A guide to the top non-STEM summer programmes

As high-school students apply to college, summer holidays become thoughtful breaks spent either exploring or building on an area of interest. India and countries abroad offer opportunities for students to explore subjects and careers. Let’s take a look at what’s on offer.

India

Ashoka Young Scholars Programme: A liberal arts programme that helps students explore life at a university, this offers various pathways including Economics, Policy, Psychology, Leadership, Science, Technology and Data Science. Conducted through discussions, readings, writing, and projects, students work closely with professors, think critically about real-world issues, and engage with others who are equally curious and motivated.

Eligibility: Classes 9-12

Fees: ₹49,500-85,000 + GST

Dates: May 18-29 and June 1-12

Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC): Introduces high school students to Law, Public Policy, and civic engagement in the Indian context. Through case studies, discussions, and hands-on projects, the programme builds awareness of social issues while encouraging critical thinking, leadership, and a sense of responsibility toward society.

Eligibility: Classes 9-12

Dates: June 7-14

Fees: ₹14,000

FLAME Summer Immersion: Gives high school students an introduction to liberal arts education and interdisciplinary learning. Students explore subjects across the Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences, and Arts through interactive classes, discussions, and projects.

Eligibility: Classes 9-12

Fees: ₹50,000

Dates:: May 18-27 and June 29-July 8

Indian School of Design & Innovation: Introduces high school students to the world of design through hands-on, studio-based learning. Students can explore areas such as Visual Communication, Fashion, Interior/Product Design with a focus on experimentation, concept development, and building a design mindset.

Eligibility: Classes 9-12

Fees: ₹53,100

Dates: May 19-29; June 2-12; and June 23-July 3

Abroad

LaunchX Summer Programme, the U.S.: Founded by MIT, it introduces high-school students to entrepreneurship by guiding them to build a real startup from idea to execution. Students work in teams to identify problems, develop solutions, validate them with users, and pitch their ventures, all while being mentored by entrepreneurs and industry experts.

Eligibility: Between 14 and 18 years

Fees: $4,495

Dates: June-July

LSE Summer School, the U.K.: Gives high school students exposure to university-level learning in Economics, Politics, Law, and the Social Sciences. Lectures and seminars are taught by LSE faculty and students engage with real-world issues through academic theory, discussion, and case studies.

Eligibility: Between 14 and 18 years

Fees: £4,450

Dates: June 22-July 10; July 13-31; and August 3-21

NYU Pre College, the U.S.: Students take credit-bearing or non-credit courses taught by NYU faculty, live on campus (in some formats), and learn alongside students from all over the world. This programme offers a realistic introduction to academic rigour, independence, and learning.

Eligibility: Class 11 or 12

Fees: $700-16,000

Dates: July 1 to August 12

King’s Summer Programme, the U.K.: Offers high-school students an introduction to university-level study in areas such as Law, Medicine, Psychology, International Relations, and the Sciences. Through lectures, seminars, and interactive sessions, students explore how academic theory connects to real-world issues.

Eligibility: Between 16 and 17 years

Fees: £3,195-9,375

Dates: July 6-10; July 13-17; July 20-24; and July 27-31

Sciences Po Summer Programme, France: For high-school students interested in Political Science, International Relations, Law, and Public Policy. Students get to learn about contemporary issues such as governance, human rights, and global diplomacy while learning how social science frameworks are applied to real-world problems.

Eligibility: Students who will be in secondary school in Fall 2026.

Dates: July 4-21

Fees: €6000

Parsons Paris Summer Programme, France: For students interested in design, fashion, and creative thinking to explore areas such as fashion design, visual communication, and creative practice while learning how designers research ideas, develop concepts, and respond to cultural contexts.

Eligibility: Between 16 and 18 years

Dates: June 27-July 18

Fees: $9,999

With inputs from Kritika Malhotra

The writer is the founder and CEO of Inomi Learning, Gurugram. Email: info@inomi.in

Published – March 15, 2026 10:00 am IST