Application Deadline

Applicants for fall admission to the master’s and PhD programs in Computer Science must complete the following steps no later than Dec. 15 of the preceding year. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The department does not offer spring admissions.

Application Fee Waivers

For fall 2021, the College of Engineering will be offering application fee waivers to PhD applicants who fit the following criteria. No code is required, it will automatically waive the fee.

  • Applies by Nov. 15, 2020
  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.4 or above

The Graduate School has always provided fee waivers for the following:

  • Project 1000 applicants  
  • McNair Scholars Program applicants
  • Peace Corps Volunteers (active currently)
  • AmeriCorps Volunteers (active currently) 
  • All active duty U.S. military, veterans, those who have previously served, those in the National Guard, and those on Active Reserve will automatically have their application fee waived 

Project 1000, McNair Scholars and AmeriCorps or Peace Corps applicants will need to contact gradadm@colorado.edu to request a fee waiver. They should do so as soon as they start the application. 

General Application Steps

Please see the FAQs page for common questions about these steps.

  1.  Complete the Online Application. 
  2. Pay the $60 application fee ($80 for international applicants).  
  3. Submit your IETLS/TOEFL or Duoloingo scores, if you are an international student. CU Boulder English Proficiency Requirements 
  4. Submit three letters of recommendation. Requests will be sent to your recommenders when you enter them in the Online Application.​
  5. Upload unofficial copies of your transcripts from every undergraduate and graduate institution that you attended, regardless of length of attendance and whether you completed the courses. Failure to list and submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended is considered to be a violation of academic ethics and may result in the cancellation of your admission or dismissal from the university.
  6. Upload your Statement of Purpose in the Online Application. Statement should include why you want to pursue graduate work in Computer Science and what you would like to do after you have received your degree.

Note - GRE scores are not required for admissions to our graduate programs.

You must submit your original/official transcripts once you have been accepted to the program. Once you’ve been accepted, your transcripts, supporting credentials and correspondence in reference to your application should be sent directly to:

Graduate Admissions
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine Street, Suite A122
65 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0553

For overnight or express mail send to:

Graduate Admissions
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine Street Building RL3
Suite A122
Boulder, CO 80309-1058
303-492-6301

You must submit your original/official transcripts once you have been accepted to the program. Once you’ve been accepted, your transcripts, supporting credentials and correspondence in reference to your application should be sent directly to:

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

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 80309-1058 USA

Questions should be directed to CS Graduate Admissions.