France: A Destination of Excellence for International Students
Public universities, grandes écoles, Campus France process: why France remains a top destination for Moroccan students.
France welcomes some of Europe's largest cohorts of international students each year. For Moroccan students, it is a natural destination: linguistic closeness, internationally recognised degrees, and an attractive quality of life. But enrolling in a French university or grande école requires understanding the specifics of the French education system and admission process.
A Higher Education System with Multiple Pathways
French higher education falls into two broad categories: public universities, accessible through an application or via Parcoursup for first-year undergraduate students, and grandes écoles (engineering schools, business schools, Sciences Po…), which are more selective and generally require preparatory classes or entrance examinations. State-recognised private institutions round out this landscape.
The Campus France Process: A Mandatory Step
For Moroccan nationals, accessing a French higher education institution requires going through the Campus France process. This procedure, conducted via the Études en France (EEF) portal, allows you to register your academic file and obtain a file number required for the student visa application. The process typically includes an interview at the Institut Français du Maroc.
Cost of Studies and Available Support
French public universities apply differentiated registration fees for non-EU international students. Alongside this, several schemes can reduce the overall cost: French government scholarships managed by Campus France, housing assistance for university residences, and excellence grants offered by certain institutions. It is essential to check eligibility for these aids early in the application preparation.
Student Life in France
International students in France have access to the same infrastructure as French students: CROUS student residences, university libraries, student health services, and associations. Each university city has its own atmosphere, and major cities like Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, and Montpellier have well-established Moroccan and North African communities.