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The AOU was established under the decree 3257 dated June 22, 2000 issued by the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education. The decree states that AOU is a licensed university and not an institute. All the degrees that the university offers are recognized and certified by the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education.

The Open University – United Kingdom validates undergraduate and postgraduate degrees offered by the Faculties of Business Studies, Computer Studies, and Language Studies and awards a degree in all of them as well.​

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​Your tuition can be divided in 2 installments for the fresh dollar part and for 4 installments for the LBP part.

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The language placement tests results do not affect admission decisions but help place the student at the appropriate language level.

Depending on the test results, students who do not meet the language required level will be given remedial courses or students who achieve high results will be exempted from taking the language courses.​

​​It takes typically about three years of study (six regular semesters and one summer semester) to complete the Bachelor degree requirements.​

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Applications for acceptance are based on the student obtaining the Lebanese Baccalaureate or its equivalent. There are neither set percentages nor required averages for acceptance. The number of acceptances is based on the university’s capacity with respect to its human resources and available facilities. All students are required to sit for an English placement test. In addition:

· Students who do not hold the Lebanese Baccalaureate are required to sit for an Arabic placement test.

· Students applying to join the Information Technology and Computing programme are required to sit for a placement math test. Holders of the Lebanese Technical Baccalaureate (BT3) are exempted from taking the math placement test.

· Students applying to the Elementary Education programme are required to sit for an Arabic placement test.

Applicants from graduate students or students enrolled at another university, and would like to join AOU, will be considered on an individual basis. A certain number of credits could be transferred to the programme of study that they are applying to taking into consideration the specifics of that programme.​

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An open university is a university that operates under the Open Learning System that provides higher education for all students regardless of their age and nationality.

The Open Learning System is characterized by flexibility to accommodate a wide base of learners in higher education thereby offering educational opportunities to qualified applicants in accordance to their needs and abilities. It offers flexibility in tutorial hours, and tuitions. Tutorial hours are offered from 8:00am till 9:00pm evening.

The Open Learning System involves face-to-face tutorial sessions, using educational packages, and requires attendance.

Does the AOU apply the online or distance learning educational system?

The AOU does not apply the online or distance learning educational system. The university adopts various direct and indirect teaching and learning methods as outlined below. During the Covid19 pandemic, AOU resorted to hybrid learning, following the MEHE recommendations.

a. Direct teaching and learning methods:

· Face-to-face tutorial sessions where attendance is mandatory at least once a week. The tutorials are available from 8:00am to 9:00pm and could be organized into 1 or 2 days per week to accommodate working students.

· Office hours, on a one-on-one basis, where students individually meet with their course tutors. These hours aim to help students cope with the topics that they face difficulties with and provide help to students in any other academic issue. Office hours are available till late evening hours, enabling working students to meet with their tutors according to their work schedule.

b. Indirect teaching and learning methods that enhance the learning process:

· Reading materials: Ebooks and interactive books.

· Smart classrooms which enables students to attend classes remotely while interacting and engaging with the classroom.​

· Lectures and PowerPoint presentations: Those are uploaded on Moodle as well as other supporting teaching materials.​

​​Continuous evaluation and assessment is carried out throughout the entire study course period. The final course grade consists of 50% of the Continuous Assessment and 50% of the Final Examination. The 50% of the Continuous Assessment comprises 20% of the Tutor Marked Assignments and 30% of the Midterm Assessment.​

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The Arab Open University is approved by The Open University as an appropriate organization to offer higher education programmes leading to Open University Validated Awards. The accreditation and validation of the programmes, indicates that the level of education at the Arab Open University is the same quality of education as in British universities. Therefore, the students can continue their studies, without the need of any equivalence, at any British university or any international university that recognizes the British degrees.​

​​​​The language of instruction is English for all programmes except for the Elementary education whereby the language of instruction is Arabic.  However, if students are planning to teach English, Physics, Sciences, then the English language will be the language of instruction in their senior year​.​