Holy Spirit University of Kaslik
جامعة الروح القدس – الكسليك
A Catholic, American-credit university on the Bay of Jounieh, with ABET-accredited engineering and NECHE accreditation.
- Acceptance rate
- 79%
- Fall 2027 entry (figures from fall 2024 applications)
- Students
- 6,902
- 5,670 undergraduates
- Tuition
- $6,600
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1938
About USEK
The Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) is a private, non-profit Catholic university run by the Lebanese Maronite Order (OLM). Its main building went up in Kaslik in 1938 as a scholasticate teaching theology, philosophy, letters and canon law, and it became a university under Lebanon's 1962 higher education law. USEK describes itself as the first university in Lebanon founded as a private non-profit institution by Lebanese citizens. Its main campus sits above the Bay of Jounieh, north of Beirut, and it also runs a regional centre in Zahle.
USEK moved to the North American credit system in 1997. Some programmes are taught entirely in English, while others are hybrid, with some courses in French. Teaching is organised into a Faculty of Arts and Sciences and seven schools: Business; Engineering; Architecture and Design; Law and Political Sciences; Medicine and Medical Sciences; Music and Performing Arts; and the Pontifical School of Theology. There is also a Higher Institute of Nursing Sciences and a Doctoral College. In fall 2024 it enrolled 5,670 undergraduates and 1,232 graduate students.
Accreditation is a big part of USEK's identity. It holds European institutional accreditation from evalag (renewed in 2023), and in 2026 it gained institutional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). All its undergraduate engineering programmes are ABET-accredited. Admission is not highly selective (79% of undergraduate applicants were accepted in fall 2024), but strong Grade 12 students can compete for merit scholarships in an early round. It suits students who want an American-style degree in Lebanon, especially in engineering, architecture, business, music or the arts.
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will lead you to the whole truth (Jn 16:13)
University motto
Why students choose USEK
All eight undergraduate engineering programmes, from Biomedical to Telecommunications Engineering, are accredited by ABET's Engineering Accreditation Commission, as are Computer Science and Information Technology.
USEK's Master of Architecture holds NAAB International Certification, and France recognises it as equivalent to the French Diploma in Architecture until 2029-30.
Grade 12 students with a 15/20 average (or IB 34-35 predicted) can apply in the early round for Admission with Scholarship, and the scholarship rises by 10% with an SAT score of 1350 or more.
Erasmus+ exchanges pay a monthly allowance of 650-800 euros plus travel costs up to a limit, and exchange students keep paying USEK fees rather than the host's.
Admissions
Fall 2027 entry (figures from fall 2024 applications)
USEK reports 2,363 undergraduate applicants for fall 2024, a 79% acceptance rate and a 71% yield. Places depend on your school results, USEK entrance exams (or SAT exemptions) and English level; merit scholarships are the competitive part.
Typical entry requirements
| Lebanese Baccalaureate or equivalent | Required for sophomore entry to a bachelor's programme; 15/20 average needed for Admission with Scholarship |
|---|---|
| International Baccalaureate | Accepted with Ministry of Education equivalence; 34-35 predicted points with no score below 4 for Admission with Scholarship |
| British curriculum (IGCSE/GCSE) | Accepted with Ministry equivalence; for a scholarship, any three A grades over five IGCSE subjects (excluding languages and with no D grades) |
| American high school diploma (Freshman year) | Freshman programme entry needs 12 years of schooling, a permit of study and a minimum SAT score of 1000 |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 80 These scores exempt you from USEK's English Proficiency Test: TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 120, or SAT 550 in the English section. Otherwise you sit the test and may be placed in remedial English or the Foundation Program. French remedial courses can apply to hybrid programmes (exemption with DELF/TCF B2). |
Deadlines
- Admission with Scholarship (early admission) Non-binding PassedApril 29, 2026 (fall 2026 cycle)
For current Grade 12 students only. Exam dates ran from March 14 to May 9, 2026.
- Regular admission: Engineering Non-binding PassedJuly 6, 2026 (fall 2026 cycle)
Competitive engineering entrance exams were held on June 4 and July 14, 2026.
- Regular admission: all other programmes Non-binding PassedJuly 15, 2026 (fall 2026 cycle)
The online application closed on this date; regular exam dates ran from May 22 to July 22, 2026.
USEK had not published fall 2027 dates when checked. The dates above are from the fall 2026 cycle, when the online application opened on January 30, 2026; expect a similar pattern, so check the Online Admission page from January 2027.
How to apply
Apply online at apply.usek.edu.lb, uploading ID or passport, Grade 10-12 transcripts, the baccalaureate or equivalent, and any SAT or English test scores. You then choose your programme(s), admission type (with scholarship, regular or transfer) and an entrance exam date, and pay a non-refundable USD 30 application fee. Results arrive by email; you can retake an exam once.
What admissions looks for
- Academic results in Grades 10-12 and a recognised school-leaving qualification with Lebanese Ministry equivalence.
- Entrance exam performance or equivalent SAT scores, with higher bars for Engineering and Architecture.
- English proficiency; applicants placed in the lowest remedial level go to the Foundation Program and cannot get an admission scholarship.
- For scholarships, sustained excellence: a 15/20 average, a top Grade 12 ranking or high official exam results.
Tips for applying to USEK
- 1 If you want a scholarship, apply in the early round (February to April); scholarships aren't offered in regular admission or for the Spring semester.
- 2 Send an SAT score if you have one: 1350 or more adds 10% to an admission scholarship and can exempt you from entrance exams.
- 3 If you finish first in Grade 12, send the school's official ranking by the end of June; it can raise your award to 100% of first-year tuition.
- 4 Hybrid programmes include some French-taught courses, so check the teaching language of your programme before applying.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in USD
USEK's FAQ says that 85% of tuition is currently paid in fresh US dollars and the rest is waived (subject to change). Merit scholarships are offered through Admission with Scholarship in the early round, and top Grade 12 students can get up to 100% of first-year tuition (or the whole programme with a Lebanese Baccalaureate average of 17). Need-based aid comes through the Financial Aid Office, and there are discounts for siblings, sports team members (10-50%) and Talent Program students.
- 70%
- Undergraduates with a discount (fall 2024)
- 25%
- Share of total tuition discounted
- An extra 10% on an admission scholarship
- SAT 1350+ bonus
- USD 30 (non-refundable)
- Application fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (Fall and Spring) plus a Summer session, on the American credit system
Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, Telecommunications)
All accredited by ABET's Engineering Accreditation Commission; Computer Engineering is 146 credits from sophomore entry.
Bachelor and Master in Architecture
The Master of Architecture holds NAAB International Certification (2025) and French equivalence until 2029-30.
Bachelor of Business Administration
99 credits from sophomore entry at a Business School ranked among Eduniversal's 4 Palmes institutions and working towards AACSB accreditation.
Actuarial and Financial Mathematics (BS)
Accredited by ABET's Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission.
Music and Performing Arts
The music school, founded in 1970, trained alumni such as Marwan Khoury and Georges Khabbaz.
Medicine
The undergraduate medical education programme received full accreditation from TEPDAD in 2019.
Research
- The Asher Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ACIE) gives students space and mentoring to test ideas and launch start-ups.
- USEK reports ranking 1st in Lebanon and in the 101-200 band worldwide in the THE Impact Rankings, including 47th globally for SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
- The USEK Library holds a 1610 Book of Psalms in Garshuni, printed on the first press in the Levant.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences
- Business School
- School of Engineering
- School of Architecture and Design
- School of Law and Political Sciences
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences
- School of Music and Performing Arts
- Pontifical School of Theology
- Higher Institute of Nursing Sciences
- Doctoral College
USEK reports an 81% employment rate for graduates, derived using inferential statistics, and 836 undergraduate degrees awarded in 2023-24.
Student life
Most USEK students commute: it is mainly a non-residential university, with one residence for about 168 women. The campus is built around a tree-lined walkway from the main entrance to the Science Building, with views over the Bay of Jounieh. Student life runs through the Student Affairs Office: clubs range from chess and astronomy to an African Club and a K-pop club, and there are engineering chapters such as IEEE and an elected University Student Council. Faith is visible but not mandatory: the university is run by Maronite monks, and a chaplaincy organises spiritual activities.
- Sports tryouts each September; team members can receive 10-50% sports scholarships, and handball, cheerleading, track and field and badminton teams were added in 2024-25.
- The USEK Talent Program, run with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the School of Music and Performing Arts.
- An elected University Student Council, whose members attend leadership workshops each summer.
- Exchanges with partner universities, including Erasmus+ with a monthly allowance.
Housing. The University Residence, opened in 2007, houses up to 168 female students in self-catering single, double or triple rooms, with priority for students with the longest commute; there is no university housing for men.
Location
Kaslik is part of Jounieh, a coastal city on Lebanon's Mediterranean coast about 20 km north of Beirut, with Mount Lebanon rising behind it. The campus overlooks the Bay of Jounieh, and most students commute by car or bus from the Keserwan, Metn and Beirut areas. USEK also has a regional centre in Zahle in the Bekaa. Check your government's current travel advice for Lebanon before planning a move.
Nearest airport: Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY)
Notable alumni
- MK Marwan KhourySinger and composer; studied piano, musicology and music history at USEK from 1986
- WK Wael KfourySinger and actor; studied solfège at USEK
- GK Georges KhabbazActor and playwright (Under the Bombs); degree in musical comedy
- JK Julia KassarStage and film actress; master's diploma in audiovisual and theatre arts
- GK Giselle KhouryJournalist and talk-show host (Al Mashhad); studied history
- YA Youssef AbsiMelkite Greek Catholic Patriarch; doctorate in musical science and hymnography
- ZH Ziad HawatMember of Parliament and former mayor of Byblos; studied business administration
- RB Rony BarrakDarbouka virtuoso and composer; studied at the music school
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at USEK?
USEK accepted 79% of its 2,363 undergraduate applicants for fall 2024, with a 71% yield. Admission depends on your school results, entrance exams or SAT exemptions, and English level.
How much does USEK cost per year?
USEK charges per credit, from USD 220 (humanities) to USD 445 (engineering). At 30 credits a year that is about USD 6,600 to 13,350, plus USD 1,200 in registration and operational fees. Its FAQ says 85% of tuition is currently paid in fresh dollars and the rest waived.
Does USEK require the SAT?
No. USEK runs its own entrance exams, but SAT scores can exempt you, e.g. 1250 with Math 650 for Engineering or 1100 for Business. The Freshman year for American-system students requires a minimum SAT of 1000.
Are courses at USEK taught in English?
Since moving to the American credit system in 1997, most courses have been taught in English. Some programmes are hybrid, with some courses in French, so you may need French remedial courses.
Is USEK accredited in the US?
Yes. USEK says it gained institutional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) in 2026. Its engineering, computing and actuarial programmes are ABET-accredited.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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