Notre Dame University-Louaize

Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) is a private, Lebanese non-profit Catholic institution of higher education that adopts the American system of education. NDU stands out among its peers, offering international recognition at an exceptional value. NDU is only one of two universities in Lebanon, and only one of eleven institutions outside the United States to be accredited by the New England Commission for Higher Education (NECHE), one of the most prestigious accrediting bodies in the world.

NDU is also a pioneer in all forms of sustainability, inclusion, and student support, being the only Lebanese university to have won the UNGC’s SDG Award in academia two years in a row. NDU places our students at the heart of all we do and caters to every aspect of their experience: academic and social support, special needs, and campus life. For a truly nationwide reach, NDU maintains three campuses across Lebanon – North Lebanon Campus (NLC) in Barsa, Main Campus in Zouk Mosbeh, and Shouf Campus in Deir El-Kamar.

Among its seven thriving faculties, offering a broad array of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs, NDU presents a new vision of instruction; programs are uniquely disseminated and both students and faculty merge to create a distinctive community, brimming with intense intellectual exchange where students are imparted with the skills and instilled with the confidence and the courage necessary to find fulfilment in their chosen discipline in a rapidly-changing and oftentimes volatile local, regional, and global environment.

Mission & Vision

As a Catholic institution inspired by the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Maronite Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) seeks to provide comprehensive quality education that fosters excellence in scholarship, lifelong learning, enlightened citizenship, human solidarity, moral integrity, and belief in God. In designing its curricula, NDU is committed to the philosophy and standards of the American model of liberal arts education.

Begin Your Journey

Complete your online application
The payment of USD 30 may either be made online using a USD credit card or in person at NDU.

The documents to be provided are:

• Officially issued secondary school grades for the last three academic years
• A photocopy of your National Identity Card or Passport
• One recent passport-size photo
• A certified copy of the Lebanese Baccalaureate Part II or its equivalent

Sit for the NDU Entrance Exams or submit scores of the following standardized exams:

• SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, or TOEFL, or IELTS
• SAT Math

If you are sitting for either the English Entrance Test or the Math Aptitude Test, the fee is USD 30 per exam. If you are sitting for both tests, the total fee is USD 50. All fees are non-refundable.

All documents submitted must be original certified copies, and, once submitted, become the property of NDU regardless of whether applicants are accepted or not.

English Proficiency Requirements

All applicants must demonstrate a certain level of English proficiency to be admitted. NDU recognizes one of the following tests to measure this level:

• EET (English Entrance Test) administered by NDU, or
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), or
• SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section or
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System).

If you are a Freshman Student

You will need to additionally submit.

• An official school attestation stating that you have completed and passed your High School requirements or a copy of your High School Diploma certified by the school's principal
• Written Authorization from the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education to start your higher education on the basis of a foreign Program
• Scores of your SAT (upon submission of the application)

Note: Freshman students need to complete 30 credits at the Freshman Level.

• If you are a Freshman Science student, you can declare any major of your choice.
• If you are a Freshman Arts student, you can declare any major except for Engineering and Computer Science

SAT includes Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math. The required score of the SAT for Freshman Arts is 870, and for
Freshman Sciences 950.

If you are a Transfer Student

You will need to additionally submit.

• An official transcript of the undergraduate record
• A copy of the undergraduate course description certified by the university

Note: If you are coming from an international university/college, you need to certify the official transcript at the Embassy of the relevant country in Lebanon and at the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Institutional Accreditation

Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) holds accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. This accreditation signifies that NDU has met or exceeded the criteria for evaluating institutional quality through a rigorous peer review process.

The accreditation of a college or university by the Commission demonstrates that it possesses the necessary resources to fulfil its stated objectives through appropriate educational programs. Furthermore, it indicates that the institution is currently fulfilling these objectives to a significant extent and provides reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. The accreditation process also ensures institutional integrity.

It is important to note that accreditation by the Commission pertains to the institution as a whole and is not limited to specific courses or programs, nor does it guarantee the competence of individual graduates. Instead, it offers a reasonable level of assurance regarding the quality of opportunities available to students attending the institution.

NDU attained its institutional accreditation in 2018 following several years of preparation and candidacy. It is the second university in Lebanon and the sole Catholic institution in the Middle East to have achieved this prestigious quality label. By receiving NECHE accreditation, NDU joins the ranks of other prominent universities, including some Ivy League institutions in the New England area. To date, eleven institutions outside the United States have received this accreditation.

Student Activities

With more than 30 student clubs and societies, NDU has something for everyone! Student societies are an ideal way to practice leadership and teamwork while at NDU and experience the plethora of extracurricular activities your University has to offer.

In addition to Clubs and Societies, you can benefit from the NDU Model United Nations (MUN) program, which promotes diversity, respect for human dignity and rights, and concern for the common good. You will learn to resolve issues at the forefront of international relations. Join MUN for an opportunity to exercise leadership through workshops, round-table discussions, executive committees and task forces, as well as soft skills development programs.

Sports

NDU students regularly compete locally and internationally. You can too! The campus hosts a multipurpose gym for fitness, martial arts, bodybuilding and dancing, along with a wide variety of sports clubs including: Basketball, Volleyball, Taekwondo, Aikido, Physical Fitness, Body Building, Tennis, Swimming, Soccer, Rugby, Futsal, Table Tennis, etc.

Community Services

NDU maintains good relationships with a large number of NGOs to bring about positive change in Lebanon and beyond. The Department of Community Service and Awareness brings together students with diverse skills and educational backgrounds to plan, adopt, and complete projects alongside NDU’s NGO partners.