15 University Summer Programs for High School Students in Canada
- Stephen Turban
- 10 hours ago
- 12 min read
For high school students looking to study advanced topics, university summer programs are an accessible way to explore undergraduate-level curricula. These programs blend academic challenge with practical experience in fields such as science, technology, international affairs, and the arts. They’re typically led by university faculty, graduate students, and industry mentors.
For high school students in Canada, there is a range of university programs available across diverse fields. Many of these programs are hosted by Canada’s top institutions and offer rigorous coursework, opportunities to build your professional network, and, in some cases, full funding. We've reviewed dozens of options and narrowed them down to 15 standout university summer programs for high schoolers in Canada. Each program was included for its competitive entry, mentorship, financial support, or strong reputation.
15 University Summer Programs for High School Students in Canada
1. HYRS Program
Location: University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
Cost/Stipend: CAD 3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Maximum of 2 students per high school
Dates: July 2 to August 13
Application Deadline: Applications open in January
Eligibility: Grade 11 students in central Alberta, south of Red Deer to north of but not including Claresholm. Minimum 85 percent in Biology 20, Math 20-1 or 20-2, and one other Grade 11 science
The Alberta Innovates High School Youth Researcher Summer (HYRS) Program allows Grade 11 students to spend six weeks working on biomedical and health research projects at the University of Calgary. The program places you in a university lab, working alongside faculty members and contributing to cutting-edge research. Assigned projects may focus on: “Digital or Data Driven Health Research”, “Commercialization”, or “Health System Transformation”. You could work on digitally enhancing healthcare, develop the commercial aspect of healthcare technology, or determine the execution of data/digitally enabled health models in terms of scale or adoption. Beyond lab work, HYRS includes campus tours, guest lectures, and peer sessions with university students. The program concludes with an Open House, where you’ll present your research project to peers, faculty, and guests.
Location: University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON
Cost/Stipend: CAD 1,600 stipend upon program completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 100 students admitted each year
Dates: July 2 to 25
Application Deadline: Applications open December 1
Eligibility: Ontario high school students aged 16 or older by June 30. Must have completed Grade 10 Academic Science or any Grade 11 U, M, or C level science course
The Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) is a four-week, fully funded opportunity for students curious about careers in health sciences. You’ll take part in experiments, lab activities, lectures, and career exploration sessions. As part of your learning, you'll complete academic assignments and exercises under the guidance of a dedicated teacher. Each participant is paired with a student mentor studying in a health-related field. These mentors offer support throughout the program—and often remain a source of guidance even after it ends. You'll also connect with healthcare professionals across disciplines to gain insight into the range of roles in the health sciences. Students enrolled in provincially funded Ontario schools can earn a Grade 12 Science University/College Preparation credit (SNC4M), which contributes to their Ontario Secondary School Diploma and can support future college or university applications.
Location: University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON
Cost/Stipend: Free. Travel bursaries available for eligible students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates:July 7 to August 1, summer programBiweekly engagement from October to February
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Black Canadian citizens or permanent residents currently in Grade 10 or 11
Blueprint is a fully funded academic enrichment program for Black high school students with a strong interest in science and engineering. Over four summer weeks, you’ll explore engineering through lectures, labs, and collaborative projects that introduce you to the Engineering Design Process. You’ll also take part in community-building events and field excursions designed to connect academic learning with real-world applications. You’ll be taught by graduate-level instructors and mentored by current undergraduate engineering students. Topics in past sessions have included ‘Engineering and Human Health’ and ‘Mechatronics and Automation’. After the summer portion, you’ll continue learning through a year-long engagement program.
Location: University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
Cost/Stipend: Paid internships. All interns earn at least Alberta minimum wage
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: TBA. Internships typically run 8 to 16 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: No formal deadline
Eligibility: Black youth aged 15 to 22. Open to high school students, post secondary students, or students accepted into a post secondary program
The Experiential Learning in Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (ELITE) Program for Black Youth offers paid internships that introduce you to fields like robotics, tissue engineering, advanced manufacturing, and automation. You’ll be matched with university researchers, companies, or government agencies for up to 8 or 16 weeks of practical learning. As a high school intern, you’ll take part in an 8-week summer placement. One day each week is devoted to leadership and entrepreneurship training, where you’ll build soft skills to manage professional environments. You’ll also receive mentorship, coaching, and resilience training to support your personal and academic growth. All interns complete a final project report and deliver a poster or oral presentation at a student-led showcase in collaboration with the University of Alberta Black Students’ Association.
Location: Online, with an in-person lab day at the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 200 students accepted for the online program. 25 invited to the in-person lab day
Dates: August 11 to 15, online sessionsAugust 18, in-person lab day
Application Deadline: June 8
Eligibility: High school students
Hosted by the Institute for Quantum Computing, the Quantum School for Young Students (QSYS) is a week-long academic enrichment program for high school students interested in modern physics and quantum technologies. If you’re curious about how quantum mechanics powers innovations like quantum computing and cryptography, QSYS introduces you to the math and theory behind it. Throughout the online program, you’ll attend expert-led lectures, take part in group problem-solving sessions, and engage in discussions with researchers working at the forefront of quantum science. You’ll explore core concepts such as quantum entanglement and superposition, linear algebra and complex numbers, quantum algorithms and cryptography, and experimental physics and quantum optics. A small group of students will be selected for an in-person lab day at the University of Waterloo, where you'll work hands-on with real quantum equipment alongside researchers.
Location: Various campuses across CanadaUniversity of Manitoba, University of Saskatchewan, University of Calgary, University of British Columbia
Cost/Stipend: All expenses fully covered for accepted students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective. Priority given to Grade 11 students
Dates: Week 1 May 11 to 16, University of Manitoba. Week 2 July 6 to 11, University of Saskatchewan. Week 3 July 20 to 25, University of Calgary. Week 4 July 27 to August 1, University of British Columbia
Application Deadline: Closed. Typically in December
Eligibility: First Nations, Métis, or Inuit students in Grade 11 or 12. Grade 11 students prioritized
If you’re an Indigenous high school student curious about university life and hands-on research, the VJKF Program offers a one-week immersive experience on a Canadian university campus. You'll work in labs with professors and graduate students on research projects in STEM. As a Kirkness Scholar, you’ll get to select your top five areas of research interest and will be matched with one based on availability. During the week, you’ll participate in experiments, lab work, and campus life—gaining a sense of what post-secondary education in STEM could look like for you. The program includes mentorship, group presentations, and a Certification Celebration at the end of each week. You’ll also complete a final presentation with your lab group to share what you’ve learned. You’ll receive a Certificate of Completion and become eligible for a VJKF Scholarship to support post-secondary studies. You’ll also join a national network of Kirkness Scholars from across Canada.
Location: University of Waterloo
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: August 5 to 8
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students currently in Grades 9 to 12
If you're a high school student passionate about STEM and want to explore it in an inclusive and engaging environment, the Odyssey Camp at STEMpowered might be the right fit for you. Hosted by the University of Waterloo in partnership with BrainSTEM Alliance, this free summer camp is part of an initiative to increase access to STEM opportunities for Black youth. During this four-day program, you’ll work alongside university mentors and peers on activities designed to build practical skills. You'll create electromagnetic motors from scratch, explore renewable energy by building circuits, and dive into cybersecurity with simulations. You'll even get to design your own Arduino-powered machines and experiment like a food scientist to figure out how to keep apples from browning.
Location: Daniels Building, University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON
Cost/Stipend: CAD 1,550 per course. CAD 100 discount for students registering for both courses. Financial aid available. Discounts for University of Toronto staff, faculty, students, and alumni
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Maximum class size of 30 students. One to ten instructor-student ratio
Dates: Session 1: Course 1 (Drawing Practices): June 30–July 11; Course 2 (Model Making): July 14–July 25 | Session 2: Course 1 (Drawing Practices): July 28–August 8; Course 2 (Model Making): August 11–August 22
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served. Registration is open until one week before each course begins
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 to 18
This program offers a focused introduction to architectural design through two separate courses. It emphasizes spatial thinking, visual communication, and design representation in a university studio setting. In Course 1: Drawing Practices, you will explore how to express architectural ideas through drawing, photography, and digital tools while engaging with real-world site contexts. Activities include site analysis and visual storytelling, culminating in design presentations. In Course 2: Model Making, you will learn to bring conceptual ideas to life through physical models and 3D visualizations. The course focuses on how to express design intent using materials and forms that respond to a specific site’s characteristics. Peer critiques and iterative feedback help build communication skills and confidence—valuable for those considering future studies in architecture or design-related fields.
Location: Queen’s University, Mitchell Hall, Kingston, Ontario
Cost/Stipend: CAD 450 program fee. Optional residence fee CAD 1,050. Total CAD 1,636.50 with residence. Full fee waivers available for Indigenous youth
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions in July and August; Engineering Future Frontiers: July 7–11 or July 28–August 1, Engineering Innovative Solutions: July 14–18 or August 11–15, Engineering Reactions and Remedies: July 21–25
Application Deadline: Not yet announced
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 to 12
The Queen’s Summer Engineering Academy (QSEA) offers high school students a chance to explore engineering in a hands-on, university-level environment. This program combines lab-based learning with team design challenges and introduces you to various engineering disciplines. Each course focuses on critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving. You will engage in daily activities on campus, work in university labs, and learn from faculty members and current engineering students. The program includes guest lectures, coding and robotics challenges, circuit building, and prototype development, offering a well-rounded pre-university experience. Recent Program Streams were Engineering Future Frontiers, with a focus on Mechatronics, Robotics, Electrical, and Computer Engineering; Engineering Innovative Solutions, covering Civil, Mechanical, Mining, Geological, and Chemical Engineering; and Engineering Reactions and Remedies, which focused on Chemical, Biomedical, and Engineering Chemistry
Location: University of British Columbia, Vancouver
Cost/Stipend: International students: CAD 5,045 residence, CAD 2,545 commuter. Canadian students: CAD 4,385 residence, CAD 1,885 commuter. Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Session 1, July 7 to 18Session 2, July 21 to August 1Session 3, August 4 to 15
Application Deadline: Residence spots for Sessions 2 and 3 are full. Commuter registration for Session 3 closes July 28
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 to 18
The Future Global Leaders program at UBC offers a great opportunity to dive into academics, meet ambitious peers, and explore your interests in a dynamic campus setting. This two-week summer program is built to help you stretch your thinking without the pressure of exams. You'll study first-year level courses taught by UBC professors and affiliated instructors in areas like Business and economics, Engineering and Technology, Health and Life Sciences, History, Law, and Politics, Media and Fine Arts, and People, Culture, and Society. Classes are small and interactive, giving you the chance to engage deeply with your chosen subject. Beyond the classroom, you'll enjoy social activities and the vibrant student experience at UBC Vancouver. You can choose to stay in residence or commute, depending on your needs.
Location: University of Waterloo
Cost/Stipend: CAD 715, financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students per session
Dates: Session I July 7 to 18. Session II July 21 to August 1. Session III August 11 to 22
Application Deadline: Closed on February 14. Applications typically open in December
Eligibility: Current high school students entering grade 10 or higher
The Catalyst Summer Program at the University of Waterloo is a two-week experience designed to help you build leadership skills through real-world STEM challenges. You’ll work on projects that combine engineering design, entrepreneurship, and research with peers. Catalyst is a hands-on, interdisciplinary program where you’ll get to build, test, and present your ideas. Led by the Faculty of Engineering, sessions are packed with opportunities to collaborate, problem-solve, and think creatively. You’ll attend talks and workshops hosted by current university students and faculty, and gain insight into the kinds of challenges real engineers and scientists face.
Location: McGill University, Montreal
Cost/Stipend: CAD 4,950, financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 50 students per stream per session
Dates: Session 1 July 6 to 19. Session 2 July 20 to August 2
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 10 or 11
The McGill Summer Academy offers an immersive opportunity to challenge yourself intellectually while exploring one of Canada’s most dynamic cities. Over two weeks, you’ll take part in lectures, practical learning, and skill-building workshops designed to prepare you for your academic future. You’ll live on McGill’s downtown campus, connect with students from across the world, and get to know Montreal’s cultural landmarks, and also engage with McGill faculty and current students who can give you a real feel for university life. You can choose between two focused academic streams: ‘Pathways to Neuro and Health Sciences’, and ‘Understanding Migration, Global Citizenship and Diasporic Resistance’. In the former, you’ll trace the development and functioning of the nervous system, and study the effects of neurological disorders and drug interactions. You'll also hear about groundbreaking research conducted by McGill scientists.
Location: UBC Vancouver, Richmond, South Surrey, Coquitlam, and UBCO Kelowna
Cost/Stipend: $305 to $460. Varies by program theme, duration, and location. Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 22 to 26
Application Deadline: Open until seats are filled
Eligibility: Students entering grades 1 to 12
If you're a girl who’s curious about science, tech, or engineering, All Girls* Camps from Geering Up UBC are designed for you. Held at multiple locations across British Columbia, these summer camps create a supportive, empowering space where girls can explore STEM through exciting, hands-on activities. Led by university students passionate about engineering and science outreach, the camps offer fun projects that challenge you to think creatively, build together, and learn by doing. Whether you're designing a prototype, learning how circuits work, or experimenting with coding, you'll be encouraged to lead, collaborate, and build your skills. The goal of the program is to help close the gender gap in STEM by giving girls early exposure, mentorship, and confidence to see themselves as future scientists, engineers, and innovators. The program is inclusive of girls and gender-diverse youth who feel comfortable in a girl-centered environment.
14. Virtual Ventures
Location: Carleton University, Ottawa
Cost/Stipend: CAD 285 to 375, based on regular or extended care. Discounts for Carleton University employees. Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Week long sessions between June 30 and August 22. Varies by camp
Application Deadline: Rolling until seats are filled
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7 to 10
If you're looking to dive into hands-on STEM learning this summer, Virtual Ventures at Carleton University has you covered with camps that combine fun, creativity, and real-world skills. Whether you're interested in designing video games or exploring the world of engineering, these week-long programs offer a supportive space to learn, build, and collaborate. For students from grades 7-10, the program offers two camps: Game Design Senior and STEM Girls Senior. In Game Design Senior, you’ll learn how to develop characters, design visuals, and program your own game from scratch. In STEM Girls Senior, you’ll problem-solve, create, and build alongside mentors and role models who’ll help you see what’s possible in STEM through interactive experiments and challenges. The camps are inclusive of gender-diverse youth who feel comfortable in girl-centered spaces.
Location: Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC
Cost/Stipend: CAD 3,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited seats
Dates: July 12 to 26
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students aged 14 to 17
At the Université de Montréal's Summer Immersion Program, you’ll spend two weeks diving deep into academic fields that spark your curiosity, while living and learning in one of Canada’s most vibrant, multicultural cities. You’ll get to customize your experience by selecting two academic profiles—one per week. Each profile comes with immersive, hands-on workshops and even off-campus site visits related to your field of interest. Available profiles include Arts and Culture, Humanities, Innovations in Health, International Affairs, and Science and Technology. Throughout the program, you’ll attend themed workshops tailored to your chosen profiles. Past workshops have included ‘In the Footsteps of Our Ancestors’ (Anthropology), Space Odyssey (Astrophysics), ‘World Without Borders’ (International Studies), Psyche and the Human Brain (Psychology), among others.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
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 where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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