Berkeley Pre-College Scholars

Berkeley Pre-College Scholars is part of Berkeley Summer Sessions and allows high school students to take UC Berkeley undergraduate courses for university credit. Participants can choose from hundreds of lower-division courses offered over the summer in six- or eight-week sessions, and some courses are also available online. The program also offers activities, workshops, excursions, and other events, and students can explore campus, connect with professors, and learn college application tips.

• Schedule: Six- or eight-week sessions, with additional three-, six-, eight-, ten-, and twelve-week options in 2026

Berkeley Summer Sessions states that it is dedicated to providing high-quality, innovative education to a diverse community of learners. Berkeley Summer Sessions welcomes high school students from all over the world to take Berkeley undergraduate courses through the Pre-College Scholars program, and each summer it welcomes students from all over the world to be part of its global community. High school students in this program can also participate in the embARC Summer Design Academy offered through the College of Environmental Design, and they can choose from more than 600 courses, minors, certificates, and special summer programs, including options to earn a minor or certificate in one summer, sharpen language skills, take a summer intensive, complete major requirements before the fall, or study topics related to California and local issues. Students learn from UC Berkeley faculty and study alongside students from around the world, and online courses allow access to a Berkeley summer from anywhere in the world.

Application steps for Berkeley Summer Sessions include determining student type, exploring courses, applying beginning in February, and then following email instructions to enroll. The Summer Sessions Help Center provides information on topics such as applying, course and enrollment policies, international student requirements, finances, and student resources, and it includes how-to guides, process logistics, and tips. Students can contact Summer Sessions via email or meet with advisers virtually and in person, and safety and emergency contacts, a campus safety brochure, and preparation tips before and after arrival are available.

Former Summer Sessions students describe enthusiastic discussions among classmates, professors who explain complex concepts in an approachable way, and classes that feel welcoming, and one student notes gaining broader knowledge of resources offered by UC Berkeley. Another student reports choosing Summer Sessions at UC Berkeley to experience different lifestyles and learn with students from around the world.

Last updated March 22, 2026.