Admission Requirements
Admission to U-M is very competitive. Almost 71% of entering freshmen are from the top 5% of their high school classes. They challenge themselves and each other while enjoying the countless opportunities to learn. Our review of each application is holistic and comprehensive. Grades and test scores are very important, but we also consider many other factors such as your national system of education, the type of institution you attended, the quality of your achievement, and the suitability of preparation for your proposed program of studies. We also consider your level of English language proficiency. If you have had an irregular academic background or have been out of school for three or more years and feel that you would be successful at U-M, please submit a detailed description of your specific qualifications.
Education Requirements by Country
Select the appropriate link below to determine the educational requirements for your country.
- American Overseas Schools
- American-Patterned Education
- Australia
- British-Patterned Education
- Canada
- Yugoslavian-Patterned Education
- Europe
- French-Patterned Education
- India
- Indonesia
- International Baccalaureate
- Latin America
- Middle East
- New Zealand
- Philippines
American Overseas Schools
International or U.S. students with diplomas from United States-administered American, International, or Department of Defense schools: placement in the top 10% of the class and strong entrance test scores are required for freshman application. Students may apply during the senior year.
Michigan residents abroad: placement in the top 25% of the class and satisfactory SAT or ACT and ACT Writing scores are required for freshman application.
American and international students graduating from missionary and other private American schools abroad: evaluation occurs on a case-by-case basis, although strong ACT (including the new writing portion, which we require) or SAT, and SAT Subject Test scores will substantially strengthen the probability of admission.
American-Patterned Education
(Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Western Canada, Liberia, etc.) Completion of the senior secondary school program, and achievement of a well above average standard (usually top 10% of the class), may serve as qualification for freshman application. For qualification as a transfer student, the student is advised to first complete at least one year of university-level work.
Australia
Board of Studies Statement of Results leading to one of the following is required: Higher School Certificate, Western Australia Certificate of Education, Victoria Certificate of Education, South Australia Certificate of Education, or Australian Capitol Territory Certificate. Tertiary Entrance Exam Rank is also required along with any of the above certificates.
British-Patterned Education
(U.K., East and West Africa, Caribbean area, East Asia.) Consideration for freshman admission requires at least five ordinary level passes from one sitting at “credit” standard on the General Certificate of Secondary Education(GCSE), or a comparable maturity certificate (GCE, CXC, SPM, HKCEE, IGCSE, WASC, EASC, etc.). The Certificate must include a “credit” or “distinction” standard in English. (Externally-issued, ordinary level examination results/certificates must be received by the deadline for consideration.)
Students sitting for any “A” or “A/S” level examinations should have a certified copy of the individual results notice and/or certificate submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, as soon as results become available. Results can be faxed to the attention of the appropriate international admissions counselor at 734.936.0740. Six to ten credits of advance standing may be awarded for appropriate full “A” level exam subjects completed with a grade of ‘D’ or better for most programs. College of Engineering students may generally be awarded a maximum of eight credits per appropriate subject usually where a grade of ‘C’ or better is achieved. Three to five credits may be awarded for appropriate “A/S” level exams with an acceptable grade.
Note for applicants from Singapore: Beginning in 2008, applicants from certain schools in Singapore may present H1, H2 and H3 level exam results. H1 levels may be considered equivalent to “A/5” levels; however a grade of C or better would be required for advanced standing credit consideration in appropriate academic subjects. H2 levels may be considered equivalent “A” levels. A grade of D or better would be required for advanced standing, credit, except for Engineering applicants, who would be required to have a grade of a C or better. H3 levels may be considered for credit with grades of pass or above. These standards are tentative and subject to change.
Canada
British Columbia
A minimum of four or more Grade 12 academic subjects with final B.C. Provincial Ministry of Education exams.
Ontario
A minimum of five Grade 12 U courses, including Grade 12 U English and one additional U/UC course (or completion of six OACs) with an average of 70% or above leading to the OSSD are required for freshman application. Students may apply during the senior year. No advanced standing credit is given for Grade 12 U/UC (or OAC) coursework. Students who complete programs in Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology (CAATs) apply for freshman admission. Up to 30 credits of advanced standing may be granted on a course-by-course basis for students who have completed a three-year CAAT program. No credit is awarded for completion of a one- or two-year program.
Quebec
Students enrolled in the first year of a College d’enseignement General et Professionnel (CEGEP) apply for freshman admission. (Students must be enrolled in twelve academic courses, not including physical education.) In most cases, outstanding academic achievement is required for application. Students who complete a full academic (non-vocational) CEGEP program (two or three years) may apply for freshman admission with advanced standing. Advanced standing credit will not exceed 30 credit hours. Enrollment in a university is required for transfer application.
All other Provinces
Completion of the secondary school program and achievement of a well above average standard (usually top 10% of the class) may serve as qualification for freshman application. Students may apply during the senior year. For qualification as a transfer student, the student is advised to first complete at least one year of university-level work.
Europe
Students holding a national secondary school leaving certificate of high standard may be considered for freshman admission. Specifics for each country are listed below. In addition to the credentials listed below, the “European Baccalaureate” is also acceptable.
Austria: Maturazeugnis, Reifezeugnis, Matura
Belgium: Certificat de maturité (Certificat d’aptitude a l’enseignement superieur)
Bulgaria: Diploma za Zavarsheno
Commonwealth of Independent States: Matura/Attestat o Srednem Obrazovanii
Cyprus: Apolytirion; Devlet lise diplomasi; GCSE
Czech Republic: Matura
Denmark: Bevis for Studentereksamen; Hojere Forberedelseseksamen
Finland: Ylioppilastutkintotodistus; Studentexamensbetyg
France: see section “French-Patterned Education.” Limited advanced standing credit may be awarded for appropriate subjects with acceptable exam scores of 10 or above on the baccalaureate when the coefficient is at least 4.
Germany: Abitur (Zeugnis der allgemeinen Hochschulreife). Advanced standing of seven to eight credits may be given for certain exams taken in appropriate Abitur (Leistungskurse Prufungsfacher) subjects with acceptable exam scores of seven or above.
Greece: Apolytirion
Hungary: Matura (Gimnaziumi erettsegi bizonyitvany)
Iceland: Studentsprof. Advanced standing of up to 30 semester credits may be awarded on a subject-by-subject basis for exam scores of six or better on the studentsprof.
Italy: Diploma di maturità
Luxembourg: Diplome de maturité
Netherlands: Diploma from antheneum, gymnasium, H.B.S., lyceum or V.W.O.
Norway: Vitnemal from upper secondary. Limited advanced standing credit may be given for certain “branch” subjects in which a national written or spoken exam was taken with scores five or six. If the “Examen Philosophicum” is taken, nine credits may be awarded for an acceptable score.
Poland: Matura (swiadectwo dojrzalosci)
Portugal: Diploma do liceu
Romania: Maturitate; Bacalaureat
Scotland: Scottish Certificate of Education, at least four higher level subjects.
Spain: Curso de Orientation Universitaria (C.O.U.)
Sweden: Studentexamen gymnasekompetens; Gymnasiebetyg; avgangsbetyg
Switzerland: Maturitätszeugnis; certificat de maturité; attestato di maturità. U-M offers some one-year renewable scholarships for international students who are Swiss citizens. The amount varies up to $9,000 per year, depending on the number of students who apply, plus need and merit considerations. Apply to: University of Michigan Office of Financial Aid, 2011 Student Activities Building, 515 E. Jefferson St., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1316, USA, Attention: Mr. Al Hermsen.
Turkey: Devlet lise diplomasi
United Kingdom: see section “British-Patterned Education.”
Yugoslavian-Patterned Education
(Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, and Vojvodina.) Matura; Svjedocanstvo-Svjedodzba o Zavrsenom Razredu o Zavrsenom Obrazovanju (Serbian)
French-Patterned Education
(France, Middle East, Africa, Caribbean area.) In general, completion of the baccalaureate and achievement of a high standard of bien is required for freshman application. Nevertheless, because of varying standards, students from certain countries possessing an overall assez bien average will be considered. Applicants from most countries will not qualify for advanced standing credit.
India
A certificate representing 12 years of academic education (excluding pre-school or kindergarten years) with an equivalent of first division achievement in senior secondary school is required for freshman application. (Examples: All India Senior School Certificate, Indian School Certificate, Delhi Senior School Certificate, Higher Secondary Certificate). Consideration for transfer admission requires official, externally-issued university mark sheets with First Division achievement for each year of study. These must be sent directly by the “Controller of Examinations.”
Indonesia
STTB diploma from an SMA high school.
International Baccalaureate
Students who have completed an International Baccalaureate program should apply at the freshman level. Students may be given advanced standing credit for examinations passed at the Higher Level with minimum grades of five (or in some subjects, four) or better. Students may apply during the senior year. No advanced standing credit is granted for Standard or Subsidiary Level Examinations.
To receive credit for International Baccalaureate (I.B.) examinations, an official transcript of examination grades must be officially sent by the I.B. Office (New York, Geneva, or London) directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions generally awards credit for I.B. Higher Level examinations passed with scores of 5 or above. The University does not give credit for standard/subsidiary level examinations. For more information, click here.
Latin America
Application at the freshman level is permitted if the student can present an average of sobresaliente, excelente, or muy bueno on the bachillerato or comparable certificate.
U-M offers some one-year renewable scholarships for international students who are citizens of Guatemala. The amount varies up to $23,000, depending on the number of students who apply, plus need and merit considerations. Apply to: University of Michigan Office of Financial Aid, 2011 Student Activities Building, 515 E. Jefferson St., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1316, USA, Attention: Mr. Al Hermsen.
Middle East
Completion of the national secondary school certificate examinations with marks at a high percentage is required for freshman application. (Examples: General Secondary School Certificate, Tawjihi, June written examinations.)
Israel: Bagrut Examination Scores and Certificate.
New Zealand
NCEA Level 3 and any Level 4 results from New Zealand Qualification Authority.
Philippines
In general, one year of well above average work in a recognized Philippine university is required for application. Official results of the National College Entrance Exam should also be submitted.