A look at leading STEM summer programmes in India and abroad

As high school students begin to consider college applications, summer breaks are spent either exploring or building on an area of interest. Let’s take a look at leading STEM programmes in India and abroad.

India

Ashoka Young Scholars Programme (YSP)

Ashoka University, Sonipat

A structured pre-college programme offering university-level exposure through interactive courses. Two tracks – Innovators on Science and Tech and Tech, Data, and Computer Science – encourage scientific thinking along with other multidisciplinary courses. Best suited for students seeking academic depth, discussion-based learning, and exposure to a top Indian university environment.

Dates: May 18 to 29 and June 1 to 12

Deadline: Early/scholarship consideration by March 8, final deadline in late April

Fees: ₹85,000 + GST (financial aid available)

YTS+

Plaksha University, Mohali

Earlier called Young Technology Scholars, YTS+ is a hands-on STEM programme focused on Technology, Engineering, AI, and Design Thinking. Students work in teams on real-world problems under faculty mentorship. Best suited for those interested in Engineering, Computer Science, and Applied Technology.

Dates: May 24 to June 7

Deadline: Round 1 is February 22, Round 2 is March 29

Fees: ₹105,000 + GST (scholarships available)

Symbiosis Summer School

Symbiosis International University, Pune

A two-week structured exploratory programme offering various academic disciplines, campus exposure, and certification. Meant for students interested in understanding their unique strengths through Symbiosis’ Strong Interest Inventory and getting clarity and confidence in their academic choices.

Dates: May 18 to 30 and June 1 to 13

Deadline: Usually March

Fees: ₹45,000 (varies depending on the track)

Global programmes

Wharton Global Youth Programme

MTSI, the U.S.

This highly rigorous and selective course introduces students to the knowledge necessary to develop concepts and skills linking Management and Technology and is taught by professors from Wharton and Penn Engineering. This is best suited for students curious about techpreneurship.

Dates: July 5 to 25

Deadline: March 25

Fees: $9,000

Berkeley M.E.T. Innovation Academy

University of California-Berkeley, the U.S.

Berkeley METia is a hands-on summer programme that explores the junction of Management and Technology. Offered by the College of Engineering and Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley, it aims to launch ambitious innovators and is best suited for students with a passion for Science and a drive to find solutions to problems through hands-on experience.

Dates: June 21 to July 8

Deadline: March 24

Fees: $ 10,499

Johns Hopkins Pre-College Programmes

Johns Hopkins University, The U.S.

Two-week college-level STEM courses in areas like Data Science, Bioengineering, AI, and research fundamentals with flexible on-campus and online options. This is best suited to students wanting authentic university coursework and flexibility.

Dates: June 22 to July 3; July 6 to 17; and July 20 to 31

Deadline: March 10 and rolling thereafter

Fees: $6,140 (on-campus) and $1,950 (online)

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes

Online

A range of courses including Computer Science, Business, Math, Engineering, and Biosciences for students interested in deep and intense study with motivated peers.

Dates: June 15 to 26; July 6 to 17; and July 20 to 31

Deadline: March 13

Fees: $3,200

Tufts Pre-College Programmes

Tufts University, the U.S.

Various courses in Maths, Computer Science, Engineering, and Sciences. Meant for those seeking high academic rigour and flexibility of courses.

Dates: June 22 to 26; July 5 to 17; and July 19 to 31 based on the course

Deadline: May 1 (Application); June 1 (Enrollment)

Fees: Varies by course

With inputs from Eeva Pachhapur

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

Published – February 15, 2026 08:00 am IST