11 Summer Programs for High School Students in the UAE

If you’re a high school student looking to explore your academic interests beyond the classroom, summer programs can be a good starting point. These programs give you access to college-level coursework and structured learning environments that help you build skills and gain industry exposure. Hosted by top universities and organizations, these programs provide networking opportunities, allowing you to connect with mentors and peers.

Why should you attend a program in the UAE?

The UAE has become a hub for pre-university education, with universities, government institutions, and national organizations across the country now hosting structured summer programs. These programs often combine academic instruction with mentorship, site visits, or project work, allowing you to connect classroom learning with practical applications. Whether you are a resident or travelling to the UAE, you can explore the opportunities offered here and find a program that suits your interests.

Below, we’ve curated a list of 11 summer programs for high school students in the UAE, selected based on factors such as academic rigor, selectivity, funding availability, and credibility. 

If you are looking for online business programs, check out our blog here.

11 Summer Programs for High School Students in the UAE

1. NYU Abu Dhabi Summer Academy

Location: New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Cost: Fully funded through the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholarships for Outstanding High School Students

Program Dates: July 6–August 7

Application Deadline: January 16

Eligibility: Emirati students (or children of Emirati mothers) enrolled in Grade 10 at a UAE high school at the time of nomination | Strong English proficiency required

The NYU Abu Dhabi Summer Academy is an 18-month university preparation program that begins with intensive summer coursework and continues through structured academic-year support. You will engage in accelerated study across mathematics, critical thinking and writing, humanities, and leadership, with an emphasis on adapting to a liberal arts academic environment. The program incorporates mentorship from faculty and staff, as well as cohort-based learning that connects high-achieving students from across the UAE. You also receive standardized test preparation and formal instruction in leadership and public speaking. Beyond academics, the program emphasizes cultural awareness and intercultural communication skills relevant to global university settings.

2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote 

Cost: Varies depending on program type | Full financial aid available

Program Dates: Vary by cohort, offered in summer, fall, winter, or spring | Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. You can find more details about the application here.

Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement

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. The program pairs high school students with PhD mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 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. 

3. EGA Summer Training Programme (Emirates Global Aluminium)

Location: Emirates Global Aluminium, Abu Dhabi & Dubai, UAE

Cost: Free| Participants receive compensation during the training period

Program Dates: Summer months | Exact dates vary by program

Application Deadline: Varies 

Eligibility: UAE national high school students in Grade 10 or above with a minimum average of 75% | Applicants must not be sponsored by another organization

The EGA Summer Training Programme is an industry-based summer placement designed to give high school students early exposure to professional work environments. During the program, you are placed in departments aligned with your academic interests, allowing you to observe and participate in real operational workflows within a large industrial organization. The training emphasizes practical learning through supervised tasks, workplace observation, and structured development objectives. Students gain insight into how STEM disciplines are applied in large-scale manufacturing and operations contexts. The program also introduces expectations around professional conduct, teamwork, and workplace responsibility. As a compensated summer opportunity, it offers both skill development and first-hand experience of working within one of the UAE’s major industrial employers.

4. Veritas AI 

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies depending on program type | Full financial aid available 

Program Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter

Application deadline: Rolling basis: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November) | 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

Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.

5. Curtin Dubai Engineering Bootcamp

Location: Curtin University Dubai, Dubai International Academic City, UAE

Cost: Free to attend | Transport services may be available at an additional cost

Program Dates: December 12–18

Application Deadline: Rolling until full | Limited to 30 students per cohort

Eligibility: High school students in Grade 11 and above | Parental NOC required

The Curtin Dubai Engineering Bootcamp is a short, intensive program designed to introduce high school students to core engineering tools and applied workflows. You’ll work through hands-on workshops covering engineering drawing, 2D and 3D design using AutoCAD, mechanical modeling in SolidWorks, basic electronics, sustainability concepts, and robotics with Arduino. Instruction is led by Curtin Dubai faculty and supported by industry professionals, with a strong emphasis on practical application rather than theory alone. Students participate in daily workshops and apply their learning in structured exercises and challenges. The program concludes with a competition that tests the problem-solving and technical skills developed during the bootcamp. Certificates of participation are awarded to students who complete all sessions.

6. UoBD STEM Summer Camp (University of Birmingham Dubai)

Location: University of Birmingham Dubai, Dubai, UAE

Cost: Free

Program Dates: July 15–19

Application Deadline: Rolling | Up to 100 students per cohort

Eligibility: High school students in Grades 11–12 (CBSE/KSEB equivalent) or Year 12–13 (GCSE/A Levels/IB equivalent) studying in the UAE

The UoBD STEM Summer Camp is an academic enrichment program that introduces high school students to applied STEM learning in a university setting. During the program, you participate in focused workshops covering artificial intelligence, machine learning, engineering concepts, and practical mathematics, alongside sessions led by university student societies such as ACM and IMECHEE. The schedule includes hands-on activities, lab tours, and problem-solving exercises designed to expose you to how STEM subjects are studied beyond the classroom. You also attend career and employability workshops, including guidance on personal statements and future academic pathways. A group excursion and on-campus networking sessions with student ambassadors provide insight into university life and residential learning environments. By the end of the program, you will receive a certificate of completion, with campus hours eligible for CAS and MUN credit.

7. AUD Summer Camp (American University in Dubai)

Location: American University in Dubai, Dubai, UAE

Cost: AED 5,000 (early bird fee) | AED 6,000 (regular fee, covering accommodation, meals, modules, activities, excursions, and local transport)

Program Dates: July 5–12

Application Deadline: April 10 (early bird) | May 29 (regular)

Eligibility: Students currently in Grades 10–11 or Years 11–12

The AUD Summer Camp is a one-week residential academic program that combines structured coursework with supervised campus life and city-based excursions. You choose from themed tracks such as leadership, technology and AI, media and digital behavior, or biology and pre-med, each built around hands-on workshops and applied projects. Academic sessions take place during the day in university facilities, including labs and specialized learning spaces, followed by guided social activities and excursions in the evenings. The daily schedule is designed to mirror a university routine, balancing academic instruction with independent and group-based activities. Accommodation, meals, and on-campus supervision are included, creating a controlled residential learning environment. Across the week, you gain exposure to university-style learning, applied skill development, and collaborative work with peers from diverse international backgrounds.

8. UOWD Summer Camp (University of Wollongong in Dubai)

Location: University of Wollongong in Dubai, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai, UAE

Cost: Paid program | Exact cost is not specified

Program Dates: July 7–10

Application Deadline: Rolling until full

Eligibility: High school students exploring future fields of study

The UOWD Summer Camp is a short-term, on-campus enrichment program designed to introduce high school students to university-level study across multiple disciplines. You choose from focused camps in media, business, robotics, computer science, or psychology, each led by UOWD faculty members. The program combines subject-specific workshops with guided activities that simulate university-style learning and classroom engagement. Participants interact with peers who share similar academic interests while gaining exposure to potential undergraduate pathways. Sessions are structured to balance exploration, discussion, and applied learning rather than formal assessment. Hosted at UOWD’s Dubai Knowledge Park campus, the camp offers a compact introduction to academic life at an international university in the UAE.

9. UAE Hospitality Summer Camp

Location: Ministry of Economy & Tourism, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Cost: Paid program | Exact cost is not specified

Program Dates: Starts June 16 (2–4 weeks, depending on track)

Application Deadline: June 30

Eligibility: UAE nationals and UAE-based students aged 15–22, including high school seniors and university students interested in hospitality, tourism, culinary arts, events, or hotel operations

The UAE Hospitality Summer Camp is an internship-style summer training program designed to introduce high school seniors and young students to the hospitality and tourism sector. During the program, you rotate through various applied tracks, including hotel operations, culinary arts, food and beverage service, front office management, housekeeping, and tourism and events management. The experience combines hands-on internships and job shadowing with mentorship from industry professionals and guest lectures by hospitality executives. Participants also receive career coaching and personal development support focused on long-term employability in the tourism sector. The program aligns with national workforce development goals and provides structured exposure to real-world hospitality workflows, rather than relying on classroom-based instruction. Upon successful completion, you’ll receive a certificate recognizing your training and industry experience.

10. ADNOC Accelerator Program RO’YA

Location: ADNOC & Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Cost: Not specified

Program Dates: July (summer sessions) | December (winter sessions)

Application Deadline: February 17–April 14

Eligibility: UAE national high school students enrolled in Grade 10 (or equivalent) in the UAE with a minimum cumulative average of 85% | English proficiency required

The ADNOC Accelerator Program RO’YA is a multi-phase talent development program designed for Emirati high school students interested in leadership, innovation, and the energy sector. During the summer component, you participate in in-person sessions focused on understanding the energy industry, business fundamentals, and leadership development. The program includes project-based assignments supported by monthly mentorship sessions held at Khalifa University. Students gain exposure to laboratory environments and applied uses of artificial intelligence within the energy industry. Team-based projects emphasize communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills in professional contexts. Selection is competitive and includes academic review, aptitude assessments, and an in-person interview process.

11. MDX Summer Camp (Middlesex University Dubai)

Location: Middlesex University Dubai, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai, UAE

Cost: Paid program | AED 1,200 per week for UAE residents | Pricing for international visitors varies by package

Program Dates: Runs during the summer with flexible durations of 1–6 weeks

Application Deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: High school students preparing for university study

The MDX Summer Camp is a multi-week university immersion program designed to introduce high school students to academic life in a higher education setting. During the camp, you participate in subject-specific discovery sessions and workshops across various fields, including business, computer engineering, fashion, media, law, and related disciplines. The program also includes academic skills workshops that focus on preparing students for undergraduate study, covering topics such as communication, research, and classroom engagement. Beyond academics, you’ll take part in organized excursions across Dubai and structured on-campus extracurricular activities. Residential accommodation and meal plans are available for international participants, with daily transportation provided between the campus and the housing facilities.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

Image Source - New York University logo