Higher Education in Lebanon
Lebanon holds the #5 spot for education in math and science, according to the 2013 Global Information Technology Report, a list compiled by the World Economic Forum. Other notable distinctions include #10 for best overall quality in education and #13 for quality in the management of its school system.
Under- and post-graduate studies in history, the arts, and humanities are centered in a living laboratory when studying in Lebanon. The country’s location and history make the study of language, culture, world religions, foreign relations, and international trade ideal pursuits here.
Lebanon sits at the northern end of the Great Rift Valley, offering a no-other-place-on-Earth opportunity to study geology, tectonic plates, and the birth of new continents as it’s happening. Oil and natural gas have recently been discovered inland and under the Lebanese seabed; students interested in engineering and exploration of these natural resources can learn about them from the ground up, literally, in Lebanon.
Universities in Lebanon
Of the 41 universities with national accreditation in Lebanon, three of them earn a spot in the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities:
- American University of Beirut (AUB) in 250th place
- Universite Saint Joseph de Beyrouth, #2,332
- Lebanese American University, #2,630
The Academic Year
The university school year starts in October. The spring semester follows in February with a summer session after that. The Lebanese curriculum and other regulations of the school system are governed by the Ministry of Education, which requires eight years of education for every Lebanese child.
Top-ranked AUB requires tuition payments for each credit hour up to 15 per semester. Any additional credit hours can be taken free of charge. Tuition costs vary according to study subject and degree program. Additional student expenses include application, registration, housing, internet, health insurance, and student activity fees.
Health Insurance
Students enrolled in Lebanon’s universities pay a health insurance premium, with rates that vary according to the number of semesters a student takes.
Student Visa
To study in Lebanon, foreign students must have a current passport that won’t expire until six months after returning to the student’s home country. A student residence permit is required of all foreign students, regardless of their homeland.
Any student who has ever been to Israel will be denied entry privileges to Lebanon. Visa stamps from Egypt and Jordan are indication enough to deny a student access to the country.
Good to Know
Arabic is the official national language but legal provisions make French permissible in some official circumstances. University courses are taught in Arabic and French but English is gaining popularity, especially in studies of the sciences and international business.