How to apply to study in Morocco
Morocco is not a traditional study-abroad destination. But with two universities keen to attract international students, this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship
Derek Elliott
Studying in Morocco might be a good fit for students who are:
- looking to experience life in a culture outside traditional Western study destinations
- interested in pursuing studies or careers related to Middle East or North African studies
- looking to earn a US-accredited undergraduate degree outside the US
- keen to live and study in a Muslim-majority country.
The diverse North African country of Morocco is an often-overlooked destination for international students. However, Morocco offers many English- and French-language degree programmes in a wide variety of disciplines, along with an exciting immersive cultural experience, all on the edge of Europe.
Morocco has many universities, but two, Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) and University Mohammed VI Polytechnique (UM6P), are specifically international in their programmes, faculty and student body. In addition, their courses are taught in English (AUI and UM6P) and French (UM6P).
Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane
AUI is located in the small town of Ifrane, 60km from the cities of Fez and Meknes. The university sits among the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains, a setting often described as the Switzerland of North Africa. It is the closest thing to a college town that Morocco has.
AUI’s curriculum is based on the American liberal-arts model of university education. Its degree programmes are exclusively taught in English within three schools: business administration, humanities and social sciences and science and engineering.
AUI also has many study-abroad exchange agreements with partners all over the world, and is an American-accredited university through NEASC, meaning that applicants from the USA can use the free application for federal student aid.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for 2023-24 were 307,000 Moroccan dirhams over four years of study – approximately €30,000 or USD$30,530.
Scholarships and bursaries for undergraduate study are only available to Moroccan nationals.
How to apply to AUI
Detailed information about the general admissions requirements and processes for AUI can be found here.
Application deadlines are 31 May for August admission, and 31 October for January admission.
A minimum high-school grade point average of 2.5 out of 4.0 is required from applicants.
Candidates must pass the AUI general aptitude test or have achieved a minimum score of 1,500 (for native English speakers) or 1,340 (for non-native English speakers) in the SAT, including a minimum score of 500 in mathematics. AUI’s college-board school code is 6596.
Non-native English speakers must have TOEFL (or IELTS equivalent) with a minimum score of 530, and a minimum score of 4.5 in English writing.
Applicants need to pay an application fee of 800 Moroccan dirhams (approximately €80). They may be invited for an online interview.
University Mohammed VI Polytechnic
UM6P is an international Moroccan university, founded in 2013 with the aim of being the forefront of research in economic and social development in Africa. Many of its programmes and researchers therefore focus on the most pressing issues facing the continent. As part of the university’s mission, scholarships and bursaries are available for students from African countries.
Tuition fees and funding opportunities
Fees for most undergraduate programmes range from 40,000 to 70,000 Moroccan dirhams (approximately €4,000 to €7,000) per year.
Merit-based scholarships and bursaries are offered to all foreign nationals. Financial need and merit-based scholarships are offered to citizens of Morocco and African countries.
How to apply to UM6P
Detailed information about the general admissions requirements and processes for AUI can be found here.
Application deadlines depend on the programme of study. See the university’s schedule for more information.
Applicants must submit French- or English-language aptitude results, depending on their intended programme of study.
Candidates must have their high school diploma authenticated by the Moroccan embassy in the country of issue. Applicants must include a letter of motivation, a certificate attesting to a clear medical record, a copy of their birth certificate and the results of a criminal record check in their home country.
Visa procedures for studying in Morocco
Once students have been accepted into a university programme, the international office of AUI or UM6P will assist them with visa procedures. In most cases, successful applicants will enter Morocco as a tourist and complete student paperwork in-country through their university. If a visa is required before arrival in Morocco, university admissions officers will assist with the application.