What you should know about international mobility
International mobility offers students the opportunity to pursue a semester of their studies abroad, enriching their academic experience and personal growth. By spending a semester at one of LAU’s partner universities, students gain new academic perspectives, develop intercultural skills, and build global networks that enhance their future careers. This exchange of knowledge and cultures lies at the heart of LAU’s commitment to internationalization and excellence in education.
During their international semester, students remain registered at LAU.
The credits taken at the host university are transferred back at LAU on a pass/fail basis with no impact on CGPA.
There are three different types of destination to apply to: exchange, Erasmus+ and study abroad. Here’s a breakdown of the difference between all three:
| Exchange | Erasmus+ | Study Abroad | |
| Travel and living expenses | Paid by the student | Monthly stipend covered by the Erasmus+ grant | Paid by the student |
| Tuition fees |
At LAU only *scholarships and financial aid travel with the student *student with financial need are eligible to apply to LAU’s mobility support fund. *graduate students needs to secure their department approval for GA allocation while abroad and GSR approval for GRS scholarship if applicable |
At LAU only
*scholarships and financial aid are applicable while abroad *graduate students needs to secure their department approval for GA allocation while abroad and GSR approval for GRS scholarship if applicable |
At the host university only |
Reach out early to the International Services and Programs Office international.services@lau.edu.lb to set a meeting and discuss your mobility project.
Step 1: Eligibility
Every program has its own set of requirements, here are some general guidelines for outgoing students:
- International mobility is possible starting the 3rd semester at LAU (junior year).
- Students cannot spend their last graduating semester abroad.
- Minimum CGPA:
- 2.7 for undergraduate students
- 3 for graduate student
- English language level: Eng102 should be completed before going on a semester abroad.
Important notice for Architecture students:
- Must have completed Design VII to be eligible for selection.
- Must send portfolio to their academic department when applying to a semester abroad.
- International mobility is only allowed during spring semester.
Step 2: Destinations
Go to our Publisher tool to identify the available programs based on your choice of country, semester, school, and/or program of study.
Step 3: Application
- Generate your degree evaluation record from Banner and prepare a list of the courses you still need to take at LAU.
- Check out the course offerings at the host university of your choice and try to identify matching courses.
- Fill out the Mobility Course Form accordingly and upload it to your application.
- Have the Sponsorship Letter signed by your legal guardian and upload it to your application.
- Upload a copy of your Degree evaluation to your application
- Complete the Application form (including required attachments listed above) before the application deadline.
Important notice:
- Students can apply to up to two different destinations (in this case, please upload two mobility course forms in one PDF).
- Students are not allowed to take online or hybrid courses at the host university.
- Courses already completed at LAU may not be retaken at another institution and then transferred at LAU.
- Credit conversion Formula (LAU credit / ECTS)
4 ECTS =3 LAU credits
4.5 ECTS =3 LAU credits
5 ECTS= 3 LAU Credits
5 ECTS is not transferred as 4 US credits
6 ECTS= 3 LAU credits
10 ECTS= 6 LAU credits (2 courses)
For assistance in your mobility application:
You can reach out to the ISP team members on your campus.
You can also reach out to a Buddy here for guidance.
School Exchange Advisors can also help you with academic questions:
| School of Arts & Sciences | Pia Tohme and Nadine Zeeni |
| School of Architecture & Design | Roula El Khoury and Randa Abdel Baki |
| School of Business | Samar Aad Makhoul |
| School of Engineering | Dani Tannir |
| School of Medicine | Carmel Bouclaous |
| School of Nursing | Bahia Abdallah |
| School of Pharmacy | Lamis Karaoui |
Step 4: Selection
- Selection of candidates is made in coordination with the Schools based on the following criteria:
- Academic merit
- Extracurricular activities
- Financial need (for Erasmus+ destinations)
- Selected candidates will be required to submit the courses they intend to take at the host university on EDMS for the respective chairperson(s) for approval.
- Students will receive the final selection result by email;
- Upon their confirmation, students will have to pay a refundable deposit of 500 USD. Deposit can be refunded only in the case of a visa rejection or force majeure. The deposit is deducted from the tuition fee of the student for the subsequent semester upon their return. In case of last-minute withdrawal, this deposit is not refundable.
- ISP will send official nominations to the host university;
- Students will follow the instructions of the host university and start preparing their semester abroad.
Step 5: Pre-Departure Orientation
The International Services and Programs Office conducts mandatory pre-departure orientation sessions every semester that cover the following topics:
- Forms to submit before you leave
- Course registration
- VISA and travel
- Housing
- Health Insurance/Medical Report