Are you aiming for the Ivy League or other highly selective universities but unsure how to start building a competitive academic profile? Joining UC Berkeley’s summer programs gives you access to advanced coursework and structured academic experiences that allow you to explore your interests and show readiness for college-level work at a top public research university.
In this guide, you will find the top 10 UC Berkeley summer programs for high school students in 2025–2026, with specific details on eligibility, dates, costs, and what you can expect from each option.
- What are UC Berkeley’s Summer Programs?
- UC Berkeley Pre-College Scholars Program
- Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY)
- Berkeley M.E.T. Innovation Academy (M.E.T.^ia)
- Berkeley Summer Academy of Sustainability (BSAS)
- Berkeley Summer Sessions
- Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Research Programs
- UC Berkeley PREP: Pre-Engineering Program
- Berkeley Haas Business Summer Bootcamp
- Berkeley Unboxing Data Science (BUDS)
- Summer Springboard at UC Berkeley
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
What are UC Berkeley’s Summer Programs?
UC Berkeley offers a variety of summer programs that allow high school students to experience college-level academics, develop specialized skills, and strengthen their college applications. Here’s a quick look at these programs:
| Rank | Program | Description |
| 1 | UC Berkeley Pre-College Scholars Program | Allows high school students to enroll in UC Berkeley Summer Sessions courses through structured pre-college tracks, with options for residential, commuter, or online participation. |
| 2 | Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY) | A residential summer entrepreneurship program connected to Berkeley Haas, where students conduct market research, develop business plans, and present final projects. |
| 3 | Berkeley M.E.T. Innovation Academy (M.E.T.^ia) | A full-day academy focused on innovation at the intersection of technology and business, designed for students interested in applied problem-solving. |
| 4 | Berkeley Summer Academy of Sustainability (BSAS) | A two-week STEM-focused program centered on sustainability topics such as energy, water, materials, and emerging technologies, with optional residential housing. |
| 5 | Berkeley Summer Sessions | UC Berkeley’s official summer term offering a wide range of undergraduate courses across disciplines, with high school students typically enrolling through pre-college pathways. |
| 6 | Lawrence Hall Teen Research Programs | Research-oriented programs and internships that expose students to scientific investigation, data collection, and public science education. |
| 7 | UC Berkeley PREP: Pre-Engineering Program | A structured pre-engineering summer program that introduces high school students to core engineering concepts through guided coursework and applied technical activities designed to prepare them for undergraduate engineering study. |
| 8 | Berkeley Haas Business Summer Bootcamp | A two-week residential bootcamp for high school founders with existing startups, focused on product growth, execution, and mentorship within the UC Berkeley entrepreneurial ecosystem. |
| 9 | Berkeley Unboxing Data Science (BUDS) | An introductory summer data science program for high school students focused on applied analysis, datasets, and foundational data literacy. |
| 10 | Summer Springboard at UC Berkeley | A campus-based program offering subject-specific courses for high school students, with multiple sessions and residential or commuter options. |
We’ll discuss these programs in more depth in the following sections.
1. UC Berkeley Pre-College Scholars Program
- 2026 program dates: June 23 – August 15 (Session C); July 7 – August 15 (Session D)
- Eligibility: High school students. Students under 18 must enroll through Berkeley’s approved pre-college pathway. Eligibility may vary by course.
- Program cost: $15,950 (Session C); $14,650 (Session D)
The UC Berkeley Pre-College Scholars Program allows high school students to take UC Berkeley Summer Sessions courses and earn official UC Berkeley transcript credit.
Students enroll in individual undergraduate courses across disciplines such as economics, biology, computer science, math, political science, and the humanities. Course rigor depends on the specific class selected.
However, the program also has a non-credit track: the Berkeley Summer Computer Science Academy. This is an immersive two-week experience for students who have little to no previous computer science experience. Those who have advanced experience are recommended to apply for the credit-bearing tracks.
Residential, commuter, and online participation options depend on the year and course availability. Tuition is charged per unit, with additional program and housing fees if applicable.
2. Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY)
- 2026 program dates: July 5 to July 18, 2026 (Session 1); July 19 to August 1, 2026 (Session 2)
- Eligibility: High school students
- Program cost: $7,450 for California residents; $7,950 for non-California residents.
Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY) is a two-week, non-credit summer entrepreneurship program affiliated with Berkeley Haas. Up to 50 students around the world each year complete structured coursework focused on market research, business modeling, and entrepreneurial decision-making, followed by a final project presentation. You will also interact with corporate guest speakers.
Outside of coursework, you will learn about the college admissions process from admissions advisors and undergraduate students through interactive sessions. Thanks to this, you can get guidance on your UC personal statement.
At the end of the program, you receive a UC Berkeley Business Academy for Youth Certificate of Completion.
3. Berkeley M.E.T. Innovation Academy (M.E.T.^ia)
- 2026 program dates: June 21 – July 8, 2026
- Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
- Program cost: Pricing has not been released
Berkeley M.E.T. Innovation Academy (M.E.T.^ia) is a full-day summer academy focused on the intersection of technology, business, and innovation. Students work through applied problem-solving activities tied to product development, entrepreneurship, and tech-driven solutions.
You can expect to create prototypes at the Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation and develop and pitch a start-up idea to venture investors. You will also learn from leading companies in Silicon Valley, like Ambi Robotics and Dolby Headquarters.
Successful applicants must have a strong aptitude for math and science and a demonstrated interest in technology and business.
4. Berkeley Summer Academy of Sustainability (BSAS)
- 2026 program dates: July 20 – July 31, 2026
- Eligibility: High school students
- Program cost: $5,500
The Berkeley Summer Academy of Sustainability (BSAS) is a two-week, non-credit summer program that offers a curriculum that focuses on sustainability through a STEM lens. It covers applied topics such as energy systems, climate science, materials, and data-driven approaches to environmental challenges.
The program is divided into two parts: classroom-based instruction and hands-on experimental lab work. Core topics covered in the curriculum include:
- Quantum. Superconductivity and levitation at liquid nitrogen temperatures
- Solar. Solar cells, including building a basic Schottky-junction cell
- Metamaterials. 3D printing of mechanically functional structures
- Water. Membrane design for water purification
- AI/ML. Data science for materials through a guided materials project
- Failure. Structural materials failure testing and microscopic analysis
The program runs on a fixed schedule with structured instruction and guided projects rather than individual course enrollment. Participation is limited to 40 students.
5. Berkeley Summer Sessions
- 2026 program dates: Seven sessions spread across May to August
- Eligibility: High school students
- Program cost: Charged per academic unit, plus campus fees. Housing is optional and billed separately.
Berkeley Summer Sessions is UC Berkeley’s official summer term, offering hundreds of undergraduate courses across disciplines such as economics, computer science, engineering, political science, biology, and the humanities.
High school students enroll in individual UC Berkeley courses, and academic rigor depends entirely on the class selected. Performance is documented on an official UC Berkeley transcript showing the course title, units, and final grade.
Berkeley Summer Sessions is offered through several participation tracks:
- Residential Track, where students live on campus while taking in-person courses
- Non-Credit Track, a short-term residential option focused on immersive learning without earning credit
- Commuter Track, which allows Bay Area students to take on-campus courses while living at home
- Virtual Track, which lets students take UC Berkeley courses online from anywhere in the world
This structure gives students flexibility in how they participate while keeping the academic standards tied to official UC Berkeley coursework.
6. Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Research Programs
- 2026 program dates: Multiple sessions spread across June to July
- Eligibility: High school students
- Program cost: Varies by program
Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Research Programs are research-focused experiences run by UC Berkeley’s public science center. Programs emphasize hands-on investigation, data collection, and science communication rather than classroom-style coursework.
Examples of available programs include:
- Animal Behavior and Investigations
- Biotech Engineering and Innovations in Genetics
- Coding and Engineering Nano-Satellites for Space Exploration
- Psychology of Wellbeing
Students are typically expected to commit to defined schedules and complete research or education-based deliverables.
7. UC Berkeley PREP: Pre-Engineering Program
- 2026 program dates: July 14 – August 1, 2025 (2026 dates to be announced)
- Eligibility: Incoming first-year students
- Program cost: Free
UC Berkeley’s PREP is a three-week summer engineering program focused on foundational engineering concepts and applied technical skills. It is designed to prepare students for undergraduate-level engineering study rather than open-ended research. The program is structured around three core components:
- Academic coursework. Classes in subjects such as math, chemistry, and computer science that build core prerequisites for undergraduate engineering study.
- Professional development. Resume-building and career preparation activities designed to prepare students for engineering pathways at UC Berkeley and beyond.
- Design and prototyping. Team-based engineering projects using a structured design process, culminating in a prototype showcase.
Students complete guided coursework and hands-on activities within a fixed summer schedule.
8. Berkeley Haas Business Summer Bootcamp
- 2026 program dates: June 14, 2026 – June 27, 2026
- Eligibility: High school students
- Program cost: $7,950 (Solo); $7,450 per person (Teams)
The Berkeley Haas Business Summer Bootcamp is a two-week residential summer program designed specifically for high school founders who are already building an active business. Students focus on improving existing products rather than creating ideas from scratch.
The program’s “pedagogical approach” is experiential and project-based. Students learn through action labs, workshops, simulations, and guided projects, with instruction supported by UC Berkeley undergraduate teaching assistants, university students, and B-BAY alumni who help guide participants through the curriculum.
The program concludes with a final showcase, where students present measurable progress they have made in their venture. Participants receive a Berkeley Certificate of Participation and a personalized evaluation letter at the end of the program.
9. Berkeley Unboxing Data Science (BUDS)
- 2026 program dates: June–July 2024 (2025–2026 dates to be announced)
- Eligibility: High school students
- Program cost: Free
BUDS is a 5-week free outreach program run by UC Berkeley’s Division of Computing, Data Science, and Society. It is designed for high school students from underserved or underrepresented backgrounds who want an introduction to data science.
Unlike short introductory camps, BUDS centers on team-based data science research, where students use tools like Python and Jupyter notebooks, and complete projects that follow the full data science workflow.
The program also emphasizes data ethics and social context, with near-peer mentorship from UC Berkeley undergraduates and exposure to how data science is used in academic research settings. Teams produce a final project that applies the skills learned during the program.
10. Summer Springboard at UC Berkeley
- 2026 program dates: Six sessions offered between June and July 2026
- Eligibility: High school students
- Program cost (2026): $5,998 for residential students; $3,298 for commuter students
Summer Springboard at UC Berkeley is a campus-based summer program that offers high school students a choice of subject-specific courses. Available tracks vary by year and typically include areas such as business, computer science, engineering, and social sciences. Courses are taught by industry professionals and focus on applied projects.
In addition to coursework, the program includes structured excursions to Silicon Valley companies such as Google, Tesla, and Netflix, along with academic visits to Stanford University. Students also take part in guided activities around San Francisco landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge and the Ferry Building.
Students enroll in only one course per session.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are UC Berkeley’s summer programs for high school students worth it?
Yes. Joining UC Berkeley’s Summer Programs can be worth it if you want to take on advanced coursework, explore academic interests in depth, or gain structured exposure to fields like engineering, business, or data science. These programs can strengthen your college application, especially if you are aiming for highly selective schools, including the Ivy League.
2. What are UC Berkeley’s summer programs for high school students?
UC Berkeley’s Summer Programs include college-level summer courses, structured academies, and research-oriented programs designed for high school students. Options range from transcripted UC Berkeley Summer Sessions courses to non-credit programs in engineering, business, sustainability, and data science, often taught or administered by UC Berkeley units.
3. How prestigious are UC Berkeley’s high school summer programs?
Many of UC Berkeley’s Summer Programs are considered selective and academically rigorous, particularly those connected to the College of Engineering and Berkeley Haas. Some programs limit cohort size, require applications, or expect prior academic preparation, and the coursework and expectations often mirror the pace and standards of UC Berkeley’s undergraduate classes.
Takeaways
- UC Berkeley’s Summer Programs cover fields such as engineering, business, data science, sustainability, and the sciences, giving you multiple ways to explore academic interests tied to a top public research university.
- These programs can strengthen your college application by showing initiative, academic focus, and the ability to handle structured, high-level work.
- Many UC Berkeley Summer Programs place you in college-style settings with structured coursework or research deliverables, giving you direct exposure to college-level expectations.
- If you want expert help choosing the right summer program and presenting them effectively in your application, a college admissions consultant can help you build a stronger and more coherent admissions profile.
