15 Economics Summer Schools in Asia for High School Students

TL;DR

This page rounds up economics-focused summer and online programs across Asia, from university-led courses in Singapore and Japan to fully virtual options you can join from home. Costs vary widely, from under $2,000 for self-paced online courses to several thousand dollars for in-person residentials, and English requirements differ by program. You'll find options spanning early high school through pre-university level. The NUS SCALE Youth Programme, for instance, places you directly in university classrooms to study ASEAN economic development, while Immerse Education runs a two-week Academic Insights pathway in Singapore, with an Economics track for ages 16 to 18, with bursary support available.

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If you are interested in economics, spending your summer studying the subject in Asia can give you a different perspective on how economies operate. Across the region, universities and research institutions sit within economies shaped by international trade, technology, finance, manufacturing, and rapidly changing markets. Economics summer schools in Asia for high school students can also offer a first look at how the subject is approached beyond the school curriculum. If economics isn't the only subject on your list, our broader guide to summer schools in Asia for high school students covers options across other fields too.

What do economics summer schools in Asia for high school students cover?

Economics summer schools can introduce high school students to concepts and methods that extend beyond the standard school curriculum. Depending on the program, you might study microeconomics and macroeconomics, examine financial markets, explore international trade, analyse economic development, or investigate how public policy affects businesses and households. Some programs also introduce related areas such as finance, entrepreneurship, data analysis, technology, and public policy.

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The format can be just as important as the subject matter. University-based programs may include lectures, seminars, case studies, group projects, research activities, or faculty-led discussions. These formats give you a clearer sense of how university-level learning differs from classroom study at school and can help you develop skills such as analytical reasoning, evidence-based argument, data interpretation, and academic communication.

15 Economics Summer Schools in Asia for High School Students  

1. National University of Singapore SCALE Youth Programme: International Economics and Finance

Location: National University of Singapore (NUS) Kent Ridge Campus, Singapore (on-campus, in-person)

Cost: Varies

Dates: June to August

Application deadline: Varies

Eligibility: Pre-university and high school students aged 15 and up who can communicate fluently in English; open to international students

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The NUS SCALE Youth Programme's International Economics and Finance track is an on-campus course that explores economic challenges of developing countries, with a focus on ASEAN and East Asian nations. You'll examine topics such as economic development, international trade, financial crises, and public policy through case studies. 

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Throughout the course, you'll learn how governments respond to economic challenges and evaluate the impact of different policies. The program concludes with a final project presentation where you'll apply what you've learned.

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Why it stands out: You'll study economic issues through the lens of Southeast Asia while learning from Singapore's own development experience. If Singapore itself is the deciding factor, our separate roundup of economics programs in Singapore for high school students digs deeper into city-specific options.

2. Immerse Education's Singapore Economics Summer School

Location: Singapore

Cost/Stipend: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; an average of 7 participants per class

Dates: 2 weeks during the summer

Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions

Eligibility: Students aged 16-18 currently enrolled in high school; open to international students

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Immerse Education's Academic Insights pathway in Singapore gives you a focused, two-week immersion into economic theory and real-world applications, taught by expert tutors associated with top universities and academic institutions. The program aims to deepen your understanding of fundamental economic principles, global markets, and policy-making. Across lively seminars, workshops, and discussions, you'll explore core concepts such as market behaviour, inflation, trade, inequality, fiscal and monetary policy, and how these forces shape global economies. 

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Beyond the classroom, excursions and cultural activities help you connect lessons to the world around you, while living and studying alongside peers from around the globe adds an international perspective. You can find more details about the application here.

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Why it stands out: It blends concentrated academic development with an immersive international summer experience, helping you deepen your economics knowledge while engaging with peers from around the world in Singapore.

3. SGI-HSG Summer School in Asia

Location: Singapore

Cost: CHF 3,990

Dates: August 9th to 20th

Application deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: High school students who have already reached the age of 18; international eligibility not specified

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SGI-HSG Summer School in Asia is a two-week business and entrepreneurship program in Singapore for high school students. You'll study sustainability, strategy, entrepreneurship, innovation management, and operations through lectures, guest talks, and workshops. 

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Working with international peers, you'll develop an entrepreneurial idea and refine it using the concepts introduced during the program. Company visits, application sessions, and social events give you opportunities to apply what you've learned.

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Why it stands out: You'll work on a business idea with an international team and gain exposure to multiple areas of business in a single program.

4. SP Jain Global Summer Program, Singapore

Location: SP Jain School of Global Management, Singapore

Cost: SGD 3,200 (includes accommodation and meals) or SGD 1,800 (without accommodation; lunch included)

Acceptance rate or cohort size: Cohort sizes are intentionally limited for collaborative learning; acceptance rate is not publicly available

Dates: 28th June to 5th July

Application deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: High school students (Grades 9 to 12); international eligibility not specified

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The SP Jain Global Summer Program in Singapore introduces you to business and leadership through workshops, case studies, and project-based learning within a global management school environment. You explore topics such as entrepreneurship, marketing, leadership, innovation, finance, and international business while participating in discussions and collaborative exercises with peers from different backgrounds. 

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The program emphasizes experiential learning through simulations, team projects, and business problem-solving activities that encourage you to apply concepts to practical situations. You also gain exposure to Singapore's role as a major business and financial hub through industry-oriented discussions and cross-cultural learning experiences.

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Why it stands out: You study business and leadership in Singapore while gaining exposure to international management perspectives through collaborative, project-based learning.

5. Ashoka University: Young Scholars Programme (YSP)

Location: Ashoka University, Sonepat, India

Cost: INR 49,500 + GST for EFM Essentials | INR 85,000 + GST for EFM Advanced

Dates: Based on the most recently posted cycle, EFM Essentials ran May 18th to 22nd with a second edition in June, and EFM Advanced added a further week; 2027 dates haven't been announced yet

Application deadline: The final deadline for the most recent cycle was April 26th; applications have since closed and the next cycle hasn't opened

Eligibility: Students entering Grades 9 to 12; open to students from India and worldwide

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Ashoka University's Young Scholars Programme: Economics, Finance & Markets track is available in both a five-day (Essentials) and ten-day (Advanced) track for high school students. 

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Through a liberal arts approach, you'll explore economics alongside finance and markets while learning from Ashoka faculty and industry experts. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary thinking, helping you connect economics with fields such as business, public policy, technology, and society. You'll also interact with students from different academic interests in a residential university setting.

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Why it stands out: You study economics through a liberal arts lens, giving you a broader understanding of how economic ideas connect with business, technology, and public policy.

6. Temple University Japan: High School Summer Program

Location: Temple University Japan Campus, Tokyo

Cost: 360,000 JPY (additional 20,000 JPY registration fee applies)

Dates: July 28th to August 5th

Application deadline: March 1st (students requiring a visa) | April 1st (no visa required)

Eligibility: Students entering Grades 9 to 12; international students are eligible

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Temple University Japan's High School Summer Program is an eight-night residential program where you'll study Japanese language alongside a university-style elective, which can include economics depending on availability. 

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You'll attend classes modeled after Temple University's undergraduate courses and explore Japanese language and culture. Outside the classroom, the program includes an overnight trip to Nikko, a visit to Tokyo DisneySea, and activities with Japanese high school students.

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Why it stands out: You can explore economics in a university-style classroom while combining it with Japanese language study and cultural experiences.

7. NUS College Summer School

Location: National University of Singapore's Kent Ridge Campus, Singapore

Cost: SGD 2,725 for Singaporean/PR students | SGD 3,978.50 for ASEAN students | SGD 5,450 for international students

Dates: 21 to 27th June (most recently posted cycle; 2027 dates not yet announced)

Application deadline: Rolling until full

Eligibility: Pre-university students, ages 16 to 18; international students are eligible

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This one-week program introduces you to university-level learning through taster seminars led by NUS faculty across interdisciplinary subjects, including economics and the social sciences. You'll work on team projects, participate in workshops on communication, critical thinking, and leadership, and tackle group challenges with students from around the world. 

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The program also includes field trips that connect classroom learning to Singapore's industries and culture. You'll live in a residential college throughout the week and finish the program with a team presentation, a university and career preparation session, and a closing ceremony.

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Why it stands out: It gives you a taste of NUS College's interdisciplinary learning, while combining academic exploration with university life.

8. Stanford e-Japan

Location: Online (Japan-based participants)

Cost: Free

Dates: Two sessions a year, spring (February to June) and fall (September to March); there's no dedicated summer session

Application deadline: The most recent deadline, for the fall 2026 session, was August 16th; the next session's dates haven't been posted yet

Eligibility: High school students residing in Japan, regardless of nationality

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This program is an online course for high school students in Japan that explores U.S. society, culture, and U.S.-Japan relations through a university-level lens. You'll attend live virtual classes with Stanford faculty, scholars, and guest experts. You will study entrepreneurship, Silicon Valley, and international relations. 

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Alongside lectures, you'll complete readings, engage in discussions, and submit weekly assignments before finishing the program with an independent research project. You'll also present your research at your school or in your local community and receive a Stanford SPICE certificate of completion and Stanford Continuing Studies credit.

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Why it stands out: It offers university-level coursework with an independent research project, allowing you to explore entrepreneurship and international relations from a global perspective.

9. NUCB International College Summer Camp

Location: NUCB International College / Nagoya University of Commerce and Business, Nisshin-shi, Aichi Prefecture (near Nagoya)

Cost: 140,000 JPY total, covering tuition, accommodation, food, and excursions

Dates: Not yet confirmed for the upcoming cycle

Application deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: Students in Grade 10 to 13 at the time of the program, with at least conversational English proficiency; open to all nationalities

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At NUCB International College's Summer Camp, you'll learn business and economics through case studies. Using the case method, you'll analyze real business situations, discuss possible solutions, and decide how you would respond as the decision-maker. 

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Team workshops, field studies, and presentations build on these discussions and challenge you to support your ideas with evidence and clear reasoning. The program concludes with group presentations where you'll share your recommendations and analysis.

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Why it stands out: It is the only high school program in Japan to use the Harvard Business School case method in a business curriculum at an AACSB-accredited institution. For more Japan-focused options, see our dedicated list of economics summer programs in Japan for high school students.

10. London School of Business & Finance's Asia Summer School Programme in Singapore & Malaysia

Location: Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Cost: SGD 5,101 (two weeks in Singapore) | SGD 4,186 (two weeks in Malaysia) | SGD 8,067 (four weeks in Singapore and Malaysia); GST and accommodation included

Dates: Two to four weeks, next intake May 2027

Application deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: International students at high school and pre-university levels

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At the London School of Business & Finance's Asia Summer School Programme, you'll explore business and entrepreneurship, studying in Singapore and Malaysia. If you choose the Innovation and Entrepreneurship module, you'll learn how ideas become successful businesses through startup case studies and business ideation activities. 

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The program also includes a two-day career immersion at Deloitte Singapore, where you'll work on a business case challenge, attend CV and LinkedIn workshops, and meet industry professionals.

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Why it stands out: You'll combine classroom learning with direct exposure to one of the Big Four consulting firms while exploring business in two of Asia's leading economies.

11. Tokyo Digital Assets, AI & Fintech Experience

Location: Central Tokyo, Japan

Cost: $4,999 (excluding airfare)

Dates: July 11th to 19th (9 days)

Application deadline: Rolling admissions

Eligibility: High school students worldwide entering Grades 9 to 12

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At the Tokyo Digital Assets, AI & Fintech Experience, you'll explore how emerging technologies are changing the world of finance. Over nine days, you'll study artificial intelligence, blockchain, digital assets, decentralized finance (DeFi), and algorithmic investing through sessions developed with the New York Institute of Finance. Finance professionals and fintech experts use case studies from companies across Asia to explain how these technologies are used in practice. 

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You'll also visit financial institutions and innovation hubs in Tokyo, and work with a team to develop and present a fintech product during the program's final Pitch Challenge.

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Why it stands out: Few high school programs combine AI, blockchain, and finance to give direct exposure to professionals working in the fintech industry.

12. Wharton Global Youth Financial Decision Making

Location: Online

Cost: $4,099

Dates: June 15th to 26th | July 6th to 17th

Application deadline: January 28th (priority) | Rolling thereafter

Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in Grades 9 to 12 with demonstrated interest in economics and finance; international students are eligible

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At Wharton Global Youth's Financial Decision Making program, you'll learn how economics and finance shape the decisions people, businesses, and governments make. Over two weeks, you'll study personal finance, investing, inflation, and economic cycles while working with real financial datasets and practical case studies. 

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You'll also build skills in data analysis using Excel and explore topics such as budgeting, wealth management, financial ethics, and investment decision-making. By the end of the program, you'll be able to analyze financial situations, compare different options, and explain your reasoning with confidence.

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Why it stands out: You'll apply economics and finance concepts to real data and build financial analysis skills useful beyond the classroom.

13. Columbia University's Game Theory: A Course in Mathematical Economics

Location: Online

Cost: $4,017 for the two-week session

Dates: July 6th to 17th

Application deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: Students entering Grades 9 to 12 with a strong interest in mathematics; no prior economics coursework required; international students welcome

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Game Theory is an online course offered by Columbia University for high school students interested in economics and decision-making. You'll work through examples like when to launch a product and how to price it, when to cooperate in a negotiation, and whether to confess to a crime. 

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You'll read the work of key pioneers in the field and connect it to economics, business, political science, and project management. You'll also solve complex probability problems and analyze the payoffs each decision-maker faces. The online format lets you take a Columbia course from home in Asia, though classes run on New York time.

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Why it stands out: You study one topic in depth, using game theory to break down real decisions in business, politics, and everyday life.

14. Columbia University's Globalisation: Challenges in International Economics & Politics

Location: Online

Cost: $4,017 for the two-week session

Dates: Two sessions, July 6th to 17th and July 20th to 31st

Application deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: Students entering Grades 9 to 12 with a strong interest in mathematics; no prior economics coursework required; international students welcome

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Globalization: Challenges in International Economics & Politics is an online course from Columbia University's Pre-College Programs, designed for high school students interested in how economies and governments shape each other. You'll use case studies to work through topics including foreign aid, sovereign debt, international trade, energy sustainability, and the role of international organizations and financial institutions. 

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You'll also look at how politics shapes economic policy inside countries, including the United States. The course runs through lectures, research, group projects, presentations, and peer critiques.

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Why it stands out: You look at both sides of the story, how countries compete and cooperate globally, and how each country's own politics drives its economic decisions.

15. Rice University's The Business of Economics

Location: Online

Cost: $1,795

Dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year

Application deadline: Varies based on the program dates

Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up; international students welcome

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The Business of Economics is an online course offered by Rice University's Precollege Program for high school students interested in how economics shapes business. You'll cover supply and demand, prices, and costs, along with inflation and the Federal Reserve's role in the economy. Other modules look at how businesses read the labor market, how they invest in growth through loanable funds, and how energy supply and demand affect them. 

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The course also points to careers that combine business and economics, like financial planner, research analyst, and CFO. You'll finish with a capstone presentation on stagflation, where you create policies to improve a failing economy, with a mentor guiding you. It's included here because the lectures are pre-recorded videos you can watch anytime, so time zones in Asia don't get in the way.

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Why it stands out: You end the course by designing your own policies for a struggling economy, with a mentor helping you prepare. If you'd rather study remotely, our online economics programs for high school students roundup covers more fully virtual options.

Frequently asked questions: Economics Summer Schools in Asia for High School Students

What's the cheapest way to study economics in Asia over the summer?

Rice University's online Business of Economics course is the most affordable option on this list at $1,795, and Stanford e-Japan costs nothing at all if you're a high school student living in Japan. Both let you study independently rather than travel, so you skip flights, accommodation, and visa costs entirely. If you want an in-person experience on a tighter budget, NUS College Summer School charges SGD 2,725 for Singaporean and PR students, rising for ASEAN and international applicants. Comparing formats this way helps you weigh cost against the kind of experience you actually want.

Can middle schoolers join economics summer programs in Asia?

Most programs on this list are built for high schoolers already in Grade 9 and up, though a few accept younger students. Immerse Education's Academic Insights pathway in Singapore, for instance, starts at age 16, so younger students may want to look at Immerse's Economics courses in Cambridge or Oxford, which are open from age 13. NUCB International College's Summer Camp, by contrast, is limited to students in Grades 10 through 13. If you're applying before high school, check each program's grade or age cutoff carefully, since minimum ages vary more here than the subject matter does.

Do Japan-based economics programs require Japanese language skills?

No, none of the Japan-based programs on this list require Japanese language ability to enroll. Temple University Japan's High School Summer Program and NUCB International College's Summer Camp are both taught in English, with Japanese language classes offered as part of the curriculum rather than a prerequisite for it. NUCB does ask for conversational English proficiency instead, since classes and group work run in English throughout. Stanford e-Japan, which is fully online, also teaches entirely in English. You'll still pick up everyday Japanese through excursions and daily life on campus.

Are international students accepted at Singapore-based economics programs?

Yes, every Singapore-based program on this list accepts international students, though fees and requirements differ. NUS College Summer School charges separate rates for Singaporean and PR students, ASEAN applicants, and international applicants, with international students paying the highest tier. SGI-HSG Summer School in Asia and the London School of Business & Finance's programme are both built around a global applicant pool. Immerse Education's Academic Insights pathway in Singapore welcomes students aged 16 to 18 from anywhere, with a bursary programme available to help offset the cost for those who qualify.

Do these programs come with UCAS points or college credit?

A handful of the programs on this list offer formal recognition, though most provide a certificate of completion rather than transferable credit. Stanford e-Japan awards a certificate and academic credit through Stanford Continuing Studies after a full term of work, which is unusual among free programs. Columbia's online economics courses, by contrast, issue a certificate of participation rather than credit toward a degree. If earning formal credit matters to you, confirm directly with the provider before applying, since policies on credit and recognition can change between application cycles.

What's the time commitment for an online economics program based in Asia?

Online programs on this list run anywhere from one week to several weeks, so the commitment depends heavily on which one you choose. Rice University's Business of Economics is fully self-paced and asynchronous, which works well around a busy school schedule. Columbia's online economics courses run as fixed two-week sessions with live, scheduled classes instead. Stanford e-Japan spans a full academic term rather than a short burst, pairing weekly live discussions with independent reading and a final research project.

Your guide to studying economics abroad in Asia

Choosing between economics summer schools in Asia for high school students really comes down to matching the program's format, cost, and location to your goals.

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A university-led seminar in Singapore will teach you something quite different from a fully self-paced online course you complete entirely on your own time.

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Whichever format fits your schedule and budget, you'll come away with sharper analytical skills and a clearer sense of where economics could eventually take you.

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For more guidance on choosing the right program overseas, browse our Study Abroad blogs and find a summer program that truly fits your goals.