1. What is a Foundation Program?

USEK’s Foundation Program is designed to provide a supportive environment and equal learning opportunities for all, in keeping with the University’s mission. It allows high-school fresh graduates to seamlessly transition into university life and avoid a gap year.

The Foundation Program is an interdisciplinary program that helps applicants get a clear understanding of important courses, paving the way to their chosen undergraduate program. It comprises a set of preliminary courses that equip undergraduates with a solid foundation in key subjects to succeed with further studies, provides opportunities for language development, analytical and critical thinking skills, and helps build the students’ confidence to thrive in their undergraduate academic program. The courses are tailored to address specific subject knowledge needs and help applicants who do not meet the standard prerequisite for admission at sophomore level into an undergraduate degree program.

2. What are the entry requirements?

Applicants must follow the regular admission criteria and procedure. Those who identify weaknesses in a certain undergraduate program can apply for the Foundation Program by choice, without taking entrance exams. Also, applicants who do not meet the University’s English language proficiency requirements (as referred to in the admission requirements) can complete the basic English level within the Foundation Program.

Applicants with the backgrounds listed below who fail to meet the requirements and wish to register in an undergraduate program, can apply for the Foundation Program:

• Holders of a Lebanese Baccalaureate or any other recognized diploma by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
• Applicants with a BT3 background
• Applicants with a French Baccalaureate background
• Applicants with an International Baccalaureate background
• Applicants with an IGCSE/GCSE background

For the Engineering Program:
Applicants for the Bachelor of Engineering Program who sat for the engineering entrance exam but did not meet the English language proficiency requirements (score <55), may enroll in the Foundation Program.

Applicants for the Engineering Diploma in Agricultural Engineering who have completed the Lebanese Baccalaureate (LS or GS) but did not get the required score for Math Entrance Proficiency Test are eligible for the Foundation Program (60-70 FMAT102, <60, FMAT101 & then FMAT102).

Applicants for the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Sciences – Food Engineering coming from ES background are eligible for the foundation program.

Applicants for the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Sciences – Food Engineering who have completed the Lebanese Baccalaureate (LS or GS) but did not get the required score for Math Entrance Proficiency Test are eligible for the Foundation Program (60-70 FMAT102, <60, FMAT101 & then FMAT102).
When successfully completed, the Foundation Program allows students to enroll in their desired academic program.

3. What are the Foundation Program details

Program Title: Foundation Program
Program Length: Up to 1 year (2 semesters – Fall and Spring) and Summer Session if needed.
College: Academic Foundations “AF”
Level: C0 – Year Zero

4. How to apply for this program?

Candidates can apply through the online application and sit for an entrance exam. Based on their exam score, they will be placed into one of the following courses: Basic English, Remedial English or English Communication.

Language proficiency courses higher than basic English will be completed as part of the applicant’s chosen program. Only students who score below 55 will be required to complete the basic English course within their Foundation Program framework.
Upon successful completion of the Foundation Program, students will be transferred to their chosen program of study by the Office of the Registrar. Check students’ eligibility-based foundation transcript to be admitted in the undergraduate level.

Admissions: Required documents: Same as regular students: official Baccalaureate and official transcript.

Registration process: Students will refer to the Academic Foundations Division where they will be guided and advised.

Grading mode: Numeric

Credits: The credits earned in the Foundation Program are not calculated within the total credits of the prospective academic program. However, a transcript can be separately issued to demonstrate the specific prerequisite requirements achieved in the Foundation Program.

5. What are the tuition fees?

Holy Spirit University of Kaslik | Undergraduate Studies
Financial aid and scholarships: Scholarship, if earned, is applicable to the student’s desired program of study after successfully completing the foundation year.

International students’ admission to program: International students are advised to apply for the Freshman program.

Administration and Full-time Faculty

Dr. Rabih Nabhan, Associate Professor, Director of USEK Division of Academic Foundations

Foundation Programs

Required preliminary courses* are distributed by academic major as follows:

A. BS in Computer Science / BS in Information Technology / BS in Actuarial Mathematics / BS in Architectural Studies/ BS in Engineering Sciences – Food Engineering (ES background)

FENG101**		Basic English		9
FMAT101		Mathematics I		3
FMAT102		Mathematics II		3
FCHM101		Introduction to Chemistry		3
FPHY101		Fundamentals of Physics		3

B. Engineering Diploma in Agriculture Engineering/ BS in Engineering Sciences – Food Engineering (LS, GS background)

FENG101**		Basic English		9
FMAT101		Mathematics I		3
FMAT102		Mathematics II		3

C. BS in Biology / BS in Chemistry / BS in Biochemistry / BS in Human Nutrition and Dietetics / BS in Nursing Sciences / BS in Fundamental Health Sciences

FENG101**		Basic English		9
FMAT101		Mathematics I		3
FBIO101		Fundamentals of Biology		3
FCHM101		Introduction to Chemistry		3
FPHY101		Fundamentals of Physics		3
OR FSTA101		or Basic Statistics

D. Bachelor of Business Administration

FENG101**		Basic English		9
FMAT101		Mathematics I		3
FSTA101		Basic Statistics		3
FECO101		Introduction to Economics		3

E. BA in Communication and Visual Arts / BA in Digital Media / BA in Cinema and Television / BA in International Relations / BA in Political Sciences / BA in Psychology / BA in Education / BA in Social Sciences / BA in Journalism and Communication

FENG101**		Basic English		9
FHUM101 or FPSY101 or FPHI10		History of Civilizations or Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Philosophy		3
FSOC101		Introduction to Sociology		3

F. BA in Design and Applied Arts

FENG101**		Basic English		9
FHUM101 or FPSY101 or FPHI10		History of Civilizations or Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Philosophy		3
FSOC101		Introduction to Sociology		3
FECO101		Introduction to Economics		3

* Only enroll in required course(s) among the ones proposed in the tables.
** Enroll in FENG 101 only if required – based on the entrance exam score (more advanced English levels, such as Remedial English and English Communication, will be acquired throughout the students’ chosen program of study).

N.B.: - Students are allowed to enroll in one or more courses from the foundation program along with the FENG101 in one semester. - In some cases, Foundation Program students who require two foundation semesters may be eligible for validating their remedial English course (FENG102) along with some of the remaining courses from the Foundation Program, upon consulting with the Academic Foundations Division. - Students with one remaining foundation course in the last semester may request to enroll in one or two general education courses.