BEIRUT ARAB UNIVERSITY

SDG 11

SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

INDICATOR 11.4.5

Affordable Student Housing

Does the University as a body provide affordable housing for students?

RECOMMENDED RESPONSE

YES

Current evidence reviewed for 2021 to 2026

Continuing accommodation grant introduced in Fall 2020 to 2021

Prepared for THE Impact Rankings submission

1 Executive assessment

Beirut Arab University provides student housing through two University dormitory buildings at its Debbieh Campus. The current accommodation page records 127 rooms for male students and 67 rooms for female students, giving a total of 194 rooms. Students can select from shared and single room formats, while the male residence also offers a VIP room category.

BAU addresses affordability through its annual Student On-campus Accommodation Grant. The grant covers part of the University dormitory fees and is open to students who will move away from their families and reside in the Debbieh dormitories. Students apply each academic year through the University’s iConnect system and submit the required documentation for review.

These two elements provide the basis for an affirmative response. BAU directly supplies the accommodation and operates a dedicated financial-aid mechanism that reduces the housing fee for eligible residents. The University’s current financial-aid webpage also lists the Accommodation Grant as a distinct form of student support alongside social financial aid, merit scholarships and work-study opportunities.

Original evidence BAU Accommodation and Dorms

Original evidence BAU Student On-campus Accommodation Grant

Original evidence BAU Undergraduate Financial Aid and Scholarships

Accommodation & Dorms

Being away from your home can be a challenging experience. Students living away from their homes and studying in Beirut or Tripoli Campuses can rent a girls-only or boys-only shared or private apartment from various local renters in these regions. Rent is usually paid yearly (two installments) and varies according to location, size, and students sharing the apartment.

Students studying in Debbieh Campus may select between the University dorms, which are located inside campus and are two minutes away from the University parking area or local renters in the area.

BAU’s Debbieh Dorms are safe, comfortable, and relaxing. BAU has allocated two separate buildings: one for boys and one for girls. There are 127 rooms available for boys and 67 rooms available for girls. The dorm rooms range from single to double occupancy.

Room Types and Prices

Debbieh Campus comprises two separate dorms: the girls’ dorms and the boys’ dorms. These are two buildings located inside the campus in close proximity to the parking lot. The dorms encompass a mini-market which includes basic needs of students and a private gym for students enrolled in the dorms. Our student dorms are all self-catered.

Student On-campus Accommodation Grant

Undergraduate Financial Aid & Scholarships

2 Direct provision of student accommodation

2 1 University dormitories at Debbieh Campus

BAU’s Debbieh Campus contains two buildings allocated to student accommodation, one for male students and one for female students. The University describes the dormitories as being located inside the campus and close to the parking area. The main Debbieh Campus page separately confirms that the campus includes two student-dormitory buildings as part of its permanent physical infrastructure.

The accommodation page identifies 127 rooms in the male residence and 67 rooms in the female residence. This produces a verified total of 194 rooms.

Original evidence BAU Accommodation and Dorms

Original evidence BAU Debbieh Campus

2 2 Room formats and residential choice

The dormitory design gives students several accommodation formats. Female students can choose between double shared rooms and single rooms. Male students can choose double rooms, single rooms or VIP rooms. The range allows residents to select a format that fits their personal circumstances and preferred level of sharing.

Original evidence BAU Accommodation and Dorms

3 Student On campus Accommodation Grant

3 1 Direct reduction of dormitory fees

Starting in Fall 2020–2021, BAU established the annual Student On-campus Accommodation Grant for students wishing to live in the Debbieh dormitories. The official grant page states that the award covers part of BAU’s dormitory fees. It therefore provides direct and specific evidence that the University reduces the cost of its own student housing.

The grant is tied directly to accommodation and reduces the housing charge payable by an approved student. It therefore connects BAU’s physical housing provision with a specific affordability mechanism.

Original evidence BAU Student On-campus Accommodation Grant

3 2 Eligibility and annual access

BAU states that all students may apply annually if they are willing to live in the Debbieh dormitories. The published eligibility also covers students who need to move away from their families in order to reside on campus. This creates an open application route connected to the student’s need for campus accommodation.

Students submit a new application each academic year. BAU considers complete applications supported by the required documents. The published procedure asks for recent evidence of rental contracts and or ownership of real estate, and directs students to apply through iConnect and send the documentation to the University’s housing address.

Original evidence BAU Student On-campus Accommodation Grant

4 Integration with BAU financial aid

BAU’s current Undergraduate Financial Aid and Scholarships page lists the Accommodation Grant as a separate support category. The page directs students to apply online, provide documentation where required, undergo administrative review and check that approved aid has been applied to their account. This places housing assistance within the University’s established financial-aid process.

The same page presents social financial aid, merit scholarships and a work-study plan. These measures are not substitutes for the accommodation grant, but they show that housing support sits within a broader framework intended to reduce financial barriers to study. BAU’s 2022–2023 Annual Report likewise states that the University continued granting financial assistance and scholarships despite Lebanon’s economic crisis.

Original evidence BAU Undergraduate Financial Aid and Scholarships

Original evidence BAU Annual Report 2022 to 2023

5 Residential services that support affordability

BAU publishes several services and facilities as part of the Debbieh residential offer. These features support students’ day-to-day living and limit the need to arrange some services separately.

• Free Wi-Fi is listed for every published room category.

• All listed rooms contain beds, desks, refrigeration and an internal bathroom.

• The residences are self-catered, allowing students to manage their own meals.

• The dormitory area includes a mini-market for basic needs and a private gym for enrolled residents.

• The female residence includes a laundry room, shared kitchen, study and relaxation area, and a security-surveillance system.

The University also publishes dedicated dormitory contact details for enquiries. This operational information demonstrates that the accommodation is an active student service with an identifiable management channel.

Original evidence BAU Accommodation and Dorms

6 Scope and student access

Direct University housing is provided at Debbieh Campus. Students studying there may choose the University dormitories or local rental accommodation. BAU’s current page also explains that students studying in Beirut or Tripoli generally use shared or private apartments offered by local renters. At Debbieh, BAU combines its direct dormitory provision with the accommodation grant attached to that provision.

The student-housing model provides access for male and female residents through separate buildings, offers shared and single room choices, and supports students moving away from their families through an annual fee grant. Together, these arrangements combine physical availability with a mechanism to reduce the amount paid for University accommodation.

Original evidence BAU Accommodation and Dorms

Original evidence BAU Student On-campus Accommodation Grant

7 Evidence mapping for THE Indicator 11.4.5

The evidence below maps BAU’s current provision to the elements required for an affirmative institutional response.

8 Conclusion

Beirut Arab University should answer YES to THE Impact Rankings Indicator 11.4.5. BAU provides two student residences at Debbieh Campus with 194 rooms across male and female accommodation. The residences offer shared and single options and publish the facilities available within each room category.

Affordability is demonstrated through the Student On-campus Accommodation Grant, which covers part of BAU’s dormitory fees and can be requested annually by students who will live away from their families in the Debbieh residences. The grant is integrated into BAU’s current financial-aid framework and is supported by a defined application and review process. The combination of direct University housing and targeted fee assistance satisfies the indicator.

9 Original evidence register

The report relies on BAU’s original institutional webpages and publication. Each source is linked directly below.

Evidence reviewed on 16 October 2026