On this page you can find the most frequently asked questions about registration, academic questions, facilities and services, general questions, and COVID-19.

Academic

Majors offered by the University may be found on the website on the following link: www.usal.edu.lb

In order to register for the University, students shall take placement tests to determine their levels in several subjects, based upon which the need for remedial courses is determined. Placement test subjects differ from one major to another.

Each year, the University publishes its academic calendar on the website. This calendar sets dates of importance to the student, one of which is the date on which the courses begin.

The learning course of action shall be determined in accordance with the decisions issued by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.

It is a grade that was put into use during distance learning, for students may choose not to include a course’s numerical grade in their CGPA. They get a P (Pass) instead if they passed the course.

The University adopts both Arabic and English languages for instruction depending on the concentration.

The University offers intensive remedial courses for English language starting from level 1 if the student does not know English at all.

The University prepared several files to acquire accreditation for a number of higher education programs, awaiting approval by the Ministry before launching classes.

Yes, you may equalize credits completed in other universities, conditioned that the relevant grade is not less than C, and that the content of the course is consistent with course offered by USAL by 80%.
Kindly visit the following link for information regarding the necessary procedures to complete the process: Registrar’s Office

Attending courses is mandatory with an allowed number of absences in accordance with the University regulations.

Currently, the University does not offer Freshman programs, but it does accept students who have completed it after being equalized by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.

The University accepts students who have finished their Freshman year after being equalized by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. You may visit the following link for Freshman equivalence at the Ministry: freshman equivilance.

The average is a statistic to measure the student’s average performance in a specific period of his/ her study. For a semester, it is named the Grade Point Average (GPA), and for the sum of semesters, it is the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).

Grade Point Average and Cumulative Grade Point Average

–        The Grade Point Average (GPA) is computed by dividing the total grade points earned by the student in a semester by the total number of credit hours studied in that semester. Grade points for courses are computed by multiplying the number of credit hours by the number of points earned as follows:

(final grade point average for each course) × (number of credits in that course) ÷ (number of credits for all courses) = GPA, for example:

A student studied 3 courses (each course is 3 credits). In the first course, he/ she took 84 (B), in the second he took 65 (D+) and in the third course he took 77 (C+), then his/ her GPA is: (3 × 3) + (1.5 × 3) + (2.5 × 3) ÷ (9) = 2.33.

–      The table below determines the grade each student gets according to the final estimates of the semester average or cumulative average:

 

Grade Points Letter Grade   Grade Points Letter Grade
4.0 A 2.0 C
3.5 B+ 1.5 D+
3.0 B 1.0 D
2.5 C+ 0 F

–       For computing the Cumulative Grade Point Average, all courses the student studied are included whether he/ she passed or failed them, without including the grades of supplementary, withdrawn or equalized courses.

The minimum number of years for graduation ranges between 3 and 4 years for a bachelor’s degree, considering the number of credits each student registers for in one semester.

COVID-19

Students can benefit from insurance during their presence at the University, and those who are not registered for social security must register during their years of study.

The University aims at preserving the efficiency and effectiveness of the educational process through its qualified academic staff and its technical capabilities. It adopts study plans adapted to suit integrated education.

Petitions may be filed through:
Emailing the Registrar’s Office regarding academic affairs on the following address:
registrar@usal.edu.lb
Emailing the Office of Student Affairs regarding financial issues on the following address:
student.affairs@usal.edu.lb

You may find the necessary information and procedures adopted by the University to limit the spread of the Corona Virus among students on the page designated for Covid-19 guidelines.

The allowed number of absences during distance learning is the same allowed during direct learning.

The University provided free study cycles accessible for all students in order to help them overcome this period. It is also publishing informative videos and posts on a regular basis.

Registration

The documents required for registration are:

Bachelor’s degree Teaching diploma
  •  A single civil status record.
  • A photocopy of the family civil registry.
  • Three recent passport-sized photos.
  •  An endorsed photocopy of the Lebanese Secondary School certificate or its equivalent.
  • A statement from the health insurance system if available.
  • A single civil status record.
  • A photocopy of the family civil registry.
  • Three recent passport-sized photos.
  • An endorsed photocopy of the Lebanese Secondary School certificate or its equivalent.
  • A statement from the health insurance system if available.
  • An endorsed original photocopy of their BA in Education or its equivalence (if it were issued by other than the Lebanese University).
For equivalence of TS certificate For equivalence of university credits
  • A single civil status record.
  • A photocopy of the family civil registry.
  • Three recent passport-sized photos.
  • An endorsed photocopy of the Lebanese Secondary School certificate or its equivalent.
  • A statement from the health insurance system if available.
  • A photocopy of the TS certificate endorsed by the Directorate of Vocational and Technical Education.
  • A transcript of grades for the materials the student studied at the technical school endorsed by the Directorate of Vocational and Technical Education.
  • A single civil status record.
  • A photocopy of the family civil registry.
  • Three recent passport-sized photos.
  • An endorsed photocopy of the Lebanese Secondary School certificate or its equivalent.
  • A statement from the health insurance system if available.
  • A transcript of grades from the university in which the student had studied, endorsed by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. It must contain the number of hours for each course.
  • A detailed description of the material the student studied (or at least, those requested for equivalence) endorsed by the concerned institution.

Students are allowed to change majors. For more information, you may visit the following link: Academic Regulations

You may complete Add/ Drop procedures listed on the Registration page found on the following link: Registrar’s Office

You may consult with the academic advisor at the beginning of the semester. The advisor is responsible for guiding you through the registration process and answering all relevant inquiries.

Registration procedures are available on the University website through the following link: Registrar’s Office

Students may register for two concentrations at the same time. They may also register for another program after completing the requirements of the first.

When a student withdraws from his/ her studies, the period of withdrawal is deducted from the maximum period for graduation (7 years). Thus, students are advised to apply for deferment through the Registrar’s Office, and to consult with the academic advisor and the Office of Student Affairs for support and guidance in facing the problems that may stand behind the deferment.

General

The minimum number of years for graduation ranges between 3 and 4 years for a bachelor’s degree, considering the number of credits each student registers for in one semester.

Currently, the University does not provide a housing for students residing outside Beirut, nonetheless this remains a project to be considered in the future on the availability of necessary potentials.

The University is accredited under the decree number 1738, and its degrees are equalized by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. Thus after obtaining the bachelor’s degree, students shall be able to resume their higher education inside Lebanon or abroad.

Mabarrat Association prioritizes the employment of University students whose specialties are compatible with the job vacancies. It also provides them with the opportunity for training in several Al Mabarrat institutions.

The University schedule is flexible; courses are available in different times that suit most of the students.

The University offers several services for its special needs students, specifically those related to public facilities. Some programs also provide academic services according to students’ needs.

Financial

The tuition for each semester is divided into 4 or more payments, according to a financial agreement made with the student, and taking into consideration the student’s financial and social status.

The University adopts a scholarship system dependent on the economic, social and excellence standards. It also offers scholarships based on agreements made with different social and educational bodies.
In light of the current economic conditions, the University launched an alternative scholarship program entitled (Tomooh).
The program targets indigent classes and offers scholarships up to 100%. It also granted scholarships for the students of the Faculty of Management, Finance and Economics amounting to 80%.

For information about scholarships and financial aid offered by the University, kindly visit the following link on the University website: Scholarships and Financial Aid

Services

The University is distinguished for its supportive and welcoming environment. It aims at providing all possible facilities and services to help students adapt with the University environment. Some of the services offered by the University are academic advising and guiding, social and psychological advising and vocational guidance to help students choose a profession in the labor market.

The University houses several clubs from which a student may choose to join according to his/ her interests. The University is also interested in providing an environment that supports students’ different activities.
For more information about student life at the University, kindly visit the Student Clubs