International Summer Programs for School Students in 2026

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Introduction

International summer programs have become an important pathway for school students (Grades 9–12) to experience university-style learning, explore academic interests, and gain early exposure to global education environments. For Indian students in particular, these programs provide a structured way to understand how different education systems function, while developing independence, confidence, and clarity about future academic choices.

This dossier brings together credible, current, and widely recognised international summer programs for 2026, organised by region and presented in a uniform, parent- and counsellor-friendly format. The objective is not to promote participation indiscriminately, but to support informed, fit-driven decision-making.

UNITED STATES

Harvard University – Pre-College Program (Non-Credit)

Program Type: Academic Immersion | Residential | Non-Credit

An academically rigorous on-campus experience where students live at Harvard and take a single non-credit college-level course in small classes. The program combines academics with co-curricular activities and college readiness workshops.

Focus Areas: Humanities, Social Sciences, Business & Leadership, Ethics, STEAM

Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors; minimum age 16

Duration: 2 weeks (multiple sessions)

Cost: USD 6,100

Visa: B1/B2

Website: https://summer.harvard.edu/high-school-programs/pre-college-program/

Harvard University – Secondary School Program (Credit-Bearing)

Program Type: College Credit | Residential / Online

A demanding academic program allowing students to earn Harvard college credit over 4 or 7 weeks. Closely mirrors undergraduate expectations.

Eligibility: Students entering college in 2026–2028; minimum age 16

Duration: 4–7 weeks

Cost: USD 9,100–15,735 (residential)

Visa: F-1

Website: https://summer.harvard.edu/programs/secondary-school-program/

Yale University – Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)

Program Type: Academic Enrichment | Residential | Non-Credit

A globally recognised interdisciplinary program bringing together outstanding students from around the world for intensive academic exploration.

Eligibility: High-performing high school students (international eligible)

Duration: 2 weeks

Cost: USD 6,500 (financial aid available)

Visa: B1/B2

Website: https://globalscholars.yale.edu/

MIT – Research Science Institute (RSI)

Program Type: Research | Fully Funded | Highly Selective

One of the world’s most prestigious research programs for high school students, combining coursework with original research under expert mentorship.

Eligibility: High school juniors

Duration: 6 weeks

Cost: Free

Visa: J-1

Website: https://www.cee.org/programs/research-science-institute

Stanford University – Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes

Program Type: Academic Enrichment | Non-Credit

College-level courses across disciplines for motivated high school students seeking intellectual challenge.

Eligibility: High school students

Duration: 3–4 weeks

Cost: USD 3,500–7,000

Visa: B1/B2

Website: https://spcs.stanford.edu/programs/stanford-pre-collegiate-summer-institutes

Brown University – Summer@Brown

Program Type: Academic Enrichment | On-Campus / Online

Small, discussion-driven classes with emphasis on active learning and intellectual exploration.

Eligibility: High school students

Duration: 2–4 weeks

Cost: Varies

Visa: B1/B2

Website: https://precollege.brown.edu/programs/summerbrown

Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)

Program Type: Humanities & Social Sciences | Fully Funded

A highly selective program emphasising critical thinking, democratic community, writing, and ethical inquiry.

Eligibility: Ages 15–17

Duration: 5 weeks

Cost: Free

Visa: J-1

Website: https://tellurideassociation.org/our-programs/high-school-students/

UNITED KINGDOM

Oxford Summer Courses

Program Type: Academic Enrichment | Residential

Tutorial-style, subject-focused learning inspired by the Oxford system.

Eligibility: Ages 15–17

Duration: 1–2 weeks

Cost: GBP 5,500–6,500

Visa: UK Standard Visitor Visa

Website: https://oxfordsummercourses.com/

Immerse Education (Cambridge & Oxford)

Program Type: Academic Enrichment | Residential

Small-group, discussion-led courses taught by subject specialists.

Eligibility: Ages 15–18

Duration: 2 weeks

Cost: GBP 6,000–7,000

Visa: UK Standard Visitor Visa

Website: https://www.immerse.education/

London School of Economics – Pre-University Summer School

Program Type: Subject-Focused Academic Program

Strong emphasis on economics, politics, and social sciences.

Eligibility: Ages 16–18

Duration: 2–3 weeks

Cost: GBP 4,500–6,000

Visa: UK Standard Visitor Visa

Website: https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Summer-Schools/Pre-University-Summer-Schools

EUROPE (NON-UK)

Sciences Po – Summer School (France)

Program Type: Interdisciplinary Academic Program

Global affairs, politics, and policy-focused summer courses in Paris.

Eligibility: Ages 16–18

Duration: 2–4 weeks

Cost: EUR 3,000–4,500

Visa: Schengen Visa

Website: https://www.sciencespo.fr/summer-school/

Bocconi University – Summer School (Italy)

Program Type: Business & Economics

Early exposure to European-style business and economics education.

Eligibility: Ages 16–18

Duration: 2–3 weeks

Cost: EUR 2,500–4,000

Visa: Schengen Visa

Website: https://www.sdabocconi.it/en/summer-school

University of Amsterdam – Summer School

Program Type: Interdisciplinary Academic Program

Wide range of courses focusing on global challenges and social sciences.

Eligibility: Ages 16–18

Duration: 2–4 weeks

Cost: EUR 1,500–3,500

Visa: Schengen Visa

Website: https://www.uva.nl/en/education/summer-school.html

ASIA

National University of Singapore (NUS) – Summer Programmes

Program Type: Academic Enrichment | Residential / Day

Structured exposure to business, economics, technology, and Asian studies.

Eligibility: Ages 15–18

Duration: 2–3 weeks

Cost: SGD 3,000–5,000

Visa: Short-Term Visit Pass

Website: https://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/education-at-nus/non-graduating/summer-programmes

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) – GEM Trailblazer Summer

Program Type: STEM & Innovation

Applied learning with focus on technology, sustainability, and leadership.

Eligibility: Ages 16–18

Duration: 2–4 weeks

Cost: SGD 3,500–6,000

Visa: Short-Term Visit Pass

Website: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/education/student-exchange/summer-programmes

University of Tokyo – Global Summer Program

Program Type: Research & Academic Exposure

Exposure to Japanese research culture and global studies.

Eligibility: High-performing high school students

Duration: 2–4 weeks

Cost: JPY 300,000–500,000

Visa: Japan Short-Stay Visa

Website: https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/prospective-students/summer_program.html

Global Comparison Matrix (Indicative)

Region	Cost Range	Duration	Visa	Age	Focus
USA	USD 3,500–15,700	2–7 weeks	B1/B2, F-1, J-1	15–18	Academics, Research
UK	GBP 4,500–7,000	1–3 weeks	Visitor	15–18	Subject Depth
Europe	EUR 1,500–4,500	2–4 weeks	Schengen	16–18	Interdisciplinary
Asia	SGD 3,000–6,000	2–4 weeks	Short-term	15–18	STEM, Business

Closing Perspective

International summer programs should be viewed as learning accelerators rather than admissions shortcuts. When selected thoughtfully and aligned with a student’s readiness and interests, they offer clarity, confidence, and global exposure that can shape future academic and career decisions.

Explore the Indian Summer Programs here:

https://www.indiacareercentre.com/post/summer-programs-for-students-in-india-2026