If you are from Morocco and are thinking about studying in the UK, you are joining a growing number of students who make that choice every year. According to official data from HESA, the UK's higher education statistics body, there were 1,715 Moroccan students enrolled at UK universities in 2024/25 across 103 institutions. The community is smaller than some other countries, but it is well-established and growing.
This guide uses the official data to show you which universities currently have the most Moroccan students. Think of it as a way to find out where your community already exists in the UK, not a ranking of the best universities overall.
Please note: The figures come directly from HESA and cover all Moroccan students enrolled in 2024/25, regardless of subject or level of study. HESA rounds all figures to the nearest 5. Treat this data as a useful guide rather than a definitive picture. A university with a small number of Moroccan students is not a bad choice. It simply means the community there is smaller.
1. UK Universities with the Most Moroccan Students (2024/25)
Here are the top 7 UK universities by number of enrolled Moroccan students in 2024/25, based on official HESA data. We have listed seven rather than ten because the numbers drop off quickly below this point, with most other universities having only 5 to 10 Moroccan students enrolled.
|
# |
University |
Moroccan students (2024/25) |
City |
|
1 |
120 |
London |
|
|
2 |
100 |
Newcastle |
|
|
3 |
90 |
London |
|
|
4 |
70 |
London |
|
|
5 |
70 |
Leicester |
|
|
6 |
70 |
Sunderland |
|
|
7 |
60 |
Liverpool |
Source: HESA Table 28, 2024/25. Figures rounded to the nearest 5 by HESA.
2. What This Data Tells You
London and regional universities feature most
Three of the top seven universities are in London: Greenwich, Westminster, and City St George's. The others are in Newcastle, Leicester, Sunderland, and Liverpool. This reflects a broader pattern: Moroccan students tend to gravitate towards universities that offer strong programmes in business, computing, engineering, and media, and which also have welcoming, diverse international student communities. All seven universities in this table offer that combination.
Do not overlook universities with smaller Moroccan communities
A number of well-regarded universities appear in the HESA data with smaller Moroccan student numbers. King's College London (45 students), UCL (30 students), and Imperial College London (30 students) are all there. Their smaller numbers simply reflect the fact that they admit fewer students overall and tend to attract students from a very wide range of countries. If your subject aligns with these universities, a smaller Moroccan community on campus should not put you off. The broader international student community at most UK universities is large and welcoming.
The community is growing
1,715 students across 103 universities show that Moroccan students are choosing a wide variety of institutions and courses. The number of Moroccan students studying in the UK has been growing steadily. If you are thinking about coming, you are part of a trend, not an exception.
3. How to Choose the Right University for You
The data in this guide is a helpful starting point. Here is how to make the most of it.
- Find your community. Even if the Moroccan student community is smaller at some universities, look at the broader international and Arab student community. Most UK universities have active Islamic societies, Arabic-speaking students, and halal food options. That broader community can be just as important as the specific nationality count.
- Look at your subject carefully. Once you have a shortlist of universities that feel right, check how they rank for your specific course using the Complete University Guide or the Guardian University Guide. The quality of your degree matters more to your future employer than which city you studied in.
- Think about the city and your budget. London is the most expensive option. Cities like Newcastle, Sunderland, Leicester, and Liverpool offer significantly lower costs of living while still being great places to study. Our cost of living guide for international students gives you a city-by-city breakdown to help you plan.
- Check your entry requirements. Your Moroccan qualifications will need to meet the specific requirements of each course you apply to. Our detailed guide on studying in the UK from Morocco covers what is typically accepted, which English language tests you can take, and what documents you will need.
4. How to Apply
If you are applying for an undergraduate course, you will apply through UCAS, the central UK university applications platform. The main deadline for 2027 entry is 13 January 2027. Applying well before that deadline gives you the best chance of receiving an offer and enough time to get your UK Student visa sorted before your course starts.
For postgraduate courses, you apply directly to the university. Deadlines vary significantly, so check with each institution early.
Once you have an unconditional offer, your university will give you a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies), which is what you need to apply for your visa. If you are not sure what a conditional or unconditional offer means, our offer letter guide explains everything step by step.
5. How Atava Can Help
At Atava Education and Training, we have been helping Moroccan students find the right UK university since 2013. We are accredited by the British Council, English UK, and IALC, and all of our staff hold British Council UK Certified Counsellor certification.
We can help you with:
- Choosing the right university and course based on your qualifications, budget, and what you want to do after graduation
- Understanding and completing the UCAS application
- Preparing your student visa documents
- Finding the right supervisor if you are applying for a PhD or MRes
For most applications to our partner universities, our service is free to you. Get in touch and we will give you a clear, honest answer about how we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Moroccan students study in the UK?
According to HESA data for 2024/25, there were 1,715 Moroccan students enrolled at UK universities across 103 institutions.
Which UK university has the most Moroccan students?
The University of Greenwich had the highest number of Moroccan students in 2024/25 with 120, followed by the University of Northumbria at Newcastle (100) and the University of Westminster (90), according to HESA data.
Do I need an IELTS to study in the UK from Morocco?
Most UK universities require proof of English language proficiency. The most widely accepted tests are IELTS Academic UKVI and PTE Academic UKVI. Some universities also consider French-medium qualifications from Moroccan institutions for certain courses. Our guide to studying in the UK from Morocco covers the full details.
Can I bring my family to the UK as a Moroccan student?
Under current rules, most students on taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses cannot bring dependants to the UK. The exception is students on postgraduate research programmes such as a PhD. Read our MRes vs PhD guide for more information on how this works.
Is it worth studying in the UK as a Moroccan student in 2026?
Read our guide: Is studying in the UK still worth it in 2026? for an honest answer covering what has changed, what has not, and how to decide based on your own goals.
Data source: HESA Table 28, 2024/25. Figures rounded to the nearest 5. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0