Doha – Spanish universities have seen a rise in Moroccan students, according to newly released numbers from a government study.
The number of international students enrolled in Spanish universities has reached 180,563 in the 2022-2023 academic year, marking a 6.1% increase from the previous year, according to recent statistics released by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.
Moroccan students represent a significant portion of this growth, with 7,263 students from Morocco enrolled through regular admission processes.
An additional 3,981 Moroccan residents in Spain are pursuing higher education, bringing the total to 11,244 Moroccan students in Spanish universities.
The data shows that international students are distributed across different academic levels, with 46.5% in undergraduate programs, 38.1% in master’s degrees, and 15.4% in doctoral studies.
The most substantial growth was observed in master’s programs, which saw a 10.4% increase.
Catalonia and Madrid emerge as the preferred destinations for international students, hosting 37,762 and 36,463 students respectively. Other popular regions include Valencia with 25,963 students, La Rioja with 19,963, Andalusia with 16,112, and Castilla y León with 12,471 students.
In terms of percentage of total student body, Navarra leads with 21.7%, followed by Castilla y León at 14.3%, Catalonia at 14%, Cantabria at 13.6%, and the Valencian Community at 12.4%.
Speaking at the presentation of the first Chair of Morocco at the University of Salamanca in July 2023, Moroccan Ambassador to Spain Karima Benyaich, pointed out that Spanish universities currently host more than 20,000 African students who benefit from 11,000 scholarships.
Additionally, approximately 190,000 students from the established Moroccan community in Spain are engaged in various educational programs, while about 5,000 Moroccan students specifically choose Spain for their university studies.
During the event, Benyaich referenced the Joint Declaration adopted at the 12th Moroccan-Spanish High-Level Meeting in February 2023.
The agreement outlines commitments to university cooperation, including simplifying administrative procedures for Moroccan students, promoting student mobility, encouraging Spanish universities to open campuses in Morocco, and facilitating mutual recognition of educational credentials and diplomas.
The academic exchange extends beyond students, with 4,783 foreign professors now teaching in Spanish universities, representing 3.5% of total faculty members. Of these, 65% work in public institutions while 35% are employed by private universities.
Read also: Report: Moroccans Remain Top Foreign Student Community in France
