Higher education in Morocco

Unlike Dutch higher education, Moroccan higher education is not divided into from universities of applied science and from universities. For instance, Moroccan universities can offer both types of education. This often means that for each diploma we have to determine whether it is HBO or WO. Below, we describe the diplomas that we often see.

Please note: bachelor replaces Licence

Since September 2020, students are able to take 4-year bachelor's programmes at Moroccan universities. The first students can get their bachelor at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year. The bachelor's degree gives Moroccan students more opportunities internationally than the Licence. This adjustment is part of the changes to the Moroccan education system that have been legally established (loi-cadre 51.17).

Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS)

We compare a Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS) to 2 years of HBO or an associate degree.

Diplôme de Technicien Spécialisé

Usually, students take study programmes for a Diplôme de Technicien Spécialisé at an Institut Supérieur de Technologie Appliqué (ISTA) or an établissement d'enseignement supérieur ne relevant pas des universités (EESNRPU).

  • Duration: 2 years.
  • Study load: 120 ECTS.
  • Content: specialist study programme in a particular discipline.
  • Admission requirements: at least a Diplôme de Technicien.
  • Diploma: Diplôme de Technicien Spécialisé/ دبلوم التقني المتخصص.

We compare a Diplôme de Technicien Spécialisé to 2 years of or an associate degree.

Licence Professionnelle

After completing a profession-oriented bachelor's programme (études professionnelles) at a university, students obtain a Licence Professionnelle.

We compare a Licence Professionnelle to 3 years of HBO.

Intermediate diploma: Diplôme d’Études Universitaires Professionnelles (DEUP)

Students can get an intermediate diploma (at their own request) after completing the first 2 years of the Licence Professionnelle study programme. The intermediate diploma is called: Diplôme d’Études Universitaires Professionnelles (DEUP)/دبلوم الدراسات الجامعية المهنية.

    Licence d’Études Fondamentales

    After completing a research-oriented bachelor's programme (études fondamentales) at a university, students obtain a Licence d’Études Fondamentales .

    • Duration: 3 years.
    • Study load: 180 ECTS.
    • Content: Students start the 1st cycle of 3 years with a propaedeutic year. After this 1st year, they follow research-oriented education.
    • Admission requirements: an Attestation du Baccalauréat.
    • Diploma: Licence d’Études Fondamentales/ الإجازة في الدراسات الأساسية.

    We compare a Licence d’Études Fondamentales to 2 years of .

    Intermediate diploma: Diplôme d’Études Universitaires Générales (DEUG)

    Students can get an intermediate diploma (at their own request) after completing the first 2 years of the Licence d’Études Fondamentales study programme. The intermediate diploma is called: Diplôme d’Études Universitaires Générales (DEUG)/ دبلوم الدراسات الجامعية العامة

    Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie (DUT)

    After completing a 2-year profession-oriented study programme at an institute affiliated to a university, students obtain a Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie

    We compare the Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie (DUT) to at least 2 years of HBO.

    Diplôme d’Ingénieur d’Application

    Students take the study programme leading to a Diplôme d'Ingénieur d'Application at either a public or a private institution.

    We compare a Diplôme d’Ingénieur d’Application to an HBO bachelor’s degree.

    Diplôme d'Ingénieur d'État

    Students take the 3-year study programme that leads to the Diplôme d'Ingénieur d'État at one of the grandes écoles (écoles d'ingénieurs). To prepare for the entrance examinations to this study programme, prospective students attend 2 years of classes préparatoires ( السنتان التحضيريتان لسلك المهندس) after secondary school at one of the dedicated lycées.

    This study programme is part of 'executive education' (formation des cadres). Both professional and academic specialisations are offered. Students attend one of the grandes écoles or the technical faculty of a university.

    • Duration: 3 years (following 2 years of classes préparatoires).
    • Content: research-oriented education and profession-oriented.
    • Admission requirements: 2 years of classes préparatoires and an entrance exam.
    • Diploma: Diplôme d’Ingénieur d’État/شهاده مهندس الدولة.

    We compare a Diplôme d’Ingénieur d’État to 1 year of a 2-year WO master's degree.

    Master Spécialisé

    After completing a profession-oriented master's programme at a university, students obtain a Master Spécialisé.

    • Duration: 2 years.
    • Study load: 120 ECTS.
    • Content: higher professional education.
    • Admission requirements: a Licence Professionnelle.
    • Diploma: Master Spécialisé/الماستر المتخصص

    We compare a Master Spécialisé to an HBO master’s degree.

    Master

    After completing a research-oriented degree programme from a university, students obtain a Master .

    We compare a Master to a 1-year WO master’s degree.

    Doctorat

    After completing a PhD programme, students obtain a Doctorat .

    • Duration: at least 3 years.
    • Study load: 180 ECTS.
    • Content: conducting research, writing and defending a thesis.
    • Admission requirements: a Master.
    • Diploma: Doctorat/ دكتوراه.