University of Delaware

One of the oldest universities in the U.S., the University of Delaware traces its roots to 1743 when a petition by the Presbytery of Lewes expressing the need for an educated clergy led the Rev. Dr. Francis Alison to open a school in New London, Pennsylvania.

Alison's first class was "possibly the most distinguished in terms of the later achievements of its members, taken as a whole, of any class in any school in America," wrote historian John Munroe.

Those first students would go on to become statesmen, doctors, merchants and scholars. Thomas McKean, George Read and James Smith signed the Declaration of Independence, and Read also signed the U.S. Constitution.

By 1765, Alison's school relocated to Newark. NewArk College opened as a degree-granting institution in 1834 and was renamed Delaware College in 1843. In 1867, the college was designated one of the nation's historic Land Grant colleges.

A women's college opened in 1914 with 58 students, and in 1921, the two colleges joined to become the University of Delaware.

Since 1950, UD has quadrupled its enrollment and greatly expanded its faculty and academics and its influence in the world.

In 2009, the University purchased a 272-acre parcel of land adjacent to the Newark campus that previously had been a Chrysler Plant. That site, now the Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus, is home to the University's Health Sciences Complex and is being developed as a space combining business, research, education and more.

International Scholarships: All international freshmen applicants are automatically considered for possible scholarship funding. Encourage students to apply early for best consideration! Scholarships range from $5,000-$18,000 and are renewable each year (maintaining a 3.0 GPA). I am re-sharing our scholarship flyer for your reference. If you have any questions about the application process or the status of an application, please do not hesitate to contact me.

At the University of Delaware, we believe in bringing ideas and perspectives from all over the world onto our campus. That's what drives innovation. That's why we're proud to support international students with scholarships.* Awards range from $5,000 - $18,000 per year.

We also offer a handful of exceptional international students an opportunity to compete for our most prestigious scholarships as a Distinguished Scholar. Scholarships are awarded for four years, provided the student maintains a 3.0 grade point average at the University of Delaware.

All international students who apply are automatically considered for all possible scholarships. There is no separate scholarship application.

On Campus Housing

We're here to help. As we navigate creating a healthy and safe on-campus home for your student, we welcome your questions and your partnership.

Just as we work with you, we partner with students to create welcoming, vibrant, and inclusive residence hall communities. Students do more than simply live in our halls; they take the opportunity to learn and engage as they develop as citizens and leaders.

Off-Campus Accommodations: Students have numerous options of finding an accommodation off-campus in nearby areas. Students can have access to studio apartments, paying guest facilities, sharing apartment complexes and many more.

Students can progress their career and professional development through university services, as well as assist current students in doing so. Students may locate a job, network, mentor students, publish internship and job opportunities, and more using simple career platforms like the UD Career Acceleration Network.

The University of Delaware is committed to providing students with the resources they need to succeed. Academic advisers assist students in establishing academic goals, understanding degree requirements, and connecting with university resources. Academic advisors are dedicated to helping students succeed from the first day of orientation to graduation. Academic advisors help students get the skills and knowledge they need to make well-informed decisions about their academic and career aspirations. 

A High-Performance Figure Skating Centre at the University of Delaware attracts some of the world's greatest figure skaters to train.

Joe Biden (46th U.S. President), Chris Christie (Former Governor of New Jersey), Jill Biden (First Lady of the United States), Elena Delle Donne (American professional basketball player), Susan Stroman (American theatre director) are some of the notable alumni.