the Ministry in Algeria. This information will be posted on a micro site on the British Council Algeria website accessible only to the selected scholars.