Top International Relations Summer Programs for High School Students in 2025–2026

As global interconnectedness continues to shape academic and career aspirations, interest in international education is on the rise—with the global number of students in higher education reaching a record 264 million in 2025 and growing steadily year-over-year. 

For high school students aiming to develop critical thinking, cross-cultural communication, and diplomatic skills before college, international relations summer programs offer immersive, real-world exposure to global politics, diplomacy, and policy issues. In this guide, we highlight the top opportunities for 2025–2026 that can expand your worldview and strengthen your academic profile.

• What Are the Best International Relations Summer Programs?
• Yale Young Global Scholars – Politics, Law and Economics or Solving Global Challenges
• Yale International Relations Leadership Institute
• Georgetown University – International Relations Academy
• University of Pennsylvania – Introduction to International Relations
• Oxford Summer Courses – International Relations track
• Tufts University Pre‑College Program in International Relations
• University of Southern California International Relations Summer Program
• Oxford International Relations Summer School
• UCLA Model United Nations Summer Institute
• National Student Leadership Conference – International Diplomacy
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best International Relations Summer Programs?

The best international relations summer programs offer real-world exposure to global policy, diplomacy, and leadership. They also help you build standout skills for competitive college admissions, including Ivy League and top-tier schools.

Here’s a quick overview of the best international relations summer programs for high school students, including each program’s location and dates:

Let’s discuss each program one by one.

1. Yale Young Global Scholars – Politics, Law, and Economics or Solving Global Challenges

• Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
• Cost: ~$7,000 per two-week session
• Program Dates: Two-week sessions in June and July 2026 (e.g. June 21–July 3; July 5–17; July 19–31, 2026)

Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) is a competitive residential program offering two-week sessions in New Haven. High school students study public policy, economics, law, and global issues under Yale faculty through tracks like Politics of Law & Economics or Solving Global Challenges.

As one of the top international relations summer programs, YYGS brings together a global cohort in intensive seminars and workshops, with students living in Yale’s college dorms (recently Franklin and Pauli Murray Colleges) to experience campus life. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary learning on world affairs, social impact projects, and skill-building in leadership and debate.

Yale Young Global Scholars is open to high-achieving high school students who are typically 16–18 years old by the start of the program and are currently enrolled as sophomores or juniors (or international equivalents). Applicants must fall within Yale’s specified graduation year window for their region and must be first-time YYGS participants.

If you’re interested in one of the most prestigious global studies experiences for high school students, check out our complete guide to Yale Young Global Scholars.

2. Yale International Relations Leadership Institute

• Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
• Cost: $2,200 program fee (includes housing, meals, programming)
• Program Dates: Early June 2026 (one-week session, exact dates TBD)

Yale International Relations Leadership Institute (YIRLI) is a one-week immersive on-campus program run by Yale students. It’s designed for high school students entering their junior or senior year who show a strong interest in international relations, diplomacy, or leadership.

High school delegates live in dorms and assume roles as diplomats in simulations and Model UN exercises, learning negotiation, debate, and writing through interactive workshops. This international relations summer program is especially known for its intensive leadership curriculum, where participants engage in public speaking drills, writing labs, and a special field trip to the United Nations in NYC.

Applicants are generally between 16 and 18 years old and are selected based on an application that includes essays and short responses demonstrating intellectual curiosity and leadership potential. Prior experience in Model UN or related activities is helpful but not strictly required.

3. Georgetown University – International Relations Academy

• Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
• Cost: $3,725 residential; $3,095 commuter (for 1-week program)
• Program Dates: Session I: June 21–27, 2026; Session II: July 19–25, 2026

Georgetown’s International Relations Academy is a one-week summer course in Washington, D.C. that immerses rising high school juniors and seniors in global affairs. Students learn from Georgetown’s faculty and practitioners on topics like international law, foreign policy instruments, global health, and ethics.

Georgetown’s International Relations Academy is open to students who are in grades 8 through 12 during the academic year preceding the program. Participants must be in good academic standing and typically need to be at least 15 years old by the program’s start date.

The academy is one of the premier international relations summer programs, featuring lectures, small discussion groups, and a simulated crisis exercise that tests diplomatic skills. Participants also earn a certificate of completion and engage in hands-on projects. Notably, the program maximizes its DC setting by organizing trips to international institutions to give students first-hand exposure to the world of diplomacy.

4. University of Pennsylvania – Introduction to International Relations

• Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
• Cost: ~$14,962 for one course unit (includes program fee, tuition, and fees)
• Program Dates: June 30 – August 8, 2026

UPenn’s Introduction to International Relations is offered as a summer college-level course for high school pre-college students. In this two-week (one-credit-unit) course, students examine major IR theories and global issues, covering war and security, the world economy, nationalism, and emerging challenges.

The University of Pennsylvania’s Introduction to International Relations course is part of its Pre-College Program and is generally open to high school students, most often rising 10th through 12th graders. Eligibility depends on meeting UPenn Pre-College requirements related to grade level and academic readiness.

As an international relations summer program option, it provides high schoolers with an Ivy League classroom experience taught by Penn faculty, and students can earn undergraduate credit. The course emphasizes critical analysis of current events and trains students in the skills of research and writing that prepare them for college-level study in global affairs.

5. Oxford Summer Courses – International Relations track

• Location: University of Oxford, UK
• Cost: from £6,995 for a two-week session (plus deposit)
• Program Dates: Late June – mid-August 2026 (multiple 2-week sessions)

Oxford Summer Courses offers a two-week International Relations program for ages 16–24 in the historic cities of Oxford (and sometimes Cambridge), England. Participants explore global politics, diplomacy, and economics through small-group seminars and interactive tutorials on topics like nationalism, conflict, and crisis resolution.

Oxford Summer Courses’ International Relations track is available to secondary school students. It’s open to motivated learners with an interest in global affairs and does not usually require prior coursework in international relations.

This is a popular international relations summer program that combines academic study with British cultural experiences. The curriculum includes guest lectures and city excursions, providing an international perspective; for example, students discuss how negotiation works, visit UNESCO sites, and participate in Q&A sessions with experts.

6. Tufts University Pre‑College Program in International Relations

• Location: Tufts University, Medford/Somerville, MA
• Cost: $4,225 commuter; $5,750 residential (for 2-week program)
• Program Dates: July 19–31, 2026

Tufts’ Pre-College International Relations program is a two-week residential course on Tufts’ Medford campus. Designed for rising juniors and seniors, the program features classes with Tufts faculty (including from the Fletcher School) on topics like conflict, diplomacy, trade, and public health. High school students engage in crisis simulations and group research projects, and even begin or advance a foreign language (Tufts offers Arabic, Chinese, and Russian, among others) as part of the curriculum.

Tufts University’s Pre-College International Relations program is typically open to rising 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students who meet the university’s pre-college eligibility criteria. Participants are generally between 15 and 19 years old and must demonstrate readiness for college-style instruction.

This intensive international relations summer program stands out for combining theory with practice: students write a college-level paper on an IR topic, earn Tufts credit, and expand their global networks.

7. University of Southern California International Relations Summer Program

• Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
• Cost: $11,347 residential; $7,812 commuter (for 4-week program)
• Program Dates: June 15 – July 12, 2026

USC’s International Relations Summer Program is a four-week intensive for high school students to study global conflict and diplomacy while earning USC credit. As one of the notable international relations summer programs, it’s taught by USC faculty and holds classes on the LA campus.

Participants dive into IR theory and practice—analyzing causes of war, conflict resolution, international law, and cultural impacts on peace. The program includes hands-on learning such as Model UN simulations and a field trip to the Museum of Tolerance, where students apply lessons about genocide and peacebuilding.

USC’s International Relations Summer Program is open to high school students who have usually completed at least ninth grade before the summer session begins. The program welcomes both U.S. and international students and does not require prior experience in international relations. Eligibility is primarily based on grade level and academic preparedness rather than standardized test scores.

8. Oxford International Relations Summer School

• Location: University of Oxford, Oxford, England
• Cost: £7,495 for a two-week session (early-bird £6,995)
• Program Dates: July 5–18; July 19–Aug 1; Aug 2–15, 2026

The Oxford Scholastica International Relations Summer School is a two-week on-campus program for students aged 15–18. It covers international affairs, politics, philosophy, and economics, with classes led by experienced tutors. Students debate global power dynamics and take part in a “United Nations challenge” simulation to craft diplomatic solutions.

The Summer School typically serves students between the ages of 13 and 18. Eligibility depends on meeting the age requirements for the specific course selected.

As a high-level international relations summer program, it also includes networking with peers from around the world and sessions led by field experts. Held in Oxford’s historic colleges, it offers a rigorous curriculum, along with lectures and tours, such as discussions on how states gain influence and negotiate policy, while enjoying the city’s academic atmosphere.

9. UCLA Model United Nations Summer Institute

• Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
• Cost: ~$3,199 (overnight/residential, 1-week program)
• Program Dates: July 19–25, 2026

UCLA’s Model United Nations Summer Institute is a one-week intensive MUN camp for high schoolers. Participants simulate the United Nations and other international bodies, learning diplomacy, resolution writing, and public speaking. It’s one of the hands-on international relations summer programs where students form committees, debate current global issues, and practice leadership in crisis scenarios.

The UCLA Model United Nations Summer Institute is generally open to middle and high school students, commonly ranging from 8th to 12th grade. No prior Model UN experience is required for introductory tracks, though advanced sessions may expect previous participation.

A unique aspect is its structured training by MUN experts (the Best Delegate team). The program culminates in full-scale MUN conferences on campus, giving delegates experience in research and negotiation.

10. National Student Leadership Conference – International Diplomacy

• Location: Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.) and Columbia University (New York, NY)
• Cost: $4,495 residential (for each 9-day session)
• Program Dates: June 12–20 and June 24–July 2, 2026

NSLC’s International Diplomacy program is a pre-college leadership course where students role-play as UN diplomats. Held in D.C. and NYC, this program has students tackle pressing global issues, debating foreign policy and humanitarian challenges from a diplomatic perspective.

The National Student Leadership Conference on International Diplomacy is open to high school students who are typically between 14 and 18 years old and have completed at least one year of high school. Students may also be eligible to attend during the summer immediately following graduation, before starting college. Selection is based on academic interest and leadership potential rather than prior diplomatic experience.

As a premier international relations summer program, it combines simulations with expert briefings and real-world field trips (for example, visits to the United Nations headquarters and international cultural centers).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best international relations summer programs for high school students in 2025?

The best international relations summer programs include Georgetown University’s International Relations Academy, Yale International Relations Leadership Institute (YIRLI), and UCLA’s Model United Nations Summer Institute.

Many of these programs combine lectures, simulations, research, and field visits to give students a deep dive into global affairs and policy issues.

2. Are there free international relations summer programs for high school students?

There are free or heavily subsidized international relations summer programs, though fully free IR-specific options are less common. Many programs offer financial aid, scholarships, or full tuition waivers, and some broader free academic programs include IR-related topics.

3. What subjects do international relations summer programs typically cover?

International relations summer programs typically cover global governance, foreign policy, international law and human rights, diplomacy and negotiation, conflict resolution, and major global issues like health, environment, and development. They often use seminars, debates, case studies, and group projects to teach students how to apply these concepts.

4. How can international relations summer programs help with college admissions?

International relations summer programs help with college admissions by showing academic initiative, providing rigorous coursework or research experience, and strengthening critical thinking and communication skills. They can also offer strong recommendation letters and demonstrate your commitment to global issues, helping you stand out in competitive applicant pools.

5. When should I apply for international relations summer programs?

You should apply for international relations summer programs early, typically from fall to early spring. Many competitive programs have deadlines between December and March, with financial aid deadlines often earlier, so check each program’s timeline and plan ahead.

Takeaways

• The top international relations summer programs for high school students give you a powerful head start if you’re interested in global affairs, diplomacy, and leadership.
• These programs offer hands-on experience in areas like international law, diplomacy, and policy—helping you build skills and academic readiness.
• If you want personalized guidance on which international relations summer program matches your goals, check out our Academic & Extracurricular Profile Evaluation to help you choose which programs are the best for you.