University of Denver
Programme Details
Minimum mark 60%
Level Undergraduate
Language/s English
Agreement Scope University-wide exchange, check with your department regarding compatibility with your degree programme
Exchange Places 1 full year place for 2025/26
University of Denver Exchange Student's Website
Overview
About:
Founded in 1864—just a few years after the city of Denver itself was founded—the University of Denver (DU) is one of the USA’s premier private universities. The University's 125-acre campus, a few miles south of downtown Denver, is home to more than 11,500 students hailing from all regions of the United States and 83 other countries.The University offers more than 100 undergraduate programs of study, & more than 120 graduate and professional programs.
Contacts at Denver:
Levi Lindsey Levi.Lindsey@du.edu or duxp@du.edu
Office of International Education, Office of Internationalization, University of Denver, 2200 S. Josephine St., Denver, CO 80208-8600, USA
Highlights:
Denver believes in education that combines rigorous class work with the spirit of exploration. It also offers over a 100 student run clubs and organisations with countless activities and events throughout the academic year. You can explore that Rockies with the Alpine Club an campus lights up during the hockey season.
DU has a strong commitment to internationalizing undergraduate education, sending students abroad to every continent except Antarctica. Over 70 percent of students study abroad, ranking DU second out of all doctoral/research institutions for undergraduate participation in study abroad.
Location:
The University of Denver is located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains and the 125-acre campus is a few miles south of downtown Denver. The city can be accessed in minutes by light rail, students can to enjoy its extensive library, recreation centre and tree-lined green spaces.
Academic information
Courses / Modules:
At DU, you have the opportunity to study a wide array of academic subjects, whether it is courses directly related to your area of study or something new to explore during your time in Denver.
The online Schedule of Classes provides the detailed information about each particular course offering within each quarter or semester at DU.
Courses are coded according to level: 1000 level = 1st year; 2000 = 2nd year, 3000 = 3rd and 4th year. Classes at the 4000 level or above are considered graduate level classes and you would need special permission from the department to take those courses.
Credit (Full-time Load per semester):
You are required to enrol in between 12 and 18 DU credits per quarter.
45 DU credits = 120 York credits
This has been calculated by the University of York and students should not compare it with the requirements of other universities. Taking insufficient credits can lead to students failing the year. Any alteration to credits/modules must be discussed with your department prior to making any changes.
Teaching Periods:
DU academic calendar operates on a quarter calendar, with three 10-week terms per academic year (fall, winter, and spring).
Fall quarter: early September to late November
Winter quarter: early January to mid-March
Spring quarter: late March to early June
Access DU's calendar.
Language:
Classes at Denver are taught in English.
You may be required to provide evidence of your English language ability if English is not your first language.
Student life
Accommodation:
You can choose to stay on or off campus and DU guarantees a placement in on-campus housing to all undergraduate exchange students under the age of 25, beginning their studies in the fall quarter. Rooms are usually a single bedroom/studio apartment, sharing the building with full-time DU students. Information on the Denver web pages includes: residence halls and room and board rates.
Meal plans are prepaid meal options for eating on-campus, students can decide to waive this option in favour of cooking for themselves.
Support Services:
On-campus Health and Counseling Center provides medical and mental health service for students.
The Disability Services Program provides equal access for students with disabilities, ensuring all programs and activities are available to every student. The Learning Effectiveness Program helps students with learning differences achieve at a high academic level.
Visas:
Information can be found on the University of Denver International Student and Scholar Service.
Medical Aid:
Students are required to either participate in the DU Student Health Plan (SHIP) or provide proof of other adequate health insurance coverage. Students are automatically enrolled in and expected to pay for SHIP unless they waive it. Information of what is required to waive SHIP can be found on the Denver web-pages.
Travel insurance:
If you are approved by the University of York to participate in this program, you will be covered by the University's Travel Insurance Policy. This is a complimentary policy to cover you for the duration of your University of York mobility experience. Please refer to the Insurance website for all travel insurance queries. You may be required to obtain health insurance valid during your exchange.
Student experiences
Aisling, Environment, Year Abroad 2016/17
“My first impression of Denver was how flat it was, driving up to the city it stood out on the otherwise completely flat landscape… a bit of a surprise given I’d just landed in a state most famous for its mountains and ski resorts. Arriving at the University, the mountains stood out to one side and the city extended to the other- with red brick buildings and open green spaces the campus was beautiful. My first impression was no doubt helped by a clear blue sky and what seemed to be extensive landscaping.” “Arriving a week before term started all the international students were thrown together on one floor, and sent to meetings and introductory lectures together; this certainly helped to bring us together and was a good way to get to know people, in a totally new environment.”
Chloe, English and Related Literature, Year Abroad 2018/19
“I have definitely become much more confident in my capabilities, and have had so much fun! I have made lifelong friends and found people I really connect with. Academically, my courses have been the most interesting and challenging I could wish for.”
Top Tips for Studying in the USA
Please note: these tips have been provided by students who have studied abroad in the USA - Global Opportunities recommends that you use these as a guide only and do your own research on what is best for you.
Money and Banking:
'REVOLUT - cannot recommend this enough. Allows for free currency conversions and transfers into US bank accounts. It is cheaper even than Transferwise. The best way to pay bills to the university is to pay Flywire with a domestic US bank transfer through Revolut.'
'I used my UK or French bank accounts and I opened a bank of America account .......'
'I used a Revolut Card which had a really good exchange rates. But I didn't open up a new Bank account '
Staying Connected:
'I bought a sim from AT&T.....It was a monthly contract that could be cancelled at any time, so it's good for international students. I know some other [students] who either only used WiFi (there's wifi all around campus and it's usually reliable) or who changed their usual contract to an international one. '
'Pretty much every exchange student used Mint Mobile. Not all phones work on US frequencies though, so I bought a Google Pixel 3a which works everywhere. '
'At first, I got a new SIM card but it wasn't compatible with my European phone (due to the software or something). I then borrowed a phone from one of my American relatives. '
Food:
(Drexel University) 'I was on campus and I had a dining plan so I mostly got food in the university's dining facilities. '
(University of Denver) 'A micro fridge is a worthwhile investment for snacks and drinks outside of mealtime!'.
Paperwork and bureaucracy:
'The most tedious thing was getting the visa sorted, but after that most of the paperwork was easy to get done. You might feel like you've forgotten to do some things, but chances are you haven't and they'll send a reminder if you did. '
'Be patient, keep a well labelled folder, email when feeling stressed and your not sure what to do. The main thing is keeping in mind that the paperwork will end and once you arrive at our host country everything is easier face to face. '
'Be meticulous and create checklists. Get all the paperwork necessary for visas etc. before even beginning the process of applying. Flights do not necessarily get more expensive as the travel date gets closer. They can go down too (I booked a flight to NYC to save money before the Philly flight halved in price so I should have just waited) '
What I wished I'd known...:
'Research accommodation a bit more. Expect delays with communication. Expect the mundaneness of normal day to day living- expectation management is a useful skill. All the feelings are very normal! '
'How much it costs! I was happy to pay for the flights even though they're expensive, but having to buy 4-5 books for every module adds up quickly, especially when some of them are $50+ ....... Other things are more expensive too, like clothes, which can cost twice as much as they would here even after converting it. '
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