The Leeds School values applications from international candidates. The global business perspectives that international students bring to the program enrich the experience for all of our MBA students. We will evaluate candidates from outside the US using the same criteria used for domestic applicants. However, some additional information is required to complete the application for international candidates.

International students are those who already have, or will be applying for, a temporary U.S. visa (most commonly the F-1 and J-1 visas). If you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, asylee, or refugee—or if you have submitted the Form I-485 to the Department of Homeland Security in application for permanent residency status and have received a receipt for the form—you are considered a domestic applicant. 

Matt Baca facilitates the MBA Biz Comp Bootcamp. The first part addresses the foundation of your message and brand, and includes the following:

  • The culture of the U.S. Business School
  • Academic Honesty, Ethics and Avoiding Plagiarism
  • Professor-Student Contract
  • Business Writing (Case Write-Ups)
  • Business Case Analysis & Discussion
  • Individual and Group Presentations
  • Accent Modification Activities
  • Managing and Participating in a Multicultural Team
  • Managing Conflict on Teams

The second part of the program focuses on taking your message and brand to the world, addressing this task in the following modules: 

  • Marketing You 101
  • Sales Five Golden Rules
  • Your Brand
  • The Job Hunt in America
  • Networking & Small Talk
  • Elevator Pitch/Positioning Statement/Sound Bites
  • Telling Your Story

Read testimonials from Leeds graduate student alums:

“The program was a great way to boost your confidence and show what you would face in the real MBA program. One of the best English courses and prep classes I have ever taken!”

— Seth, Thailand  

“Matt successfully executed a well-planned and to-the-point pre-MBA program and he managed to make us participate in class and conquer our fears and cultural biases.”

— Emre, Turkey

"I am a fully bilingual and bi-cultural student, at first I was a little skeptical about taking what seemed to be an ESL course. Truth be told I was blown away by the usefulness of the program. Once I started the MBA I found that I had a clear head-start on some of the native English speaking students. This program helped me a lot on my writing skills and presentations skills, plus it gave me the confidence boost I needed to start the MBA program.”

“Matt Baca is one of the greatest instructors I have ever had. His livelihood and teaching skills made the course a well-rounded positive experience. His knowledge of worldwide cultures allow him to connect with students from across the globe in order to prepare them for the challenge of an MBA program in the US. Thanks to his course coming back to school has been a smoother transition.”

— Nicolas, Mexico

The International admissions financial and visa processes take six weeks or more to complete after being admitted. Because of the time involved, we strongly encourage international candidates to submit applications by the third round of the admission cycle.

The Full-time MBA application fee is $70 US. Application fees may be paid by credit card or check. Checks should be made payable to the University of Colorado and must be drawn on an American bank. Submit your payment with your application as your submission will not be reviewed without payment of the application fee. Include your full name and date of birth on your check or money order to ensure the payment is credited to your application. Do not send cash. Application fees are not refundable and will not be waived.

Merit scholarships are awarded to selected international candidates. International candidates may apply for additional fellowships after submitting the online application. International applicants who are seeking scholarships should apply in the first or second rounds of the admissions cycle for best consideration as fellowship awards are limited and are generally granted to competitive applicants who apply early.

Need-based financial aid is available for US citizens and eligible non-citizens.

Eligible non-citizens may be:

  • U.S. permanent residents with an I-551
  • Conditional permanent residents with an I-551C
  • Noncitizens with an I-94 showing "Asylum Granted," "Refugee," "Indefinite Parole," "Humanitarian Parole," or "Cuban-Haitian Entrant"

Review the information on the Financial Aid website for more information.

A four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent is required for admission into the graduate programs at the University of Colorado Boulder. Admission standards are competitive and students are expected to have excellent academic records.

Country-specific requirements for credential and grade standards
Meeting the minimum credential and grade requirements does not guarantee admission.

For review and decision purposes you are required to upload an unofficial copy of your transcript(s) in the application. We require one copy of the scanned transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution that you attended. Include any transcripts, mark sheets, or grade reports, and any certificates, degrees, diplomas, or statements of graduation or completion from each college or university attended, regardless of the length of attendance, whether or not courses were completed, and whether or not you believe the record will affect your admission or transfer of credit.

If you are currently enrolled, send all available records at this time, including courses in progress. Final records are required upon completion of the course work or program. All records should be submitted in the native language, and credentials written in languages other than English must also be accompanied by a literal, certified English translation. 

If you are offered admission, one official transcript for each university attended will be required prior to your enrollment in the first term.

If you are offered admission, international applicants are required to submit a financial statement before you can be issued an I-20 document. The financial statement assures the University of Colorado Boulder that sufficient funds are available to the student to finance his or her two year stay at the Leeds School of Business. The financial statement must be notarized and signed by a bank official, sponsoring company, or an individual with supporting documentation (such as bank statements from the previous three months). This statement is required and is available here.

The Leeds MBA program is rigorous both quantitatively and qualitatively and an excellent command of written and spoken English is essential. Applicants who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree in the United States or whose native language is not English must submit English Proficiency test scores for evaluation. Applicants should request that the scores be reported directly to the University of Colorado Boulder MBA program.

We will accept the following tests of language proficiency:

  1. TOEFL (iBT): A required minimum score of 80 with a preferred score of 100. TOEFL code 4841.
  2. IELTS: A required minimum score of 7
  3. Duolingo:  A required minimum score of 120 (on the 160 point scale)

Citizens of the following countries are exempt from the language requirement:

  • Australia
  • Belize
  • Botswana
  • Canada (except Quebec)
  • The Commonwealth Caribbean
  • Ghana
  • Great Britain (United Kingdom)
  • India
  • Ireland
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Scotland
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • Zimbabwe

 MBA admissions requirements checklist