Study and find schools in Morocco

Studying in Morocco

Morocco, in north-west Africa, faces Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar and has a population of 36,828,330 according to the 2024 general census of the Haut-Commissariat au Plan (HCP), the national statistics office. For international students it is a place to study Arabic in an Arabic-speaking country, to take business or engineering degrees taught in French or English, and to experience a culture shaped by Arab, Andalusian and European influences. French is widely used in higher education and business, and in northern cities such as Tetouan, Spanish is also widely spoken.

Moroccan universities are opening up to foreign students. The Université Abdelmalek Essaâdi in Tetouan, for example, reports that its number of international students grew from 135 in 2018-19 to 1,671 in 2023-24, from 67 nationalities. Our directory lists four active schools in Morocco: two higher education institutions, one Arabic language school and one primary and secondary school.

The education system in Morocco

Secondary school ends with the Baccalauréat, the qualification required for university admission. Higher education is offered by public universities, specialised schools and private institutions. Public universities follow the licence-master-doctorate structure. A typical public university such as the Université Abdelmalek Essaâdi offers:

• Licence degrees (bachelor's level), including the Licence d'Etudes Fondamentales, Licence Professionnelle and Licence en Sciences et Techniques
• Master's degrees, including the Master Spécialisé and Master en Sciences et Techniques
• Engineering degrees (Diplôme d'Ingénieur) and translation and business school diplomas
• Doctoral studies

Private schools also award degrees, especially in business and management. Recognition by the state matters: Sup de Co Marrakech, for example, states that it is recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education and that its Bac+3 and Bac+5 management diplomas are recognised by the state, which allows graduates to enrol for a doctorate at public universities and to sit public-sector competitive exams. When comparing private schools, check whether the specific diploma is state-recognised.

Morocco also has institutions that follow foreign models. Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, founded by royal decree in 1993, is a public, not-for-profit university that follows the American liberal arts model and teaches in English. It is recognised by the Moroccan Ministry of Higher Education and accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), according to the university.

Admission and recognition

Admission requirements are set by each institution. The common basis is the Moroccan Baccalauréat or a recognised foreign equivalent:

• At Al Akhawayn University, undergraduate applicants submit the Baccalauréat or an equivalent, transcripts of the last three years of secondary school, proof of English (TOEFL, IELTS or the university's own placement test), a personal statement and two letters of recommendation. The application fee is 500 MAD.
• At Sup de Co Marrakech, first-year admission requires the Baccalauréat and an entrance exam with a written part (aptitude test, English and French) and an interview.

International applicants usually face extra steps. Al Akhawayn mentions additional requirements related to visa documents, credential evaluation and English tests for non-native speakers. Students who plan to return home with a Moroccan degree should check in advance how it will be recognised in their own country, especially for private diplomas.

Student visa and residence

Whether a student needs a visa to enter Morocco depends on nationality, and the rules for longer stays depend on the length of the programme. We could not fetch an official Moroccan government page with the current rules, so we do not list requirements here. Before travelling, check with the Moroccan embassy or consulate in your country and ask the institution's international office which documents it provides for residence formalities; Al Akhawayn's admissions team, for example, assists international applicants with visa documentation.

Costs

Tuition varies widely between public universities, private schools and international institutions, and we found no official national fee table to quote. Private schools charge registration and tuition fees; Sup de Co Marrakech, for example, lists registration fees, study fees and optional accommodation fees paid at the start of the year. Al Akhawayn University publishes its fees each year and states that 50% of its students receive merit scholarships or need-based aid. Ask each school for its current fees in dirhams (MAD) before applying.

Where to study

The schools in our directory are spread across four cities:

• Ifrane, a small town in the Middle Atlas at 1,650 metres above sea level, about 60 km from Fez and Meknes, home to Al Akhawayn University and its residential campus
• Marrakech, where Sup de Co Marrakech offers a business programme with a Bac+3 in fundamental management and a Bac+5 with specialisations such as international trade and logistics, marketing, and accounting and audit
• Tetouan, in the north, where Dar Loughat, founded in 2004, teaches Modern Standard Arabic and Colloquial Moroccan Arabic at all levels throughout the year
• Agadir, on the Atlantic coast, with the American Group International Correspondence School, a school that teaches the American curriculum in English

Culture and practical life

Tetouan's medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the city is about 60 km from Tangier and, according to Dar Loughat, less than an hour by ferry from the Spanish coast. This makes northern Morocco easy to combine with studies or travel in Spain. Ifrane, by contrast, is a mountain town where Al Akhawayn houses its students on campus.

Students who want to learn Arabic can choose between Modern Standard Arabic, used in writing and the media, and Moroccan Arabic (Darija), used in everyday life. Many students take both. Health insurance, residence formalities and permission to work while studying depend on nationality and the institution, so confirm them with the school before arrival.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in English in Morocco?

Yes, at some institutions. Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane teaches all its degree programmes in English, following the American liberal arts model. Most public universities teach in French or Arabic.

Where can I learn Arabic in Morocco?

Language schools such as Dar Loughat in Tetouan offer intensive courses in Modern Standard Arabic and Colloquial Moroccan Arabic at all levels throughout the year.

Are private university diplomas recognised in Morocco?

Only if the state has recognised them. Sup de Co Marrakech, for example, states that its Bac+3 and Bac+5 diplomas are recognised by the state, which gives access to doctoral studies at public universities.

What do I need to apply to a Moroccan university?

Usually the Moroccan Baccalauréat or a recognised equivalent, transcripts and, depending on the school, an entrance exam or proof of language level such as TOEFL or IELTS.