International - Admitted
Additional Steps for International Students
Log in to your application status page to check for any missing items, including immigration documentation.
While it is possible to gain admission to the university before sending your TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo score, your Form I-20 immigration document cannot be issued until we receive your official results and you have met the English proficiency requirement.
If you are academically eligible for admission to the university and you need a Form I-20 (for an F-1 visa) or a Form DS-2019 (for a J-1 visa), you must submit evidence of full financial support sufficient for all first-year expenses at the University of Colorado Boulder with required documentation before we can finalize your admission and issue any immigration forms.
International Conditional Admission
The University of Colorado Boulder offers conditional admission to international students who meet the academic requirements for admission but need to improve their English language skills before starting an academic degree program. Students who receive conditional admission to the University of Colorado Boulder will be allowed to start their degree program after they have met the requirement for English proficiency.
Below are two ways to meet the English proficiency requirements.
If you have taken one of these tests and your current score does not meet the requirement, you may retake the TOEFL, Duolingo or IELTS in an attempt to meet the requirement. Scores from multiple tests may not be combined. To finalize your admission, an English proficiency score that meets the requirement must be submitted along with proof of funding to the Office of Admissions no later than Nov. 15 for spring applicants and June 15 for fall applicants.
The Pathway to CU Program is offered through the International English Center. Students take coursework in academic English and participate in workshops, activities and events that help them transition into the university community. Students who choose to enroll in the Pathway to CU Program must successfully complete all levels of the program, or submit the required English language proficiency test scores before beginning their degree program at the university.
Once You’ve Been Admitted
Undergraduate international students can defer their enrollment for up to one year by completing the term change form on the application status page. If you are considering attending CU Boulder during a different entry term, please read through our Things to Know Before Requesting a Term Change webpage. You can request to delay your enrollment for up to one year by using the term change form on your status page. Fill out the form with the term to which you would like changed, the reason(s) for the change and what you will be doing during this period. The deadline to request a term change is the first day of class for the original term to which you applied.
Next Steps for Admitted International Students
Activate Your IdentiKey
Your IdentiKey is your key to apply for housing, sign up for new student information, register for classes and allow you to log in to the student portal (Buff Portal).
Connect With Classmates on Facebook
Join the official CU Boulder Class of 2029 Facebook group to connect with other admitted and confirmed students.
Explore Enrichment Programs
Learn about opportunities to take your interests beyond the classroom through study abroad, honors, leadership, service learning, research and other enrichment programs.
Stay on Track & Submit Official Transcripts
Your admission decision is dependent on your final transcripts reflecting similar academic achievement at the time of your admission decision. If you used unofficial transcript(s) for admission purposes, please have the issuing institutions submit your final, official transcript(s) and documents directly to us by mail or email [email protected] once they have become available. You will be required to submit official transcripts before you can register for classes and / or financial aid being applied toward your tuition bill.
Discover Living Experiences
First-year students are required to live on campus their first year. Explore the three types of living experiences available to undergraduate students on campus. The housing application will open in early March. Please visit the housing website for updates.
Explore Our Admitted Student Visit Experiences
Check out our upcoming in-person events for admitted and confirmed CU Boulder students and their guests, including Admitted Buff Days, Admitted Student Information Session and Tours, and Admitted Student Day. Learn more about
International Students
International Transfer Credit Evaluations
We offer two types of transfer credit evaluations for international students, both of which are completed after a student has been admitted to CU Boulder.
- A Full Transfer Credit Evaluation is an in-depth review of all course-work previously completed at recognized colleges and/or universities for applicability toward CU Boulder degree and graduation requirements. In order to complete a Full Transfer Credit Evaluation for courses taken outside of the United States, we require full and complete official course descriptions of each course taken, which should include each course’s specific academic content. If these course descriptions are not in English, you must provide a Certified English Translation (see below for details). It is strongly recommended that you submit full and complete course descriptions with all other required application materials. Information submitted should be one PDF format for each course and include your full name.
- If we do not receive full and complete course descriptions, you will receive a Preliminary Transfer Credit Evaluation. This preliminary evaluation is a general review of how course-work previously completed at recognized colleges and/or universities might transfer to the University of Colorado Boulder. A Preliminary Credit Evaluation will identify those courses that appear to be academic in nature and are transferable, but will likely not provide information on how those courses will count toward degree completion and/or graduation requirements.
A Special Note on Certified English Translations
If a course description is not in English, you will need to get a literal, certified (or official) English translation. It should not be interpretive. A certified (or official) translation will be different depending on what is considered an official translation in your country. In some countries, official translations are only issued by the school. In other countries, official government translators issue official translations. Some countries do not offer translations through a government network, and the student must find a private translation service to issue the translation. We also suggest that you visit or consult with your local Education USA office to see if it offers translations, or can refer you to a service.
Students With Disabilities
Once admitted, students who need accommodations from Disability Services can submit documentation of a disability to Disability Services and request an intake with a disability specialist.
Undergraduate Admission Information For:
Connect With Us
CU Boulder counselors are here to help you through the application and answer any questions that may arise during the admission process.
The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. You may view the list of ADA and Title IX coordinators and review the Regent policy.
As a student or prospective student at CU Boulder, you have a right to certain information pertaining to financial aid programs, the Clery Act, crime and safety, graduation rates, athletics and other general information such as the costs associated with attending CU Boulder. To view this information visit colorado.edu/your-right-know.