Study in Morocco: university enrollment

LMD System

The Moroccan university system follows the LMD (Bachelor-Master-Doctorate) model aligned with European standards, facilitating international mobility and degree recognition.

Academic requirements

To be admitted to a Moroccan university, you generally need to:

• Have a high school diploma equivalent to the Moroccan baccalaureate with good academic results. In practice, international students generally need to have obtained their baccalaureate with honors (at least "Fairly Good").
• For Bachelor admission: high school diploma (baccalaureate or equivalent) with at least Fairly Good honors. Under the 2025-2026 cooperation scholarships, a baccalaureate holder needed to have Good or Fairly Good honors.
• For Master access: hold a Bachelor degree with Good honors (or equivalent of a good GPA). Applications are evaluated on academic level (grades and honors) and the relevance of the previous degree to the requested field.
• For Doctorate enrollment: hold a relevant Master degree, preferably with good honors.
• Master the language of instruction (Arabic, French or English depending on the program). Students from non-French-speaking countries must generally provide French certification at minimum B2 level (DELF B2 or TCF). For English-speaking programs, a TOEFL or IELTS B2 level test is required.
• Respect age limits: approximately 19 to 23 years for entry into 1st cycle (Bachelor), with a maximum of 23 years as of December 31 of the enrollment year. For higher cycles: approximately 30 years for a Master or Doctorate. Private universities are generally more flexible on age.

Equivalence of foreign degrees

Before being able to enroll, students must have their foreign degrees recognized by Moroccan authorities. Baccalaureate equivalence is issued by the Ministry of National Education, that of university degrees (Bachelor, Master, Doctorate) by the Ministry of Higher Education.

The process is done via the ministry's online "e-equivalence" platform (scanned documents, filled forms) then submission of originals to Rabat for verification. The process can take 2 to 4 months depending on the degree level. Without an equivalence certificate, the university will not be able to enroll you definitively.

💡 Tip: start the equivalence process as early as possible, as a missing document or non-compliant translation can delay processing.

Required language tests

The dominant language of instruction in Moroccan higher education is French (except in literature and Islamic sciences fields, often in Arabic). Students from non-French-speaking countries must generally provide French certification at minimum B2 level (DELF B2 or TCF).

For English programs (notably in sciences, engineering or in certain English-speaking private universities), a TOEFL or IELTS B2 level test is required. For example, Al Akhawayn University (English instruction) requires passing an English test or a minimum TOEFL/IELTS score upon admission.

In summary, prepare to justify sufficient language level: B2 in French for French-speaking programs, or B2 in English for English-speaking programs, unless your previous degree was obtained in the same language of instruction.

Application calendar and deadlines

International student applications to Moroccan public universities are made each year before the end of summer preceding the academic year. Typically, the file must be submitted before July 31 of the current year for enrollment in September/October.

💡 It is strongly recommended to start the process in spring, to allow time for degree equivalence and visa obtention. Plan to prepare your file at least 3 to 6 months in advance, and strictly respect deadlines: a late application will not be examined.

⚠️ Warning: each university or program may have its own internal deadlines, notably limited-access fields or private universities that may close enrollments earlier (sometimes as early as May-June).

Public universities

Public education is in principle free (no tuition fees, only modest annual enrollment fees). Each public university issues national degrees recognized by the Moroccan state and generally well-regarded internationally, following the LMD model.

Private universities and institutes

The private sector includes several high-level universities and grandes écoles, often with innovative pedagogies or international partnerships. Private universities have the advantage of modern infrastructure, small class sizes and sometimes English instruction. However, they are expensive (tuition fees vary by institution and program – from around 30,000 MAD/year in some specialized schools to over 100,000 MAD/year in prestigious universities).

⚠️ Make sure the chosen private institution is "state-recognized" or that its programs are accredited by the ministry, so that the degree is fully recognized. Since 2017, several private universities (UIR, UEMF, etc.) have obtained state recognition, meaning their degrees are accepted as equivalent to national degrees.

Most renowned universities by field

Application via AMCI (for public universities)

The standard procedure consists of submitting an application through diplomatic channels, i.e., at the Moroccan embassy or educational services in your country of origin. The candidate prepares a pre-enrollment file that will be transmitted by their country's "scholarship office" to AMCI before the deadline (generally July 31).

⚠️ Important: it is useless to send an application directly to a Moroccan university without going through AMCI if you are part of a cooperation program, as it will not be accepted outside the official circuit.

Your application file will typically include: a duly completed AMCI form, an application letter specifying desired fields and institutions, certified copies of your degrees and transcripts, a birth certificate, a criminal record, a medical certificate, etc.

Selection and admission

AMCI, in consultation with the Ministry of Higher Education, will review received files. Selection is primarily based on academic file (grades, honors, course coherence). Pedagogical commissions meet in concerned universities for opinions, notably for regulated-access fields.

Selection criteria combine academic merit and candidate capabilities: grades obtained in key subjects of the targeted field, honors or ranking of previous degree, course coherence, language proficiency. An important element is geographical distribution: within AMCI framework, each partner country has quotas per field.

If your application is accepted, you receive a provisional admission letter or enrollment authorization issued by AMCI/DCP. This letter, communicated via your embassy, summarizes enrollment procedures in Morocco. You must sign it and return it to AMCI to confirm your acceptance of the place.

Final enrollment in Morocco

Upon arrival, you must present yourself at AMCI – Department of Executive Training in Rabat. On site, your original documents will be verified and your administrative file finalized. This is also where you can receive your first monthly scholarship if you are a cooperation scholarship recipient.

Then, you go to the university institution assigned to you to proceed with your pedagogical enrollment (module selection, enrollment certificate delivery). The university will validate your enrollment and issue you a definitive enrollment certificate.

Admission to private universities

Private universities manage their own admissions entirely: foreign candidates applying to a private university can enroll directly via the institution's online portal or by contacting its admissions service, without going through AMCI. The file is processed directly by the private university, which will issue an admission letter to use for the student visa.

Online enrollment platforms

For public universities, AMCI now uses a digital platform to centralize international enrollment requests, but this is accessible to authorities rather than candidates themselves. The candidate fills out the paper or PDF form provided by AMCI and submits it to their local contact.

Public : Several public universities have online enrollment sites for new baccalaureate holders' pre-enrollments. For example, Mohammed V University puts online each year a pre-enrollment portal for first-year Bachelor.

Privé : For private universities, almost all have an online application process on their website, where the student creates an account, uploads documents and tracks their file. Expect sometimes to have to pay file fees online (500 to 1000 MAD generally non-refundable).

Enrollment calendar

Tuition fees - Public universities

Enrollment fees in public universities are generally very low, often symbolic (0-500 MAD). The only fees to plan for are modest annual enrollment fees (often symbolic, for example ~500 MAD per year for mandatory student insurance and contribution to university services). Thus, a foreign student in a public university will pay at most a few dozen euros per year of study.

💡 For example, at the Faculty of Sciences in Rabat, annual enrollment is around 200 MAD, plus ~100 MAD for student mutual insurance.

Tuition fees - Private universities

Private institutions apply substantial tuition fees. These depend on reputation and program:

Enrollment fees: 1,500 - 5,000 MAD | Annual tuition fees: 21,000 - 125,000 MAD depending on the program

For example, a Bachelor program in a private management school can cost around 30,000 to 50,000 MAD per year, while a high-end private university can charge 80,000 to 100,000 MAD per year (approximately 7,000 to 9,000 €). At Al Akhawayn University, Bachelor tuition fees are calculated per credit: ~2,100 MAD per credit for Moroccan students and approximately 4,000 MAD/credit for internationals – which for a full year (30 credits) represents approximately 120,000 MAD (11,000 €) maximum. In private medicine, UM6SS displays fees around 130,000 MAD/year for general medicine.

In addition to tuition, initial enrollment fees (entrance/file fee) are often required, which can be on the order of 5,000 to 10,000 MAD and are only paid the first year. Annual administrative fees (for example exam fees, service access, insurance) can also be added, around a few thousand dirhams.

Monthly cost of student life

The cost of living in Morocco is relatively affordable compared to Europe. It varies by city: Casablanca is the most expensive, followed by Rabat, then cities like Tangier, Marrakech, Fez at an intermediate level, and finally smaller cities that are even less expensive.

💰 In sum, an international student in Rabat or Casablanca will need approximately 5,000 to 7,000 MAD per month (450–650 €) to cover all expenses in reasonable comfort. In a less expensive city or with a more modest lifestyle, a budget of 3,000 to 4,000 MAD (270–360 €) can suffice. For example, approximately 300 € per month (≈3,260 MAD) allows living decently (excluding tuition fees) in an average Moroccan student city.

Available scholarships for international students

Financial aid and exemptions

Some universities offer payment facilities (monthly installment of tuition fees without additional fees), or direct to student bank loans negotiated at preferential rates (ex. EDUMED has a partnership with Wafasalaf for loans repayable after 4 years). Excellent students can be partially exempted from enrollment fees in private. In public universities, given that costs are low, the main aid is the provision of university housing (subsidized housing) and access to subsidized restaurants.

Main document list

• Official application form: For public universities, this is the AMCI form (to be obtained from the embassy or official websites). For private universities, it will be the institution's own admission form (often online).
• Degrees and transcripts: Provide a certified copy of your last degree obtained (Baccalaureate for Bachelor entry, Bachelor degree for Master entry, etc.). Also attach official transcripts of all study years corresponding to this degree. These copies must be legalized (certified as true copies) by a competent authority: generally a notary or commissioner for oaths, and countersigned either by your country's education ministry or by the Moroccan embassy.
• Equivalence or authenticity certificate: If you have already obtained equivalence of your foreign degree from Morocco, attach the equivalence letter. Otherwise, some countries require attaching an authenticity certificate issued by the original institution or ministry.
• Final year transcripts (for baccalaureate holders): If you are applying for Bachelor 1 and are in your final year of secondary school at the time of application, you will be asked for Final year transcripts and a certificate of enrollment in Final year class.
• Identity copy: A legalized copy of the passport (generally the first 3 pages with photo and information). Make sure your passport will be valid at least 6 months after the planned entry date.
• Birth certificate: A recent birth certificate extract, also to be legalized/certified as true copy. This document will also serve later for the Moroccan residence card.
• Criminal record: A criminal record extract (certificate of good conduct) less than 3 months old proving you have no criminal record. As its issuance can take time in some countries, anticipate the request.
• Medical certificate: A medical certificate issued by a doctor (ideally sworn) attesting that you are in good health, without contagious or serious chronic diseases. Often, a special mention is required that you do not suffer from tuberculosis. Many files require a chest X-ray certificate or BCG vaccination certificate for tuberculosis.
• Identity photos: Prepare a series of recent identity photos (4x4 or passport format). For the file, 4 to 8 photos are sometimes requested, and you will also need them for residence card formalities.
• Motivation letter and/or recommendations: For a Master or Doctorate application, it is advisable to provide a motivation letter explaining your study project and objectives. Some universities (notably private) formally require it, as well as one or two academic recommendation letter(s).

Specific documents by level

Translation, legalization, apostille

All documents not written in French or Arabic must be accompanied by a sworn translation in French. Make sure the translation is done by an accredited (sworn) translator and bears their seal.

Legalization (certification as true copy) must be done on copies of each document. Generally, proceed as follows: have your degree/transcript copies certified as true copies by local authority (city hall, notary), then have these copies legalized by your country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and finally by the Moroccan Embassy. This guarantees international validity.

Alternative: if your country adheres to the apostille, affix an apostille on the original of the degree and transcript, then provide apostilled copies. Inquire about the practice recommended by the Moroccan embassy.

⚠️ In Morocco, during enrollment, you will often be asked to present originals for verification – so make sure to bring all your original degrees, transcripts, etc. Copies will remain in the university file, not the originals.

Preparation deadlines

It is advised to start gathering these documents several months in advance. For example, legalization and translation of documents can take 2 to 4 weeks. The criminal record and medical certificate must be done just before submission (validity 2-3 months). Don't wait until the day before the deadline!

💡 Ideally, have your complete file ready in June if you are aiming for enrollment in September, to handle any administrative unforeseen.

Countries exempt from entry visa to Morocco

Morocco exempts a number of nationalities from short-stay tourist visa. For example, nationals of the European Union, Switzerland, Canada, United States, Turkey, most Latin American countries, etc., can enter Morocco without a visa for a stay of up to 90 days.

However, even if you are exempt from visa to enter as a tourist for 3 months, it is preferable to obtain a specific student visa if you are coming to pursue studies, to facilitate regularization of your stay once on site. The long-stay student visa (type D) allows a simpler transition to the residence card.

For non-exempt nationalities (many sub-Saharan African countries, South Asia, etc.), the visa is of course mandatory before traveling. Inquire at the Moroccan embassy in your country to know if you need an entry visa.

Procedure to obtain student visa

Once admitted to a Moroccan university, you must apply for a long-stay visa (student visa) at the Moroccan embassy or consulate in your country. Usual steps: fill out the visa application form (provided by the embassy or on its website), gather supporting documents, pay visa fees and submit everything in person or via visa center (TLS Contact or VFS Global in some countries). Processing time varies from a few days to a few weeks.

Frais : Visa fees: payable in local currency or euros depending on country. Rate varies (approximately 220 DH i.e., 20 € for short-term visa, and a bit more for long stay, sometimes ~50-60 €). Inquire at the consulate.

Once the student visa is obtained and affixed in your passport, you can travel to Morocco. Note that the long-stay visa is often valid for 3 months upon arrival, during which you must apply for the Moroccan residence card.

Obtaining residence permit (registration card)

For any student stay of more than 3 months, it is mandatory to hold a Moroccan residence card (registration card). The application is made at the Police Prefecture – Foreigners Service of the city where you study, after your university enrollment. It is ideal to start the procedure quickly, upon your installation, as processing can take a few weeks.

After submission of complete file, the prefecture issues you a receipt (deposit receipt) proving you are in the process of regularization. The first issuance of the student residence card is valid for 1 year (renewable each year if studies extended).

Validity period and renewal

The foreign student card is valid for one year (12 months) and must be renewed each year until the end of studies. Each renewal requires presenting the new enrollment certificate and up-to-date proof of resources. If you finish your studies and leave Morocco, you must return the card.

Note that renewal is done in the same city where you study; if you change cities (e.g., Bachelor in Fez then Master in Casablanca), you must have your foreign file transferred to the new prefecture (the procedure is a bit longer).

Visa and stay costs

To summarize, the entry student visa costs according to consular rates (example: ~750 DH, i.e., ~70€ for a multi-entry long-stay visa). The residence card costs 100 MAD per year in stamps. These costs are relatively low compared to other countries.

⚠️ Attention to late penalties: if you exceed the stay duration without having submitted the file, or if you do not renew on time, you can pay a fine upon exit from the territory. It is better to do everything on time.

Languages of instruction

Morocco being a bilingual country (Arabic – French) in higher education, the language of instruction varies by field:

Grading and evaluation system

The Moroccan university system generally uses grading out of 20 (heritage of the French system). A grade of 10/20 is the average and often the validation threshold for a module.

Student housing

Finding housing is an important step. There are several main options:

Mandatory health insurance

Morocco has established Mandatory Student Health Insurance (AMO) for higher education students. Moroccan students are enrolled free of charge. For foreign students, the situation depends:

Student life and associations

Student life in Morocco is rich and dynamic. In each university, you will find many student associations: sports clubs, music, theater, cultural, scientific associations, etc. International students are generally encouraged to participate.

Internships and employment for students

The LMD curriculum in Morocco often includes mandatory internships at the end of cycle (ex: 1-2 month internship in professional Bachelor, or 4-6 months in Master). For foreign students, it is entirely possible to do these internships in Morocco. The university provides an internship agreement, and you can work temporarily in a company or organization under intern status (paid or unpaid).

Accessible sectors: language teaching (giving French, English lessons if you are native, via language centers), call centers (many offshore companies recruit French-speaking students in flexible hours), hospitality/restaurant (in tourist cities, server, receptionist jobs can suit).

Recognition of Moroccan degrees internationally

Degrees issued by Moroccan public universities (Bachelor, Master, Doctorate, engineering degrees, medical doctorates, etc.) are recognized by the Moroccan state and generally well accepted abroad for further studies or employment.

Morocco having adopted the LMD system and being a signatory of UNESCO conventions on degree recognition, a Moroccan graduate can assert their degree in many countries. For example, a Moroccan Bachelor normally allows access to a Master in Europe, sometimes requiring a file and verification procedure (via ENIC-NARIC).

University start

The start usually takes place in September. Students in upper years (L2, L3, M2…) resume in early or mid-September (e.g., around September 5–15). For new first-year enrollees (L1), the start may be slightly delayed toward end of September/early October, as their final enrollment extends into September.

First semester (Fall semester)

Extends from start until approximately January. It includes approximately 16 weeks of classes. Toward end of December or early January, a revision period is planned followed by semester exams. Often, S1 exams take place in early January (over 1 to 2 weeks).

There is generally an intermediate break of one week in October/November (called "first intermediate vacation", often end of October), then a pause of one or two weeks on the occasion of year-end holidays (between Christmas and New Year, also covering the Mouloud feast period if it falls at that time). Furthermore, national holidays (ex: Aid Al Mawlid, January 1, Independence Day January 11) are non-working during the year.

Second semester (Spring semester)

Generally starts end of January or early February after S1 exams. It extends until May or early June. Also ~16 weeks of classes. S2 exams are held in late May or early June.

There is a week of spring break around March/April (often around Easter week or Aid Al-Fitr, according to lunar calendar). Spring holidays are added: Labor Day (May 1), Aid Al-Fitr and possibly Aid Al-Adha (if in June/July).

End of academic year

After June exams, the academic year concludes. For students having make-up exams, these are generally held end of June/early July. Once final results are announced (mid-July at latest), students are on summer vacation.