Apply as a Transfer Student

You are a transfer student if you are/were enrolled in a college/university and want to switch to LAU.

Undergraduate Student

View the majors LAU offers, and if you need help with choosing your major, this page might help you. 

Step 1: Check the deadlines 

Step 2: Prepare the required documents and pass tests

1. One recent passport-size photo.
2. A clear photocopy of your identity card or passport (should be the same as the nationality to be used in the registration process at LAU).
3. A clear photocopy of your Family Civil Status record (For Lebanese and Arab nationals)
4. Official updated university transcripts from all universities you attended, along with course descriptions of all completed courses. Undeclared transcripts cannot be accepted after enrollment. Request your university to send us an official online copy of your transcript. If this option is not available at your university, upload a copy of your transcript in a one file document and request your university to mail your Official transcript to our mailing address.
5. A copy of your official diploma, (Lebanese Baccalaureate, French, International Baccalaureate Diploma, High School Diploma, G.C.E.s etc.) and the official Lebanese Equivalence obtained from the Ministry of Education in Lebanon. A certified copy to be sent once available.
6. If you have completed fewer than 30 credits, you must submit the copies of the transcripts of the last three years at school. 
7. Applicants to the School of Engineering must submit copies of the transcripts of the last three years at school as well as the SAT scores if taken. 
8. You might be required to submit proof of English proficiency (depending on the university/college(s) you attended) by submitting ONE of the below or if you have not completed the equivalent of at least 12 credits.

• Official scores of the TOEFL; LAU’s code is 2595
• Official scores of the IELTS
• English Entrance Exam (EEE) administered at LAU
• SAT I Writing section (Learn how to send your SAT scores)
• SAT I  Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (Learn how to send your SAT scores)
• ACT Writing section; LAU’s code is 9015
• Duolingo English Test. Learn how to send your Duolingo English Test scores.
• Check the minimum required scores

9. If you are a U.S citizen or U.S. Green Card holder you must submit along with the application the W-9S form that can be downloaded from the IRS website, with proof of your social security number. With this information, LAU is able to provide U.S. students (or parents of dependent students) with Form 1098-T that is used for American tax related purposes.

Learn how to prepare your documents to upload them on the online application. 

Important Notes

• Only completed applications will be reviewed.
• Fulfillment of the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission.
• Admission is valid for one semester only.
• Transfer of applications from one campus to another or change of major are possible if the requests are made within the set deadlines.
• The Admissions Office reserves the right to verify and request original documents of all copies submitted.

Step 3: View additional requirements if you hold a High School Diploma or its equivalent

Students who hold a High School Diploma or its equivalent and are transferring to LAU should secure the below to be eligible to be accepted into a major rather than freshman.

• Acquire the equivalency of the Freshman Year from the Lebanese Ministry of Education, OR
• Do all the below:
  1) Have 26 credits transferred of the LAU Freshman Program;
  2) earn the minimum required score set by the Lebanese Ministry of Education for the SAT I;
  3) secure the Arabic Exemption from the Lebanese Ministry of Education, and
  4) take the ACT subjects test during the Freshman year and secure the minimum required score set by the Lebanese Ministry of Education (for students coming from unaccredited high schools)

Step 4: Check which credits can be transferred

Transfer students from universities not recognized by LAU:

Transfer students coming from an institution of higher education not recognized by LAU* may be conditionally accepted after satisfying the requirements for admission at LAU. If accepted, their admission will be for a probation period with no transfer of credits. They must complete 12 new credits in the first semester of enrollment at LAU, 6 of which must be major courses, and achieve a minimum GPA of 2.50/4.00. Then, they may petition to the school concerned for transfer of credits if applicable.

*Contact the Admissions Office to learn whether your university is recognized by LAU.

Guidelines for students transferring from LOCAL universities to assess courses.

• American University of Beirut (AUB) – updated in February 2019
• Beirut Arab University (BAU) – updated in February 2019
• Haigazian University – updated in February 2019
• Lebanese University
• Notre Dame University (NDU) – updated in February 2019
• Rafik Hariri University – updated in February 2019
• University of Balamand – updated in February 2019
• University St. Esprit de Kaslik (USEK)
• Université St. Joseph (USJ)

N.B.: The information above is a general guideline to help in assessing the equivalence of courses for students transferring from local universities in Lebanon to LAU. Please note that this guideline is not binding on the academic departments, as they may have additional factors to bring to the assessment of equivalence.

Step 5: Pay the application fee

Application fee of $50 can be paid online using debit or credit cards (Visa or Mastercard only), or in cash through OMT or at BLOM Bank.

Step 6: Finance your education

Learn more about LAU’s financial aid packages and apply online. 

Apply for an Athletic Scholarship if you are a talented athlete. 

Step 7: Activate your Portal

After you apply and you pay your application fees, you will receive an email within 3 to 10 working days to the email address you filled out in your admission application. This email will contain your unique username and tentative password and the steps you need to follow to activate your Portal account. 

The LAU Portal is a personalized online platform, log in to be able to:

• view the admission decision,
• verify your application information,
• check missing and submitted documents,
• upload and submit missing or additional documents,
• apply for financial aid, athletic scholarship, or housing,
• apply for the LAU English Entrance Exam (EEE) and view the results,
• check Important dates,
• learn more about your major,
• access your LAU email,
• connect with the Admissions officers,
• and much more…

Questions? Please contact the Admissions Office.

Step 8: Accepted? Here are the next steps 

If you are an international student, please contact the Office of International Services for a smooth start.

On your Portal, view your admissions package:

• the major you are accepted to,
• acceptance letter,
• deposit payment form,
• financial aid/scholarships decisions,
• documents you need to fill out and submit,
• important dates for registration and orientation,
• and much more.

Questions? Please contact the Admissions Office.

Graduate Students

A maximum of 6 graduate credits may be transferred from another institution recognized* by LAU, or between LAU graduate programs.

Except where otherwise specified, a maximum of 6 graduate credits taken as an undergraduate at LAU in the student’s last year, over and above the total number of credits required for graduation, may be transferred. Only courses where a grade of B or above was earned may be transferred. Transferred credits should not have been used for another degree that was a prerequisite for admission to the graduate program in which a student is enrolled.

A request for the transfer of credits should be filed at the Registrar’s Office during the student’s first semester. The petition will be reviewed by the relevant department or school, and you will be notified.

*Contact the Admissions Office to learn whether your university is recognized by LAU.

Follow the graduate application process