Beirut, often called the Paris of the Middle East, is a city where Mediterranean flair meets centuries of intellectual vibrancy: ancient ruins, buzzing cafes, iconic art scenes, and a dynamic blend of Arabic, French, and English set the stage for both creativity and ambition. Family and education are central to Beirut’s cosmopolitan culture, and the city’s historic universities nurture a spirit of innovation, resilience, and global curiosity. Young Beirutis dream on a global scale bringing home new skills and perspectives to drive Lebanon’s future.

At Grad-Dreams, we celebrate Beirut’s role as an education trailblazer. With 22+ years of global guidance and 300+ university partnerships, our mentorship connects Beirut’s ambitious students and families with world-class academic opportunities providing clear, supportive advice throughout their overseas journey, from choices to visas and beyond.

#Jewels of Beirut Academia: Top Local Universities 

• American University of Beirut (AUB): Lebanon’s top-ranked and the region’s Ivy globally ranked at #237 (QS 2026), excelling in medicine, engineering, sciences, business, and international studies. 
• Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ): Prestigious French-rooted institution with strengths in law, business, medicine, political sciences, and multilingual education. 
• Lebanese University: The nation’s only public university, with a vast array of disciplines and campuses across the city. 
• Lebanese American University (LAU): Bilingual US-accredited university loved for its business, technology, architecture, health, and liberal arts programs. 
• Beirut Arab University: Known for engineering, medicine, and law, with over 4,000 students and 21% international enrollment.

Thousands of Beirut’s best and brightest step out each year to challenge themselves at top universities worldwide.

#Beirut Student Pulse: Trends & Top Destinations 

• Most Popular Study Destinations: France, Canada, USA, Germany, UK, Italy, Australia, and Turkey. 
• Favorite Subjects: Engineering, Business, Medicine, Computer Science, Architecture, Social Sciences, and Urban Planning. 
• Stats Snapshot: Lebanon sends over 18,000+ students abroad annually (2025 World Bank/UNESCO), with Beirut at the heart of this outward flow as the country’s education and innovation hub.

Beiruti students are known for their trilingual skills and adaptability; most access robust government and international scholarships or study through French, US, or other bilateral agreements.

#Beirut: all about numbers: 

• Current Students Abroad: 18,193+ (2025, World Bank), with the majority from Beirut. 
• Annual Growth Rate: 35% (growth rebounding since the early 2020s as global partnerships and scholarships expand). 
• Projection: 20,000+ Lebanese students abroad by 2026, led by Beirut’s top talent and new education initiatives.

France, Canada, and the US top the list for Beiruti students, with Germany, the UK, and Italy also favored for STEM, health sciences, and design/art. Leading scholarshipsCNRS, the French Embassy, private foundations, and diaspora-linked programs extend Beirut’s reach worldwide.