15 Summer Programs for International High School Students in Canada
Summer programs allow you to explore subjects in more depth, gain practical skills, and connect with peers who share your interests. Whether through research projects, workshops, or practical activities, these opportunities help you prepare for future academic challenges. By joining a summer program, you’ll gain industry exposure which might help you decide on a career path.
Canada offers a unique setting for these experiences, with options from universities such as the University of Toronto and McGill University. From programs focused on STEM and leadership to those centered on the arts or language learning, you’ll find a wide range of options designed to match your interests. Many of these opportunities also highlight Canada’s multicultural environment, giving you the chance to study alongside students from around the world. To help you explore your options, here are 15 summer programs for international high school students in Canada.
15 Summer Programs for International High School Students in Canada
1. University of Toronto’s International Summer Academy - Pre-University Program
Location: University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
Cost: $6,275 CAD + additional costs; details here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 14 – July 4 | July 5 – 25 | July 26 – August 15
Application Deadline: Typically, March
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 to 18 who have advanced levels of English
The University of Toronto’s International Summer Academy Pre-University Program is a summer academic enrichment opportunity for high school students aged 15 to 18. In this program, you choose from courses in fields like economics, literature, psychology, and game studies. Each course combines lectures, readings, and activities that lead to a final project. You might analyze migration patterns in global leadership, study cultural theory in film and cinema, or explore statistical concepts through applied math. Alongside the academic content, you’ll build experience with teamwork, presentations, and research-based tasks.
2. UBC Future Global Leaders On-Campus
Location: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
Cost/Stipend: Varies by course and format. You can find detailed information here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Dates: Session 1: July 6 – 17 | Session 2: July 20 – 31 | Session 3: August 3 – 14
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18 who have completed the 10th grade or equivalent
This program allows you to take a university-level course taught by professors and instructors affiliated with UBC. Courses are designed to introduce you to first-year academic material without the pressure of exams, so you can focus on understanding concepts and engaging in class discussions. On campus, you learn in small groups while also participating in social activities that connect you with peers from different backgrounds. When you complete the program, you receive a letter of completion to document the academic work you’ve done. For international high school students in Canada, this summer program offers an opportunity to experience the learning style of a major university.
3. McGill Summer Academy (MSA)
Location: McGill University, Montreal, QC
Cost: $4,950 CAD (financial awards available for eligible students)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately competitive
Dates: Session 1: July 6 – 19 | Session 2: July 20 – August 2
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: 10th and 11th-grade high school students
At McGill’s Summer Academy, you spend your time combining academic study with hands-on activities and collaborative projects. One course option focuses on the nervous system, where you explore how the brain develops, processes information, and responds to disorders, while another examines global migration and citizenship through case studies and simulations. You’ll also practice skills like critical reading, public speaking, and teamwork. Faculty and current McGill students guide your learning, giving you insight into both the subject matter and what university-level study requires.
4. University of Toronto’s Medicine Youth Summer Program (YSP)
Location: University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
Cost: $98 CAD registration fee + $1,668 CAD (scholarships available for Canadian students)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; 120 students per module
Dates: Four 1-week-long modules between July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 to 12; Grade 9 students are only eligible for Module 4: Microbiology - Learn To Appreciate The Little Things In Life
This summer program places you in labs and lectures focused on health and medical sciences. Each one-week module explores a different field: physiology, pharmacology, molecular biology, or microbiology. You might investigate how drugs are metabolized, examine DNA evidence in a mock crime scene, or test the effect of antibiotics on bacterial growth. The format blends hands-on experiments with discussions and lectures from researchers, so you practice analyzing data and connecting it to real-world applications. Along the way, you also gain exposure to the ethical questions surrounding new treatments and genetic research.
5. CISS Global Leadership Programme
Location: CISS, Toronto, ON, or CISS Vancouver, BC
Cost: $7075 CAD + extra fees if applicable
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; maximum 20 students/class
Dates: Toronto: June 29 – July 19 and July 20 – August 9 | Vancouver: July 13 – August 2
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 12–16 with intermediate to advanced English proficiency
This three-week course is designed to help you develop the confidence and mindset needed to lead in a global context. Mornings include lessons on leadership theories, communication strategies, and problem-solving approaches, followed by specialty workshops where you can apply ideas to real issues. As the weeks progress, you’ll move through themes of “You at Home,” “You in the World,” and “You at Camp,” connecting leadership to both personal and community levels. Team-based discussions emphasize global awareness while encouraging you to take practical action. The program culminates with you designing and presenting an action plan for a project you can pursue back home.
6. Westcoast Connection Pre-College Enrichment Program – Montreal
Location: McGill University, Montreal, QC
Cost: $7,199 USD (residential), $2,599 USD (commuter)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 6 – 26
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: All high school students
Set in Montreal, this pre-college summer program for international high school students in Canada blends academic learning with cultural exploration. You choose courses ranging from business, psychology, and social justice to photography, cooking, and digital journalism, each taught with a focus on both theory and practice. Classes are paired with excursions across the city, from visiting museums and engaging with community service, to attending summer festivals. Workshops also help you prepare for university applications and develop your writing, public speaking, and critical thinking skills. The program closes with a certificate of completion, giving you documented recognition of the academic and practical work you’ve done.
7. NSLC Medicine & Health Care
Location: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
Cost: $4,095 USD; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: July 14 – 22; Jul 26 – Aug 3
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: All high school students
In this program, you take on the role of a physician-in-training, working through hands-on labs, clinical simulations, and public health debates. You’ll practice skills such as suturing, surgical knot tying, and patient diagnosis, while also learning the reasoning behind trauma assessments and treatment decisions. Classroom knowledge is paired with dissections and anatomical studies, helping you connect structure to function in the human body. Outside of labs, you’ll engage with leadership workshops focusing on resilience, empathy, and communication skills. You’ll also collaborate on a public service project that addresses a medical or community health issue, preparing and presenting an intervention plan.
8. University of Toronto’s Law Youth Summer Program (YSP)
Location: University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
Cost/Stipend: $1175 CAD + $98 CAD registration fee (scholarships available for Canadian students)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; 60 students per module
Dates: July 14 – 18
Application Deadline: Rolling until modules are full
Eligibility: Students enrolled in grades 10–12
In this program, you explore various branches of law through modules ranging from criminal and corporate law to international law and social justice. Throughout, you’ll actively participate in simulations such as mock trials, debates, and negotiation exercises. Criminal law modules may have you preparing strategies for a trial, while international law sessions guide you through examining global institutions and human rights. Field trips and guest speakers add context to the academic content, showing you how legal principles are applied in practice. By taking part in this summer program, you gain a practical introduction to legal studies in a university environment.
9. CISS Future Entrepreneurs
Location: CISS at Trinity, Toronto, ON
Cost: $5,275 CAD
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Dates: July 6 – 19; July 20 – August 2
Application Deadline: Typically early June
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18 with an advanced level of English, equivalent to IELTS 4.0+
This program introduces you to the full cycle of entrepreneurship, from brainstorming innovative ideas to presenting a complete business plan. The first stage emphasizes qualities of successful entrepreneurs, such as adaptability, resilience, and risk-taking, before moving into skill-based learning on creativity, networking, and collaboration. You then focus on practical planning, including marketing, profitability, and pitching ideas to an audience. Along the way, you’ll take part in guest lectures, visit local businesses, and test your concepts through field-based activities. A “Shark Tank”–style presentation serves as the final challenge, giving you a chance to pitch to an audience and receive constructive feedback.
10. University of Toronto’s Leadership Education & Academic Preparation (LEAP)
Location: University of Toronto/participating schools and agencies in Toronto, ON
Cost: Customized quotes based on group needs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Dates: Available year-round; dates are arranged by the group
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18 with a high level of English proficiency
LEAP is a workshop-based program that builds the academic and interpersonal skills needed for a smooth transition into university studies. Sessions cover everything from debate and discussion strategies to identifying biases and engaging with diverse perspectives. You’ll learn how to present and defend arguments, ask thoughtful questions, and adapt your communication to different audiences. Other activities focus on academic preparation, including integrity, critical reading, and organizing ideas for essays or presentations. The program provides a supportive learning environment where students engage in interactive sessions, develop personal and academic growth, and build confidence for their future education and leadership roles.
11. Upper Canada College (UCC) Summer Life
Location: UCC campus, Toronto, ON
Cost: $5,995.00 CAD plus HST
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately competitive
Dates: Session A: July 6 – 26 | Session B: July 27 – August 16
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: All students aged 9–16
At UCC Summer Life, you can combine English enrichment with a choice of day camps in arts, sports, and technology. Each morning includes an hour of language instruction, and the rest of the day is spent in robotics, theatre, or soccer. Leadership campers follow a separate track focused on teamwork, volunteerism, and mentoring, allowing older students to develop responsibility in a structured setting. Evenings include workshops in areas such as creative writing, debate, and public speaking, plus recreational options like swimming or badminton. With participants coming from more than a dozen countries, the program provides an international peer group while still connecting you with local Toronto students.
12. Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program (DEEP) Summer Academy
Location: University of Toronto, St George Campus, CA
Cost/Stipend: $50–$60 CAD application fee + $1,100 CAD/week for international students (tentative)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 6 – 10; July 13 – 17; July 20 – 24; July 27 – 31
Application Deadline: Round 1: March 23 | Round 2: April 13 (tentative)
Eligibility: Grade 9-12 students must have completed at least one year of high school | Grade 9-10 students must have completed the grade 9 math and grade 9 science courses by June | Grade 11-12 students must have completed the grade 11 math and grade 11 science courses by June
Organized by the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, DEEP introduces you to advanced concepts in STEM. Courses range from robotics and machine learning to enzyme studies and materials science, each taught by graduate researchers and alumni. Rather than just hearing lectures, you’ll work directly with equipment and tools used in real labs. Past participants have explored topics usually reserved for senior undergraduates or graduate students, making the content both challenging and eye-opening. The environment is collaborative, encouraging students to take risks and think critically.
13. UC Performing Arts & AI International Summer Program
Location: University of Toronto, Ontario, CA
Cost/Stipend: $6,500 CAD
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: July 13 – August 2
Application Deadline: July 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18, and also advanced (ages 19+)
This program combines artistic training with exposure to artificial intelligence research at the University of Toronto. You choose a specialization in either acting or digital media and sound design, developing your craft in workshops, rehearsals, and performances. In parallel, you take part in sessions at the BMO Lab, a hub for AI and performance research, where you see how emerging technologies are shaping creative industries. Faculty of Music instructors and guest artists guide your learning, offering feedback on both technical and expressive aspects of your work.
14. Daniels Design Discovery Program
Location: University of Toronto, CA
Cost: $1,550 CAD/course + HST (financial aid is available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; maximum 30 students/class
Dates: Session 1: June 30 – July 11 (Drawing Practices); July 14 – 25 (Model Making) | Session 2: July 28 – August 8 (Drawing Practices); August 11 – 22 (Model Making)
Application Deadline: Open enrollment; applications are accepted up to one week before the start date of each course
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18
If you’re interested in architecture, this summer program for high school students in Canada introduces you to the tools and ways of thinking used in design. Two different courses are available: Drawing Practices and Model Making, each offered as a two-week intensive. In the drawing track, you analyze a site and learn how to communicate design ideas through sketching, photography, and digital representation. The model-making course focuses on translating concepts into physical form, using materials and 3D modeling software to create small-scale structures. Both courses emphasize hands-on exploration and constructive critique, giving you practice in presenting your work to peers and instructors.
15. Ottawa Carlton District School’s Summer English Explorer Program
Location: Ottawa, CA
Cost/Stipend: $1,700 – $3,850 CAD, depending on duration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Dates: July 6 – 31
Application Deadline: Typically early July
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18
This program combines daily English classes with cultural and recreational activities in Canada’s capital city. Lessons are organized by CEFR levels, focusing on practical communication that you immediately use during excursions and group events. Afternoons might include sports, visits to museums, or Canadian-themed activities, each led by staff and supported by local student ambassadors. Living with a homestay family gives you constant opportunities to practice English outside the classroom. The program is flexible in length, ranging from two to six weeks, so you can decide how much time to spend in Ottawa.
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships gives you the chance to take part in a virtual placement with a startup or nonprofit, contributing to a real-world project. Over the course of eight weeks, you’ll define, develop, and present deliverables with guidance from both a startup mentor and a Ladder Coach. For international high school students, this program offers an opportunity to practice working remotely while building transferable skills you can apply in future studies or internships. Apply here.
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