How to Apply

1

Submit Online Application

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Be sure to write down the email that you use for your application as well as your password. You can submit the application before you have provided your transcripts and test scores.

Start Your Application
2

Pay Application Fee

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Most international applicants are not charged an application fee, to mitigate the cost of the ECE credential evaluation report (see the Transcripts & Test Scores tab for more information). The online application form will notify you if the application fee is required in your case. If required, the fee is $75 and you must pay by credit card before you submit your application. 

Pay Your Application Fee
1

Transcripts from Institutions Located Outside the United States

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Transcripts from Institutions Located Inside the United States

You must submit complete transcripts for all US post-secondary institutions you have attended directly to your CU Denver graduate admissions office. Check your department’s website for details and contact information.
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Submit Test Scores

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Proof of English Language Proficiency

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You may meet the ELP requirement if you meet ANY of the options listed below. You are required to submit documentation to prove your fluency. 

You must provide proof of English language proficiency (ELP) in order to be considered for full admission. Some graduate applicants will be considered for conditional admission if they apply without adequate proof of ELP. 

1

English Language Proficiency Tests

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Citizenship Exemption

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Coursework Completion

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CU Denver ESL Academy (Level 5) Graduation

International applicants may meet the English language proficiency requirement for any program of study at CU Denver by successfully completing every class in level 5 at CU Denver’s ESL Academy.

Learn More about the ESL Academy
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Exception for Certain Visa Types

Starting for Spring 2024 Admission

If you are the primary holder of an employment-based US visa (e.g., H-1B), and you have lived in the US for at least one year, you are not required to provide proof of English language proficiency for admission.

Important Follow-up

Depending on the major you are applying to, you may have additional requirements.
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Depending on the program you are applying to, you will have additional requirements such as letters of recommendation, a resume, and a statement of purpose

Click on the school pages below for admission requirements and deadlines specific to your preferred program.

After reviewing your file, International Admissions may determine that we require additional documents. In this case, you must provide all requested documents in order to complete your application. 

Business School Mailing Information

Regular Mail (USPS Only)Courier Service (UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.)
University of Colorado Denver
Business School Graduate Admissions
Campus Box 165​ PO Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364​
University of Colorado Denver
Business School
1475 Lawrence St.
Denver, Colorado 80202

Contact the Business School

College of Architecture and Planning Mailing Information

Regular Mail (USPS Only) Courier Service (UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.)
University of Colorado Denver
College of Architecture and Planning
PO Box 173364 Campus Box 126
Denver, CO 80217-3364
University of Colorado Denver
College of Architecture and Planning
1250 14th Street, Suite 2000
Denver, CO 80202

Contact the College of Architecture and Planning

College of Arts & Media Mailing Information

Regular Mail (USPS Only) Courier Service (UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.)
University of Colorado Denver
International Admissions
Campus Box A005/1001 P.O. Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364
USA
University of Colorado Denver
College of Arts & Media
1150 10th Street, Suite 177
Denver, CO 80204

Contact the College of Arts & Media

Document Retention Policy

All credentials submitted as application materials become the property of the University of Colorado Denver. We will NOT return any academic documents submitted to CU Denver as part of an application or after admission.

If you are unable to comply with this policy, or if this policy causes undue hardship, please contact International Admissions at intldocuments@ucdenver.edu before submitting any documents to CU Denver.

 

International applicants may meet the English language proficiency requirement through any of the options below for previous coursework completed.

 

Options for Previous Coursework Completed to Satisfy Admissions ELP Requirement
Spring - Fall 2023 AdmissionSpring 2024 Admission
Earn an associate or bachelor's degree in the USEarn a post-secondary bachelor's degree or higher degree in the United States.
Earn a post-secondary credential (comparable to a US associate or bachelor's degree) in any of the exempt countries listed aboveEarn 12 or more credit hours, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, in a master's or doctoral degree program in the United States.
Earn a post-secondary credential (comparable to a US associate or bachelor's degree) at an exempt-country-accredited school located in a non-exempt country

Earn one of the following credentials:

  • A post-secondary credential, comparable to a U.S. bachelor's degree or higher in one of the countries listed below.
    OR
  • The equivalent of 12 or more credit hours in a master's or doctoral program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in one of the countries listed below.

Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Cameroon, Canada, Dominica, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Earned 12 or  more credit hours in a master's or doctoral degree program in the United States, an exempt country, or at an exempt-country-accredited school in a non-exempt country AND

- Earned an overall college-level GPA of 3.0 or higher

 

 

International applicants holding citizenship from the following countries do not need to prove their English language proficiency for admission to CU Denver:

  • Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Granada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, The Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom

Note: This list is based on the United Kingdom government’s list of countries exempt from proving English ability when applying for a UK student visa.

Minimum Score Requirements

Note: The university minimum scores listed below apply to most graduates programs, with the exception of programs in the College of Nursing Check with your individual program to verify the minimum score required.

 TOEFL iBTIELTS ACADEMICPTE ACADEMIC
 Fall 2023Spring 2024 
Overall Score79796.558
Reading1885.542
Listening1775.542
Speaking20185.542
Writing17165.542
DUOLINGO ENGLISH TEST
Overall Score105
Literacy85
Conversation85
Comprehension85
Production85

How to Submit Your Scores

Use the information below to submit your scores electronically:

TOEFLIELTS, PTE, and Duolingo

4875

Search "University of Colorado Denver "

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Some graduate programs require standardized test scores (such as GRE or GMAT) for admission. If your program requires a test score, you should send your score through the testing agency. We require official scores for an admission decision. Verify the requirement below with your program's school or college.

GRE/GMAT Requirements

School or CollegeGeneral Testing Requirement

Business School

The GMAT is required for admission; however, the GRE may be substituted. GMAT/GRE waivers are available case-by-case and can be requested while completing the online application. Please note, that not all programs offer the same GMAT/GRE waivers. 

College of Architecture & PlanningGRE waiver available with 3.0 GPA
College of Arts & MediaGRE not required for all programs
College of Engineering, Design, and ComputingGRE not required for most MS and MEng programs.

Special Notice: the college has temporarily suspended the evaluation of GRE scores for admission decisions through the 2022 application cycle (Fall 2022 - Spring 2023). If you choose to optionally submit them, please send scores officially through ETS using code #4875. A preferred minimum score of 300+.

College of Liberal Arts & SciencesGRE not required for many programs; check your specific program
School of Education & Human DevelopmentGRE not required for all programs
School of Public AffairsGRE not required for all programs, but recommended for GPA below 3.0

 

How to Send Your Scores

Use the information below to send your scores electronically.

TOEFL & GREIELTS, PTE, Duolingo and GMAT

4875

Search "University of Colorado Denver"

International Credential Evaluation Requirement

Do not submit transcripts from foreign (non-US) institutions to CU Denver. Instead, you must provide an international credential evaluation report from Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or World Education Services (WES). You will send your transcripts to the evaluation provider of your choice, and the provider will send their evaluation report to CU Denver.

After you submit your application, we will send you an email with a link to the specific landing pages where you can order your report for CU Denver’s use.

ECE or WES will charge you for this service. The cost is $163 to $208, depending on your chosen service, plus delivery fees. If this cost is prohibitive, please get in touch with us at intldocuments@ucdenver.edu. If you have questions about the international credential evaluation, please contact International Admissions at intldocuments@ucdenver.edu or
read our credential evaluation FAQs.