Université Cadi Ayyad

Key Highlights

• Public university founded in 1978
• 15 institutions across four cities in the Marrakech-Safi region
• 122,985 students reported for 2025–2026
• Open-access and regulated-access institutions operate within the same university

Student Life & Environment

Student life varies by institution and city because UCA is a regional network rather than one enclosed campus. The university publishes institution-specific lists of student clubs and associations covering areas such as ecology, astronomy, health, arts, culture, music, photography, solidarity, engineering and sport. Students should check which groups are active at their intended faculty, since participation opportunities are not necessarily shared across all sites. UCA also describes organized sporting activity in team and individual disciplines, including football, basketball, handball, volleyball, futsal, rugby, athletics, cross-country, table tennis, badminton, chess and archery. Its annual sports program includes university competitions and other events, although schedules and access may depend on the institution and year. The university restaurant serves residents and eligible non-resident students with a catering card. The official page lists meal tickets at MAD 1.40 and says the restaurant operates every day except Sunday; however, the page does not identify an applicable academic year, so students should confirm the price and arrangements directly. UCA also states that its institutions have on-site snack bars. Comprehensive, current information about residence capacity, room allocation and housing prices was not found on the central site, making accommodation a point to investigate early with the relevant institution or university residence service.

Location & Surroundings

UCA’s presidency is on Avenue Abdelkrim Khattabi in Marrakech, but the university extends well beyond that address. Nine institutions are in Marrakech, three in Safi, one in Essaouira and two in El Kelaâ des Sraghna. Applicants should therefore use the exact faculty or school address when comparing transport, housing and living arrangements. Marrakech hosts the largest concentration of UCA institutions, including major science, humanities, legal, economic, technical, engineering, teacher-education, commerce and medical units. Safi has its own university institutions, including engineering, technology and multidisciplinary provision. Essaouira hosts a technology school, while El Kelaâ des Sraghna has legal and political sciences, economics and management, and technology provision listed in the university directory. This multi-city structure can broaden program choice across the region, but commuting between cities should not be assumed to be part of normal daily study. Students should select housing near their actual institution and verify whether required classes, laboratories, placements or administrative services occur at another site.

Costs & Career Outcomes

A current university-wide 2026–2027 tuition schedule for domestic or international degree students was not found in the reviewed central UCA sources. Costs may differ by program, student status and whether study is part of initial education, continuing education or another fee-bearing route. Applicants should request a written breakdown from the relevant institution covering enrollment charges, program fees, insurance, materials and any laboratory, competition or administrative costs. They should also budget separately for housing, local transport and meals. The central dining page lists a MAD 1.40 meal ticket but gives no applicable academic year, so this amount should be reconfirmed before financial planning. International applicants using the AMCI route may be eligible for scholarships and reception support under cooperation agreements between Morocco and partner countries. Eligibility is not automatic and should be confirmed through the competent authorities in the applicant’s country and AMCI. The central sources reviewed do not provide a current universal housing price or guaranteed residence placement. Career support includes employer-facing activity. In June 2026, the UCA Regional Job Fair brought students and graduates together with companies, institutions and professionals to discuss internships, jobs and career development. In July 2026, UCA and the regional employers’ confederation signed a framework agreement addressing work-study development, internships and professional immersion. These initiatives demonstrate active career engagement, but the reviewed sources do not publish university-wide placement rates, graduate salaries or employer outcomes; students should seek program-level evidence when comparing career prospects.