15 Medical Internships for High School Students in Vancouver
If you're a high school student in Vancouver, BC, considering a future in medicine, joining a medical internship program is a great way to explore the field and gain experience. Many hospitals and universities like BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, along with local labs, offer medical internships for high school students in Vancouver, where you can explore both clinical and research settings. You’ll get to do lab work, attend lectures, present findings, and even learn basic medical procedures with guidance.
Many programs are free, and some offer stipends that can be used toward college expenses. You might work in hospitals, labs, clinics, or even admin offices, which will give you a look at different parts of the healthcare system. Most medical internships for high school students in Vancouver include mentorship from professionals who can offer valuable advice and insights into their careers. These experiences not only boost your college applications but also help you build skills in communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
In this blog, we’ll cover 15 medical internships for high school students in Vancouver. Some are traditional internships, while others include educational programs, field trips, or short-term events that still provide valuable research, mentorship, or project-based learning opportunities.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; Financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: Around 19%
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; The next deadline for the fall cohort is August 24
Dates: Programs last 8 to 16 weeks and are offered year-round, with cohorts in spring, summer, fall, and winter
Eligibility: High school students, undergrads, or gap year students who can work 5-15 hours a week for 8-16 weeks
Ladder Internships, founded by Harvard graduates, is a selective program that connects high school students with remote internships at startups and nonprofits worldwide. Many of these startups have backing from Y Combinator, and their founders have worked at prominent companies like Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft. You can find internships in various fields, including Health Technology, Environmental Science, Mental Health, Nonprofits, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Finance, Consulting, and Journalism. As an intern, you’ll work on real projects for your organization and present your results at the end. You’ll also build skills like communication and time management, join group sessions with other interns, and get support from a site manager and a Ladder coach. You can review the application form to see which internships are currently available.
2. seed2STEM
Location: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
Stipend: Paid minimum wage for working 25 hours per week
Cohort Size: 60 students, approximately
Application Deadline: March 31
Dates: July 7 – August 15
Eligibility: Indigenous high school students in Metro Vancouver and Kelowna
seed2STEM is a summer research program for Indigenous high school students, providing them with a hands-on introduction to science and research through paid placements. The program is run in partnership with UBC’s School of Biomedical Engineering and the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative. Over six weeks, you'll work in a university lab on a paid research internship in areas like neuroscience, medicine, engineering, chemistry, biology, math, physics, or other STEM fields. There are many areas of research you can work on, such as biomedical engineering, exercise science, cancer prevention, spinal cord injury, and cutting-edge cancer research. You’ll also join weekly group activities, hear from guest speakers, including STEM professionals and Indigenous community members, and go on field trips to scientific and cultural sites. The program culminates with an opportunity for you to share your research with the STEM community, family, friends, and teachers.
3. Geneskool Summer Science Program
Location: Multiple locations including Capilano University, North Vancouver, BC
Cost: Registration fee is CA$350, but bursaries are available
Cohort Size: 20 students
Application Deadline: August 4
Dates: August 18 – August 22
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 through 12 in the fall
The Geneskool Summer Science Program offers high school students the opportunity to engage in hands-on experiments in biochemistry and molecular biology. You’ll get real lab experience as you explore a scientific mystery using tools and techniques from blood typing, biotechnology, genomics, fibre analysis, microbiology, and microscopy. The program includes university-level lab experiments specifically designed for high school students, accompanied by in-person guidance from science professionals and guest speakers. During the program, you’ll work with your team to solve a science-based case through interactive activities, with support from volunteer mentors who are there to help you every step of the way. You’ll also take the lead in your lab work, using your observations and reasoning skills to explore the science behind the case.
Location: Michael Smith Laboratories, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: Approximately 30 students
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: The program usually takes place on Tuesdays or Wednesdays between October and June, with a total time commitment of about 5.5 hours
Eligibility: Students in grades 11 or 12
The PCR DNA Fingerprint Assay provides 11th and 12th-grade students with the opportunity to conduct a real-world DNA sequencing experiment. You'll isolate your own DNA and use a simplified PCR (polymerase chain reaction) process to check for a genetic insertion in your genome. You'll also learn how DNA replication works and run a DNA gel to see your results. The day usually starts around 9:00 or 9:30 a.m. and lasts about 5.5 hours. There’s a one-hour lunch break, and other breaks often include short lectures or Q&A sessions where you can ask about science topics or careers. At least one teacher must join the class to provide supervision, and two graduate students will be present to guide the lab activities and support both students and teachers. Since the lab dives into the technical side of PCR, you’ll be asked to read a short piece on DNA replication before coming.
5. High School Student Science Week at the HLI
Location: Centre for Heart Lung Innovation (HLI), Vancouver, BC
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: 8 students
Application Deadline: Fall: November 1 (Tentative); Spring: April 15
Dates: Fall: November 18 – November 22 (Tentative); Spring: April 28 – May 2
Eligibility: Grade 11-12 high school students from the Lower Mainland
The Centre for Heart Lung Innovation (HLI) hosts High School Student Science Week twice a year, providing high school students with a full week to participate in hands-on lab sessions and seminars. During the week, you’ll get to tour HLI’s labs and facilities and gain hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques. You’ll be introduced to the Bruce McManus and James Hogg Biobanks, where you’ll get your first chance to handle real human heart and lung samples. You’ll learn about Histology by using a microtome to cut thin slices of tissue that’s been preserved in paraffin blocks, and you’ll visit other labs and cores to learn more about the tools and techniques used at HLI. You’ll also visit the Anatomical Pathology Lab at St. Paul’s Hospital, where previous students had the chance to observe an examination of a colon that had been removed because of cancer. Additionally, when you join this program, you'll be eligible to apply for the Peter D. Paré Scholarship, which offers a $2,000 summer internship at HLI.
6. Volunteer Opportunities at BC Children's Hospital
Location: BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Low selectivity
Application Deadline: Applications are open year-round
Dates: Volunteer roles begin in January, May, or September, each requiring a one-year commitment
Eligibility: At least 16 years old; 18 or older can take part in patient support opportunities
As a volunteer in BC Children's Hospital, you’ll support patients and families while building skills, exploring healthcare careers, and gaining experience that can enhance job prospects or college applications. There are many roles you might help with, including wayfinding and navigation, recreation and aquatic therapy, support in inpatient and outpatient clinics, the Sibling Support Centre, pet therapy, patient and family liaison, special events, the Family Library, and the Gift and Thrift Shops. Volunteers are a vital part of the hospital community, making a tangible difference for patients, families, visitors, and staff. Most volunteer shifts happen Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., when there are more roles available. Weekend and evening spots are very limited.
7. Science World – Future Science Leaders
Location: Science World, Vancouver, BC
Cost: CA$1,450 + GST; Financial assistance can cover up to 90% of the program fees; Scholarships are also offered
Cohort Size: 134 students participated in the program last year
Application Deadline: February 1 – April 30
Dates: 26 weeks
Eligibility: Students who will be entering grade 10 or 11 in September of the program year and were born in 2010 or earlier
Future Science Leaders (FSL) is a 26-week after-school program for high school students interested in STEAM. During the program, you'll meet scientists, visit local companies, join virtual field trips, and attend community events. After completing the program, you'll get a personalized reference letter and access to alumni opportunities. You will begin with the first-year program, Discover. Each session covers a different STEAM topic, like PCR analysis, disease modeling, or machine learning, depending on the guest expert. You'll build skills through projects, experiments, research, data analysis, and presentations, and get peer feedback on your scientific posters. Following Discover, you'll be able to apply to Innovate, the second-year program that focuses on applied or life sciences. You'll learn advanced lab techniques and complete a 10-week research project, which you'll write up as a scientific paper. You can check out past projects here.
8. UBC Future Global Leaders – Neuroanatomy: The Human Brain
Location: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
Cost: Canadian students: CA$4,385 (Residential); CA$1,885 (Commuter)
International students: CA$5,045 (Residential) | CA$2,545 (Commuter)
Cohort Size: About 350 students attend each two-week session
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: Multiple sessions from July – August
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18 who have completed grade 10; A 78% academic average, a B average, a 3.5 GPA, an IB score of 5+, or an IELTS score of 6.0/TOEFL score of 80 for English learners is recommended
Future Global Leaders is a pre-university program that allows high-school students to experience university life, take courses from UBC professors, and prepare for life outside the classroom. Once you finish your course or mini school, you’ll get a letter of completion. In the Neuroanatomy: The Human Brain course, you will explore how the brain works with guidance from a neurosurgeon. You’ll learn about the nervous system through real surgical stories, hands-on group projects, and interactive virtual tools developed by HIVE (Hackspace for Innovation and Visualization in Education). The course takes you beyond textbook learning to gain a deeper understanding of the brain. It’s a great choice if you’re interested in healthcare fields like medicine, physical therapy, nursing, or kinesiology.
9. UBC Youth Outreach Mentorship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: The schedule is flexible and set by the mentor and mentee
Eligibility: High school students from underrepresented and marginalized groups
The Youth Outreach Mentorship Program provides high school students from underrepresented and equity-deserving backgrounds with an opportunity to connect with UBC medical students and learn from their experiences in medicine. After you've been matched with a mentor, you and your mentor will work out a mutually convenient time to meet virtually. If you’re interested in being matched with a medical student mentor, you can apply here. Depending on your background and interests, you may be paired through one of UBC’s partner mentorship programs. Rural eMentoring matches rural BC students with post-secondary mentors. Medicine Cousins connects Indigenous students with Indigenous medical students who share similar interests. Pathways to Medicine is a student-run club that offers events for underrepresented students interested in pursuing a career in medicine. You can view the program brochure here.
10. UBC Future Global Leader – Virtual Anatomy: Inside the Human Body in 3D
Location: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
Cost: Canadian students: CA$4,385 (Residential) | CA$1,885 (Commuter)
International students: CA$5,045 (Residential) | CA$2,545 (Commuter)
Cohort Size: About 350 students attend each two-week session
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: Multiple sessions from July – August
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18 who have completed grade 10; A 78% academic average, 3.5 GPA, B grade, IB score of 5+, or IELTS 6.0/TOEFL 80 for English learners is recommended
UBC Future Global Leaders offers the Virtual Anatomy: Inside the Human Body in 3D course, which will allow you to explore human anatomy using advanced virtual 3D tools developed by the HIVE (Hackspace for Innovation and Visualization in Education). The course will help you understand how the human body works and build your anatomy vocabulary. You’ll also work with classmates on group projects, including creative anatomy-related assignments and case studies. It’s a great choice if you’re thinking about a future in medicine, nursing, kinesiology, physical therapy, or any other health-related field.
11. PowerUp Mentorship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Dates: The program is offered year-round
Eligibility: High school students who are interested in pursuing a degree in the life and health sciences; Grade 11-12 students preferred
Prospective Medical Professionals (PuMP) and the STEM Fellowship have teamed up to offer PowerUp, a free online mentorship program for high school students interested in studying life or health sciences at the university level. You'll be matched with a mentor for a one-time virtual meeting where you can ask questions about university applications, campus life, and different program options. Mentors come from a range of fields like life and health sciences, biomedical engineering, nursing, and more. If you're working on your university applications or want to learn more about what to expect in college, this is a great chance to get advice from someone who's been through it. Spots are limited, so priority goes to grade 11 and 12 students who are paired with upper-year university mentors. Grade 9 and 10 students may be matched with incoming first-year university students to focus more on the admissions process. Please note that joining PowerUp doesn’t guarantee admission to any postsecondary program.
12. British Columbia Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) Youth Pathways Programs
Location: Various locations across British Columbia, including those based in Vancouver
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: Opportunities offered year-round
Dates: Varies, depending on the opportunity
Eligibility: High school students
The BCEHS Youth Pathways Programs introduce high school students to emergency health services through hands-on learning and real-world experiences. Each program is designed for a specific grade level and offers a chance to explore the field, build useful skills, and learn from professionals. The Day in the Life of a Paramedic program gives 9th graders a look at what paramedics do through simulations, first aid training, and Q&A sessions. Paramedic Youth Camp allows 10th graders to delve deeper into CPR, AED, tourniquet, and Naloxone training over two days while building teamwork and leadership. For 11th and 12th graders, the High School EMR Course provides college-level training in anatomy, emergency response, and hands-on skills, preparing them for EMR certification and future roles in healthcare. The Youth Observer Program lets students aged 17-18 ride along with paramedics, gain real-world insight, and connect with mentors in the field.
13. NSLC’s Medicine & Health Care Program
Location: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
Cost: $4,095; Scholarships offered
Acceptance Rate: High acceptance rate
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: July 14 – July 22; July 26 – August 3
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores 14-18; You can also participate in NSLC the summer after you graduate
NSLC’s High School Summer Medical Program allows you to explore the medical field by stepping into the role of a physician. You’ll get hands-on experience with surgical skills like suturing and knot tying, study internal anatomy, and take part in anatomy workshops. You’ll also work with a medical team to diagnose patients and practice clinical diagnostics and emergency medicine through multi-day simulations. The program includes site visits and tours that offer a real-world look at careers in healthcare. You’ll also talk about public health issues, learn about new medical treatments, and discuss medical ethics. Along the way, you’ll create a public service announcement and design a public health project. Guided by medical professionals, this experience will help you build useful skills while exploring your interest in medicine.
14. University of British Columbia Geering Up High School Summer Programs
Location: UBC Vancouver, UBCO Kelowna, and South Surrey
Cost: CA$440 – CA$500, depending on the program theme and location
Acceptance Rate: Medium selectivity
Application Deadline: Registration for each camp closes on the Sunday before the camp starts
Dates: Week-long programs during July and August
Eligibility: Students entering grades 8-12
UBC Geering Up offers week-long summer programs for high school students who want to explore different areas of engineering through hands-on projects and experiments. Programs cover topics like Engineering, BioSystems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Machine Learning, Design and Prototyping, Biomedical Engineering, Robotics, and Mechanical Engineering. There is also an Explorations in Engineering program specifically designed for girls. If you're interested in medicine, the Biomedical Engineering and BioSystems Engineering programs are great options. In the Biomedical Engineering program, you’ll learn how the human body inspires medical technologies and explore human-centered design. You'll get both theory and hands-on experience while thinking about the future of healthcare. The BioSystems Engineering program focuses on natural systems, such as the human body, and how they influence engineering design. You’ll build bioengineering skills and work on practical projects with your peers. Both programs are a great fit if you're interested in medicine, medical devices, biomedical or biological engineering, or want to see how innovation connects to the real world.
15. Health Quality BC Summer Student Internships
Location: Various healthcare organizations across British Columbia, including those based in Vancouver
Stipend: Paid
Cohort Size: 10-11 students per year
Application Deadline: March 7
Dates: May – August
Eligibility: Current post-secondary students, including recent high school graduates, who live in British Columbia during the internship
The HQBC Summer Student Internship Program offers students the opportunity to join a multidisciplinary team, work on a healthcare quality improvement (QI) project, and develop real-world skills along the way. Over four months, you’ll help out on QI projects that have a real impact in healthcare settings across British Columbia. You’ll get hands-on experience with QI work in BC’s healthcare system, take part in HQBC’s Education Series, and connect with healthcare professionals and future leaders in the field. Each internship includes up to 450 hours of paid work. It kicks off with an online education series that covers the basics of quality improvement in healthcare, providing a strong foundation to get started. You’ll report to a supervisor on your project team, and together you’ll figure out your specific responsibilities, hours, and learning goals. The HQBC Learning Team will also support you throughout the internship with onboarding and mentoring.