University of Colorado, Boulder

The University of Colorado, Boulder (CU-Boulder) is the flagship University for the State of Colorado and one of the most spectacular college campuses in the country. CU-Boulder is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) and the only member in the Rocky Mountain region. It is also home of four Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies working to become leaders in addressing the humanitarian, social and technological challenges of the twenty-first century.

Academic highlights

CU Boulder is a prestigious public research institution with Faculty, staff and students working with the broader community to establish unique connections that have lasting outcomes—both across Colorado and around the world - through collaborative research, innovation and entrepreneurship. They are ranked number 1 as the public university recipient of NASA research awards and number 2 as the most innovative tech hub in the U.S. (Forbes, 2015). They also appear in the top 10 for national rankings in aerospace engineering, atomic/molecular/optical physics, ceramics, education policy, environmental law, geology, physical chemistry and quantum physics (U.S. News & World Report, 2017).

Location

Boulder is nestled against the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains, located 30 minutes northeast of Denver, Colorado’s state capitol. It is about an hour from Denver International Airport (with public transportation readily available) and is a centre for outdoor activities with miles of bicycle trails and hiking trails, and easy access to mountain climbing and skiing.

Did you know?

Boulder has a dry climate typical of much of the state, and enjoys over 300 sunny days each year.

Handbook/Catalogue

CU Boulder's course catalogue (1000-4000 courses are for undergraduate students, 5000+ are for graduate students). Further detail can be found via the course schedule tool.

Areas of study by College or School

Academic Restrictions

International exchange students must enrol in full-time studies at CU-Boulder. Full time study means that students are expected to study between 12-15 credits per semester.

You are able to choose units from the:

• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Engineering and Applied Science
• Leeds School of Business and Administration
• Environmental Design Program

In most cases, you will need to study all units from one school. Exceptions may be permitted on a case-by-case basis.

Music, Law and Education are not open to exchange students.

Full-time Credit Load Equivalents

Amended October 2019.

Academic Calendar

CU Boulder Spring Semester (Monash semester 1): mid-January – early May
CU Boulder Fall Semester (Monash semester 2): late August –mid-December

CU Boulder Academic Calendar

Note

• The listed disciplines are not necessarily exhaustive and other fields of study might also be available at the institution.
• Approval to study particular subjects at any institution is always at the discretion of the departmental/discipline and faculty advisers in your managing faculty(ies) and subject to available places at the host.

Accommodation

At CU Boulder, on-campus housing is extremely limited, and exchange students are not guaranteed campus housing. The CU Boulder campus has a culture of off-campus living for the majority of students who have not recently graduated from high school.

Visas

International exchange students studying in the U.S. must obtain the J-1 Exchange Visitor’s visa before leaving their home country. The application process requires a personal interview at the Consulate.

For more information on visas, please refer to the the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Australia here, and the U.S. Visa Information Service for Australia here.

CU Boulder also provides some information on immigration documents.

Health and insurance

All students attending CU Boulder are required to have health insurance for every semester of their program. You are required to submit proof of insurance coverage to CU Boulder's International Student Services when you complete the Immigration Check-In Form after arriving in the U.S.

In addition to the university's health insurance requirements, immigration regulations require J-1 visa exchange visitors a to maintain comprehensive medical insurance that meets U.S. government minimum requirements during the entirety of the J-1 program.

CU Boulder provides further information on the health insurance and immunisation requirements for students.

Orientation and extra-curricular 

Students are expected to complete the online Pre-Arrival Orientation for International Students course before arriving at CU Boulder. An International Exchange Orientation will be organised at the beginning of the semester. CU Boulder also organises a Welcome Week for all new students, which includes many activities to help students settle in to university life.

CU Boulder has a vibrant campus life, with many student clubs and societies, fraternities and sororities, fitness and recreation services, and sports to participate in as a player or a spectator.

Cost of living

Boulder on the Expatistan site (this is a website external to the University and intended to be indicative only).

Please note that you may be required to provide evidence of sufficient financial support as part of your application.

Funding

For information about funding available to support study on exchange overseas, see the Financial Information page on the Monash Abroad website.

Important notes

Music, Law and Education are not open to exchange students.

To begin your application and study plan, click the button below.

Apply here

Have you been to the University of Colorado Boulder and want to share your experience? 
Let us know about your exchange via this survey form and your testimonial could be shown here!