International Full-Time MBA Student Admissions

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. 

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. Meeting the minimum credential and grade requirements does not guarantee admission. We do accept most 3-year degrees from India.

For admission consideration, we request that you upload unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary education (including community colleges, study abroad, summer sessions, and extension programs) in the application. These unofficial transcripts must be complete (including all courses), include grades or marksheets, be issued in their original language and be accompanied by a certified English translation when applicable.

If you are offered admission, one official transcript for each university attended will be required prior to your enrollment in the first term. We do not accept or review third-party evaluations such as WES, ECE, etc.

*Official US/domestic transcripts must be sent electronically, directly from the awarding institution to us, to be considered official. When you order your transcripts, send them directly to Gradprocessing@colorado.edu and we will match them to your application. Transcripts uploaded by the applicant will not be considered official.

*Official Non-US transcripts/foreign transcripts should be sent electronically, directly from the awarding institution to intlgrad@colorado.edu. We can accept signed and sealed transcripts as well. Should you have questions, please contact us at Leedsgrad@colorado.edu. If you need to physically mail them, please mail your official documents to us at the following address with "Attention: Leeds Graduate Admissions"

Overnight/Express Mailing Address (DHL, UPS, FedEx):
Office of Admissions/International             
University of Colorado Boulder                    
3100 Marine Street - 65 UCB
Bldg RL3 Suite A122
Boulder, CO 80303-1058 USA
 
For standard international mail or mail within the US, including USPS Priority and Express:
Office of Admissions/International
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine St Suite A122
65 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0065 USA
  • The Leeds School of Business requires all Full-Time MBA applicants to take the GMAT or GRE. Test scores are valid for up to five (5) years. If you have taken the GMAT or GRE test more than one time, your highest test score will be used in the admissions evaluation. Official test scores must be sent directly to the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder by the testing agency.
  • Alternatively, limited test waivers are available for Full Time MBA Program with the submission of a test waiver essay.
    • Test Waiver Essay: Your essay of no more than 750 words should address the following two areas:
      • Describe the academic you: Describe how you will succeed in your graduate studies by including examples such as previous test scores, academic records, or quantitative and analytical strengths you possess
      • Describe the personal you: While academic/quantitative skills are important for success, providing the admissions committee with information on your study skills, ambitions and determination is also important. Share any skills and successes relating to your professional background.

The Leeds graduate programs are rigorous both quantitatively and qualitatively and an excellent command of written and spoken English is essential. All international applicants must meet a minimum standard of English proficiency.

Accepted Tests of English Proficiency:
  1. TOEFL (iBT): A required minimum score of 80+ with a preferred score of 100.
  2. IELTS: A required minimum score of 6.5+ (7.0+ for the MS Accounting and MS Taxation programs)
  3. Duolingo:  A required minimum score of 120+ (on the 160 point scale)
 
Providing Score Reports
International applicants are required to provide a Verifiable English Proficiency Score Report for the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo exam with their application. The test date must be within two years of the intended admission term for consideration. Verifiable Score Reports should contain the following information:
  • TOEFL Score Report: Applicant Name, Appointment Number, Date of Birth, and MyBest® Scores as of date.
  • IELTS Score Report: Applicant Name, Test Report Form Number (TRF), Date of Birth, and Test Date.
  • Duolingo Score Report: Applicant Name, Secure link to the Duolingo Certificate, and Test Date.
     
Other Ways to Demonstrate English Proficiency
The English proficiency requirement can also be satisfied under either of the following conditions:
1. Your studies at a previous university-level institution met ALL the following criteria:
  • The institution is in the U.S. or a qualifying country from the table below.
  • You have completed at least one year of full-time ACADEMIC study at that institution.
  • The date you completed your studies (or left the institution) is within two (2) years of your desired admission term,
    • Example 1: Your desired admission term is Fall 2025. Studies that ended in the Spring (April – June) of 2023 would meet the criterion.
    • Example 2: Your desired admission term is Fall 2025. Studies that ended in the Fall (October – December) of 2022 would not meet the criterion.
  • You provide transcripts for the institution that verify ALL the criteria have been met.
2. You are a citizen of a qualifying country.
  • International applicants who are citizens of a qualifying country from the list below are not required to provide proof of English proficiency and do NOT need to submit a Verifiable English Proficiency Score Report.
  • Qualifying Countries: Australia, Belize, Botswana, Canada (except Quebec), Commonwealth Caribbean, Ghana, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe.
 
Note: Enrollment in an English language program, including within the USA, does not fulfill the English proficiency requirement. We do not accept Medium of Instruction (MOI) letters as proof of English proficiency.
 
Providing “Official” Test Scores
Applicants and admitted students must submit a Verifiable Score Report with the application. If an applicant cannot provide a Verifiable Score Report, “Official” valid (unexpired) test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to the University of Colorado Boulder. To submit official scores, follow these instructions:
  • Official TOEFL test scores are only valid for two years from the test date. Login to your ETS Account and request your TOEFL score to be sent to the University of Colorado Boulder. Our school code 4841. If prompted for a Department Code, please use 99.
  • Official IELTS test scores are only valid for two years from the test date. Please request your IELTS test center report your score to our school using the information below (IELTS does not use school codes).
    1. University of Colorado Boulder - Masters & PhD, 3100 Marine Street, Suite A122, UCB 65, Boulder, CO 80303
  • Official Duolingo test scores are only valid for two years from the test date. Log in to your account and ‘Send Results’ from inside the Duolingo application. Choose, “University of Colorado Boulder – graduate” when prompted.

International students need to pay a non-refundable $70 application fee. We do not waive application fees. Your application will not be reviewed without payment of the application fee.

We strongly encourage international applicants to submit applications as soon a possible as they have additional steps to take in order to secure a visa and arrive before their program orientation. Applying early will help ensure a successful start in your program.

2025 Application Deadlines for MBA Programs

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

If offered admission, international applicants are required to submit a financial statement before an I-20 document can be issued. The financial statement assures the University of Colorado Boulder that sufficient funds are available to the student to finance their program 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 in the online application portal once a student has been admitted.

Merit-based scholarship awards are available and awarded at the time of acceptance. These are competitive awards and not everyone who applies will receive an award. International applicants who are seeking scholarships should apply in the first or second rounds of the admissions cycle for best consideration as awards are limited and are generally granted to competitive applicants who apply early.

Note: We do not offer assistantships or research opportunities. There are limited teaching assistantships and they are only offered during the second year. They are not part of the admissions process.

International students are not eligible to complete a FAFSA and thus the standard forms of financial aid will not apply, unless you are an eligible noncitizen. The website www.edupass.org is one of your best options for searching for financial assistance. You may be eligible to receive a private loan as well.

Review the Financial Aid website for more information.

Learn more about the costs of the Full Time MBA Program.

The Full Time MBA Program begins in July.

  • Mandatory International Student Bootcamp – July 28-30, 2025
  • Mandatory All Student Orientation – July 30 - August 1, 2025
  • Program Start – August 4, 2025
  • Mandatory International Student and Scholar Services Orientation (ISSS) – August 17, 2025

*subject to change