International MS Student Admissions
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). Please visit our website for additional details on acquiring a Visa.
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.
The Leeds School of Business values applications from international candidates. The cultural diversity and perspectives that international students bring to the program enriches the experience for all of our graduate 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.
*The MS Marketing Analytics program is not yet visa-eligible so we are not able to accept international applications. International students interested in the MSMA, please review our MS Business Analytics program which is visa-eligible and email leedsgrad@colorado.edu to discuss options.
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):
The GMAT/GRE exams are not required for admissions to our MS Programs. If you have taken the GMAT or GRE test more than one time, your highest test score will be used in the admissions evaluation. Note: If you choose to submit a score for the MS Accounting & Taxation programs, it must be the GMAT.
The Leeds graduate programs are rigorous both quantitatively and qualitatively and an excellent command of written and spoken English is essential. Proof of English proficiency is required for an international application to be reviewed for an admission decision.
Accepted Tests of English Proficiency:
- TOEFL (iBT): A required minimum score of 80+ with a preferred score of 100.
- IELTS: A required minimum score of 6.5+ (7.0+ for the MS Accounting and MS Taxation programs).
- Duolingo: A required minimum score of 115+ (on the 160 point scale).
- PTE Pearson: A required minimum score of 58+.
- Cambridge: A required minimum score of 180+.
How to Provide Verifiable Score Reports
- TOEFL: Must show Applicant Name, Appointment Number, Date of Birth, and MyBest® Scores Date.
- IELTS: Must show Applicant Name, Test Report Form Number (TRF), Date of Birth, and Test Date.
- Duolingo: Must show Applicant Name, Secure Certificate Link, and Test Date, must be Shared.
- PTE (Pearson): Must show Applicant Name, Score Report Code, Date of Birth, and Test Date.
- Cambridge: Verification Number is required, Date of Birth must match applicant, and Candidate Name must match applicant.
How to Provide Official Test Scores
If we are not able to verify your English Proficiency Test Scores, you may be required to send Official Test Scores directly from your testing agency listed below:
- TOEFL: Valid for 2 years. Send via your ETS account to University of Colorado Boulder. Our school code is 4841 (use department code 99 if needed).
- IELTS: Valid for 2 years. Request your test center to send scores to:
University of Colorado Boulder Masters & PhD
3100 Marine Street, Suite A122, UCB 65, Boulder, CO 80303 - Duolingo: Valid for 2 years. Use the Duolingo dashboard to send results to:
University of Colorado Boulder – Graduate - PTE (Pearson): Valid for 2 years. Send your scores from your online myPTEportal to the University of Colorado Boulder, Department = Graduate School. Leeds MBA/MS applicants must send scores to the University of Colorado Boulder, Department = Leeds MBA/MS.
- Cambridge: Valid for 2 years. How to send your exam result
Other Ways to Demonstrate English Proficiency
- 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: Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Canada (except Quebec), Dominica, Eswatini, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Malta, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom and Territories, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
- You have studied at a university-level institution that meets ALL the following criteria:
- The institution is in the U.S. or a Qualifying Country (from the list above)
- You have completed at least one year of full-time academic study at the institution.
- Your studies at the institution ended within two years of your intended admission term.
- Example 1: Admission Term: Fall 2026 → Studies ending Spring 2024 = ✅
- Example 2: Admission Term: Fall 2026 → Studies ending Fall 2023 = ❌
- You provide Official transcripts verifying all criteria.
- You have completed OPT (Optional Practical Training) that meets ALL the following criteria:
- Your Employment ended within two years of your intended admission term.
- Example 1: Admission Term: Fall 2026 → Completed OPT August 2024 = ✅
- Example 2: Admission Term: Fall 2026 → Completed OPT December 2023 = ❌
- You provide a report of your OPT employment history from your SEVP portal. This can be uploaded as part of your transcript or emailed leedsgrad@colorado.edu.
Please note:
- Enrollment in an English language program (even if the program is in the U.S.) DOES NOT meet the English proficiency requirement.
- Medium of Instruction (MOI) letters are NOT accepted and DO NOT meet the English proficiency requirement.
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.
Matt Baca facilitates the MS 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 graduate assistantships or research opportunities in our MS programs.
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 Financial Aid website for more information.
MS Business Analytics & MS Supply Chain Analytics begin in June
- Online Python Bootcamp – Available in June 2026 and should be completed by the first day of classes on June 30, 2026.
- Mandatory International Student Bootcamp – Late June – Exact Dates TBD
- Mandatory All Student Orientation – Late June – Exact Dates TBD
- Program Start – June 30, 2026
- Mandatory International Student and Scholar Services Orientation (ISSS) – Early to Mid August – Exact Dates TBD
MS Real Estate & MS Finance begin in August
- Mandatory International Student Bootcamp – Late July – Exact Dates TBD
- Mandatory All Student Orientation, Bootcamps and Proficiency Assessments – Early to Mid August – Exact Dates TBD
- Program Start – August 20, 2026
- Mandatory International Student and Scholar Services Orientation (ISSS) – Early to Mid August – Exact Dates TBD
*dates are subject to change
The MS Business Analytics and MS Supply Chain Analytics programs are STEM-designated degree programs that gives international students the benefit of extending their stay in the U.S. by 24 months after graduation to continue their professional training.