International Full-Time MBA Student Admissions
The Leeds School values applications from international candidates. The global business听perspectives that international students bring to the program enrich听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鈥攐r 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鈥you are considered a domestic applicant.听
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听marksheets, be issued in their original language and be accompanied by a certified English translation听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.听We do not accept or review third-party evaluations such as WES, ECE, etc.
*Official US/domestic transcripts听must be sent electronically, directly from the awarding institution to us, to be considered official. When you order your transcripts, send them directly to听Gradprocessing@colorado.edu听and we will match them to your application. Transcripts uploaded by the applicant听will not be considered official.
*Official Non-US transcripts/foreign transcripts听should be sent electronically, directly from the awarding institution to听intlgrad@colorado.edu. We can accept signed and sealed transcripts as well.听Should you have questions,听please contact us at听Leedsgrad@colorado.edu.听If you need to physically mail them, please mail your official documents听to us at the following address with "Attention: Leeds Graduate Admissions"
- The Leeds School of Business requires听all Full-Time MBA applicants to take the GMAT or GRE. Test scores are valid for up to five (5) years.听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听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:听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:听While academic/quantitative skills are important for success, providing the admissions committee with information on your study skills, ambitions and determination is听also important.听Share any skills and successes relating to your professional background.
- Test Waiver Essay: Your essay of no more than 750 words should address the following two areas:
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.听
Accepted Tests of English Proficiency:
- 听(iBT): A听required minimum score of 80+ with a preferred score of听100.
- : A听required minimum score听of 6.5+听(7.0+ for the MS Accounting and MS Taxation programs).
- :听听A听required minimum score of 115+听(on the 160 point scale).
- A听required minimum score of 58+.
- A听required minimum score of 180+.
How to Provide Verifiable Score Reports
- TOEFL: Must show Applicant Name, Appointment Number, Date of Birth, and MyBest庐 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 .
- 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听Official Test Scores听directly from your testing agency listed below:
- TOEFL: Valid for 2 years. Send via your to听University of Colorado Boulder. Our school code is听4841听(use department code听99听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 to send results to:
University of Colorado Boulder 鈥 Graduate - PTE (Pearson): Valid for 2 years. Send your scores from your online 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:听Valid for 2 years.
Other Ways to Demonstrate English Proficiency
- You are a citizen of a听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听Qualifying Country (from the list above)
- You have completed听at least one year听of full-time听academic听study at the institution.
- Your studies at the institution ended听within two years听of your intended admission term.
- Example 1: Admission Term: Fall 2026 鈫 Studies ending Spring 2024 = 鉁
- Example 2: Admission Term: Fall 2026 鈫 Studies ending Fall 2023 = 鉂
- You provide Official transcripts verifying all criteria.
- You have completed OPT (Optional Practical Training) that meets ALL the following criteria:
- Your Employment ended听within two years听of your intended admission term.
- Example 1: Admission Term: Fall 2026 鈫 Completed OPT August 2024 = 鉁
- Example 2: Admission Term: Fall 2026 鈫 Completed OPT December 2023 = 鉂
- 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.)听DOES NOT听meet the English proficiency requirement.
- Medium of Instruction (MOI)听letters are听NOT听accepted and DO NOT meet the English proficiency requirement.
International students need to pay a non-refundable $70 application fee. We do not waive application fees.听Your application will not be reviewed without payment of the application fee.
We strongly encourage international applicants听to submit applications as soon a possible as they听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 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:
鈥淭he 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!鈥
鈥 Seth, Thailand 听
鈥淢att 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.鈥
鈥 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.鈥
鈥淢att 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.鈥
鈥 Nicolas, Mexico
If offered admission,听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听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.听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听research opportunities. There are limited teaching assistantships and they are only听offered during the second year. They are not part of the admissions process.
International students听are not eligible to complete a FAFSA and thus the standard forms of financial aid will not apply, unless you are an鈥.听The website鈥痠s one of your best options for searching for financial assistance.听You may be eligible to receive a听private loan听as well.
Review the Financial Aid website for more information.
The Full Time MBA Program听begins in July.
- Mandatory International Student Bootcamp 鈥 July 28-30, 2025
- Mandatory All Student Orientation 鈥 July 30 - August 1, 2025
- Program Start 鈥 August 4, 2025
- Mandatory International Student and Scholar Services Orientation (ISSS) 鈥 August 17, 2025
*subject to change