The University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) has received a letter of intent from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish a degree-granting campus in Hyderabad.
The move will make CU Denver the first American public university to set up a campus in India and the first foreign university campus in Telangana.
Last year, private US university Illinois Institute of Technology became the first US university to establish a campus in India, in Mumbai.
First Students Expected In August 2027
CU Denver plans to offer programmes in high-demand fields including business, computing, engineering and analytics, with emphasis on interdisciplinary education, applied learning and career readiness.
The university will complete regulatory requirements and consult academic and industry stakeholders before launching the campus, with the first batch expected to begin classes in August 2027. Additional programmes will be submitted to the UGC from the second year.
The campus will align with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 priorities, including multidisciplinary learning, internationalisation and employability, while maintaining academic links with Denver.
Emeritus To Support India Campus
Global education company Emeritus will serve as CU Denver’s strategic joint venture partner, supporting establishment and expansion through non-academic functions.
Chancellor Kenneth T Christensen said the campus builds on CU Denver’s decades-long connection with Indian students and will combine rigorous academics, career-focused learning and real-world experience.
Emeritus Co-founder and CEO Ashwin Damera said the initiative will bring globally relevant, work-linked education closer to Indian students and address the needs of a changing workforce.
