Free University of Tunis 2026–2027
Université Libre de Tunis – ULT
About the Free University of Tunis
Free University of Tunis – Université Libre de Tunis (ULT) is a private Tunisian higher-education institution affiliated with Bouebdelli Education Group (BEG), and it is considered one of the leading institutions in Tunisia's private higher-education sector.
The university offers a wide range of programs in:
- Engineering.
- Computer science and technology.
- Business Administration.
- Finance.
- Law.
- Architecture.
- Continuing education.
The university confirms that its degrees are recognized by the Tunisian state, and it has a campus in central Tunis comprising 6 buildings, a library/media library, and around 30 laboratories.
University card
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Arabic name | Free University of Tunis |
| French name | Université Libre de Tunis |
| Abbreviation | ULT |
| Country | Tunisia |
| City | Tunisia |
| Institution Type | Private university |
| Educational group | Bouebdelli Education Group |
| Field | Higher education, research, and training |
| Website | Downtown Tunis |
| Key fields | Engineering, technology, business, law, architecture |
| Recognition | Degrees recognized by the Tunisian state |
| Official website | ult-tunisie.com |
The university's headquarters is located in 32 Bis Avenue Kheireddine Pacha, 1002 Tunis.
History of the Free University of Tunis
The roots of ULT go back to the Bouebdelli Education Group and to École d’Électronique et d’Automatisme – EEA , which was founded in 1973 by Mohamed Bou Saidi Bouabdelli.
In 1992 Graduate programs were linked to the Free University of Tunis before the institution evolved into one of Tunisia's private higher-education institutions.
The university therefore has an institutional history longer than its age as a university in the modern sense, which explains its close ties to the Bouabdelli educational group.
The University's Academic Identity
ULT follows a multidisciplinary model that combines:
Engineering + Technology + Business + Law + Architecture
This gives it a position distinct from private institutions specialized in only one field.
The university states that its goal is to make advanced education accessible to different social and cultural groups, with a focus on applied education and professional skills.
Academic Schools and Colleges
The Free University of Tunis comprises a group of main schools and institutes:
- Ecole Polytechnique
- Business School
- Ecole d’Architecture
- Ecole de Droit
- Continuing education programs and certificates.
The university lists more than 60 programs leading to certificates recognized by the state, according to its guide for international students.
First: The Polytechnic and Engineering School
Ecole Polytechnique
Engineering is one of ULT's most important pillars.
The university currently advertises:
- 4 Classes préparatoires
- 9 Licences
- 1 Master
- 15 Diplômes d’ingénieur
according to the offering published on the official website.
The engineering system includes multiple specializations.
Engineering Specializations
The university's official data and the list of private institutions accredited for engineering training show specializations that include:
- Civil Engineering Génie Civil
- Electromechanical engineering Génie Électromécanique
- Energy engineering Génie Énergétique
- Electrical engineering and industrial computer engineering Génie Électrique et Informatique Industrielle
- Biological Engineering Génie Biologique
- Food industries engineering Génie des Industries Alimentaires
- Computer engineering Génie Informatique
- Industrial engineering Génie Industriel
The list of Ordre des Ingénieurs Tunisiens published in 2025 shows the accreditation status of some of these tracks, with other specializations still in the accreditation process.
EUR-ACE International Engineering Accreditation
Among ULT's most prominent international strengths is that a number of its engineering programs have obtained EUR-ACE.
The university explains that this European accreditation was granted through ASIIN, the German body associated with the EUR-ACE system.
The accreditation announced by the university covers the following programs:
- Civil engineering.
- Electrical and industrial computer engineering.
- Biological engineering.
- Food industries engineering.
- Energy engineering.
- Electromechanical engineering.
The university announced the accreditation at the beginning of 2024.
Official data published by the Tunisian engineers' authority also confirm the continued recognition of some of these tracks until specific dates, while other tracks were still in the accreditation process.
The Importance of EUR-ACE
is EUR-ACE It is one of the most prominent European accreditation frameworks for engineering programs, and it strengthens the program's international academic recognition, but it does not automatically mean that every program at the university or every professional qualification is valid for practicing engineering in all countries.
Computer Engineering and Technology
represents Génie Informatique is one of the important fields in the polytechnic school.
The program is linked to modern fields such as:
- Software.
- Information systems.
- Digital technology.
- Computing.
- Systems development.
The official list of the Tunisian engineers' authority indicates that computer engineering and industrial engineering were among the tracks whose accreditation procedures were still being finalized in the published data.
Second: Business School
offers ULT Business School A wide range of economics and management programs.
The official website refers to:
- 5 Licences
- 4 Masters professionnels
in economic and administrative sciences.
The programs cover areas such as:
- Management.
- Human resources.
- Accounting and finance.
- Management control.
- Marketing.
- Business management.
- Management informatics.
- Communication.
- Languages.
The school relies on active learning, teamwork, and practical application.
Business Administration and Finance
Business administration programs are one of ULT's pillars, aiming to prepare students to work across different economic sectors.
Fields include:
Management
Management of organizations, resources, and operations.
Finance
Finance, markets, and financial decision-making.
Comptabilité
Financial and managerial accounting.
Marketing
Marketing, communication, and brand management.
Gestion des ressources humaines
Human Resources Management.
These specializations give the university a presence in business education alongside engineering and technology.
Third: The School of Architecture
offers Ecole d’Architecture at ULT offers specialized programs in architecture.
The university advertises:
Diplôme National d’Architecte
in addition to programs related to the first cycle of architectural studies.
The presence of the National Diploma of Architecture is an important element of the university's identity, as it expands its academic scope to one of the regulated and important professions in the construction and design sector.
Fourth: The Law School
ULT comprises Ecole de Droit, and the university advertises:
- 2 Licences
- 1 Master
in the field of law.
The school enables the study of law through tracks linked to the legal and professional spheres.
Law thus stands as one of the core pillars of the university's strategy alongside engineering and business administration.
Continuing Education
ULT's activity is not limited to traditional higher-education programs.
The university also offers programs in Formation Continue, including programs in education sciences.
Examples include:
- Training of preschool and primary-school teachers.
- Training of middle-school and secondary-school teachers.
- Theoretical training.
- Practical training within educational institutions.
The university notes that these programs include 8 months of training with practical training.
This strengthens the university's role in lifelong learning and professional development.
Campus and Laboratories
ULT is located in the heart of Tunis and comprises:
- 6 buildings
- a library/media library.
- Around 30 laboratories.
- Classrooms.
- Facilities for student activities.
The university emphasizes that its modern infrastructure and laboratories are part of a model that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application.
Scientific Research and Technology Transfer
ULT's polytechnic school brings together:
Training + Research + Technology Transfer
The university states that its mission in engineering is not limited to teaching but also includes research and technology transfer.
The presence of around 30 laboratories is also an important element of the research and teaching infrastructure.
But from the perspective of global rankings, infrastructure alone is not enough; raising the international research presence requires increasing:
- Indexed publications.
- Citations.
- International cooperation.
- Joint research.
- Researchers with high scientific output.
International students
ULT has a clear orientation toward attracting international students.
The university states that it has students from more than 12 nationalities, with a particular presence of students from:
- Maghreb countries.
- Francophone Africa.
It also provides services to receive and assist international students as they settle in Tunisia.
French-language instruction, together with the geographic location in Tunisia, is an attraction for students from Francophone countries.
Admission and Registration 2026–2027
The university allows two main types of admission:
Direct admission
for students holding the Tunisian baccalaureate.
Admission following a decision
for Tunisian or foreign students holding a foreign qualification considered equivalent.
The application procedures include:
- Enrollment application.
- Academic documents.
- Certificates.
- Grade transcripts.
- Identity documents.
- Equivalency documents when needed.
The university clarifies that enrollment becomes final only after the application file is accepted and the required fees are paid.
International Students
For international students, enrollment usually requires submitting academic documents and proof of eligibility to pursue studies in Tunisia, in addition to documents related to residency, insurance, and other matters depending on the student's situation.
The university also provides guidance and assistance services for students coming from abroad.
Tuition fees
The university explains that Fees are set annually by the financial administration, and they cover, according to the university's terms, a range of academic services such as:
- Registration.
- Lectures.
- Practical coursework.
- Training.
- Conferences and seminars.
- with the Internet.
- Use of the library.
And I do not recommend listing a specific figure for the year 2026–2027 on the Top A University page until it is obtained directly from the university, because fees vary by program and academic year.
Quality and Accreditation
ULT confirms that its degrees are recognized by the Tunisian state.
More importantly, a number of engineering programs have obtained EUR-ACE accreditation via ASIIN, an important international quality mark in the evaluation of engineering programs.
Data from the Tunisian engineers' authority also show more recent details about the accredited programs and the accreditation periods.
Important note
A distinction should be made between:
state recognition of the university and its degrees
و
international accreditation of a specific program.
Therefore, when evaluating ULT, accreditation should be considered at the program level rather than the university as a whole.
Important international indicators
| Index | University status |
|---|---|
| Recognition by the Tunisian state | Yes |
| EUR-ACE | Obtained for a number of engineering programs |
| ASIIN | Accreditation body for some engineering programs |
| QS 2026 | No verified documented overall ranking |
| THE 2026 | No verified documented overall ranking |
| ARWU 2026 | No verified documented overall ranking |
| International students | More than 12 nationalities, according to the university |
| Engineering Programs | A wide range |
| Diplôme National d’Architecte | Available |
| Business School | Available |
| Law School | Available |
Academic Strengths
1. A Long History in Private Education
The university is linked to an institutional history dating back to 1973 through the Bouebdelli Education Group.
2. Broad Academic Diversity
It combines:
Engineering + Technology + Business + Law + Architecture.
3. International Accreditation for Engineering
The presence of EUR-ACE/ASIIN across a range of programs represents one of the university's strongest international assets.
4. Laboratory Infrastructure
Around 30 laboratories according to the official website.
5. Attracting International Students
The presence of more than 12 nationalities, according to the university, particularly from the Maghreb and Francophone Africa.
6. Central Geographic Location
The university's location in the heart of Tunis provides easy access to institutions, companies, and business centers.
Challenges and Development Opportunities
From the perspective of international rankings and higher education, the university can raise its standing by focusing on:
Scientific Research
Increasing internationally indexed scientific output in engineering, technology, and the applied sciences.
Citations
Building research groups capable of producing research with scientific impact.
International Cooperation
Turning international partnerships into:
- Joint research.
- European projects.
- Joint degree programs.
- Academic exchange.
- Joint laboratories.
Digital presence
Increasing the visibility of faculty members and researchers in:
- ORCID.
- Google Scholar.
- Scopus.
- Web of Science.
Institutional data
Publishing an annual report that includes:
- Number of students.
- Faculty members.
- International students.
- Graduates.
- Employability.
- Publications.
- Citations.
- Research funding.
- International partnerships.
These data are important not only for marketing, but also for improving institutional transparency and readiness for international rankings.
The Université Libre de Tunis in the Tunisian Higher-Education Market
ULT enjoys a distinctive competitive position because it does not rely on a single field.
It competes simultaneously in:
Engineering and technology
with private engineering universities and institutes,
و
Business Administration
with business schools,
و
Law
with private law schools,
و
Architecture
with architecture schools.
Accordingly, the university's strongest marketing strategy is not to present itself as “just another private university,” but to highlight:
A private multidisciplinary university combining engineering, technology, business, law, and architecture, with international accreditation for a number of its engineering programs.
Brief Assessment
| Dimension | Analytical Assessment |
|---|---|
| Institutional history | Strong |
| program diversity | Very high |
| engineering | Key strength |
| International accreditation | Strong in a number of engineering programs |
| Technology | Strong |
| Business Administration | Strong |
| Law | Good |
| Architecture | Core field |
| Infrastructure | Good |
| Laboratories | A strength |
| International students | Clear presence |
| Scientific Research | An area with room for growth |
| Presence in QS/THE | Limited/undocumented in a 2026 overall ranking |
| Appeal to African students | Relatively high |
| Potential for international brand development | High |
Conclusion
Free University of Tunis – Université Libre de Tunis (ULT) is one of the long-established private institutions in Tunisia and is affiliated with Bouebdelli Education Group whose educational roots date back to the year 1973.
The university is distinguished by clear academic diversity spanning engineering, technology, business administration, finance, law, and architecture, with a campus infrastructure comprising six buildings and around 30 laboratories.
Notable is engineering as the strongest element of the university's international identity, particularly with a group of engineering programs holding accreditation from EUR-ACE accreditation via ASIIN.
The university also attracts international students of more than 12 nationalities, especially from the Maghreb and Francophone Africa.
As for Top A University, the most important point to highlight on the university's page is that ULT's quality should not be measured solely by its appearance in QS or THE; international accreditation of its engineering programs, official recognition, program diversity, infrastructure, and international openness are all complementary indicators that should be presented independently.
Last updated: September 2026
Official Sources and References
- Official website of the Université Libre de Tunis (ULT)
- Overview of the university's history and the Bouebdelli Education Group institution
- Admission and Registration Requirements
- International accreditation and EUR-ACE programs
- Business School and management programs
- International students guide
- List of engineering education institutions – Tunisian Order of Engineers
