Hyderabad, October 7, 2026: The University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) has received a Letter of Intent from India’s University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish a degree-granting campus in Hyderabad, becoming the first American public university to receive such approval in India and the first foreign university in Telangana.
The Hyderabad campus is expected to welcome its first cohort of students in August 2027, with planned programmes in business, computing, engineering, and analytics. The university said the initiative aims to expand access to globally relevant education and will prioritise experiential learning and career readiness.
First American public university with UGC approval
CU Denver’s Hyderabad campus marks a milestone as the first U.S. public university authorised to offer degrees in India. The university, established in 1973 and governed by the University of Colorado Board of Regents, currently serves about 14,000 students and has a global alumni network of over 100,000 graduates across more than 100 countries.
The new campus will draw on CU Denver’s strengths as a public urban research university, focusing on academic quality, student outcomes, applied learning, social mobility, and workforce relevance. Additional programmes are expected to be proposed to the UGC for approval in the second year and beyond.
Strategic partnership and programme focus
Global education company Emeritus will serve as CU Denver’s strategic joint venture partner in India, supporting the university’s establishment and growth through expertise in non-academic functions. The Hyderabad location will offer interdisciplinary pathways and encourage problem-solving skills, according to the university.
“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,” said Kenneth T. Christensen, PhD, chancellor of CU Denver.
Alignment with India’s education policy
The launch of CU Denver | Hyderabad aligns with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises multidisciplinary education, internationalisation, learner outcomes, and career readiness. CU Denver is classified as an R1 research institution by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, indicating very high research activity.
Ashwin Damera, Co-founder and CEO of Emeritus, said the initiative will create opportunities for students and provide greater access to an education closely connected to workforce needs.
CU Denver said it will continue to work through regulatory processes and engage with academic, industry, and other stakeholders as it develops the Hyderabad campus, with the first student intake planned for August 2027.
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