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University of Detroit Mercy

University in Detroit, The United States

University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) is a Catholic university in the Jesuit and Mercy traditions in Detroit, Michigan, in the United States, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2026. It has about 5,600 students on four campuses, around a quarter of them international according to its 2024 fast facts, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1. The American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation classify it as both a Research University and an Opportunity University.

UDM offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programmes in small classes, organised in eight colleges and schools: business administration, engineering and science, health professions, humanities, arts and social sciences, architecture and community development, dentistry, law and optometry. Accelerated tracks combine a bachelor's with a graduate or professional degree.

International first-year students are eligible for university scholarships of up to $10,000. Most undergraduate programmes are test-optional, and students whose native language is not English take an ESL test on arrival. The university also fields 17 NCAA Division I sports teams.

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Programmes

Bachelor's degrees in fields such as:

  • Accounting and business administration (BSBA)
  • Architecture (BS Arch) and architectural engineering (BAE)
  • Engineering and computer sciences
  • Biology and biochemistry
  • Health professions, communications, humanities and social sciences

Accelerated options include BS Arch + M. Arch (5 years), BSBA + MBA (5 years), Biology + Physician Assistant (5 years), the 3+3 Scholars programme with law (BA/BS + JD), and 7-year Biology + Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Optometry tracks.

Graduate programmes

Master's, doctoral, professional and certificate programmes, several with a fully online option, for example:

  • MBA and Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA)
  • Applied Data Analytics (MS) and Advanced Electric Vehicles (graduate certificate)
  • Architecture (M. Arch.)
  • Addiction Counseling (MA)
  • Nursing, including the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and a Doctor of Medical Science
  • Dentistry, law and optometry at the professional schools

The GRE is required only for the MBA.

Admission

International first-year applicants apply on the UDM website or through the Common Application and submit:

  • High school transcript
  • A 250-word essay on any topic and a letter of recommendation
  • A bank statement showing funds for the first year (tuition, living costs and health insurance, after scholarships), plus a Statement of Financial Support if a sponsor pays
  • A copy of the passport information pages

Transfer and graduate applicants need a credential evaluation (NACES or AICE member) of each foreign college transcript; graduate applicants also send a CV and two letters of recommendation. Early application is recommended because of visa processing times.

Language requirements

Proof of English is not required for admission to most programmes, but students need basic English communication skills. Students whose native language is not English, and who have not completed a degree at an approved US school, take an ESL test on arrival. Minimum proficiency scores:

  • TOEFL iBT: 81 (or 4 on the new scale)
  • TOEFL paper-based: 550
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • Duolingo: 105

Scholarships and financial aid

International first-year students are eligible for selected university scholarships of up to $10,000; Canadian first-year students can also earn a $1,000 Visit Grant. Full-time transfer students with at least 24 transferable credit hours receive a grant, worth up to $9,000 for students coming from an accredited US or Canadian college.

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