International Admissions

Students with demonstrated English proficiency are invited to apply for admission as an undergraduate student. If you have questions, please contact our International Student Office.

Students who wish to apply for undergraduate admissions should submit the following:

• Completed online application
• Official transcripts (in English)
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
  • Duolingo: (a minimum of 100 overall, a minimum of 100 for each section)
  • IELTS: (a minimum of 5.8 overall, a minimum of 5.8 for each section)
  • PTE: (53+)
  • TOEFL: (a minimum of 69 overall, a minimum of 17.25 for each section)
  • TOEFL Essentials: (a minimum of 8.0 overall, a minimum of 8.0 for each section)
• If you are transferring from a university located outside of the United States, you are required to provide a certified credit evaluation of your official transcripts using one of the following services:
  • World Education Services (WES)
  • Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
  • SpanTran: The Evaluation Company, which offers a discounted evaluation if you use Mercyhurst's link

The following materials must also be uploaded to your Admissions Portal after submitting your application:

• Bank Affidavit
• Certification of Finances
• Passport Photo Page

Students with demonstrated English proficiency and who have already earned a bachelor’s degree, are invited to apply for admission to any of our graduate programs. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions.

Students who wish to apply for graduate admissions should submit the following:

• Completed online application
• Official transcripts (in English)
• Certified credit evaluation of official transcripts using one of the following services:
  • World Education Services (WES)
  • Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
  • SpanTran: The Evaluation Company, which offers a discounted evaluation if you use Mercyhurst's link
• Current resume
• Statement of purpose outlining personal, professional, and educational goals
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
  • Duolingo: (a minimum of 100 overall, a minimum of 100 for each section)
  • IELTS: (a minimum of 5.8 overall, a minimum of 5.8 for each section)
  • PTE: (53+)
  • TOEFL: (a minimum of 69 overall, a minimum of 17.25 for each section)
  • TOEFL Essentials: (a minimum of 8.0 overall, a minimum of 8.0 for each section)
• Other supplemental items necessary for your specific program of choice (visit your program's webpage for specific admissions requirements)

The following materials must also be uploaded to your Admissions Portal after submitting your application:

• Bank Affidavit
• Certification of Finances
• Passport Photo Page

As soon as you receive your Form I-20 from Mercyhurst University, schedule your visa appointment at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country to apply for an F-1 visa.

You may not enter the U.S. earlier than 30 days before the start date of your program, so make your travel arrangements with this in mind. We would like you to report to campus no later than 7 days prior to the start of the semester.

Once you arrive to campus:

• Complete your mandatory Orientation and New Student Welcome activities. Your Admissions Portal and communications from the Campus Involvement Center will provide you with everything you need to prepare for the start of the semester! 
• Complete registration for your student health insurance.
• Check your Mercyhurst email regularly for instructions on how to maintain F-1 status, enroll in health insurance, and update your SEVIS record.
• Keep in regular contact with the International Student Office.

Whether you are in one of our three freshman residence halls — Baldwin, McAuley, and Warde –—in our newest residence hall, the $25 million suite-style Ryan Hall, or an apartment or townhouse, on-campus living has plenty of perks and serves as an opportunity to grow within a community while also enjoying all that the collegiate experience has to offer. Every student living on campus is equipped with their own desk, chair, bed, dresser, access Wi-Fi, and free laundry facilities. 

In addition to tuition, fees, and room and board, international students should consider additional costs they may incur such as books, health insurance, and personal expenses. Use the currency converter to get a better idea how these costs translate into your currency. To assist with college costs, scholarships for international students are available; and are awarded to international students with strong high school academic achievements and financial need. For questions regarding financial aid, please contact the International Student Office.

Mercyhurst University is committed to ensuring that all of our international students have access to health care while living in our community. Therefore, all F1 and F2 international students (undergraduate, graduate and adult) sponsored through Mercyhurst's SEVP program will be automatically billed for the Mercyhurst University Student Health Insurance Plan. This charge will appear on the student's bill, along with student tuition, fees and other expenses of university life. If you have access to health insurance that is valid within the U.S., and meets the standard of coverage required by Mercyhurst, or if you need more information, please visit our Student Health Insurance webpage. If you have access to health insurance that is valid within the U.S., and meets the standard of coverage required by Mercyhurst, or if you need more information, please visit our Student Health Insurance webpage.

The following websites provide information about scholarship opportunities for international students studying in the United States:

Academic Support

The Office of Academic Support provides several support services to help international students with a variety of academic concerns. Their dedicated team is ready to assist students with concerns about academic performance, navigating the college environment, registering for classes, understanding academic requirements, changing majors, improving study skills, and more!

Multicultural Student Services

Multicultural Student Services assists with the educational, cultural, social, and personal needs of all students, with special emphasis on ethnic, gender, and minority issues. The primary focus is to develop leaders and scholars and to create campus-wide awareness of socio-economic issues, while bridging the gap between students and faculty.

Tutoring Center

The Tutoring Center offers one-on-one or small group tutoring in most subject areas, including English language support. Many international students benefit from seeking both content tutoring as well as English language tutoring, which can help understand readings and specific vocabulary. Tutors are current Mercyhurst students, and tutoring is completely free!

Writing Center

The Writing Center is located on the first floor of the Hammermill Library. Writing consultants help students at any stage in the writing process, including analyzing and understanding the assignment; revising and editing a rough draft; using correct citation styles: MLA, APA, or Chicago style; and incorporating professors' suggestions about a draft. Students may bring in any writing project for any class.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations require that 14% of non-qualified scholarship and fellowship payments (tuition benefits that exceed the cost of tuition and fees) paid to F visa holders be withheld as federal income tax. When applicable, this withholding will be applied to students’ Mercyhurst bills as a fee at the beginning of each semester.