UNIV: College Success

New to college?  Worried about what to expect?  Not sure how to prepare? Relax. We've got you covered.  

UNIV Courses

These tuition-FREE first-year courses dedicate the entire fall semester to four primary goals, helping you learn the ins and outs of college life and get prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead. In addition to developing academic skills and strategies, the class serves as your own first-year community on campus. You’ll get added support and mentoring from faculty, staff, and peer leaders. By the end of the semester, you'll feel capable, confident, and ready for success.

• Polish your skills and practice strategies for success. We’ll fine-tune the essentials, including writing, critical thinking, and research, and work on college survival skills like time and stress management.
  
• Get connected and be supported. This is your home base to explore the campus and discover all that CU Denver has to offer. You’ll also learn from experts across campus, including the Writing Center, Auraria Library, Learning Resources Center, Lynx Center, and Career Center.
  
• Be the best you in college. It isn’t all about learning class stuff, it’s also a lot of learning about YOU. We’ll work on self-exploration so you can discover your interests, leverage your strengths, define your path, and achieve your goals.
  
• Discover community. CU Denver is immensely diverse and, because of that, it's immensely awesome. You will learn to appreciate the global experiences and perspectives of our students that make CU Denver truly special, and your place within it all.

UNIV Course FAQs

Fall 2025 Options

Please review the Fall 2025 course options below! 

General Sections

These UNIV courses are open to any student, regardless of major. They're not paired with other FYE program courses so when you choose one of them, it's the only FYE course you will take during your first semester at CU Denver. 

Specialized Sections

These UNIV courses are specific to certain majors and programs of study. This allows you to take a course with folks who are also in your major, allowing you to make connections with folks from day one!