In high school, summer can be more than just a pause between academic years. It’s a rare opportunity to step back from routine classes and explore new academic interests in a meaningful way. Summer programs in Canada for high school students offer structured environments where you can build confidence, deepen your understanding of key subjects, and begin preparing thoughtfully for future academic choices.

Summer programs are particularly well-suited for this kind of exploration. They allow you to move beyond textbook learning and engage directly with subjects like computer science, engineering, biology, physics, or mathematics.

Through labs, projects, and guided instruction, you begin developing advanced skills while also experiencing how these disciplines are studied at a higher level. Many programs mirror elements of university life, from working in labs to collaborating with peers on longer-term projects.

What are the summer programs in Canada for high school students?

Canada offers a distinctive setting for summer programs, especially those hosted by universities. Canadian institutions are known for their strong research culture, collaborative learning environments, and emphasis on applied learning. As a participant, you get an early look at what studying at a Canadian university might feel like, interacting with faculty, navigating campus spaces, and engaging with material that goes deeper than a typical high school curriculum.

With so many options available, finding programs that are academically meaningful can be challenging. Some offer little more than surface-level exposure, while others provide genuine depth and structure. 

To help you navigate these choices, we’ve curated a list of 15 summer programs in Canada for high school students. They’ve been selected for their academic substance, university-based learning environments, and ability to support skill development and long-term academic growth.

15 Summer Programs in Canada for High School Students

1. High School Youth Researcher Summer (HYRS) Program

Location: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
Cost/Stipend: Free; Paid at C$15/hour (~$11)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25-30 students selected from 175 applicants
Dates: July 3th – August 14th
Application Deadline: References are due by March 14th
Eligibility: Students in grade 11 who have enrolled or completed Mathematics 20-1 or 20-2, Biology 20, and one other Grade 11 science course; applicants must reside in or north of Red Deer and be legally eligible to work in Canada

The High School Youth Researcher Summer (HYRS) Program is one of the most academically rigorous summer programs in Canada for high school students, offering paid, six-week research placements for Grade 11 students. You work in university labs across Alberta on active projects involving health research, data analysis, and technology-enabled healthcare systems.

Depending on your placement, you may engage with coding- or data-focused tasks such as analyzing datasets, supporting AI-enabled health research, or evaluating digital platforms used in healthcare delivery. Alongside lab work, you participate in workshops on research methods, problem-solving, and career pathways within health innovation and data science. The program concludes with a final presentation or report that showcases your contributions to real-world research challenges.

Why it stands out: Provides hands-on experience in cutting-edge health and medical research, connecting students directly with professional mentors and real-world projects.

2. Immerse Education’s Toronto Summer School

Location: University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Cost/Stipend: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: An average of 7 participants per class
Dates: 5th Jul – 18th Jul, 19th Jul – 1st Aug
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students worldwide aged 15-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school

The Academic Insights Program at our Toronto Summer School is one of the most immersive summer programs in Canada for high school students, offering undergraduate-style learning at the University of Toronto. Students aged 15–18 study in small classes of 4–10, taking part in discussion-based seminars and weekly 1:1 academic sessions with expert tutors.

In Toronto, subjects include Economics, Law, Engineering, Software Development & AI, International Relations, Psychology, Medicine, and Business Management. Each course blends structured teaching with applied learning and culminates in a personal academic project with written feedback and a certificate.

Beyond academics, students explore Toronto through curated excursions to the CN Tower, the Royal Ontario Museum, and cultural districts such as Kensington Market, creating a balanced academic and cultural experience.

Why it stands out: You study selected university-level subjects at the University of Toronto while combining small-group academic teaching with iconic city excursions and a global student community in one of Canada’s leading academic and cultural centres.

3. University of Toronto: Medicine Youth Summer Program

Location: University of Toronto, St. George campus, Toronto, ON
Cost/Stipend: C$1,688 (~$1,223) per module / None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple week-long modules from July to August
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Canadian & international high school students in grades 10-12; Module 4 is also open to 9th graders

The University of Toronto’s Medicine Youth Summer Program is a one-week academic experience that introduces you to university-level medical science through hands-on labs and guided discussions at U of T’s Medical Sciences Building. You choose one focused module – Human Physiology, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Molecular Biology & Genetics, or Microbiology – and spend the week working through experiments that mirror real medical and biomedical research.

Depending on the track, you might measure lung function and reflexes, analyze how drugs move through the body, perform DNA fingerprinting in a mock forensic investigation, or study bacteria, viruses, and antibiotic resistance. Across all modules, you practice data collection, analysis, and scientific reasoning in a lab setting. The program emphasizes how foundational science connects to diagnosis, treatment, and public health. 

Why it stands out: Offers immersive, week-long exposure to medical science labs and techniques, giving students a practical understanding of different healthcare fields.

4. Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute Students Internship

Location: Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, ON
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: March session: March 16-20 | Summer session: June 29th – August 21st
Application Deadline: March session: January 9th | Summer session: Typically, April
Eligibility: Grade 11-12 students (16+) worldwide who have completed (or are currently taking) grade 11 Biology and Chemistry

The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute Student Internship places you inside active biomedical research labs at Mount Sinai Hospital, where you work alongside scientists on real experimental work. Open to Grade 11 and 12 students with a background in biology and chemistry, the program lets you observe and assist with ongoing research in areas such as molecular biology, genetics, and biomedical science.

You gain hands-on exposure to core lab techniques, experimental design, and day-to-day research workflows used in hospital-based science. You can participate either through an intensive one-week March Break placement or an eight-week full-time summer internship for deeper lab involvement. The experience is designed to help you understand how biomedical research translates from lab experiments to real-world medical impact.

Why it stands out: Gives high school students early, meaningful access to active biomedical research labs, developing both technical skills and scientific insight.

5. WISEST Summer Research Program – University of Alberta

Location: University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Paid; exact amount not listed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 40 students
Dates: July 2nd – August 13th
Application Deadline: April 1st
Eligibility: Open to Grade 11 students from Alberta (heading into Grade 12 the next school year)

The WISEST Summer Research Program is a six-week, paid internship that places high school students within real research teams at the University of Alberta. You work alongside faculty, graduate students, and researchers on hands-on projects in science, engineering, or technology, which may involve lab work, computational research, fieldwork, or data analysis, depending on your placement. Research topics vary each year and can span areas such as biology, engineering, environmental science, computing, or applied industry research.

Alongside your research placement, you participate in weekly professional development sessions, including skill-building workshops, career talks, and Lunch n’ Learns focused on research communication and academic pathways. The program concludes with a Celebration of Research, where you present a formal research poster and gain experience explaining your work in a professional setting.

Why it stands out: Combines STEM research with professional skill development and mentorship, offering paid, interdisciplinary projects in labs and fieldwork.

6. Science Unlimited Summer Camp

Location: University of Toronto’s St George Campus
Cost/Stipend: C$300 (~$218) / None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students
Dates: August 18-22 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Application Deadline: April 15th (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students all over the world who have completed Grade 10 or Grade 11 by the beginning of the camp

Science Unlimited is one of the most accessible summer programs in Canada for high school students, offering a one-week introduction to university-level science at the University of Toronto. Students rotate through hands-on workshops in physics, astronomy, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, earth sciences, and environmental studies.

Each workshop is led by faculty members and researchers who guide you through experiments, demonstrations, and problem-solving activities. The program emphasizes how scientific concepts are explored, tested, and applied in a research university setting. By the end of the week, you will gain a clearer understanding of different science fields and how undergraduate science is structured at a top university.

Why it stands out: Provides hands-on exploration across multiple science disciplines, letting students experience university-level experiments and collaborative research.

7. University of Toronto: Summer Psychology Research Initiative (SPRINT)

Location: University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 57 high school participants (40 Research Stream and 17 Lecture Stream)
Dates: July 14-25 (tentative)
Application Deadline: Opens sometime between April and May, tentatively
Eligibility: High school students studying in Ontario; however, 11th to 12th graders are preferred. Applicants who identify as Black, Indigenous, PoC, or belong to other underrepresented groups are prioritized

SPRINT is a free, ten-day summer program that introduces you to psychology as a scientific discipline through lectures, workshops, and direct interaction with University of Toronto researchers. You explore core areas such as cognitive science, social psychology, mental health, and neuropsychology, depending on the stream you are placed in. If selected for the Research Stream, you work closely with undergraduate and graduate mentors to learn research design, hypothesis development, and proposal writing.

Throughout the program, you practice skills like literature review, experimental reasoning, and scientific communication through collaborative, psychology-focused activities. SPRINT is designed to give you early exposure to academic psychology and help you understand what studying and conducting research in psychology looks like at the university level.

Why it stands out: Free, university-backed program that introduces you to psychology as a research discipline, with direct exposure to real academic methods and mentorship.

8. Focused Ultrasound High School Summer Research Program

Location: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~25 students
Dates: Starts on July 6th (tentative)
Application Deadline: February 13th
Eligibility: High school students; 16+ by July 1st; Strong academic performance in math and sciences | Legally authorized to work in Canada

The Focused Ultrasound High School Summer Research Program places you inside an active biomedical engineering research lab working on focused ultrasound (FUS) technologies for non-invasive medical treatments. You’ll support ongoing research that combines acoustic physics, biomedical engineering, imaging, and signal analysis, assisting with experiments, data interpretation, and testing of therapeutic ultrasound systems.

Throughout the internship, you gain hands-on exposure to how physics-based technologies are designed, evaluated, and applied in real medical research settings. The program emphasizes meaningful lab involvement, allowing you to see how engineering, biology, and physics intersect in medical device development. This experience is designed to help you explore future pathways in biomedical engineering, applied physics, or medical technology research.

Why it stands out: Direct access to hands-on biomedical engineering research using focused ultrasound—an advanced medical technology rarely accessible to high school students.

9. Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)

Location: University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~100 students
Dates: 4 weeks in July
Application Deadline: Application opens in December
Eligibility: Open to Grade 10–11 students, who must self-identify as Black. Must be a resident or student of a high school in Ontario

The Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) is a four-week immersive experience for Black and Indigenous high school students, hosted by the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine. You will engage in hands-on labs, lectures, mentorship programs, and career exploration across fields like medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, public health, and kinesiology.

Ontario students can earn a Grade 12 university/college science credit (SNC4M) while gaining real-world exposure to health science careers. You will be paired with university mentors and take part in observerships to shadow professionals in clinical and hospital settings. The program also develops academic, communication, and professional skills to prepare participants for future health science studies.

Why it stands out: Provides paid, hands-on exposure to diverse health careers with mentorship and a high school science credit.

10. GeoX Summer Camp – University of Waterloo

Location: University of Waterloo, Faculty of Science, Waterloo, ON
Cost/Stipend: C$700 (~$507) plus HST / None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students
Dates: August 9-15
Application Deadline: Application opens in January
Eligibility: High school students worldwide entering Grades 11 or 12 in September

GeoX is a one-week immersive summer camp for high school students interested in Earth and Environmental Sciences. Hosted by the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Science, the program combines hands-on lab work, field trips, and interactive activities like rock and fossil analysis, soil and water sampling, and geological mapping.

You will explore active research sites, including an operating mine, while learning from faculty and current university students. Campers stay on campus, gaining insight into university life and the geoscience field. The program also offers eligibility for a $1,000 entrance scholarship if you later enroll in a Waterloo science program.

Why it stands out: Offers hands-on geoscience experience, including fieldwork at real research sites and exposure to university-level labs.

11. McGill Summer Academy

Location: McGill University Downtown Campus, Montreal, Quebec
Cost/Stipend: C$5,500 (~$3,986) / None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students into each stream for each session
Dates: Session 1: July 5-18, Session 2: July 19th – August 1st
Application Deadline: March 22nd
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 10 and 11 (For students in Quebec: Sec IV and Sec V)

The McGill Summer Academy is a two-week pre-university program in Montreal designed for high school students entering grades 11 or 12. You can choose between two streams: Neuroscience & Health Sciences or Global Citizenship & Migration. The program combines faculty-led lectures, interactive simulations, and collaborative projects to help students explore real-world challenges and strengthen research, communication, and critical-thinking skills.

Outside the classroom, students experience Montreal’s multicultural neighborhoods, campus spaces, and summer events, providing cultural and social enrichment. Overall, the program offers a comprehensive introduction to university-level academics while encouraging peer interaction and global awareness.

Why it stands out: Offers hands-on academic learning alongside cultural immersion, giving students both intellectual and global perspectives.

12. Government of Canada Youth Leadership and Cultural Programs

Location: Nationwide
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on the program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies based on the program
Dates: Programs run year-round with seasonal cohorts or rolling participation
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by program
Eligibility: Open to Canadian youth aged 12-18 years; specific age and grade requirements vary by program

The Government of Canada Youth Leadership and Cultural Programs provide high school students with opportunities to develop leadership, teamwork, and civic engagement skills. Programs include the Cadet Program, Junior Canadian Rangers, and Youth Exchanges Canada, each combining hands-on training, cultural immersion, and community service.

You will gain practical skills such as survival training, first aid, project planning, and cross-cultural communication. Many programs also offer language immersion and work experiences, giving students exposure to different Canadian communities and cultures. Overall, these programs empower youth to engage in public service, explore Canada, and build personal and professional skills.

Why it stands out: Combines leadership development, cultural exchange, and community engagement in diverse, hands-on settings.

13. DEEP Summer Academy

Location: University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON
Cost/Stipend: C$725 (~$525) /week for domestic students; C$1,100 (~797)/week for international students; Financial aid may be available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive admission
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions in July. Check details here
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12; Must have strong performance in science and math; International students can apply

DEEP Summer Academy is a hands-on engineering program for high school students offered by U of T’s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. You’ll explore advanced topics like robotics, data science, biomedical engineering, and cybersecurity through lectures, lab sessions, and group research projects.

The program emphasizes real-world problem-solving, rapid prototyping, algorithm development, and analytical reasoning. Courses are taught by graduate students and industry mentors, giving insight into university-level engineering pathways. You will gain early exposure to research-based STEM education and the mindset of professional engineers.

Why it stands out: Provides high school students with hands-on, university-level engineering experience across multiple cutting-edge disciplines.

14. Youth Summer Program (Law) – University of Toronto

Location: University of Toronto, ON
Cost/Stipend: C$1,175 (~$852) / Not paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited
Dates: Based on the module. You can check dates here
Application Deadline: Application opens in February
Eligibility: Students around the world in grades 10-12

The University of Toronto Youth Summer Program (Law) gives high school students a structured introduction to legal study through one-week, topic-based modules taught at the Faculty of Law. You explore areas such as criminal law, corporate law, international law, social justice, and law, AI & technology, while learning how legal reasoning and advocacy work in practice.

The program combines interactive classes, case discussions, simulations, and field trips to help you understand how legal systems operate in real-world contexts. You also attend career talks with legal professionals, gaining insight into law school pathways and legal careers in Canada and beyond. The experience offers a realistic preview of law school learning while helping you decide whether studying law aligns with your interests.

Why it stands out: Immerses students in Canadian and international law through practical modules, interactive sessions, and exposure to legal professionals.

15. AUArts Pre-College Program – Alberta University of the Arts

Location: Alberta University of the Arts, Calgary, AB
Cost/Stipend: C$2,875 (~$2,080) for domestic students, C$3,640 (~$2,635) for international students (Early birds discounts available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited space
Dates: July 7th – August 1st
Application Deadline: June 6th
Eligibility: Domestic high school students

The AUArts Pre-College Program is a four-week, intensive summer experience designed for high school students interested in visual arts and design. You take part in university-level studio courses taught by professional artists, working with a range of media while learning foundational studio practices. A strong focus of the program is portfolio development, supported through critiques, hands-on projects, and guided experimentation.

The curriculum mirrors a first-year studio elective, allowing you to earn three university credits while gaining insight into the expectations of post-secondary art education. The program concludes with a final exhibition, giving you experience in presenting your work in a formal academic setting.

Why it stands out: Offers a university-level studio experience with mentorship, portfolio development, and real-world artistic practice.

Seeing Education Through a Global Lens

Experiencing education in a new country changes how you view learning, independence, and personal growth. It helps you understand how academic systems and cultures intersect worldwide.

The summer programs in Canada for high school students highlighted here offer structured learning, university exposure, and hands-on experiences within a globally respected education system.

By studying alongside diverse peers, engaging with expert instructors, and navigating new environments, students develop confidence, adaptability, and clearer academic direction.

If you are curious about taking your learning further, explore our Study Abroad blogs to discover destinations, programmes, and insights that can shape your next global academic step.