Morocco is a major North African study and travel destination known for historic cities, traditional crafts, diverse landscapes, and multicultural influences. Its tourism sector remains strong, and students can explore ancient palaces, coastal cities, mountains, deserts, and lively cultural districts while studying. In this article, we will look at notable universities in Morocco for international students.
Top Universities in Morocco for International Students
1. Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University (USMBA)
- Notable fields: Economics, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Science and Technology
Named after the 18th-century Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdellah, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University is a public university in Fez. It was founded in 1975 and offers programs at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate levels. Today, USMBA enrolls about 99,883 students and offers hundreds of academic programs across fields such as economics, social sciences, arts and humanities, and science and technology.
The university emphasizes research, innovation, and entrepreneurship through facilities such as its Cité-Innovation and through participation in international cooperation projects. For international students, USMBA offers a well-established public university environment in Fez, one of Morocco’s major cultural and academic cities.
2. Université Hassan II de Casablanca
Université Hassan II de Casablanca is a public higher education institution founded in 1975. Its current structure dates from the 2014 merger of Hassan II University-Casablanca and Hassan II University-Mohammedia. The university is one of Morocco’s largest, with about 143,000 students and 18 institutions across Casablanca and Mohammedia. Its academic fields include pure and technical sciences, health sciences, arts and humanities, law, economics, and management.
UH2C supports international students through AMCI-managed enrollment channels and an International Student Office launched in September 2024. The university is active in international cooperation, including agreements that support academic, cultural, scientific exchange, mobility, and joint or dual-degree development.
3. Ibn Tofaïl University
Ibn Tofaïl University is a public university in Kenitra. Founded by Dahir on October 23, 1989, it is a multidisciplinary university with 11 institutions and more than 85,000 students. Its institutions cover languages, letters and arts, humanities and social sciences, sciences, economics and management, law and political sciences, business, applied sciences, technology, chemistry, education and training, and sports professions.
Ibn Tofaïl University is also known for student life and campus facilities. Its official presentation highlights a university theater, a student cultural passport, clubs, sports, mobility partnerships, and international programs, giving students opportunities beyond the classroom.
4. University of Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech
Founded in 1978, the University of Cadi Ayyad is a public university serving the Marrakech-Safi region. It now has 15 university institutions: nine in Marrakech, three in Safi, one in Essaouira, and two in Kelaa des Sraghna. Its programs span scientific, technical, economic, legal, medical, human, and social sciences, and international students can choose from a broad range of programs depending on the institution and admission route.
The University of Cadi Ayyad is also a leading research university in Morocco. Its research ecosystem includes laboratories, doctoral training, and innovation initiatives. The university has also contributed to astronomy through the Oukaïmeden Observatory and the MOSS partnership, a French-Moroccan-Swiss initiative associated with discoveries of comets and near-Earth objects.
5. Mohammed V University of Rabat
Mohammed V University of Rabat is a public university named after Mohammed V of Morocco. Founded in 1957, the current university was formed after the 2014 merger of Mohammed V University-Agdal and Mohammed V University-Souissi. It offers broad academic choices in sciences and technology, engineering, life and health sciences, law, economics and management, humanities and social sciences, and education.
While Rabat is generally less hectic than Marrakech or Casablanca, students at Mohammed V University can enjoy a variety of attractions between their studies. Rabat is known for its historical sites, sea views, and dining districts.
FAQs about Studying in Morocco
Is Morocco Good for International Students to Study In?
Morocco can accommodate a large and growing higher education population. Recent country information reports 23 universities and 432 higher education institutions, with nearly 1.4 million students in 2023. Rather than following a broadly American-style system, Moroccan public universities generally use the LMD structure: Licence, Master, and Doctorate, along with additional professional degrees in areas such as engineering, medicine, and pharmacy.
Morocco is a strong option for students interested in Arabic, Amazigh, African, Mediterranean, Islamic, and European cultural influences. Its position between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East makes it relevant for international relations, diplomacy, history, architecture, anthropology, archaeology, and theology.
Living costs are usually lower than in many Western study destinations, but costs vary by city and neighborhood. As a current guide, a one-bedroom apartment may cost about 2,003 MAD outside the city center and 3,563 MAD in the city center, which is roughly $217 to $386 at recent exchange rates. An inexpensive restaurant meal is commonly around 50 MAD, or about $5, and a monthly public transport pass is around 200 MAD, or about $22.
Can International Students Work in Morocco While Studying?
Student status in Morocco does not automatically grant work rights. International students who want to work should ask their university’s international office and the Moroccan authorities before accepting employment, because paid work generally requires separate authorization or an appropriate work-based status.
Can International Students Stay in Morocco After Graduation?
International students can stay only while they have valid entry or residence authorization. Students who want to remain in Morocco after graduation generally need to change or renew their legal status before their current authorization expires, such as by qualifying for a work, researcher, visitor, or another residence category and applying through the competent Moroccan authorities.
We hope that this article on the best universities in Morocco for international students was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!
