The University of Colorado Denver has received a letter of intent from India’s University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish a campus in Hyderabad, where it plans to welcome its first students in August 2027.
CU Denver says the decision makes it the first public American university authorised to establish a degree-granting location in India and the first foreign university to receive a letter of intent for a campus in Telangana. The university must still complete further regulatory processes before opening.
The proposed campus will offer study pathways in business, computing, engineering and analytics, combining academic teaching with practical experience and interdisciplinary learning. Additional programs will be submitted to the UGC for approval from the second year onwards.
Global education company Emeritus will act as CU Denver’s strategic joint venture partner, supporting the campus’s establishment and growth through non-academic functions.
The announcement did not specify individual degree titles, tuition fees or an enrolment target. Students are expected to remain connected to the university’s US home campus, although the announcement did not outline any mobility arrangements.
“Expanding access to high-quality education has long been central to CU Denver’s vision and goals,” said chancellor Kenneth T. Christensen.
“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.”
The initiative will create opportunities for students and provide greater access to an education that is both academically rigorous and closely connected to the world of work
Ashwin Damera, Emeritus
The university’s plans follow Illinois Institute of Technology’s Mumbai expansion. Illinois Tech became the first US university authorised to establish a degree-granting campus in India, receiving a UGC letter of intent in 2025 followed by a letter of approval in 2026.
Employer involvement is central to Illinois Tech’s approach. As previously reported by The PIE News, its Mumbai model includes industry input into curriculum and teaching, alongside paid placements integrated into degrees.
For Emeritus co-founder and CEO Ashwin Damera, the proposed CU Denver campus similarly responds to demand for education with a strong connection to employment.
“The proposed University of Colorado Denver | Hyderabad marks an important step in bringing globally relevant education closer to students in India,” he said.
“CU Denver’s focus on applied learning, interdisciplinary education, and career readiness is particularly relevant to the aspirations of today’s students and the needs of a rapidly evolving workforce. The initiative will create opportunities for students and provide greater access to an education that is both academically rigorous and closely connected to the world of work.”
The Hyderabad announcement also comes as Telangana seeks to attract overseas institutions as part of its ambition to develop a ‘Global Knowledge Hub’.
Chief minister A Revanth Reddy said in September that the University of London and Northeastern University planned to establish offshore campuses in Hyderabad, as per reports.
The University of Birmingham has reportedly expressed interest in Telangana’s planned “Future City” development, as the state’s chief secretary has directed officials to prepare a policy covering infrastructure, investment and approvals for international campuses.
As CU Denver develops its own campus with academic and industry stakeholders, Christensen said the university hoped to extend the experience it already offers Indian students in the US.
“We now have an opportunity to extend that connection and bring our unique experience to students in India—combining rigorous academics, career-aligned learning, and real-world experience that prepare students for meaningful careers and contributions to their communities.”
