15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Qatar
- Stephen Turban
- 1 day ago
- 10 min read
Summer programs can be a meaningful option for you if you are looking to spend your school break productively while gaining exposure beyond the regular high school curriculum. These programs introduce you to college-level academics and structured learning environments, helping you understand what higher education may look like in practice. Many programs also emphasize practical skills, industry exposure, and collaborative work, allowing you to apply theoretical knowledge outside the classroom.
Why should you attend a program in Qatar?
Qatar is home to several universities and research centers that offer summer programs for high school students. These institutions offer programs where you can explore subjects such as medicine, business, engineering, computer science, and the arts through projects, workshops, and research-based learning. Whether you’re a local student or visiting from abroad, attending a program in Qatar can help you learn about your interests and develop your profile.
To help you shortlist the right opportunities, we have put together a list of 15 summer programs for high school students in Qatar.
If you are looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Location: Georgetown University in Qatar, Al Rayyan, Qatar.
Cost: QAR 1,850 (all courses without SAT) | QAR 3,700 (all courses + SAT)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 5 – 25
Application deadline: April 16
Eligibility: High school students who are Qatar nationals or residents and entering the last two years of secondary school with a GPA of 3.0/B and/or an overall average of 80% or better
Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) offers a three-week, full-time pre-college summer program for high school students in Qatar seeking early exposure to university-level study. Conducted entirely in English in a coeducational setting, the Georgetown Pre-College Summer Program focuses on developing core academic and personal skills required for higher education. You will take daily classes in areas such as English, international relations, world geography, and global politics, while gaining insight into GU-Q’s undergraduate majors in international history, economics, politics, and culture. Optional SAT preparation is available through a recognized test-preparation provider. You will follow a structured academic schedule beginning each morning, supported by instructors and tutors, many of whom are current or former GU-Q students.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer cohorts
Application deadline: May
Eligibility: Current high school students with strong academic performance
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive one-on-one research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high school student. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: VCUarts Qatar, Al Luqta, Qatar
Cost: Program with optional Portfolio Development Week: QAR 3,500 | Program without optional Portfolio Development Week: QAR 3,000.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – 31; optional Portfolio Development Week: August 3 – 7.
Application deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Qatar high school students
The Summer Art & Design Program offered by VCUarts Qatar is a three-week academic program for high schoolers, with an optional additional week focused on portfolio development. Designed to support informed academic exploration, the program introduces you to select undergraduate majors at VCUarts Qatar before allowing you to study one discipline in depth. You will choose from graphic design, interior design, painting and printmaking, or kinetic imaging to engage in coursework structured to build foundational skills relevant to art and design university applications. The program begins with a weeklong mandatory introductory course to help you develop core design skills, including idea generation, mark-making, documentation, and reflection, while engaging with key visual elements—such as form, shape, line, color, and texture—and principles including balance, contrast, harmony, and hierarchy. In the following weeks, you will narrow your focus to one art form at a time.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Varies by program type; need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars.
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Founded by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI offers online programs tailored for high school students interested in artificial intelligence and machine learning. The AI Scholars program covers foundational topics across 10 sessions and blends conceptual learning with practical project work. If you are seeking a more advanced experience, the AI Fellowship offers one-on-one mentorship from university researchers and culminates in an independent project. You will also receive guidance on preparing your work for submission to high school research publications. Both programs are designed to strengthen analytical and writing skills while helping you explore academic or career pathways in AI and computer science. You can also check out some examples of past student projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
Location: Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Ar-Rayyan, Qatar
Cost: Not specified; check here for updates.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: August 17 – 21
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12
REV Robotics offers motivated high school students the chance to participate in a one-week, hands-on learning experience at the STEM Hub laboratory. Designed for high school students, the program allows you to explore designing and building robots using REV Robotics systems, which are widely used in international competitions such as FIRST Global and the FIRST Tech Challenge. You will develop foundational mechanical and electrical engineering skills and gain experience in programming robots to operate sensors, motors, and servos through guided, practical instruction. Due to limited space, you will be selected based on your registration responses and demonstrated interest in engineering.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Ar-Rayyan, Qatar
Cost: $750 (~QAR 2,730)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Three weeks in the summer; dates TBA
Application deadline: Applications open in Spring; Check here for updates.
Eligibility: Qatar high school students currently in year 10 (sophomore) or year 11 (junior)
The Summer College Preview Program offers high school students residing in Qatar an opportunity to experience campus life and the academic expectations of Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q). The program places you in a rigorous learning environment that emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and sustained academic effort alongside peers with strong academic interests. You will attend college-level preparatory courses in mathematics and writing and work in teams to develop a project aligned with one of CMU-Q’s academic majors. Through this experience, you will gain insight into potential career pathways while becoming familiar with the demands of an academically intensive university setting.
Location: Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
Cost: Not specified; check here for updates.
Cohort size: 20 – 25 students
Dates: 12-15 sessions in the summer; dates TBA
Application deadline: Not specified; check here for updates.
Eligibility: Qatar high school students in grades 10 – 12
The Gateway to Qatar University (QU-Gateway) program is an initiative by Qatar University aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030, designed to strengthen students’ research capacity through hands-on STEM experiences. Serving as a bridge between school and university, the program will introduce you to STEM disciplines through workshops and research activities conducted within the university environment. You will be guided by Qatar University faculty, researchers, and undergraduate STEM students who serve as mentors, fostering collaborative learning and early exposure to academic research. The program aims to build interest in STEM fields, support a smooth transition from school to higher education and, eventually, to employment, and contribute to the development of future scientific talent in Qatar. You will receive participation certificates and take part in a final showcase featuring presentations and creative science communication, with an opportunity to win awards.
Location: Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Ar-Rayyan, Qatar
Cost: Not specified; check here for updates.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: August 17 – 21
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12
Qatar Invents is a hands-on engineering program for high school students that introduces the core stages of the engineering design process, including problem identification, ideation, prototyping, and testing. You will work on developing original solutions to real-world challenges, build functional prototypes, and present and defend your ideas. The program also provides foundational training in 3D CAD design, enabling you to design and 3D print components to support your engineering projects. You will spend the week engaging in exercises at the university’s STEM Hub laboratory.
Location: Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar, Ar-Rayyan, Qatar.
Cost: Check here for updates.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Two weeks in the summer; dates TBA
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students
The enrichment programs at Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar (WCM-Q) offer high school students an opportunity to explore academic interests in a college-level environment through structured, interactive learning. Led by pre-medical and medical faculty along with recent graduates, these programs take place at WCM-Q’s Education City campus. The Medical Explorer Program is a two-week, on-campus experience that combines career guidance with personal development. Here, you will engage in workshops focused on identifying academic interests and strengths, preparing for college applications, and understanding admission requirements, including personal statement development and mock interviews. The program also introduces you to college life through clinical skills workshops, problem-based learning sessions, and academic presentations.
Location: Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 23 – July 4
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Male Qatar high school students
The Elite Business Camp, offered by the College of Business and Economics, is a 10-day summer program for high school students interested in business, innovation, and sustainability. The program combines academic workshops with experiential learning to strengthen your understanding of core business concepts while developing teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills. You will take part in interactive sessions led by faculty and industry professionals and engage in activities such as a sustainability-focused innovation challenge, fintech workshops, business simulations, entrepreneurship and finance club activities, and applied sessions on innovation and AI in business. The program also incorporates sports activities to support collaboration and team building.
Location: Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Ar-Rayyan, Qatar
Cost: Not specified; check here for updates.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application deadline: Not specified; check here for updates.
Eligibility: High school students
In this summer program, high school students are invited to design and build their own pinewood derby cars through a hands-on engineering activity rooted in a classic racing tradition. You will transform a basic block of wood into an unpowered, unmanned miniature car and race it using gravity. Alongside engaging in the design and building process, you will explore fundamental engineering and physics concepts such as potential and kinetic energy, friction, air resistance, and basic statistics. The program encourages creativity and problem-solving as you apply scientific principles to optimize the performance of your cars.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Ar-Rayyan, Qatar
Cost: Check here for updates.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: TBA; one-day program
Application deadline: Check here for updates.
Eligibility: High school students in Qatar are eligible to apply.
This laboratory workshop at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) offers high school students hands-on exposure to experimental work in the biological sciences. Led by CMU-Q faculty and staff, the program introduces you to the types of laboratory activities undertaken by undergraduate biology students, emphasizing inquiry-based learning and practical experimentation. You will interact closely with current CMU-Q students to gain insight into university life while investigating a scientific question through guided lab work. Designed for those interested in science or medicine, the Biotechnology Explorer Program provides an opportunity to explore laboratory-based learning in an academic setting.
Location: Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar, Ar-Rayyan, Qatar
Cost: Not specified; check here for updates
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer program; dates TBA
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students
The Pre-College Enrichment Program is designed to introduce prospective college students to the academic and experiential aspects of college life, with a focus on medicine. Through didactic instruction and problem-based learning, you will gain insight into the work of medical professionals while examining historical, current, and emerging trends in healthcare. The program also addresses key topics such as research ethics and public health issues relevant to the Gulf region. You will also attend college-style presentations, basic science laboratory sessions, clinical skills workshops, and collaborative learning activities to develop a clearer understanding of how your academic interests and strengths may align with a future career in medicine.
Location: Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Ar-Rayyan, Qatar
Cost: Not specified; check here for updates.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 11
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Qatar high school students
QSchool is a week-long academic program for high school students in Qatar that combines theoretical instruction with practical exploration of quantum computing. Through lectures and hands-on laboratory sessions, you will study foundational concepts in quantum mechanics and apply them using simulated and real quantum computing platforms. The curriculum introduces topics such as quantum circuits, algorithms, teleportation, and quantum cryptography, allowing you to understand how quantum systems process information and enable secure communication. Designed to broaden early exposure to advanced computing and physics, the program can offer you a structured introduction to emerging technologies within an academic setting.
Location: Northwestern University in Qatar, Education City, Qatar
Cost: Varies by year; TBA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: TBA
Application deadline: TBA; check here for updates.
Eligibility: High school students
Northwestern University in Qatar offers summer pre-college courses for high school students seeking structured academic engagement in a university environment. The programs provide access to online or in-person coursework taught by Northwestern Qatar faculty and graduates, exposing you to a global, interdisciplinary college culture. In the past, the university has offered summer pre-college courses in news creation, storytelling, journalistic photography, news production, and filmmaking. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate of participation and gain early insight into university-level learning and expectations.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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