Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth: A Legacy of Excellence in the Heart of the Levant
Founded in 1875, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth (USJ) stands as one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher education in the Middle East. Established by the Society of Jesus, the university traces its origins to the Collège-Séminaire de Ghazir, founded by the Jesuits in 1843 to train local Maronite clergy. In November 1875, the Jesuits relocated this seminary from Ghazir to Beirut, establishing the Saint Joseph University in the Achrafieh district, home to the Oriental Seminary and the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy. On February 25, 1881, Pope Leo XIII granted the institution the official status of a pontifical university, authorizing it to award academic degrees including doctorates in Philosophy and Theology.
Today, USJ is a private Catholic research university located in the Lebanese capital. It has grown into a comprehensive academic institution comprising 13 faculties, 18 schools operating under these faculties, and 7 institutes, offering more than 160 degrees across three cycles of study. Its faculties span an extraordinary breadth of disciplines: religious sciences, medicine, pharmacy, dental medicine, nursing sciences, engineering, law and political sciences, economics, business administration and management, humanities, sciences, educational sciences, and languages. The Faculty of Medicine, established in 1883, stands as one of the university’s oldest and most distinguished schools, complemented by the renowned Hôtel-Dieu de France university medical center and its hospital network. Buy fake diploma online.
As a trilingual institution, USJ offers courses taught in Arabic, French, and English. It is widely recognized as the oldest and most important French-speaking university in Lebanon, serving as a vital bridge between Francophone academic traditions and the Arab world. The university maintains 9 campuses across Lebanon, including regional centers in Zahle and the Bekaa Valley, and has extended its reach internationally with a faculty of law in Dubai, established in 2008.
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USJ’s commitment to academic excellence and societal impact has earned it recognition on the global stage. The university participates in major international rankings including QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education World University Rankings. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings, USJ was placed at 618th globally, while in the 2026 THE World University Rankings it ranked 1501+. The university has distinguished itself particularly in the WURI (World’s Universities with Real Impact) rankings: in 2025, USJ secured 38th place globally for its project supporting conflict victims and 30th place for its Aspire More project. In 2026, it was ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide in the WURI ranking for transforming education through artificial intelligence.
The university’s global engagement is extensive, boasting agreements with 275 partner institutions across 42 countries, encompassing 374 partnerships and membership in 98 international networks. Over 100,000 alumni are united under the USJ Federation of Alumni Associations, including seven Lebanese presidents and numerous other political and intellectual figures.
As USJ approaches its 150th anniversary in 2025, it has launched a 10-year fundraising campaign under the slogan “USJ, Aspire for More,” aiming to raise $150 million to ensure the university’s longevity and continued excellence. Rooted in Jesuit values and guided by the principle of “Magis”—striving for more—USJ remains unwavering in its mission: educating youth with excellence, respecting freedom of conscience through dialogue, forging a strong national community, and upholding the duty of allying faith and reason. For a century and a half, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth has been a beacon of knowledge, cultural diversity, and innovation in Lebanon and the region, and it continues to shape the intellectual, professional, and spiritual leadership of the Middle East.