University of Colorado Denver

About CU Denver (what it is)

CU Denver is a public research university that — together with the CU Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora — forms the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz campus system. It offers undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across business, engineering, arts & media, health professions and more, and serves a large, diverse urban student body.

 

Why choose CU Denver (top reasons)

  • City location & industry access: Downtown Denver and the Anschutz Medical Campus (Aurora) put you near health-care employers, government, startups and nonprofits — helpful for internships and networking.

  • Strong health & medical reputation: CU Anschutz is a major health-sciences hub with nationally ranked hospitals and many research centers — excellent if you want medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health or allied health.

  • Online & flexible delivery: CU Denver has an established online program portfolio for distance learners and hybrid options. This helps students balance work and study or choose remote learning where available.

  • Support for international students: CU Denver serves students from ~130 countries and advertises international admissions services, ESL options and help with visa/I-20 processes.

 

University ranking & reputation (how it stands)

  • CU Denver / Anschutz shows in recognized global rankings (Times Higher Education and QS list CU Denver/Anschutz in their world rankings ranges), and the Anschutz campus has strong subject rankings in medical and health areas. These reflect solid research and medical strengths rather than a single overall “top 10” label.

 

Campus locations

  • Downtown Denver campus (CU Denver): city campus with colleges like Business, Engineering & Computer Science, Arts & Media, Liberal Arts & Sciences.

  • CU Anschutz Medical Campus (Aurora): a major professional health sciences campus hosting medicine, pharmacy, nursing, public health and University of Colorado Hospital & Children’s Hospital Colorado.

 

Types of courses & study levels

  • Undergraduate: Bachelor degrees across disciplines (BSBA, BSIT, liberal arts, sciences).

  • Graduate & professional: Master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees (MBA, MSIT, MS in Public Health, MD, PharmD, DPT, nursing advanced degrees).

  • Certificates & continuing education: numerous graduate certificates, micro-credentials and professional development offerings.

  • ESL / pathway programs: English language and pathway supports for non-native speakers.

 

Mode of learning (onsite / online / blended)

  • CU Denver offers on-campus, fully online, and hybrid/blended courses. The university has invested in online education infrastructure and policies (e.g., online program supports, remote student fee changes effective Fall 2025). If you plan to study on an F-1 visa, check residency/attendance rules (fully online study usually does not qualify for visa benefits).

 

Number of programs offered

  • CU Denver publishes a searchable programs list showing undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs across its colleges; the full catalog (including Anschutz programs) lists dozens of degrees and many certificate options. Use the online program search for an up-to-date count for your discipline.

 

Highlights & student services

  • Healthcare cluster & research: Anschutz ties with University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado — significant clinical and research opportunities.

  • Career & internship supports: Urban location with career services, employer connections and STEM-OPT eligible programs (CU Denver lists 57 STEM-OPT eligible programs).

  • Large scholarship pool & support networks: Institutional scholarship funding, international student advising, ESL supports and virtual resources (virtual tours, online advising).

 

Latest updates (items worth noting)

  • Course modality policy change: CU Denver announced changes to course modality definitions and that fully remote students won’t be charged on-campus fees beginning Fall 2025 — useful if you enroll remotely or in hybrid formats.

  • CU Anschutz 2025 Catalog & facilities: Updated Anschutz catalog and ongoing facility investments (new health sciences buildings and centers) — check the 2025 catalog for the latest program details.

 

Practical checklist for international applicants

  1. Confirm program & campus: Decide whether your program is on the Denver campus or Anschutz (Aurora) and whether it requires in-person attendance for visa eligibility.

  2. Check tuition & total cost estimates: Use the International Admissions “Costs & Financial Aid” pages to estimate tuition + living costs and required I-20 funding.

  3. Scholarships & deadlines: Apply early and confirm which merit awards accept international applicants; contact Financial Aid for donor and need-based opportunities.

  4. English requirements or ESL pathway: If you lack TOEFL/IELTS scores, check ESL academy or conditional admission options.

  5. Visa & CPT/OPT guidance: Ask International Admissions about I-20 issuance, CPT/OPT eligibility (notably, CU Denver offers many STEM-OPT eligible programs), and on-campus employment rules.

Scholarship

  • Automatic merit scholarships (undergraduate) — CU Denver converts international GPAs to the U.S. 4.0 scale and awards merit scholarships automatically at admission to qualifying freshmen and transfer applicants.

  • Institutional & donor scholarships (all levels) — awarded via ScholarshipUniverse (the campus scholarship portal) and include merit, need-based donor awards, talent scholarships, and college/school-specific awards. You must apply through ScholarshipUniverse when required.

  • Program/department scholarships & assistantships (graduate) — many graduate programs (including business, STEM programs, etc.) have program-level scholarships, teaching or research assistantships, or departmental awards — contact your department for details.

  • MBA / Business School scholarships — CU Denver Business School lists specific scholarships for the One-Year MBA (Leadership, Alumni, STEM, Global Citizen). Award sizes vary (example range $500–$5,000) and some require a separate scholarship application.

  • External scholarships & government funding — CU Denver points applicants to outside scholarship databases (EducationUSA, ScholarshipUniverse listings, international government scholarships) as important supplementary sources.

  • Emergency & short-term funds — the International Student Emergency Fund helps students facing crises (natural disasters, family emergency, sudden loss of sponsor funds).

 

Who is eligible (practical breakdown)

  • Undergraduates (international freshmen/transfers): eligible for automatic merit scholarships at admission based on converted GPA. Donor and program scholarships may require application.

  • Graduate international students: scholarship availability varies by program — many departments offer funding, and international graduate students should contact their departments/advisors for opportunities such as graduate assistantships, fellowships, or program scholarships. Some business school scholarships are open to admitted MBA students.

  • F-1 visa holders: are generally not eligible for federal FAFSA aid, but are eligible for institutional scholarships, departmental assistantships (if offered), and emergency funds. Confirm eligibility for specific awards with the awarding office.

 

Documents you will typically need

  • Official academic transcripts (translated & evaluated if required)

  • Passport copy and identification

  • English proficiency scores (TOEFL, IELTS) if required by program

  • CV / resume and statement of purpose (and scholarship essays where asked)

  • Letters of recommendation (for competitive scholarships/assistantships)

  • Financial documents (bank statements or sponsor letter) where need is assessed or for visa/I-20 issuance

 

Practical tips to increase your chances

  • Apply early — admission + scholarship applications should be completed well before program start; many awards are limited.

  • Keep a strong academic record — undergraduate international merit scholarships are GPA driven (converted to U.S. scale). For graduate scholarships, excellent prior academic performance and strong references help.

  • Tailor scholarship essays — show leadership, impact, career goals, and how the scholarship will make a difference. For Business School awards, emphasise leadership & professional experience.

  • Contact departments directly — many graduate funding opportunities are not centrally posted; departments often decide TA/RA awards.

  • Use ScholarshipUniverse thoroughly — complete every section to unlock the most matches.

  • Keep evidence ready for need-based awards — bank statements, sponsor letters, and a short explanation of financial circumstances will help when need is considered.

 

Important policy & practical caveats

  • FAFSA federal aid is for U.S. citizens/eligible non-citizens; international students should not expect federal student aid but are strongly eligible for institutional, departmental, and donor scholarships.

  • Graduate funding varies widely by program — some departments offer generous assistantships; others offer little. Do not assume uniform availability — always ask your department.

  • Scholarship amounts and availability change yearly — always confirm current awards and deadlines with CU Denver’s Student Finances or your academic unit.

Programs

Denver, USA