The American University of Beirut seeks students of sound character, proven academic achievement, and strong potential. In accordance with the policies of its founders and its commitment to equal opportunity, the university admits students regardless of race, color, religion, gender, disability, or national origin. While AUB attracts students from more than ninety countries around the world, it primarily serves applicants from Lebanon, the Arab world, and the Middle East, and strives to maintain geographic distribution within the region. The university also values its strong ties with its alumni and considers the enrollment of children of alumni important to maintaining these ties and to continuing its traditions.
Application Procedures
Admission to Undergraduate Study
Students may apply for admission to AUB’s undergraduate programs as:
- Freshmen in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences
- Sophomores/first-year professional students in all the faculties/schools
- Transfer students from other universities
- Visiting students, or non-degree students
- Second-degree applicants
The Executive Admissions Committee issues admission decisions on freshman, sophomore/first-year professional, transfer to sophomore, and visiting/non-degree applicants. The selection of transfer students to advanced standing or those applying for a second degree is made by the respective faculties/schools.
All admission decisions are conditional upon:
- Evidence of receipt of the certificate/degree that qualified the student for admission and is recognized by the Ministry of Education of the country of origin
- Successful completion of the high school diploma
- Evidence of fulfilling the Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE) requirement
Students are not eligible to register until all conditions of their admission are met. These conditions are stated in the letter of admission’s checklist, which must be completed by the specified deadlines.
Applicants for the fall term are notified of their conditional admission by early April, while applicants for the spring term are notified by early December. Upon receiving notification of conditional admission, students may secure a place for the fall-term entering class by paying a non-refundable confirmation fee of $1,000. This deposit is credited to the student’s account upon registration.
Note: Recommendations, official transcripts of records, and all other documents submitted with an application for admission become the property of AUB and will not be returned to the applicant.
Freshman-Year Applicants
Freshman applicants may apply for admission to AUB’s undergraduate program at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Admission is offered for the first (fall) term or the second (spring) term. Applicants for the fall term may also choose to apply under a special early admission track. All applications must be submitted online by the specified deadlines.
Applicants to the freshman year must submit the following for evaluation:
- Secondary School Record
Applicants must provide an official report of grades, including average, for the two years of schooling prior to the year of application (grades 10 and 11). Schools that do not provide complete information may jeopardize the admission of their students. Applicants should request that school officials send these records directly to the AUB Office of Admissions.
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
The SAT is required for freshman-year applicants. Students are responsible for registering and taking the SAT.
- Applicants for the fall term must sit for the test no later than the December testing session of the year previous to their planned enrollment.
- Applicants for the spring term must sit for the test no later than the October testing session of the year previous to their planned enrollment.
For students who sit for the test more than once, AUB considers the highest score achieved in each section, English and Math (the “SuperScore”). Applicants must ensure that their official SAT scores are submitted through College Board by entering the AUB code 0902 before admission decisions are issued. For information about test dates and locations of the SAT, applicants should visit the College Board website at https://www.collegeboard.org/sat. Applicants must also ensure the results of their last attempt will be issued before admission decisions are issued. AUB will only accept scores received directly from College Board. Applicants must ensure that they check the student portal (https://join.aub.edu.lb/manage/login) for the most updated and recent SAT scores available on record.
- Permission to Enter the Freshman Class
Applicants to the freshman class are required to present a “permission” to enter the freshman class from the Equivalence Committee of the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE). The Equivalence Committee at MEHE classifies freshman students into two tracks:
- Sciences track: Requires a minimum SAT score of 950
- Arts track: Requires a minimum SAT score of 870
The assigned track determines the programs into which a freshman may transfer upon completion of the freshman year.
- Identification Document
A scanned copy of the applicant’s national identity card or passport is required. - Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee of $50 must be paid for the application to be processed.
- Complete Academic Record
All applicants must provide a complete academic record of official reports of grades from all institutions attended. Failure to present a complete academic record may result in the withdrawal of the admission offer.
Important Note: Applicants pursuing a high school program will only be considered for admission to the freshman year, even if they also present a Lebanese Baccalaureate diploma.
Special Freshman Admission Options
Two freshman admission options are available.
Option 1
Secondary school averages in Grade 10 and Grade 11:
- Applicants with an overall average of 13/20 or its equivalent in both Grade 10 and Grade 11 will be waived from the SAT requirement for admission.
- Nevertheless, MEHE requires admitted applicants to sit for the SAT anytime during their freshman year before they will be allowed to start their sophomore year.
- A minimum SAT score of 950 is required for the sciences track.
- A minimum SAT score of 870 is required for the arts track.
- The assigned track determines the programs into which a freshman may transfer upon completion of the freshman year.
Option 2
Applicants with an SAT SuperScore above 950 and who have successfully completed Grades 10 and 11 are automatically accepted to the freshman year.
Pre-Enrollment Registration Requirements for Freshman-Year Applicants
- Meet the RUSE requirement by mid-August at the latest for the fall term and mid-December for the spring term.
- Submit official hard copy transcripts for Grades 10, 11, and 12 along with a copy of the high school diploma by early July for the fall term and by mid-December for the spring term.
- Submit the permission to enter the freshman class provided by MEHE by mid-August for the fall term and by mid-December for the spring term.
Once these documents are submitted, no changes to student status will be accepted after mid-November.
Disclaimer
Where applicable, official transcripts from all institutions of higher education (colleges or universities) attended are required. If AUB discovers that an applicant has provided an incomplete academic record, admission will be cancelled. In such cases, the student remains liable for all incurred fees for instruction at AUB, including reimbursement of any financial aid awarded, and will be ineligible to receive transcripts and certificates.
Credit for University Work Done at the Secondary Level for Freshman Students
With the approval of the concerned academic departments, a maximum of fifteen freshman credits may be awarded for scores of 4 or 5 on Advanced Placement (AP) examinations of the College Board (
https://ap.collegeboard.org/).
AP results must be uploaded through the Admissions Student Portal once final results are out before the start of the term.
Sophomore-Year and other Undergraduate Program Applicants
Sophomore students may apply for admission to AUB undergraduate programs in all faculties. They may apply to one, two, or three of AUB’s faculties/schools. Applicants for the fall term may also choose to benefit from an early admission track.
Sophomore and other undergraduate applicants—including transfer students from other universities, visiting students, non-degree students, and second-degree applicants—may apply for entrance in either the first (fall) term or the second (spring) term. All applications must be submitted online by the deadlines specified (
https://www.aub.edu.lb/admissions/Pages/Deadlines.aspx).
Applicants to the sophomore and other undergraduate programs must submit the following for evaluation:
- Secondary School Record
Applicants must provide an official report of grades, including average, for the two years of schooling prior to the year of application (grades 10 and 11). Schools that do not provide complete information may jeopardize the admission of their students. Applicants should request the school officials send these records directly to the AUB Office of Admissions.
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
The SAT is required of all undergraduate applicants, except junior and senior transfer students, non-degree, and visiting students. Students are responsible for registering and taking the SAT. - Applicants for the fall term must sit for the test no later than the December testing session of the previous to their planned enrollment.
- Applicants for the spring term must sit for the test no later than the October testing session of the year previous to their planned enrollment.
For students who sit for the test more than once, AUB considers the highest score achieved in each section, English and Math (the “SuperScore”). Applicants must ensure that their official SAT scores are submitted through College Board by entering the AUB code 0902 before admission decisions are issued. For information about test dates and locations of the SAT, applicants should visit the College Board website at
https://www.collegeboard.org/sat. Applicants must also ensure the results of their last attempt will be issued before admission decisions are issued. AUB will only accept scores received directly from College Board. Applicants must ensure that they check the student portal (
https://join.aub.edu.lb/manage/login) for the most updated and recent SAT scores available on record.
- Identification Document
A scanned copy of the applicant’s national identity card or passport is required. - Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee of $50 must be paid for the application to be processed. - Complete Academic Record
All applicants must provide a complete academic record of official reports of grades from all institutions attended. Failure to present a complete academic record may result in the withdrawal of the admission offer.
Deadlines for All Undergraduate Applications
| For Regular Admission to: | Deadline |
| Spring term of academic year 2026-27 | October 31, 2026 |
| Fall term of academic year 2027-28 | December 20, 2026 |
| Spring term of academic year 2027-28 | October 31, 2027 |
| For Early/Merit Admission to: | Deadline |
| Fall term of academic year 2027-28 | October 31, 2026
|
For more information about deadlines, visit https://www.aub.edu.lb/admissions/Pages/Deadlines.aspx.
Early/Merit Admission
A special early admission track for fall admission has been designed for students who meet the following requirements:
- Submission of the application form by October 31.
- High academic achievement in grades 10 and 11.
- SAT scores (the last session considered is the October session), as indicated in the table below:
| Applying to | Minimum SAT (SuperScore) |
| Freshman | 1100 |
| Faculty of Arts and Sciences |
|
| Bachelor of Arts Programs (humanities/ social sciences) | 1170 |
| Bachelor of Arts in Economics | 1270 |
| Bachelor of Sciences (quantitative thought and natural sciences) | 1270 |
| Bachelor of Sciences in Biology | 1350 |
| Hariri School of Nursing | 1170 |
| Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences | 1270 |
| Faculty of Health Sciences | 1270 |
| Suliman S. Olayan School of Business | 1270 |
| Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture | |
| Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design | 1270 |
| Bachelor of Landscape Architecture | 1270 |
| All Engineering Programs including Architecture | 1350
|
Important Aspects of Early/Merit Admission:
- It is granted only to the applicant’s first-choice major within each faculty they applied to.
- Those who do not meet the requirements for their first choice in a specific faculty will have all the choices in that faculty transferred and assessed in the regular admission pool.
- These applicants may benefit from early action depending on the evaluation of their academic records.
- These applicants may benefit from an early decision also depending on the evaluation of their academic records.
- Early action and early decision admissions are subject to capacity and budget availability.
- It is granted only for the specific program(s) stated in the admission letter and for fall term enrollment only. Those who defer their enrollment to the following spring term will lose their early/merit scholarship.
- Those who wish to defer their enrollment from fall to spring must settle the confirmation fee before the deferral will be granted and acknowledge the loss of the scholarship.
- All admission offers are conditional upon the student providing evidence of having received the certificate or diploma (recognized by the Ministry of Education of the originating country) on the basis of which admission was granted, and upon fulfilling the Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE) requirement. Students are not eligible to register until these conditions have been met.
- The early/merit scholarship covers the percentage stated in the admission letter over the entire period of undergraduate studies provided the student maintains a minimum GPA of 3.5 per term (any summer term is included with the subsequent fall term for this calculation).
- Confirmation of early/merit admission applies to one major only.
Pre-Enrollment Registration Requirements for Sophomore-Year Applicants
Accepted students who confirm their enrollment must provide the following documents:
- Meet the RUSE requirement by mid-August at the latest for the fall term and mid-December for the spring term.
- Submit official hard-copy transcripts for Grades 10, 11, and 12 along with a copy of the high school diploma by early July for the fall term and by mid-December for the spring term.
- Submit a certified copy of the Lebanese Baccalaureate or its equivalent (IB, French Baccalaureate, GCE or another official government secondary school certificate) issued by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Lebanon (MEHE) by mid-November.
Once these documents are submitted, no changes to student status will be accepted after mid-November.
Disclaimer
Where applicable, official transcripts from all institutions of higher education (colleges or universities) attended are required. If AUB discovers that an applicant has provided an incomplete academic record, admission will be cancelled. In these cases, the student remains liable for all incurred fees for instruction at AUB, including reimbursement of any financial aid awarded, and will be ineligible to receive transcripts and certificates.
Readiness for University Study in English (RUSE)
Prior to registration at the university, undergraduate students admitted to AUB must demonstrate a level of English proficiency consistent with the demands of a program conducted almost entirely in English. This requirement should be fulfilled as early as possible, and no later than mid-August for the fall term and mid-December for the spring term.
Applicants can meet this requirement by submitting official test scores for any of the following approved tests:
Applicants who do not achieve the required scores listed in the link above will be required to take remedial or intensive English language courses upon starting their degree programs in accordance with the requirements posted on the same webpage.
When registering for any of the above tests, applicants must make sure to submit the official results to the AUB Office of Admissions. In addition, the applicants must upload a scanned copy of their results on their student portal (
https://join.aub.edu.lb/manage/login).
Remedial/Intensive English Course
Applicants who obtain scores below the minimum required for meeting RUSE must register in a remedial/intensive English course. Placement in these courses is determined by the Communication Skills Program according to the criteria detailed at:
Students enrolled in a remedial/intensive English course will not receive credit toward their degree for this course. These students may register for only one or two regular university courses (a maximum of six credits), thus earning credits toward their degree while working to achieve the level of English proficiency required to carry a full course load in the regular program. These regular university courses are limited to Arabic and courses in mathematics, statistics, or computer literacy in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and equivalent statistics courses in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business, and the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Students may remain enrolled in remedial/intensive English courses one or two terms depending on their level of English language proficiency at the time of entry. However, students who fail to pass the remedial/intensive English course by the end of the second term will have their admission to the university cancelled.
Students enrolled in remedial and/or intensive courses are not eligible for financial aid.
University Preparatory Program
The University Preparatory Program (UPP) is designed for students who have completed the high school, Baccalaureate II, or other government secondary school certificate (based on twelve years of schooling starting with elementary one) and who have a limited formal background in English. The program offers a twenty hour per-week English curriculum that emphasizes an integrated approach to listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Study skills, pronunciation, and research skills are incorporated into the course to meet students’ individual needs. An additional six hours of mathematics and/or science are provided to ensure that students are fully prepared for university-level work.
It is recommended that UPP students reside on campus in one of AUB’s all-men or all-women residences. Residence living fosters an “immersion approach” to language learning, allowing students to practice their English language skills outside the classroom.
In addition to the residential experience, students have the opportunity to participate in regular AUB extracurricular activities and a series of field trips planned in conjunction with their coursework.
Students who complete the UPP are admitted to the freshman class at AUB after passing the program’s exit exam and meeting the minimum SAT requirements set by the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE; refer to the above section “Freshman-Year Applicants”). Students applying to the sophomore class must take the SAT and follow the standard admission procedure for regular applicants.
Transfer from Other Universities
Freshman Transfer
Students enrolled at a recognized institution of higher learning may apply for admission to the freshman year if they have freshman status at their current university and have earned a maximum of fifteen freshman credits or AUB equivalent.
Admission in this category is based on:
- SAT (SuperScore)
- Grade 10 and 11 general averages
- Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended
Sophomore Transfer (Transfer with Fewer than 54 credits)
Students enrolled at a recognized institution of higher learning may apply for admission to the sophomore year if they have completed a class equivalent to the freshman class and have earned a maximum of twenty-three sophomore credits or AUB equivalent.
Admission in this category is based on:
- SAT (SuperScore)
- Grade 10 and 11 general averages
- Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended
Junior Transfer (Advanced Transfer)
Students enrolled at a recognized institution of higher learning may apply for admission as junior transfer if they have completed a class equivalent to the freshman class and have earned a maximum of twenty-four sophomore credits or AUB equivalent. These students will not need to submit SAT results since SAT is not part of the assessment. However, they will need a minimum GPA of 3.0 or its equivalent to be considered for assessment.
All admitted transfer applicants must:
- Submit official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended.
- Fulfill the Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE) requirement prior to registration (https://www.aub.edu.lb/admissions/english/).
- Submit their official grade 12 transcript along with their high school diploma and government secondary certificate or its equivalent.
- Consult the appropriate faculty/school sections of the university catalogue, taking particular note of the residency requirements and any additional admission requirements specific to that faculty/school.
- Submit the syllabi for all courses they expect to receive transfer credit for at AUB to the Office of Admissions by the following deadlines:
- Fall term applicants: Initial submission by April 30. Any missing syllabi must be received by May 30—after this date, no course equivalences will be granted.
- Spring term applicants: All required syllabi by November 15.
Course equivalences are evaluated only for syllabi submitted by these deadlines.
Courses completed at another institution may be considered for transfer credit provided they are in recognized academic disciplines and were successfully completed with a minimum grade of C+, in accordance with AUB standards. Transfer credits are awarded as credit only (without grades) and are subject to review and approval by the relevant departments and faculties at AUB. Applicants should be aware that not all previously completed courses may be eligible for transfer, which could affect their class standing.
Course transferability is also contingent on where the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE) decides the term break of each student’s Freshman Equivalence falls. Courses used by the Ministry to provide the Freshman Equivalence may not be transferred. Prerequisite courses taken during the time determined by the Ministry for the Freshman Equivalence will be counted as fulfilling any prerequisite requirement. AUB reserves the right to update a student’s status for admissions based on MEHE’s decision.
Transfer from AUB-Mediterraneo
Students transferring from AUB-Mediterraneo must fulfill all transfer requirements mentioned above.
However, as AUB-Mediterraneo is a branch campus of AUB, both course credits and grades will be transferred for any courses accepted for transfer.
If students are high school diploma holders and have completed their freshman year at AUB-Mediterraneo and wish to transfer to AUB Beirut, they will need to secure the Freshman Permission and the Freshman Equivalency from MEHE. If they have completed one freshman term at AUB-Mediterraneo and wish to transfer to AUB Beirut to continue their freshman year, they have to secure the Freshman Permission from MEHE. For assistance and more information, contact the Office of Admissions at
[email protected].
Sophomore Credits Taken at the Freshman Level
For freshman students who have not yet obtained their equivalency from MEHE, any sophomore-level credits taken will not be counted toward the sophomore year. Freshman equivalency must be finalized for these credits to be recognized as sophomore-level credits and counted toward the degree requirements, provided they are successfully completed beyond the freshman equivalency session date set by the MEHE.
Pre-Enrollment Registration Requirements for Transfer to Sophomore and/or Advanced Transfer Program Applicants
- Meet the RUSE requirement by mid-August at the latest for the fall term and mid-December for the spring term.
- Submit official hard copy transcripts for Grades 10, 11, and 12 along with a copy of the high school diploma by early July for the fall term and by mid-December for the spring term.
- Submit a certified copy of the Lebanese Baccalaureate or its equivalent (IB, French Baccalaureate, GCE or another official government secondary school certificate) issued by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Lebanon (MEHE) by early July for the fall term and by mid-December for the spring term.
- Submit official updated final transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher education (colleges or universities) by early July for the fall term and by mid-December for the spring term.
Once these documents are submitted, no changes to student status will be accepted after the start of the term.
Disclaimer
Where applicable, official transcripts from all institutions of higher education (colleges or universities) attended are required. If AUB discovers that an applicant has provided an incomplete academic record, admission will be cancelled. In these cases, the student remains liable for all incurred fees for instruction at AUB, including reimbursement of any financial aid awarded, and will be ineligible to receive transcripts and certificates.
Admission to Second Degree
Two years or more after graduating, AUB bachelor’s degree graduates who wish to pursue a second bachelor’s degree —whether in the same faculty/school or a different one — must apply through the Office of Admissions using a second-degree application form. The minimum GPA requirement is 3.0. This category of applicants is exempted from the SAT and the Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE) requirements.
Students holding a bachelor’s degree from another accredited institution of higher education recognized by AUB may also apply to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a different major. If accepted, such applicants must satisfy the Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE) requirement.
All applications for a second degree are evaluated by the Admissions Committee of the concerned faculty/school, which then makes recommendations to the dean. Final admission decisions depend on the overall qualifications of the applicant pool and the availability of seats.
For more information on the admission requirements, visit the following link:
Admission to the Teaching Diploma and other Undergraduate Diploma Programs
AUB bachelor’s degree graduates or graduates from another accredited institution of higher education recognized by AUB may apply to pursue an undergraduate diploma program. The minimum GPA requirement is 3.0. This category of applicants is exempted from the SAT requirement.
All applications for this category are evaluated by the Admissions Committee of the concerned faculty/school, which then makes recommendations to the dean. Final admission decisions depend on the overall qualifications of the applicant pool and the availability of seats for the term sought.
The following undergraduate diploma programs are offered:
- Teaching Diploma Program
- Diploma in Special Education
- Diploma in Educational Management and Leadership
- Diploma in Development Studies
Pre-Enrollment Registration Requirements for Second Degree and/or Teaching Diploma Program Applicants
- Meet the RUSE requirement by mid-August at the latest for the fall term and by mid-December for the spring term.
- Submit official hard copy transcripts for Grades 10, 11, and 12 along with a copy of the high school diploma by early July for the fall term and by mid-December for the spring term.
- Submit a certified copy of the Lebanese Baccalaureate or its equivalent (IB, French Baccalaureate, GCE or another official government secondary school certificate) issued by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Lebanon (MEHE) by early July for the fall term and by mid-December for the spring term.
- Submit official updated final transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher education (colleges or universities) by early July for the fall term and by mid-December for the spring term.
- Submit a certified copy of the bachelor’s degree stamped by the previous university by early July for the fall term and by mid-December for the spring term.
- Submit a certified equivalency of the bachelor’s degree from MEHE by early July for the fall term and by mid-December for the spring term.
Once these documents are submitted, no changes to student status will be accepted after the start of the term.
Disclaimer
Where applicable, official transcripts from all institutions of higher education (colleges or universities) attended are required. If AUB discovers that an applicant has provided an incomplete academic record, admission will be cancelled. In these cases, the student remains liable for all incurred fees for instruction at AUB, including reimbursement of any financial aid awarded, and will be ineligible to receive transcripts and certificates.
Admission of Non-Degree Students
Individuals enrolled at recognized universities other than AUB—or those who have completed at least one term or twelve credits at another university—and who hold a recognized government secondary school certificate (or its equivalent) may apply to take up to seventeen credits per term at the undergraduate level in any faculty/school for the fall or spring term as a non-degree student using the online application available on the Office of Admissions webpage.
Admission as a non-degree student is normally offered for two terms if the student is joining AUB starting in the fall, or for one term if starting in spring. Registration may be extended for one additional term depending on course offerings and academic performance in courses taken at AUB upon submission of a petition.
Courses completed at AUB by non-degree students may later be considered for credit transfer toward an AUB degree if the student applies and is admitted to a degree program through the regular admission process. Non-degree students who have completed 24 or more sophomore credits at AUB as a non-degree student with a minimum GPA of 3.0 may apply for advanced transfer.
Students whose native language is English, or who have completed two years of higher education at a university in which English is the primary language of instruction, are exempted from the Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE) requirement. For more information, visit
https://www.aub.edu.lb/admissions/english.
Study Away at AUB for AUB-Mediterraneo Students
Individuals enrolled at AUB-Mediterraneo who have completed at least one term or twelve credits and who hold a recognized government secondary school certificate (or its equivalent) may apply to take up to seventeen credits per term at the undergraduate level in any faculty/school for the fall or spring term as a special student using the online application available on the Office of Admissions webpage.
Admission as a Visiting (Exchange) Undergraduate Student
Applicants wishing to study abroad or participate in an exchange program at AUB must be enrolled at recognized institutions of higher learning and must have completed at least the sophomore year or its equivalent at their home universities.
Applications must be submitted online to the Office of Admissions, along with the official transcript of records, by the end of March if applying for the fall term or by the end of October if applying for the spring term.
Applicants must clearly specify their intended course of study during their visiting status.
Admission is normally offered for two terms if the student is joining AUB starting fall or for one term if starting in spring. Registration may be extended for an additional term depending on course offerings and academic performance in courses taken at AUB, upon submission of a petition.
Students whose native language is English, or who have completed two years of higher education in a university where English is the primary language of instruction, are exempted from the Readiness for University Studies in English registration (RUSE) requirement. For more information, visit
https://www.aub.edu.lb/admissions/english.
Pre-Enrollment Registration Requirements for Special Student Not Working for a Degree Applicants
- Meet the RUSE requirement by mid-August at the latest for the fall term and mid-December for the spring term.
- Submit official updated final transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher education (colleges or universities) by early July.
- Submit a certified equivalency of the bachelor’s degree from MEHE by early July for the fall term and mid-December for the spring term.
Once these documents are submitted, no changes to student status will be accepted after the start of the term.
Disclaimer
Where applicable, official transcripts from all institutions of higher education (colleges or universities) attended are required. If AUB discovers that an applicant has provided an incomplete academic record, admission will be cancelled. In these cases, the student remains liable for all incurred fees for instruction at AUB, including reimbursement of any financial aid awarded, and will be ineligible to receive transcripts and certificates.
Admission of University Employees
Employees of the university who meet at least minimum undergraduate admission requirements are given admission as part-time students by the Director of Admissions. Such applicants must sit for the SAT within the set deadlines and must meet the Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE) requirement before registration. Employees who leave AUB and wish to continue their education at the university must apply for admission in competition with other applicants.
Admission to the Summer Term
Non-degree and visiting applicants who are currently not registered at AUB but wish to enroll only for the summer term must submit their applications by the end of April.
Applicants must:
- Hold a recognized government secondary school certificate.
- Be enrolled at a recognized university.
- Provide an official transcript from all institutions of higher education attended.
- Meet the Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE) requirement.
The Director of Admissions evaluates these applications and determines whether to grant or deny admission.
Readmission
The following regulations apply to students seeking readmission:
- Students in good standing who voluntarily withdrew from the university for more than two years must submit a readmission petition (readmission form) through the online petition system to the Dean’s Office of the concerned faculty/school and must obtain readmission approval from the Office of Admissions.
- Students who have left the university for fewer than two years, and/or those who left the university while on probation, should refer to the Reactivation section under the General University Academic Information in the catalogue.
In all cases, official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended during the interim must be submitted.
Deferred Registration
Undergraduate applicants who are admitted for the fall term and who do not register for that term may be eligible for admission to the spring term of the same academic year, subject to the availability of places. A petition must be submitted via the Admissions Student Portal before January 5, 2027. Undergraduate applicants admitted in the spring may not defer their admission to a subsequent term.
Students who enroll in another institution of higher learning after receiving an offer of admission from AUB are not eligible for deferred registration. Such applicants will instead be evaluated as transfer students, who must notify the Office of Admissions of their enrollment at another institution of higher learning and submit their updated university transcripts prior to the start of the term.
If a student fails to notify the Office of Admissions of such information and wishes to transfer credits at a later stage, AUB has the right to revoke the acceptance/enrollment.
Applicants who were granted an early/merit Scholarship and wish to postpone their acceptance until the following spring term will lose their scholarship. For more information, refer to the Early/Merit Admission section.
Using Second Admission for Admitted Students
Students accepted to two faculties and register in one of them in the fall term may decide to use their second admission by submitting a petition via the Admissions Student Portal before January 5, 2027. Admission to the second faculty/school is subject to availability of places.
Applicants who were granted an early/merit scholarship and wish to use their second admission will retain their scholarship percentage provided that the student has maintained a minimum GPA of 3.5 as indicated in the admission letter. However, the scholarship percentage may be prorated based on the new major.
Requirements of Admitted Students for Registration
Students admitted to AUB must fulfill the following requirements prior to registration:
- A medical examination.
- The Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE).
- Evidence of having received the diploma, certificate, degree or university level education that qualified the student for admission.
Refer to the Pre-enrollment Registration Requirements applicable to the relevant student category.
The RUSE may be met through various means as outlined under the RUSE section. The diploma/certificate requirement may be satisfied in various ways, which in turn determine the faculty/school and the level to which applicants apply, are admitted, and register at the university.
Government Secondary School Certificate/Diploma Requirements for Registration and the Classes for Which They Qualify – Freshman Category
All applicants to the freshman class must hold a government secondary school certificate awarded by a public or private school that is recognized by both the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education and AUB.
The university does not recognize secondary diplomas or certificates based on fewer than twelve years of schooling, beginning with Grade 1 (Elementary I Class). The GCE ordinary level and one year of the Collège d’Enseignement Général et Professionel (CEGEP) qualify for admission to the freshman class at AUB.
Applicants to the freshman class who have followed a high school diploma program meeting the above criteria must obtain permission from the Equivalence Committee of the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education to pursue their higher education on the basis of a foreign (non-Lebanese) program. Applicants are strongly advised to begin the process of securing this permission at least two months before the start of registration at AUB. This permission may be obtained by applying directly to the Equivalence Committee of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
The Equivalence Committee of the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education requires applicants to the freshman class to take the SAT provided they have received permission to pursue higher education on the basis of a foreign program.
At the time of registration for the freshman class, students should consult their academic advisers to ensure that the number of credits and types of subjects they take during their freshman year comply with the specifications of the Equivalence Committee of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. A total SAT score (Verbal + Mathematics) of at least 950 is required for the sciences track, and at least 870 for the arts track.
Upon completion of the freshman class at AUB, students who have secured the required permission are entitled to have their freshman class equated to the Lebanese Baccalaureate by the Equivalence Committee of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
All applicants for admission to the sophomore class, or its equivalent classes in other faculties/schools, must hold the Lebanese Baccalaureate or its equivalent, as recognized by both the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education and AUB.
Furthermore, candidates admitted to the university as non-Lebanese are not permitted to change their nationality to Lebanese in the university’s records unless they had fulfilled all admission requirements applicable to Lebanese students at the time of their initial admission.
Basis of Admission Certificates and the Classes for Which They Qualify – Sophomore Category
Regardless of the certificate that qualified the student for admission, candidates may be required to take remedial courses depending on the path followed in the certificate and the major they have been admitted to.
Lebanese Baccalaureate
There are four types of Lebanese Baccalaureate: Literature and Humanities, Sociology and Economics, General Sciences, and Life Sciences. Refer to Certificate and Class Chart for details.
Students enrolled in the Sociology and Economics - Lebanese Baccalaureate track may apply only to the graphic design and landscape architecture majors in the Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, and to any major in the remaining faculties.
Technical Baccalaureate
Students who are completing a technical baccalaureate are required to enroll in the program that falls under the same track as their technical baccalaureate and will be required to take additional credits as stipulated by the MEHE. Upon confirmation, students need to contact the Student Services Office in their faculty/school to ensure they register for the prerequisite courses during their first term. Failure to complete these prerequisites may result in the cancellation of their registration.
IB (International Baccalaureate), FB (French Baccalaureate), or GCE (General Certificate of Education)
Students enrolled in IB (International Baccalaureate), FB (French Baccalaureate), or GCE (General Certificate of Education) should refer to the table linked below to avoid taking remedial courses in certain majors.
Students who have not completed the subjects in the IB, FB, or GCE corresponding to a specific major may still apply and join that major; however, they will be required to complete additional remedial courses at AUB.
Remedial courses are assigned by the academic adviser in the faculty the student joins.
For details, refer to the table through the following link:
Certificates Issued by Governments
Holders of other government secondary certificates are eligible to apply to the freshman class in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences or to the sophomore or equivalent classes in other faculties/schools.
Some government certificates are divided into literary and scientific categories:
- A literary certificate generally qualifies students for admission to arts or business programs. Students with a literary certificate who wish to pursue a science major may apply but will be required to complete additional prerequisite courses.
- A scientific certificate qualifies for admission to all majors
For details, refer to the table through the following link:
In certain educational systems, secondary certificates do not specify literary, scientific, or other types of certificates but instead indicate the subjects passed. The Executive Admissions Committee evaluates such applications on a case-by-case basis.
For certificates where grading is not available for subjects, the student must demonstrate that the subjects have been successfully passed.
Students who are completing two years of the Collège d’Enseignement Général et Professionel (CEGEP) and who earn the Diplôme d’Études Collégiales (DEC) are eligible to apply for admission to the sophomore class.
Commercial, Agricultural, and Vocational Secondary Certificates
Commercial, agriculture, and vocational secondary certificates are generally not considered for admission to AUB. However, if the issuing government officially recognizes the certificate as equivalent to the official government secondary school certificate, the holder will be eligible for admission consideration. The class and programs eligibility depend on the area of concentration of the certificate, which should be validated by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE) in Lebanon.
Informal Education Preparation
The formal education requirements for admission to the freshman class may be waived for applicants who have reached the age of 25. Such applicants must satisfy the specific requirements established by the Executive Admissions Committee.