Student Life at Saint-Joseph University of Beirut

At USJ, education goes beyond the classroom. It’s about making a difference through research and embracing all that Beirut has to offer. Whether you’re looking for the ideal place to stay or keen to explore the city’s rich culture, USJ is the perfect place where academic excellence and an incredible student life come together.

At the University of Saint-Joseph, we offer an array of services and facilities tailored to enrich your university life. From diverse language courses at our Language Centre to an extensive library network for all your research needs, we’ve got it covered. Our campus dining provides a variety of options to suit every taste, and our dedicated support teams are here to assist every step of the way. Dive into the vibrant USJ community, where you’ll find everything needed to support your unique academic and personal growth journey, all within the lively city of Beirut.

The Language Centre at the Faculty of Languages and Translation (FdLT) is pivotal to USJ’s language education. Offering courses in a range of languages including German, English, Armenian, Korean, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, and Turkish, the centre focuses on language instruction, trainer development, language research, and publications. This vibrant language-learning hub caters to both USJ students and the wider public, significantly enhancing the Saint Joseph University experience.

USJ’s extensive library network, with a central hub and specialised libraries across campuses in Beirut, provides access to over a million books and journals across various disciplines.

This rich academic resource supports the scholarly pursuits of St. Joseph University Lebanon’s students and faculty alike.

With a variety of dining choices on campus, USJ ensures students have access to well-balanced meals, snacks, and sandwiches. Vending machines scattered across the campuses offer quick refreshments, contributing to a holistic university experience that extends beyond academics.

At USJ, we’re dedicated to crafting future leaders through our Student Life Service, which arranges activities that encourage your active participation in civic life, fostering dialogue and communication. These events are a fantastic way to integrate aspects of expat life in Beirut, offering you, especially international students, a rich experience that aids in blending into Beirut’s daily rhythm. Moreover, we provide activities in English to cater to those who prefer experiencing life in Beirut through a global lens. Prepare for an exhilarating journey with us!

Experience a balanced student life at USJ, where our modern sports facilities cater to a variety of athletic pursuits. Whether you’re into team sports or individual challenges, USJ provides the perfect environment to excel.

Facilities include:

• Covered courts at the Campus of Science and Technology
• An innovative sports center equipped with a semi-Olympic swimming pool, multi-sport court, gymnasium, and more

Athletic Teams at USJ:

• Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Thai Boxing, Cheerleading, Chess, Football, Futsal, Handball, Swimming, Squash, Tennis, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Water Polo

Our athletic teams cover a broad spectrum of sports, from athletics to water polo, welcoming students of all skill levels. International students receive dedicated support from our international student coordinator and campus coordinator, ensuring a smooth integration into USJ’s athletic community.

Sports life at USJ:

USJ is where academic achievements meet sporting excellence. Our Sports Department offers a wide array of activities, from leisurely to competitive sports, allowing you to find your pace and passion in athletics. Participate in intra-USJ competitions or represent us in local and international tournaments. For more details on how to join our athletic teams and use our state-of-the-art facilities, please visit the Sports Department page.

USJ’s Student Life Service is a melting pot of talent and creativity, offering a plethora of artistic opportunities through events like the Daraj Al Yassouiyeh Festival, Talent Shows, and Campus-J. In collaboration with cultural institutions, we promote student engagement in a wide range of recreational, social, and cultural activities. For more on how to get involved, visit our clubs page. Moreover, the Student Life Service plays a crucial role in the Steer-Leb project, enhancing student representation and aligning with our mission to foster a vibrant campus life.

At USJ, we implement the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), which brings flexibility in selecting your credits each semester. A full academic year is equivalent to 60 ECTS credits for those enrolled in full-time programmes.

To achieve graduation, students must accumulate a precise number of credits: 180-240 for Bachelor’s degrees, 90-120 for Master’s programmes, and 180 for Doctoral studies.

Our grading system under ECTS is designed with transparency at its core, ensuring your efforts are recognised equitably across the board. Grades are awarded from A+ to F, each carrying a specific credit value on your transcript. Should the readjustment value be ≤ 2, we uplift all class grades accordingly. For values > 2, the grades remain unchanged, although the jury has the discretion to make further adjustments.

For an in-depth understanding of how this works, including graduation requirements such as credit compensation, minimum grade expectations, and per-unit evaluations, delve into our comprehensive ECTS Guide available at USJ’s ECTS Guide. This guide will arm you with the knowledge to navigate your academic journey at USJ with clarity and confidence.

To complete your insurance enrolment:

• Compile all required insurance documents into a single PDF file and email it to the International Relations Office at sri.mobilite@usj.edu.lb before your arrival.
• Upon reaching Lebanon, finalise your insurance payment via a bank transfer in USD and/or euros to the specified USJ account, with details provided beforehand to all incoming students.
• Evidence of the transfer (be it a screenshot, email, or photo) should then be sent to sri.mobilite@usj.edu.lb. 
• Once the payment confirmation is received, the International Relations Office will activate your insurance and subsequently inform you about the collection of your insurance card.

Should you require further assistance or have any inquiries during your stay, the Campus Coordinator for International Students at Saint Joseph University Lebanon stands ready to support you. Do not hesitate to reach out for any help or guidance you might need.