About
Why CU Boulder?
- One of the top 10 most beautiful campuses in the U.S. (#2)
- Several social and academic clubs to join!
- More than 90 research centres, institutes, and laboratories & Four Nobel laureates
- Free bus service for students & easy commuting around town
- Fabulous student recreation centre with rock climbing, ice skating, swimming pools, tennis, weight room, racquetball courts, and much more.
- Over 300 days of sunshine per year
- Boulder has been voted the happiest city in the US
Watch the University of Colorado Boulder’s video for international students, and a fun video the Fall 2019 Welcome Week.
Location
Take a virtual tour of the Boulder Campus.
Level of competitiveness
Less competitive *
The level of competitiveness (Less competitive * / Competitive ** / Very competitive ***) refers to one's chances of being allocated an exchange space at this partner. This is an approximation determined by the number of applications received for this destination during the last academic year versus the total number of exchange spaces available to Queen Mary students.
Academic Calendar
- Semester 1: August to December
- Semester 2: January to May
More information on important dates can be found on Boulder’s academic calendar.
Courses
As an exchange student at CU Boulder, you will find a wide range of academic disciplines available to you. Individual course descriptions can found in the university catalogue. Not every course listed is offered every semester so when making your selection, check what courses will be offered during the semester you plan to be at CU Boulder. Regardless of what courses you select, you must meet the prerequisites for each course.
If students want to enroll in any course that has a prerequisite listed, they will be required to work with the department/professor to request enrollment and submit proof that they have the background to be eligible to enroll.
Restrictions
Students hoping to take business courses at CU Boulder, must be business majors at Queen Mary.
Students hoping to take engineering courses at CU Boulder, must be engineering majors at Queen Mary.
Exchange students do not have access to courses in Psychology, Music, Law, or Education.
Credits
Exchange students must maintain full-time student status, keeping in mind that a normal Undergraduate course load is 12 - 15 credit hours per semester (each course is usually worth 3 - 5 credits).
Find out more about credit transfer and grade conversions.
Accommodation
University housing in apartments: the Bear Creek apartments can be a very good choice for exchange students. Bear Creek is run by the university and offers many social activities in addition to housing. Accommodation is in self-catering, ensuite apartments for students who are beyond their first year of university study. You apply as an individual and will be matched with roommates(s). Although the normal contract is for 9 or 12 months, if you will only be here for a semester, Bear Creek will allow a contract for the semester only if space allows.
Off-campus housing: we strongly recommend that students who wish to live off-campus, arrive to find housing 1 - 2 weeks earlier than the date on the immigration document.
Cost of Living
You can find general, up-to-date information about the cost of living in Colorado here.
Please consult the estimated minimum and maximum cost of living figures for this destination country available in our “Estimated Costs of Living” document available on our Finance page.
Support Services
For information on accessibility, please visit Boulder’s Disability Services website.
Take a look at the list of programs and support services designed for students.
As a current Queen Mary student you will be able to find a summary sheet for this partner university on our QMplus page, with an overview of the local student support services available on the following topics: specific learning differences, physical impairments, sensory impairments, long term medical conditions, autism spectrum conditions, mental health and wellbeing difficulties, special accommodation provision, non-emergency health care, emergency services, harassment and trauma and suicide prevention.
