Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth (USJ)
Faculty
USJ offers ~54 undergraduate programs across 13 faculties, 14
institutes, and 9 schools.
Programs run on the French LMD/ECTS system: Licence 3 years, Master
2 years, Doctorat 3 years. Engineering ("Diplôme d'Ingénieur") takes
5 years (300 ECTS); Architecture 5 years (342 ECTS); Medicine 7 years;
Pharmacy and Dental Surgery 5 years each.
Instruction is primarily in French, with a growing number of
English-medium programs and Arabic ones at ILO and FSR.
Faculty of Medicine (FM)
Faculty of Dental Medicine (FMD)
Faculty of Pharmacy (FP)
Faculty of Nursing Sciences (FSI)
Institute of Physiotherapy (IPHY)
Institute of Psychomotor Therapy (IPM)
Institute of Occupational Therapy (IET)
Higher Institute of Speech & Language Therapy (ISO)
School of Midwifery (ESF)
School of Medical Lab Technicians (ETLAM)
School of Engineering of Beirut (ESIB)
School of Architecture of Beirut (ESAR)
School of Food Industry Engineering (ESIA)
School of Mediterranean Agricultural Engineering (ESIAM)
Faculty of Sciences (FS)
Faculty of Law and Political Science (FDSP)
Institute of Political Science — SciencesPo Beyrouth (ISP)
Faculty of Economics (FSE)
USJ Business School (FGM)
Institute of Business Administration (IGE)
Higher Institute of Insurance Science (ISSA)
Faculty of Humanities (FLSH)
Faculty of Languages and Translation (FdLT / ETIB)
Institute of Oriental Studies (ILO)
Institute of Theater, Audiovisual & Cinematic Studies (IESAV)
School of Fashion Art & Design (ESMOD)
Faculty of Education Sciences (FSEDU)
Lebanese Institute of Educators (ILE)
Lebanese School of Social Work (ELFS)
Faculty of Religious Studies (FSR)
Reference: USJ Catalogue 2024-25 |
USJ Institutions Directory
Application
Application Types + Windows
USJ runs three undergraduate admission periods per academic year. The
admission file is filed at the Service d'Information et d'Orientation
(SIO) at any campus or online via
admission.usj.edu.lb. The $100
application fee is non-refundable but is paid only once for all three
periods plus the spring semester of the same academic year.
| Period | Opens | Closes | Decisions | Reference |
|---|
| Early (anticipée) | Oct 15, 2025 | Dec 17, 2025 | Rolling, before Bac results | USJ Admissions |
| Regular | Feb 2, 2026 | Jun 19, 2026 | Rolling, after Bac results | USJ Admissions |
| Late (tardive) | Jun 20, 2026 | Aug 21, 2026 | Late summer | USJ Admissions |
Difference between tracks:
- Early (anticipée) — Apply before Lebanese Baccalaureate results.
Conditional admission is granted pending final Bac scores. Up to 9
ranked program choices.
- Regular — Main admission window after Bac results. Up to 9 ranked
program choices. Most applicants apply during this period.
- Late (tardive) — Limited seats. Only one program choice
permitted. Higher language thresholds may apply (see Requirements
below).
Reference: USJ Admission Conditions |
Application Form
Application Price
| Fee | Amount (USD) | Notes | Reference |
|---|
| Application fee | $100 | Non-refundable. Paid once for all 3 admission periods + spring semester. | Application Form |
The Apply Now button at the bottom-left of this page opens USJ's
online application portal at admission.usj.edu.lb.
Tuition
USJ charges tuition per ECTS credit. Rates are the same for Lebanese
and international students. The figures below come from the official
tarifs.pdf published
by the university (header: "à titre indicatif — tarif de l'année
2017-2018"). USJ has not published a newer plain-text rate sheet, so
these figures are indicative; current rates may have been adjusted
post-crisis. Verify with admissions before relying on these numbers.
A full academic year is 60 ECTS. The "year" column below is 60 × per-credit rate; the "full program" column is the total over the
diploma's expected duration.
Medicine & Health Sciences (Rue de Damas campus)
| Program | USD per credit | USD per year (60 cr) | Full program (USD) |
|---|
| Medicine (MD, FM) | $345 | $20,700 | $144,900 (7 yr) |
| Dental Surgery (DDS, FMD) | $345 | $20,700 | $103,500 (5 yr) |
| Pharmacy (PharmD, FP) | $252 | $15,120 | $75,600 (5 yr) |
| Physiotherapy (IPHY) | $173 | $10,380 | $41,520 (4 yr) |
| Speech & Language Therapy (ISO) | $173 | $10,380 | $41,520 (4 yr) |
| Psychomotor Therapy (IPM) | $173 | $10,380 | $31,140 (3 yr at the time of publication) |
| Occupational Therapy (IET) | $173 | $10,380 | $31,140 (3 yr at the time of publication) |
| Midwifery (ESF) | $167 | $10,020 | $40,080 (4 yr) |
| Nursing Sciences (FSI) | $167 | $10,020 | $30,060 (3 yr) |
| Medical Lab Analysis (ETLAM) | $173 | $10,380 | $31,140 (3 yr) |
| Nutrition & Dietetics | $173 | $10,380 | $31,140 (3 yr) |
Engineering & Sciences (Mar Roukoz – Mansourieh / Hazerta – Zahlé)
| Program | USD per credit | USD per year | Full program (USD) |
|---|
| ESIB — all 8 Diplômes d'Ingénieur (Civil, Mech, Elec, Comp & Comm, Chem & Petrochem) | $251 | $15,060 | $75,300 (5 yr) |
| ESIA — Food Industry Engineering (Taanayel – Bekaa) | $173 (prep, 2 yr) → $216 (specialty, 3 yr) | mixed | $59,640 (5 yr) |
| ESIAM — Agronomic Engineering (Taanayel – Bekaa) | $173 (prep, 2 yr) → $216 (specialty, 3 yr) | mixed | $59,640 (5 yr) |
| INCI — Computer Science | $251 | $15,060 | $45,180 (3 yr) |
| INCI — Telecommunications | $251 | $15,060 | $45,180 (3 yr) |
| FS — Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Life & Earth Sciences | $189 | $11,340 | $34,020 (3 yr) |
Law / Politics / Economics / Business (Huvelin & various)
| Program | USD per credit | USD per year | Full program (USD) |
|---|
| FDSP — Lebanese Law | $173 | $10,380 | $41,520 (4 yr at the time of publication) |
| ISP — Political & Administrative Sciences | $173 | $10,380 | $31,140 (3 yr) |
| FSE — Economics | $173 | $10,380 | $31,140 (3 yr) |
| FGM — BBA / Business Administration & Management (English & French sections) | $173 | $10,380 | $31,140 (3 yr) |
| FGM / FSE — Banking Studies (Licence + Bachelor) | $173 | $10,380 | $31,140 (3 yr) |
| ISSA — Insurance Science | $173 | $10,380 | $31,140 (3 yr) |
| IGE — Applied CS for Business / Hospitality / Marketing | $173 | $10,380 | $31,140 (3 yr) |
| IGE — Culinary Arts & Restaurant Management | $216 | $12,960 | $38,880 (3 yr) |
Humanities, Education, Arts & Religious Studies
| Program | USD per credit | USD per year | Full program (USD) |
|---|
| FLSH — most Licences (Geography, History, Philosophy, French Literature, Sociology & Anthropology, Psychology) | $173 | $10,380 | $31,140 (3 yr) |
| FdLT / ETIB — Translation (French + English Sections) | $173 | $10,380 | $31,140 (3 yr) |
| ILO — Arabic Language & Literature | $86 | $5,160 | $15,480 (3 yr) |
| ILO — Arabic Philosophy & Civilization | $81 | $4,855 | $14,566 (3 yr) |
| FSEDU / ILE — Preschool & Primary Education / Orthopedagogy | $173 | $10,380 | $31,140 (3 yr) |
| ELFS — Social Work (all 3 options) | $173 | $10,380 | $31,140 (3 yr) |
| IESAV — Performing Arts (Theater & Audiovisual) | $216 | $12,960 | $38,880 (3 yr) |
| ESMOD — Fashion Design | $185 | $11,100 | $33,300 (3 yr) |
| FSR — Religious Studies / Islamo-Christian Studies | $78 | $4,680 | $14,040 (3 yr) |
Architecture (ESAR), launched after the published tariff, is not
listed in the official tarifs.pdf. Contact ESAR or admissions for
current rates.
The 2017-2018 tariff also lists program durations as 3-year Licences
for Psychomotor Therapy (IPM), Occupational Therapy (IET), and
Lebanese Law (FDSP). USJ's current public catalogue describes IPM
and IET as 4-year Bachelors and FDSP as a 3-year Licence with
follow-on Master, so program structures may have evolved since the
tariff was published.
Reference: Official USJ Tariff PDF (tarifs.pdf) |
USJ Admission Information
Contact orientation@usj.edu.lb /
+961-1-421128 to confirm the current per-credit rate at your target
faculty.
Scholarships
University-offered scholarships
In AY 2024-25 USJ disbursed a total of $28M in scholarships and
financial aid covering 64% of students — equivalent to roughly 30%
of the university's annual budget.
Merit scholarships
| Scholarship | Coverage | Eligibility | Conditions | Reference |
|---|
| Bourse d'excellence (Lebanese Bac) | 100% / 70% / 30% of tuition | 1st nationally / 2nd nationally or 1st regionally / 3rd nationally or 2nd–3rd regionally | Apply within 30 days of Bac results to bureaudurecteur@usj.edu.lb; rank in top 10% of class yearly to renew | USJ — Excellence |
| Bourse d'excellence (French Bac) | 100% / 70% / 30% | Overall ≥19.5 / 18.5–19.4 / 17.5–18.4 (out of 20) | Same as above | USJ — Excellence |
| Bourses Magis L | Tuition reduction | Undergraduate candidates in eligible programs; passes TALF or English test (Category A/B) | Pass all courses; lose grant on program switch unless new program also offers Magis | Magis Form |
| Bourses Magis M | Tuition reduction | Master's candidates; merit-based file review with language test ranking | Pass all courses; merit review | Magis-M 26-27 |
| Bourses sportives | 10–15% of tuition | Documented athletic performance | Maintain attendance, rules compliance, academic standing | Solidarité — Aide |
Need-based aid
| Program | Coverage | Details | Reference |
|---|
| Bourses sociales | Variable; up to full tuition | Need-based grants assessed by the Service Social. Requires interview with a social worker and supporting financial documents. | Service Social |
| Interest-free loans | Tuition coverage; ~4% bank interest absorbed by USJ | Need-based, evaluated by Service Social. Repayment over a period equal to the aid period; 1-year post-graduation grace. | Service Social |
| Tuition installments (échelonnement) | Spread over 8–10 months | Replaces the standard 4-installment plan when needed. | Service Social |
| Jobs étudiants (work-study) | Hourly wage offsets tuition | Limited campus positions (library, IT, lab, admin) | Aides — USJ |
Family and staff discounts
| Program | Coverage | Eligibility | Reference |
|---|
| Sibling discount | 5% each (2 siblings) / 10% each (3) / 12.5% each (4) | Siblings simultaneously enrolled, ≥20 credits each per semester. Credit-fee discount only (excludes registration & other fees). | USJ — Famille |
| Staff & Hôtel-Dieu de France dependent scholarship | 50% / 75% / 100% of registration fees by employee seniority (1–4 yr / 5–7 yr / 7+ yr) | Dependents of USJ or HDF staff; under 25 (under 30 for medical programs) | USJ — Enfants du personnel |
International student aid
| Program | Coverage | Eligibility | Reference |
|---|
| Bourses étudiants internationaux | Tuition + monthly stipend (max 10 months) + health/accident insurance | Non-Lebanese students; French proficiency; completed first cycle | USJ International |
| Bourses du Gouvernement Français | Variable | Administered by the French Embassy / Campus France, not USJ directly | Campus France Liban |
How to apply for financial aid: merit scholarships are awarded
automatically based on Baccalaureate results; recipients must contact
bureaudurecteur@usj.edu.lb within
30 days of results. Need-based aid requires an interview at the
Service Social
on the Innovation & Sport Campus and submission of supporting
documents. Magis L/M files are reviewed alongside the admission file.
Reference: Aides Financières USJ |
Service Social
Requirements
SAT
USJ does not require SAT scores for admission. Admission is
based on the Lebanese Baccalaureate (or equivalent), an interview, and
USJ's internal language aptitude tests (TALF + English Aptitude Test).
High-school grades
- A recognized secondary school certificate is required: Lebanese
Baccalaureate II (any strand), French Baccalauréat, IB Diploma, A-Levels,
US High School Diploma, or another credential recognized by the
Lebanese Ministry of Education.
- An equivalence from the Lebanese Ministry of Education is required
for non-Lebanese curricula.
- Selective faculties (FM, FMD, FP, ESIB, INCI) require additional
entrance examinations specific to the program.
Reference: USJ Admission Conditions
Language proficiency
USJ administers its own Test d'aptitude en langue française (TALF)
and English Aptitude Test (EAT). Programs are categorized by
language of instruction; candidates are classified into Category A
(stronger) or Category B (weaker but conditionally admissible).
| Test | Threshold | Programs / Notes | Reference |
|---|
| TALF | Category B (regular period) | French-medium selective faculties: FM, FMD, FP, ESIB, INCI, ETIB, FDSP | Conditions |
| TALF | Category A (late period) | FDSP, ETIB, ESIB, INCI, Nutrition (late period requires stronger TALF) | Conditions |
| English Aptitude Test, or TOEFL iBT 60–78, or IELTS 6.0 | Category B | English-medium programs (regular period) | Conditions |
| English Aptitude Test, or TOEFL iBT 80+, or IELTS 6.5 | Category A | Translation program (late period) | Conditions |
Candidates admitted in Category B must reach Category A before the end
of their first year. Programs exempt from the French test include
ILO and ISSR Arabic programs and several English-taught degrees.
Reference: USJ Admission Conditions
Main university
| Office | Phone | Email | Notes |
|---|
| Main switchboard / Rectorate | +961-1-421000 | info@usj.edu.lb | Rue de Damas, B.P. 17-5208, Mar Mikhaël, Beirut 1104 2020 |
| Office of Admissions & Orientation (SIO) | +961-1-421128 | orientation@usj.edu.lb | Berytech Bldg, Ground Floor, Rue de Damas, Beirut |
| Office of Financial Aid (Service Social) | +961-1-421000 | ss.accueil@usj.edu.lb | Rue de Damas, Beirut |
| Merit Scholarships (Bureau du Recteur) | — | bureaudurecteur@usj.edu.lb | Rectorat, Rue de Damas |
Beirut campuses
| Campus | Phone | Email | Address |
|---|
| Medical Sciences (CSM) | +961-1-421235 | fm@usj.edu.lb | Damascus Road, Riad El Solh, Beirut 11072180 |
| Sciences & Technology (CST) | +961-1-421000 / +961-1-421317 (ESIB) | cst@usj.edu.lb (ESIB: secretariat.esib@usj.edu.lb) | Mar Roukos – Dekwaneh, B.P. 1514, Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107 2050 |
| Social Sciences "Huvelin" (CSS) | +961-1-421000 | css@usj.edu.lb | Rue Huvelin / Monnot, Beirut |
| Humanities (CSH) | +961-1-421000 | csh@usj.edu.lb | Rue de Damas, Beirut |
| Innovation & Sport (CIS) | +961-1-421623 (sports: +961-1-421626) | sports@usj.edu.lb | Rue de Damas, B.P. 17-5208, Mar Mikhaël, Beirut 1104 2020 |
Regional centers
| Campus | Phone | Email | Address |
|---|
| Campus Liban Sud (CLS — Saïda) | +961-7-731284 / +961-7-731285 | cls@usj.edu.lb | Bramieh, B.P. 42, Saïda |
| Campus Zahlé & Beqaa (CZB) | +961-8-803325 | czb@usj.edu.lb | Zahlé, Beqaa |
| Campus Liban Nord (CLN — Tripoli) | +961-6-400820 / +961-6-401822 | cln@usj.edu.lb | Ras Maska, Tripoli |
International
| Campus | Phone | Email | Address |
|---|
| USJ-Dubai | +971-4-4380630 | usj.dubai@usj.edu.lb | Building 11 (Ground Floor), Dubai International Academic City, P.O. Box 345008, Dubai, UAE |
Mailing address: Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, B.P. 17-5208,
Mar Mikhaël, Beirut 1104 2020, Lebanon.
Reference: USJ Faculty of Medicine |
USJ Sciences & Tech |
USJ-Dubai
Education system
USJ uses the European LMD / ECTS system (the standard French-Bologna
model), which differs from the American credit-based system used by
most other Lebanese universities — AUB, LAU, BAU, LIU, AUST, NDU, USEK,
RHU, UoB, and others. Knowing which system a school uses changes how
credits, durations, and tuition compare.
American credit-based system (AUB, LAU, BAU, LIU, …)
- Each course is worth 1–6 credits (also called "credit hours"); a
credit roughly maps to one classroom contact hour per week per
semester.
- A typical Bachelor of Arts / Science runs 90–120 credits across
3–4 years (Lebanese American-system schools usually run a
3-year/99-credit Licence-equivalent thanks to summer terms; AUB and
LAU run a 4-year/120-credit US-style track).
- Engineering BS programs are heavier: 108–150 credits over 4–5
years.
- Tuition is normally charged per credit, and credits are designed
to transfer easily to other American-system universities.
French LMD / ECTS system (USJ)
LMD = Licence – Master – Doctorat, the three-cycle Bologna degree
structure:
| Cycle | Duration | ECTS credits | American equivalent |
|---|
| Licence | 3 years | 180 ECTS | Bachelor's degree |
| Master | 2 years | 120 ECTS | Master's degree |
| Doctorat | 3+ years | no fixed total | PhD |
ECTS = European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. One ECTS
credit ≈ 25–30 hours of total student work (lectures + tutorials +
homework + exams + independent reading). A full academic year is 60
ECTS, regardless of subject. ECTS credits are recognised across the
European Higher Education Area and most international partner
institutions.
Professional first-degrees at USJ sit outside the standard 3-year
Licence and follow longer integrated tracks:
| Degree | Faculty | Duration | ECTS |
|---|
| MD (Doctor of Medicine) | FM | 7 years | 360 ECTS |
| DDS (Dental Surgery) | FMD | 5 years | 300 ECTS |
| PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) | FP | 5 years | 360 ECTS |
| Ing. (Diplôme d'Ingénieur) | ESIB, ESIA, ESIAM | 5 years | 300 ECTS |
| BArch (Architecture) | ESAR | 5 years | 342 ECTS |
Rough conversion: ECTS ↔ American credits
ECTS counts total student workload (contact + independent study);
American credits count weekly contact hours. They aren't 1:1, but a
useful rule of thumb is 2 ECTS ≈ 1 American credit hour:
| French (ECTS) | ≈ American (credit hours) | Typical program |
|---|
| 180 ECTS (3 yr Licence) | ~90 credits | Liberal arts BA / BS |
| 240 ECTS (4 yr health Bachelor) | ~120 credits | Physiotherapy, Speech-Language, etc. |
| 300 ECTS (5 yr Ingénieur / DDS) | ~150 credits | Engineering, Dental Surgery |
| 360 ECTS (7 yr MD / 5 yr PharmD) | ~180 credits | Medicine, Pharmacy |