The University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) has received a Letter of Intent (LOI) from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish a degree-granting campus in Hyderabad. The proposed campus is expected to become the university’s first degree-granting location in India and the first foreign university campus in Telangana.

CU Denver is planning to welcome its first student cohort in August 2027, subject to completing the required regulatory processes. The Hyderabad campus is expected to expand access to international higher education in India while offering programmes aligned with changing industry and workforce requirements.

The initial academic offerings are planned across business, computing, engineering and analytics. The university has indicated that additional programmes could be proposed to the UGC from the second year onwards, allowing the academic portfolio to expand over time.

“Expanding access to high-quality education has long been central to CU Denver’s vision and goals.”  -  Kenneth T. Christensen, Chancellor, University of Colorado Denver

He added that the Hyderabad initiative builds on the university’s longstanding connection with students from India and its focus on combining academic learning with career and real-world experiences.

The proposed campus also reflects CU Denver’s existing international student and alumni network. The university has around 14,000 students and more than 100,000 alumni across over 100 countries. Its R1 research classification further highlights its research-focused academic profile.

CU Denver will work with Emeritus as its strategic joint venture partner in India. Emeritus will support the establishment and development of the Hyderabad location through non-academic functions.

 “This initiative brings globally relevant education closer to Indian students while connecting academic learning with the needs of a changing workforce.” - Ashwin Damera, Co-founder & CEO, Emeritus

The Hyderabad development comes as India continues to encourage international participation in higher education. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has placed greater emphasis on internationalisation, multidisciplinary education and stronger links between higher education and employability.

For students in India, the proposed campus could provide an opportunity to pursue a US university degree without having to relocate abroad. For Hyderabad, the development adds another international institution to the city’s growing higher education ecosystem.

However, the UGC’s Letter of Intent should not be treated as final operational approval. CU Denver still needs to complete the necessary regulatory requirements before the Hyderabad campus can begin operations.

With the first cohort targeted for August 2027, the university is expected to continue working with Indian regulators and its local partners as it develops its plans for the new campus.