Education in Russia for Moroccan Citizens

Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Morocco in education has a long and good history. For more than a decade, ambitious young Moroccans have been choosing Russian universities to continue their studies and get higher education. Maxim Egorov, Director of the Russian House in Rabat (Morocco), talks about the reasons why Morocco is so interested in education in Russia.

About the popularity of education in Russia

Traditionally, the top Russian universities are respected and sought after in Morocco, and degrees are a kind of guarantee of the high quality of knowledge acquired and professional competence. Almost all graduates use their knowledge both at government entities and in the private sector.

A steady increase in the number of quota places allocated by the Russian Government for Moroccan citizens is the best evidence of young Moroccans’ growing interest in higher education in Russia. Three or four years ago, the number of quota places did not exceed 25. And now, for the second year in a row, Russian universities are ready to accept 100 students from Morocco annually in almost all fields of study and at all degree levels.

In 2023/2024, almost 1,000 candidates applied for 100 allocated quota places. This fact confirms in the best way possible that young Moroccans’ demand for higher education in the Russian Federation is on the increase. One of the indicators of candidates’ high competence is the minimum spread of the total score in the competition. The winner often has an advantage of only tenths of a point. Besides, in recent years, there has been a considerable increase in the number of candidates with good and excellent grades in their school certificate, who used to choose such countries as France, Canada, the USA, and Germany to get higher education.

At a rough estimate, around 6,000-7,000 Moroccan students in total are studying at Russian universities today. The most popular majors and fields of study include medicine, informatics, and engineering and economic sciences.

Ways to enroll

When applicants decide to continue their education in Russia, they have to choose the way to enroll at a university. Besides quota places, allocated by the Russian Federation, students have the opportunity to study in Russia on a fee-paying basis. It has to be said that few people take the chance of participating in the quota competition. Most people choose to study on a contract basis. Morocco has some private agencies specializing in such recruitment of candidates.

However, a considerable number of people wishing to study in Russia do not trust intermediaries and contact directly the universities. As a rule, candidates choosing to study on a contract basis get information from their relatives and friends already staying in Russia.

Russian House in Rabat, Telegram

The Russian Government quota

When it comes to recruitment within the quota, the Rossotrudnichestvo Representative Office in Rabat makes continuous and focused awareness-building efforts, being a single operator to select candidates for studying within the Russian Government quotas.

The information on the number of quota places, application deadlines and requirements is sent in advance to the Moroccan Ministry of Higher Education that posts up-to-date information on the special page of its website. The Representative Office posts the same information on all its information resources, communicates it to compatriots in Morocco, and gives in-person consultations at the Russian House. You can ask all questions about selection within the quota by phone or in person. The staff members of the Russian House also provide assistance in creating a profile.

When selecting the candidates for the quota, we take into account the following factors:

• Grade Point Average. The candidate having a higher GPA becomes the winner
• Individual achievements. These can be victories in Olympiads or competitions, participation in volunteering, and sports achievements

Candidates are selected online, without their direct participation. Such an approach guarantees utmost objectivity and impartiality.