Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ / جامعة القديس يوسف / Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth)
Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ / جامعة القديس يوسف / Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth) is a private institution in Beirut, Lebanon, accredited by Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE / وزارة التربية والتعليم العالي / Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement Supérieur) — apex regulator for Lebanese HEIs. Lebanon has approximately 50 universities/institutions for ~5-6M population — HIGHEST HE RATIO PER CAPITA IN THE ARAB WORLD. HE classifications: (1) LEBANESE UNIVERSITY (Université Libanaise) — the ONLY public university, multi-branch system across Lebanon's 6 governorates; (2) PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES — majority of Lebanese HE, including historic American (AUB, LAU) + French (USJ) + Armenian (Haigazian) + Maronite (USEK) + Greek Orthodox (Balamand) + Islamic (Islamic University of Lebanon, Jinan, Al-Maaref) institutions reflecting Lebanon's confessional diversity. Quality assurance via MEHE Directorate-General of Higher Education + individual university accreditations (some hold US, UK, French accreditation in addition). Lebanon's multilingual education: Arabic (national), French (legacy from 1920-1943 Mandate), English (growing), Armenian (community institutions). MEHE has been severely impacted by 2019-onwards economic crisis with budget reductions affecting Lebanese University particularly.. Primary language: Arabic (national language) + English + French (HE primary; trilingual education tradition) + Armenian (community institutions). AlmiStudy lists 8 canonical subject areas, all verified against Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE / وزارة التربية والتعليم العالي / Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement Supérieur) — apex regulator for Lebanese HEIs. Lebanon has approximately 50 universities/institutions for ~5-6M population — HIGHEST HE RATIO PER CAPITA IN THE ARAB WORLD. HE classifications: (1) LEBANESE UNIVERSITY (Université Libanaise) — the ONLY public university, multi-branch system across Lebanon's 6 governorates; (2) PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES — majority of Lebanese HE, including historic American (AUB, LAU) + French (USJ) + Armenian (Haigazian) + Maronite (USEK) + Greek Orthodox (Balamand) + Islamic (Islamic University of Lebanon, Jinan, Al-Maaref) institutions reflecting Lebanon's confessional diversity. Quality assurance via MEHE Directorate-General of Higher Education + individual university accreditations (some hold US, UK, French accreditation in addition). Lebanon's multilingual education: Arabic (national), French (legacy from 1920-1943 Mandate), English (growing), Armenian (community institutions). MEHE has been severely impacted by 2019-onwards economic crisis with budget reductions affecting Lebanese University particularly..
- Country
- Lebanon (LB)
- City
- Beirut
- Control
- private
- Language
- Arabic (national language) + English + French (HE primary; trilingual education tradition) + Armenian (community institutions)
- Accreditation
- Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE / وزارة التربية والتعليم العالي / Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement Supérieur) — apex regulator for Lebanese HEIs. Lebanon has approximately 50 universities/institutions for ~5-6M population — HIGHEST HE RATIO PER CAPITA IN THE ARAB WORLD. HE classifications: (1) LEBANESE UNIVERSITY (Université Libanaise) — the ONLY public university, multi-branch system across Lebanon's 6 governorates; (2) PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES — majority of Lebanese HE, including historic American (AUB, LAU) + French (USJ) + Armenian (Haigazian) + Maronite (USEK) + Greek Orthodox (Balamand) + Islamic (Islamic University of Lebanon, Jinan, Al-Maaref) institutions reflecting Lebanon's confessional diversity. Quality assurance via MEHE Directorate-General of Higher Education + individual university accreditations (some hold US, UK, French accreditation in addition). Lebanon's multilingual education: Arabic (national), French (legacy from 1920-1943 Mandate), English (growing), Armenian (community institutions). MEHE has been severely impacted by 2019-onwards economic crisis with budget reductions affecting Lebanese University particularly.. Verify on the public registry · last verified 2026-05-15.
- Source
- Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ / جامعة القديس يوسف / Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth) — MEHE Lebanon + institutional verification (Day 15) · tier: tier_2_directory
- Website
- https://www.usj.edu.lb
Subjects offered
Show all 10 listed subjects (raw)
Engineering & Technology · Natural Sciences · Business & Management · Arts & Humanities · Social Sciences · Law · Computer Science & IT · Medicine & Health Sciences · Pharmacy · Theology & Religious Studies
Founded 1875 (chartered by JESUITS as French Catholic university; LEBANON'S OLDEST French-curriculum university; RIVAL of AUB; established by Pope Leo XIII papal bull). LEBANON'S OLDEST AND PREMIER FRENCH-CURRICULUM university — historic rival of AUB. Founded 1875 by JESUITS (Society of Jesus) as French Catholic university. Established by POPE LEO XIII papal bull. NINE YEARS YOUNGER than AUB (1866) but the institutional rivalry shaped Lebanese intellectual life through 20th century. ~12,000+ students on Beirut + Tripoli + Sidon + Zahle campuses. FRENCH-MEDIUM instruction (some English programmes). 13 faculties including Medicine (Hôtel-Dieu de France hospital affiliation), Law, Engineering, Letters. Major French soft-power presence in Levant. Strong Maronite + Catholic + Francophone Lebanese alumni network.
Other universities in Lebanon
Al-Maaref University (جامعة المعارف)
Beirut
American University of Beirut (AUB / الجامعة الأميركية في بيروت)
Beirut
American University of Science and Technology (AUST)
Beirut
Antonine University (UA / الجامعة الأنطونية / Université Antonine)
Baabda
Arts, Sciences and Technology University in Lebanon (AUL)
Beirut
Beirut Arab University (BAU / جامعة بيروت العربية)
Beirut
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