If you are looking for a way to build on what you learn in school, a structured in-person programme can be a great place to start. For students curious about engineering, university-level engineering programs for high school students offer a practical way to explore the subject, try something new, and challenge yourself without making a long-term commitment. They can also help you discover which areas of engineering genuinely interest you most.

You may work in a lab, build something from scratch, or try to solve a complex problem using engineering. Many of these programmes are run by universities, offering you the chance to study in undergraduate classrooms, labs, and use campus resources. You connect with professors and students, get insights into college admissions, and explore what studying engineering at university actually looks like. Even if you are just testing your interests in STEM, university-level programmes can be a great starting point.

What kinds of university-level engineering programs are available for high school students?

Choosing a good program that aligns with your goals is not as easy as it sounds, given the wide range of options available today. Some programs focus heavily on research, where you will spend weeks working on a specific engineering problem. Others are shorter and more hands-on, giving you exposure to different branches like robotics, bioengineering, or computer science. 

As a participant, you will usually learn from university faculty or researchers, work on projects independently as well as in teams, and get comfortable with thinking through problems instead of just memorizing solutions. These programs also allow you to engage in thoughtful discussions and trial-and-error-focused learning. 

However, not every program offers the same level of depth and experience or caters exactly to your skills. To make things simpler, we have put together a list of 15 university-level engineering programs for high school students. This list focuses on factors like academic depth, hands-on learning, and on-campus experiences these programs offer to help you find an option that works for you.

For more options, you can consider online engineering programs. If you’re looking to engage with engineering work environments, engineering internships for high school students might be a good option.

15 University-Level Engineering Programs for High School Students

1. MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI)

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: Six weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Early to mid-December
Eligibility: High school juniors who meet the RSI academic prerequisites; the program is also open to international students.

RSI is a selective science and engineering research opportunity for high school students. You will spend six weeks participating in the complete research cycle, from finding and reading studies and developing a detailed research plan to presenting your work. You will first attend one week of STEM-focused classes led by renowned professors.

This will be followed by a five-week research internship where you will work on your research project, which can be focused on engineering. You will also attend evening lecture series and interact with leaders in science and technology. In addition to research and academic exploration, the program offers weekend field trips to various locations in and around Boston.

Why it stands out: It allows you to work within MIT labs and complete a full research project, an opportunity usually extended to high schoolers.

2. Immerse Education’s Engineering Summer School 

Location: Oxford, London, Toronto, Singapore, Cambridge, Tokyo, Sydney, and Singapore
Cost: Varies; financial aid available through our bursary programme
Dates: Two weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students worldwide, ages 13-18 

Immerse Education’s programs allow high school students to experience university life firsthand. You will live on campus and study in small groups of 7 to 10 students, and learn from tutors from top universities. The engineering track offers two options: one focusing on basic concepts and the other featuring a more advanced syllabus consisting of electronics, mechanics, and civil engineering. Both tracks ensure that you are prepared to step into an engineering degree program with confidence.

During the two-week program, you will explore engineering through project-based learning, career skills development, workshops with experts, a personal project, one-on-one coaching, and industry visits. At the end of the program, you will complete the project and receive written feedback along with a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.

Why it stands out: The program combines university-style engineering learning with the experience of living in a student city, preparing you for future academics. 

3. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; a $750 stipend is paid
Dates: June 21st – August 6th
Application Deadline: February 16th
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years old and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents 

This selective program offers 12 high schoolers the opportunity to spend seven weeks in the summer engaging in hands-on research. You will work within labs, conduct scientific research, learn from experienced faculty members, and attend weekly seminars during the program.

You can choose from a range of research areas, including electrical and computer engineering, computer science, and mechanical engineering. Along with the academic research experience, the program also allows you to engage in social activities and interact with fellow participants and experts. At the end, you will submit a research report summarizing your work.

Why it stands out: It allows you to join a small cohort of motivated peers to engage in research in a university setting and connect with professors.

4. Columbia University’s Engineering the Next Generation (ENG)

Location: Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend of $17/hour at 25 hours/week
Dates: July 6th – August 13th
Application deadline: FoR track: January 16th | CS3 track: March 1st
Eligibility: Current 11th graders (rising seniors) attending NYC schools who are legally allowed to work in NYC with prior work or volunteer experience; international students are not eligible

ENG is a six-week paid summer research program at Columbia University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, with two tracks to choose from: Foundations of Research (FoR) and Center for Smart Streetscapes (CS3). In the FoR track, you will work with Columbia Engineering faculty and researchers on projects spanning Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, and Environmental Engineering.

In the CS3 track, you will work on AI tools, coding, computer vision, and urban technology with a focus on how tech affects community life. Both tracks include research skills workshops, college prep sessions, science communication training, and mentorship from graduate students and faculty. Depending on your track, you may also have the opportunity to present your work to city officials or contribute to a published research paper.

Why it stands out: You get paid to conduct real research at Columbia University, and the CS3 track offers the rare opportunity to directly influence NYC city policy through presentations to city officials.

5. Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program (LLP)

Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free
Dates: Five to six weeks during the Summer
Application deadline: March 15th
Eligibility: High school students residing and attending schools in NJ (U.S)

Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program (LLP) is a selective outreach program for high school students interested in engaging in research within professional labs. You spend five to six weeks gaining hands-on research experience in engineering and science in Princeton labs.

You will work under close supervision from Princeton faculty and research staff and follow specific schedules according to the research opportunity. The program concludes with a submission of a research report, where you will summarize the key aspects of your summer contributions.

Why it stands out: You get to work on a guided research project alongside Princeton researchers in a laboratory setting.

6. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program

Location: University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free; monetary award provided on completing the program
Dates: June 14th – July 31st
Application deadline: March 31st
Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, or Wisconsin in the U.S.

The Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program is a six-week summer opportunity for high school students looking to dive into science, engineering, and healthcare tech. You will join a research group and engage in hands-on activities in areas such as electrical engineering, bioengineering, cancer immunology, artificial intelligence, and quantum mechanics.

You will also attend weekly seminars focused on scientific communication, research poster presentation, and college admission and preparation support. You will interact with a range of professionals, including faculty, graduate, undergraduate, and medical students. The program concludes with a research poster symposium where you will share your work with peers and faculty.

Why it stands out: It offers hands-on research opportunities in STEMM fields, a platform to build science communication skills, and a monetary award for your contributions.

7. NYU’s ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering)

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn/New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,000 stipend available
Dates: June 1st – August 14th
Application deadline: February 27th
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are attending NYC schools and are NYC residents 

This is a 10-week summer opportunity for NYC high school students who want to gain research experience within professional labs. The curriculum combines lab and science training with hands-on research, allowing you to explore lab safety practices before engaging in scientific investigation.

You will work in NYU research labs under the guidance of researchers and faculty, and engage in and assist with real-world projects in science and engineering. You will attend college writing workshops, receive safety training, and develop valuable research skills. The program also provides networking opportunities along with a chance to present your work to the NYU community.

Why it stands out: You will work in NYU labs on real research projects, build research and writing skills, and present your work at a final colloquium.

8. Northeastern Young Scholars Program (YSP)

Location: Northeastern University Campus, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 22nd – July 30th
Application deadline: March 2nd; applications open on December 15th
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who live within commuting distance of Northeastern University and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents

YSP offers hands-on research learning experiences to high school students at the Northeastern University campus. You will spend six weeks working in research labs on engineering and science projects and learning from University faculty. The curriculum focuses on academic and career exploration, running a special seminar series called Introduction to Engineering, and conducting presentations led by professors and graduate students.

You will explore a range of topics, including environmental issues, superconductivity, lasers, radar, biotechnology, microwave materials, chemical analysis, and robotics during the program. You will also go on field trips, receive career and education counseling, and get to experience life as a college student. 

Why it stands out: It helps you work in university labs, explore different engineering fields through seminars, and learn directly from professors and researchers to prepare for future engineering coursework.

9. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program

Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: No tuition; stipend is awarded (amount unspecified)
Dates: June 29th – August 7th
Application deadline: February 5th
Eligibility: 11th-grade high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents 

Simons Summer Research Program allows high school students to work on a hands-on research project on the Stony Brook University campus. You will join a research team, work closely with a Stony Brook faculty mentor, and contribute to a science or engineering project.

You will also participate in special workshops, attend research talks led by faculty, engage in social events, and go on educational tours. You will work on a written research abstract and a research poster, which you can present at the end of the program. You will additionally receive a stipend upon successful completion of the program.

Why it stands out: It allows you to join a university research team, work on a real project with a faculty mentor, and practice science communication.

10. Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS)

Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend of $17/hour
Dates: July 6th – August 14th
Application deadline: April 17th
Eligibility: High school students and recent graduates who are at least 16 and are from select schools within Massachusetts

TUBERS is a six-week biomedical engineering research experience for high school students. You will work on biomedical research, investigate questions, and help develop new techniques for studying organs, cells, and tissues. You will learn about experimental protocols, testing hypotheses, and making predictions.

The program also encourages you to share your research findings with family, peers, and professionals through presentations. You can also submit your work to local and national-level competitions such as the Intel Science Talent Search. Massachusetts State and Engineering Fair, and Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology at the end of the program.

Why it stands out: It focuses on introducing you to the intersection of engineering and biomedicine through hands-on lab work on a university campus and prepares you to submit your work to science competitions.

11. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Location: Virtual or George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost: $25 application fee + $1,299 tuition for three course credits; fee waivers available
Dates: June 18th – August 12th
Application deadline: February 15th
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old (or 16 for in-person opportunities); international students can apply, but a few research labs are solely open to U.S. citizens.

ASSIP offers virtual and in-person research internships in various fields, including engineering. You can choose a mentor who is looking for interns to work on engineering projects in a format of your choice. Over eight weeks, you will assist your mentor and engage in research while also building scientific writing and communication skills.

During the program, you will also learn about career paths in engineering and other related areas while connecting with professors and STEM professionals. The program ends with a symposium, where you will learn about the research conducted at ASSIP over the summer. You will also earn college credits upon completing the program.

Why it stands out: It offers university-level research exposure and the opportunity to get your name published in scientific journals or your work presented at scientific conferences.

12. Johns Hopkins University’s Explore Engineering Innovation (EEI)

Location: Virtual, hybrid, or in-person (commuter/residential) at Johns Hopkins University Homewood campus, Baltimore, MD
Cost: $3,960 – $10,190, depending on the format, plus a $60 non-refundable application fee; need-based scholarships are available.
Application deadline: Early Action: January 30th; Final deadline for most formats: May 27th
Dates: In-person/residential: June 29th – July 24th | Hybrid (Session 1): June 15th – July 10th; (Session 2): July 6-31 | Online: June 29th – July 31st
Eligibility: High school students and recent high school graduates with As and Bs in math and science who have completed Algebra II, a trigonometry course, and a full year of high school chemistry and/or physics with lab. Residential students must be 15-17 years old during the program. International students can also apply.

EEI is one of the most academically rigorous university-level engineering programs for high school students, following the same curriculum that JHU first-year engineering students cover in a full semester compressed into four to five weeks. You will learn about disciplines like civil, chemical, electrical, computer, and mechanical engineering, and materials science.

You will also learn how to apply physics, chemistry, and design concepts to projects such as building a spaghetti bridge, programming a microcontroller, and running a chemical process lab. The program also offers insights into potential majors and career paths in engineering. Upon program completion, you will earn three college credits from Johns Hopkins. 

Why it stands out: It helps you learn engineering concepts, apply them through tangible projects, engage with undergraduate coursework, and earn credits while you are still in high school.

13. Columbia University Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE)

Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Commuter: $6,241; Residential: $11,492; need-based scholarships available
Dates: Session 1: July 6-24 | Session 2: July 27th – August 14th
Application deadline: Priority: December 22nd; Final: March 2nd
Eligibility: Current high school students; limited spots are open for international students.

Columbia University’s SHAPE offers high schoolers access to college-level coursework through multiple three-week sessions. You can choose from various engineering and related courses, such as courses on robotics and autonomous driving, biomedical engineering, computer programming, sustainable engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, and healthcare engineering.

Over three weeks, you will dive into engineering principles, applications, problems, and projects. You will attend workshops, gain hands-on experience through real-world experiments, and learn about the fundamental concepts in modern engineering design.

Why it stands out: You will enroll in a college-level engineering course, work on hands-on projects and experiments, and explore fields like robotics, programming, sustainable engineering, and many more.

14. Tufts University’s Engineering Investigations

Location: Tufts University, Medford/Somerville, MA
Cost: $4,425 (commuter) | $5,950 (residential); scholarships available
Dates: Session 1: July 5-17 | Session 2: July 19-31
Application deadline: May 1st
Eligibility: Students (domestic and international), ages 15 and up, who are entering grades 10-12 or are graduating seniors

This two-week program at Tufts University offers an introduction to fields such as civil, environmental, mechanical, biomedical, and electrical engineering. You will explore these disciplines through classes on campus that blend activities, lectures, and discussions, with sessions led by guest speakers from Tufts and the industry. For the first week and a half, you will engage in activities that cover various engineering fields, design processes, engineering ethics, and fabrication.

During the final days, you will join a small group of peers to pick an engineering topic of interest and develop a project or presentation on it. You will present your work to peers and faculty on the last day of the session.

Why it stands out: It offers extensive engineering exposure in a university setting, allowing you to get a taste of future academics in the field and explore different majors.

15. University of Maryland’s WIE Change the World

Location: University of Maryland campus, College Park, MD
Cost: $1,500; need-based scholarships available
Dates: July 12-17
Application deadline: March 1st
Eligibility: Rising 11th- and 12th-grade students; international students can contact the program team to determine eligibility.

WIE Change the World is one of the most hands-on university-level engineering programs for high school students, offering a week-long residential learning experience for those interested in exploring university-level engineering academics. You will spend the week learning about different engineering majors, understanding the interdisciplinary role of engineering, and working on hands-on design projects.

The program covers a range of engineering disciplines, including bioengineering, chemical, civil, mechanical, materials science, computer, environmental, fire protection, and aerospace. You will work on team-design challenges, attend lectures, and interact with the staff, students, and faculty at the Clark School of Engineering. You will additionally work on presentations, attend workshops, and gain insights to pursue a future career in engineering.

Why it stands out: It offers exposure to different engineering fields and the opportunity to explore possible career paths while connecting with university faculty and staff.

From Engineering Practice to Essential Reading

Some of the most valuable moments in engineering happen when abstract ideas suddenly become tangible, whether through testing, designing, building, or solving something that once felt impossible.

That is often what students gain from university-level engineering programs for high school students: a more direct, practical view of how engineering works beyond textbooks and into the real world.

With that experience, engineering starts to feel less distant and more personal, giving you clearer motivation, deeper curiosity, and a better sense of where your interests could lead.

Ready to keep that momentum going? Discover our Engineering Top Books Guide and explore the ideas, breakthroughs, and big questions that can make you think like an engineer long after summer ends.