Universities in Lebanon

Lebanon has one public university and a large private sector. The Lebanese University (Université libanaise) is the only public university and offers higher education almost free of charge to Lebanese, Arab and foreign students; all other universities are private, founded by religious orders, communities or secular associations. Teaching is in Arabic, French or English depending on the institution, and many universities follow either the French or the American academic model.

Before you plan a stay: Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all travel to Lebanon (recommendations in force on 7 October 2026, last updated 31 March 2026) and reports that most airlines have suspended their flights. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education states that in-person teaching in schools depends on each school's situation and on safety conditions. Check your own government's advice and your university's position before applying.

Our directory lists three private universities in Lebanon, all in Beirut: the Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth (USJ), Haigazian University and the Lebanese International University (LIU).

How Lebanese universities work

Degrees follow three levels: the licence or bachelor's degree, the master's degree and the doctorate. The structure differs by model:

• Francophone universities use ECTS credits; USJ, founded by the Jesuits in 1875, awards licences of 180 to 240 ECTS credits and has 13 faculties
• Universities on the American model count US-style credits and run a freshman year; Haigazian and LIU both admit freshman students
• The Lebanese University began with a Higher Normal School and an Institute of Statistics and now has faculties from tourism and hospitality to dental medicine, plus three doctoral schools

Private degrees are recognised through the ministry. Haigazian University, for example, was recognised as an institution of higher learning on 25 March 1966, and a 1971 decree made its B.A. and B.S. degrees equivalent to the licence of the Lebanese University. Some faculties also seek international accreditation: Haigazian's Faculty of Business Administration and Economics received IACBE business accreditation in 2024.

Admission for international students

Each university runs its own admission. At USJ, non-Lebanese applicants who completed their last three years of secondary school abroad have a quota of places in programmes that select by file or by competitive exam. Haigazian accepts international students as freshmen, sophomores or transfer students, under the same requirements as regular undergraduates; its deadline for the autumn semester is 1 April.

Recognition of your previous studies is essential. According to USJ, only the Lebanese academic baccalaureate is exempt: every other secondary-school diploma, Lebanese or foreign, needs an official equivalence from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and every university degree except those of the Lebanese University needs recognition or equivalence from the ministry's Equivalence Committee. Start this early, as enrolment depends on it.

Language is the other key requirement. USJ teaches mainly in French and asks students from non-francophone universities for at least DELF B2 or equivalent, while promoting trilingualism in French, English and Arabic. Haigazian and LIU teach on the American model.

Costs and funding

Fees vary widely, and private universities usually charge in US dollars per credit. LIU, for example, charges USD 169 per undergraduate credit in arts and sciences, USD 179 in business, USD 215 in engineering and USD 299 in pharmacy, plus a registration fee of USD 150. Haigazian is granting a special tuition subsidy for 2026-27 of 10% for undergraduates and 5% for graduate students, and notes that fees are reviewed each year. Exchange students at USJ pay according to the agreement between universities; free movers pay USJ's fees themselves.

Funding is mostly institutional: LIU offers financial aid that a board assesses case by case, and Haigazian has its own financial aid office. Ask for the current fee schedule in writing, since fees can change at short notice.

How to choose a university

• Language and model: French-taught with ECTS (such as USJ) or English-taught with US-style credits (such as Haigazian and LIU)
• Recognition: whether the degree is equivalent to the Lebanese University licence and how it will be recognised at home
• Size and location: Haigazian, a liberal arts university in Beirut, has 760 students; LIU, founded in 2001 as Bekaa University, reports more than 28,000 students and seven campuses in Lebanon
• Exchange agreements: whether your home university has a partnership that covers fees
• Safety: the current travel advice and whether teaching can move online

Frequently asked questions

Is there a public university in Lebanon?

Yes, one: the Lebanese University, which offers higher education almost free of charge to Lebanese, Arab and foreign students. All other universities are private.

Do I need an equivalence for my diploma?

Yes. Every secondary-school diploma other than the Lebanese academic baccalaureate needs an official equivalence from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.

How much does a private university in Lebanon cost?

It depends on the university and programme. At LIU undergraduate tuition ranges from USD 169 to USD 299 per credit in 2026.

Is it safe to study in Lebanon now?

Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all travel to Lebanon (advice in force on 7 October 2026). Check your own government's advice and your university's plans first.