CU Denver receives UGC letter of intent for Hyderabad campus, first cohort to start in 2027

CU Denver is set to establish a degree-granting campus in Hyderabad after receiving a letter of intent (LOI) from the University Grants Commission (UGC), with the first cohort of students expected to begin in August 2027.

The University of Colorado Denver said the approval makes it the first American public university to receive approval to establish a degree-granting campus in India. It will also be the first foreign university to establish a campus in Telangana, according to the university.

The proposed Hyderabad campus will offer programs in high-demand areas including business, computing, engineering and analytics.

The academic model will combine subject-based education with practical and experiential learning, while encouraging interdisciplinary thinking and problem-solving.

Kenneth T Christensen, Chancellor of CU Denver, said, “Expanding access to high-quality education has long been central to CU Denver’s vision and goals. Our plans in Hyderabad build on that commitment, as well as our longstanding connection with students from India who have been part of the CU Denver community for decades."

"We now have an opportunity to extend that connection and bring our unique experience to students in India—combining rigorous academics, career-aligned learning, and real-world experience that prepare students for meaningful careers and contributions to their communities,” he added.

Students will develop knowledge in their chosen disciplines along with practical skills that can be applied in workplace settings. The campus will also promote interdisciplinary learning, allowing students to work across subject areas and apply problem-solving approaches to real-world situations.

The proposed programs will emphasize career readiness, with curricula and teaching approaches linked to workforce requirements. Students will also remain connected to CU Denver's academic ecosystem in the United States.

Additional programs will be proposed to the UGC for approval from the second year onward, the university said.

The campus will focus on areas such as technology, applied learning, business and career preparation, depending on the program. CU Denver said the emphasis will be on preparing students for changing workplace requirements alongside academic learning.

CU Denver and Emeritus partnership

Global education company Emeritus will serve as CU Denver's strategic joint venture partner in India. It will work with the university to support the establishment and expansion of the Hyderabad campus through expertise in key non-academic functions.

Ashwin Damera, co-founder and CEO of Emeritus, said, “The proposed campus would bring globally relevant education closer to students in India. CU Denver’s focus on applied learning, interdisciplinary education, and career readiness is particularly relevant to the aspirations of today’s students and the needs of a rapidly evolving workforce."

“The initiative would create opportunities for students and provide greater access to an education that is academically rigorous and closely connected to the world of work,” he added.

The proposed campus is being developed in line with priorities under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, including multidisciplinary education, internationalization, learner outcomes and career readiness.

About CU Denver

Established in 1973, CU Denver is governed by the University of Colorado Board of Regents. It has around 14,000 students and more than 100,000 alumni across more than 100 countries.

The university is classified as an R1 research institution by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, a classification for institutions with very high research activity.

The Hyderabad campus will be CU Denver's first degree-granting campus in India and the first foreign university campus in Telangana, according to the university.

CU Denver will continue the regulatory process and work with academic and industry stakeholders as it develops the Hyderabad campus. The university plans to welcome its first cohort of students in August 2027, with additional programs to be proposed for approval in subsequent years.