International Admission Process

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Thank you for your interest in applying to University of Detroit Mercy. For nearly 150 years, we have provided quality education in a supportive environment that reflects the Catholic values of our Jesuit and Mercy traditions. As a comprehensive university, we offer a number of degrees in related fields, should your interests change.

Please click on the following links to learn more about Tuition, Fees & Estimated Living Expenses for International Students and our English Proficiency requirements.

For further assistance, please contact us:

Office of Admissions
admissions@udmercy.edu or call 1-313-993-1245

Application Deadlines

  • May 1 for Fall Term 
  • September 1 for Winter Term 
  • March 1 for Summer Term 

*Some graduate programs may have earlier deadlines. Applicants should check the department's website for program-specific application deadlines.  

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    Minimal Requirements for International Students

    The following are minimal requirements for all international student applicants. Your program may require additional requirements. Before the University will review your file for admissions consideration, you must submit the following documents:

    1. 1. International transcripts must be evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) , or a member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE) before University of Detroit Mercy can consider international credits for transfer. Visit the NACES or AICE member directory to locate an evaluation service; we do not recommend one service over another.

      - Order the Course-by-Course Evaluation if you are applying as a transfer student or a graduate student with previous foreign college coursework. High school applicants do not need to submit a foreign transcript evaluation. However, if you wish to transfer any college credits to the University of Detroit Mercy, you will need to submit a course-by-course evaluation.
      EXCEPTIONS:
      - College or university coursework done in the U.S. and Ontario, Canada, (if using a 4.0 grade point scale and the transcripts are in English) need not be evaluated by Credential Evaluation Services. Just have them sent to Detroit Mercy.
      - Certain graduate programs do not require a credential evaluation.
    2. 2. Submit a CV or Resume. This is required for almost every graduate program at the University, so submitting one is important. For undergraduate students, unless otherwise specified, this requirement is optional.

    If you are academically admitted to University of Detroit Mercy, before you can be issued an I-20 to apply for a student visa, you must submit the following documents:

    1. An official bank statement showing a total amount to cover the first year of study including tuition and living expenses. If your bank statement is provided by your sponsors, a Statement of Financial Support Form needs to be filled out by your sponsor(s). The official bank statement and the statement of financial support form cannot be dated more than three months prior to your desired start term. View Detroit Mercy tuition and living expenses. NOTE: This requirement is waived for applicants on a work visa (e.g., TN, TD, H1-B, and H-4).
    2. Submit a copy of the information pages of your passport. Also, if you are currently in the U.S. on an F-1, J1 visa or any other visas, send a copy of that visa.
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    Statement of Financial Support

    Requirement of Financial Statement

    If you are academically admitted to University of Detroit Mercy, before you can be issued an I-20 to apply for a student visa, you must submit the following documents:

    1. An official bank statement showing a total amount to cover the first year of study, including tuition and living expenses. If your bank statement is provided by your sponsors, a Statement of Financial Support Form needs to be filled out by your sponsor(s). The official bank statement and the statement of financial support form cannot be dated more than three months prior to your Desired Start Term). View Detroit Mercy tuition and living expensesNOTE: This requirement is waived for applicants on a work visa (e.g., TN, TD, H1-B, and H-4).
    2. Submit a copy of the information pages of your passport. Also, if you are currently in the U.S. on a F-1, J1 visa or any other visas, send a copy of that visa.

    Transfer students (F-1 visa holders) within the United States: If you already have an F-1 visa and wish to transfer from another U.S. institution to the University of Detroit Mercy, please download a Certificate of F1 Status Form.  You will need to send this form to the foreign student advisor at your current institution to inform them of your intention to transfer to Detroit Mercy. If you are eligible for transfer per immigration regulations, your university will release your F-1 record to Detroit Mercy. We will then issue you a new I-20 when you arrive on campus to attend the Detroit Mercy International Student Orientation. If you plan to travel outside the U.S., you must notify both your current university and our University's Admissions Office. We will in that case issue the I-20 before your departure so that you can schedule an appointment with the U.S. Embassy in your home country if a visa appointment is needed. Students who wish to transfer to Detroit Mercy must also submit a bank statement and a Statement of Financial Support form if someone other than yourself is sponsoring you. 

    We can accept a reduced financial statement/banknote amount for international student applicants who are currently in the U.S. on work visas (e.g., H-1B, H-4, L-1, L-2, TN, or TD) if you apply for a change of status; for Canadian Border Commuter Students who will attend Detroit Mercy as part-time students; and for international students receiving grants, scholarships and tuition discounts approved by the University.

    For more information regarding the international transfer process and financial statement requirements, please contact Director of International Admissions, Recruitment and Agency Relations, Ms. Weihong Sun at sunwe@udmercy.edu  

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    English Language Requirements

    For most degree programs at Detroit Mercy, we do not require that you demonstrate English proficiency to be admitted. However, if English is not your native language, or if you have not successfully completed a degree program from an approved U.S. school, you are required to take Accuplacer ESL Test upon arriving at Detroit Mercy. If you want to take either the TOEFL or IELTS, or if you have already taken one of them, a score of 80 on the internet-based TOEFL will exempt you from the placement test. Students taking the paper-based TOEFL need a score of 550 in order to be exempted from the placement test. Finally, an IELTS minimum Overall Band Score of 6.5 will also exempt you from the placement test. We also accept Duolingo test score in lieu of TOEFL or IELTS.  The minimum score requirement for Duolingo is 105. High school applicants can submit either SAT or ACT in lieu of TOEFL or IELTS. 

    Undergraduate students applying to Nursing or a program in the College of Engineering & Science have specific requirements that must be met.

    Nursing

    All International Nursing applicants for whom English is not their native language or the primary language spoken in the home, must demonstrate a working knowledge of the English language by obtaining a score of not less than 83 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL IBT) administered by the Educational Testing Service.

    • All program prerequisites must be completed at an accredited U.S. college/university.
    • An overseas Bachelor's degree will be considered IF determined completed as U.S. equivalent on an official, course-by-course/detailed evaluation report prepared by Educational Credential Evaluators or World Education Services or NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) members. Visit the NACES member directory to locate an evaluation service. 

    Engineering & Science Programs

    Students must submit scores at the time of admission. Admissibility will be assessed based on academic grades and TOEFL or IELTS scores submitted. However, if English is not your native language, or if you have not successfully completed a degree program from an approved U.S. school, you are required to take Accuplacer ESL Test upon arriving at Detroit Mercy. If you want to take either the TOEFL or IELTS, or if you have already taken one of them, a score of 81 on the internet-based TOEFL will exempt you from the placement test. Students taking the paper-based TOEFL need a score of 550 in order to be exempted from the placement test. Finally, an IELTS minimum Overall Band Score of 6.5 will also exempt you from the placement test. Questions regarding the English Language requirement and the ESL placement test should be directed to Director of International Admissions, Recruitment and Agency Relations, Ms. Weihong Sun at sunwe@udmercy.edu.

    Students whose scores on the ESL placement test indicate that they are not yet proficient in English ARE REQUIRED to enroll in the American Language and Culture Program, an English as a Second Language preparation program at Detroit Mercy. Depending upon their score, students will be assigned to Intensive English (22 hours per week), Intermediate English (9 hours per week), or Advanced English (3 hours per week). Students enrolled in Intermediate or Advanced English are required to take academic classes in addition to their ESL classes.

    Please note: The ALCP is an academic English as a Second Language preparation program for international students. Although we do not require a TOEFL or IELTS for admission to many of our Programs, we expect students to possess Basic English communication skills related to immediate needs, for example, by completing the ESL placement test. If you are admitted without passing English proficiency documentation, please understand that you might need to defer starting your academic program for a semester or more before reaching a sufficient level of English proficiency to allow you to take academic coursework. 

    For the ALCP:

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    Immigration Requirements for Admitted Students

    In order to enter the U.S. in F-1 (student) status, you will need the following documents:
    1. valid passport obtained from your government. If you already have a passport, if possible, it should be valid for at least one year beyond your expected stay in the United States. You are required by law to keep your passport valid at all times during your stay in the U.S.
    2. Form I-20 (certificate of eligibility), which will be issued to you by the University after you have completed all requirements for admission.
    3. student visa. Applications for a student visa are made at the nearest United States Consular Office. You will need to take with you your passport, your Form I-20, evidence of adequate financial support for your studies, and your academic credentials. At the consulate, you will fill out an application form and be interviewed by a consular official. You will have to demonstrate to the consular official that you have sufficient financial support for your entire program and that you have strong ties to your home country and that you do not intend to immigrate to the U.S. Documents showing that you or your family owns property or a business in your country, or that you are employed or are being considered for employment upon your return may constitute evidence of intent to return home. If a visa is issued, it will be marked with the name of the school that issued your I-20. You must attend this school your first semester in the U.S. Any questions regarding visa applications should be addressed to the Consular Office. Apply early. Recent changes in U.S. visa laws and regulations have increased the length of time it can take to get a visa. More information on visa application is available at the U.S. Department of State Website. Information on visa denials is available here.

    Transfer students (F-1 visa holders) within the United States: If you already have an F-1 visa and wish to transfer from another U.S. institution to the University of Detroit Mercy, please download a Certificate of F1 Status Form.  You will need to send this form to the foreign student advisor at your current institution to inform them of your intention to transfer to Detroit Mercy. If you are eligible for transfer per immigration regulations, your university will release your F-1 record to Detroit Mercy. We will then issue you a new I-20 when you arrive on campus to attend the Detroit Mercy International Student Orientation. If you plan to travel outside the U.S., you must notify both your current university and our University's Admissions Office. We will in that case issue the I-20 before your departure so that you can schedule an appointment with the U.S. Embassy in your home country if a visa appointment is needed. Students who wish to transfer to Detroit Mercy must also submit a bank statement and a Statement of Financial Support form if someone other than yourself is sponsoring you. For more information regarding the international transfer process, please contact Director of International Admissions, Recruitment and Agency Relations, Ms. Weihong Sun at sunwe@udmercy.edu.