The Harvard Summer School experience offers courses taught by Harvard professors and visiting scholars during the summer months in Boston, Massachusetts.  

Study at Harvard Summer School to experience Harvard faculty and industry experts dedicated to helping you expand your skills and sparking intellectual curiosity, a rigorous & inclusive learning environment filled with rich interactions, an intensive curriculum designed to be completed in a shorter summer session than a fall or spring semester, an international network of peers like you—driven, curious, and committed to growth and access to Harvard’s renowned libraries, museums, and computer labs.

Through UQ's cooperative agreement with Harvard Summer School, nominated UQ students are eligible for exclusive networking opportunities, dedicated enrollment support, and a tuition discount.

Fields of study

  • Anthropology
  • Business
  • Computer Science
  • Creative Writing
  • Dramatic Arts
  • Economics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Studies
  • History
  • Humanities
  • Information Technology
  • Journalism
  • Leadership and Management
  • Law
  • Legal Studies
  • Mathematics
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

More information regarding specific courses available can be found on the HSS websiteUQ students attending in-person can only undertake courses offered in On Campus mode in order to meet visa requirements. 

Postgraduate students should be aware that if you are wanting to take the course for credit, you will need to ensure you have registered for the appropriate 'credit status' with Harvard Summer School. 

    *Applicants are advised to submit 2-3 courses on their application for credit form for faculty assessment credit in case of course cancellation. 

    Credit equivalent

    4 Credits = 2 UQ Units. Maximum of 4 UQ Units upon successful completion of 8 Credits (pending UQ faculty approval).

    Students wishing to receive credit for any Harvard Summer School course will need to provide a full course syllabus in their Global Experiences application. If a current course syllabus is not available, please provide a copy of the most recent syllabus (from Summer School 2024) or contact Harvard Summer School directly. Your Global Experiences application will not be assessed without a full course syllabus. 

    Visa Information

    It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As the Global Experiences team is not a visa-issuing authority we cannot provide visa advice.

    Please review the host university webpage for visa and immigration information.

    Eligibility

    All applicants must meet the UQ short-term experience eligibility criteria and the Harvard entry requirements. Non-native speakers of English should note the additional English language proficiency requirements prior to applying.  

    The 7-week, 4-week session, 3-week Session 2 and 3-week Session 1& 2  impact on UQ Semester 2 dates. UQ students must meet the additional special conditions for programs that impact on teaching dates. 

    Application

    You must apply to UQ before submitting an application to Harvard Summer School (HSS). 

    • Once the Global Experiences Team deems your application eligible, we will nominate you to HSS
    • You will then receive an email with instructions to create your 'MyDC Account' and submit application documents.
    • See the Important Dates Tab for more details

    If you are intending to undertake your experience for-credit, it is strongly recommended that you submit your application to IGET at least 4 weeks before applying to the host to allow sufficient time for Faculty to complete the credit assessment. Please note however that it is your responsibility to meet the host application deadline.  

    Apply to UQ   Apply to host

    *Please note that Harvard Summer School registration begins in early March. 

    See below the key dates to ensure your application is successful.

    Important Dates and Information
    Mid-JanuaryHarvard Summer School course list available
    Within 1 week of UQ application being deemed eligibleUQ nominates students to HSS
    As soon as possible
    (January to 3 April)
    Nominated students complete the following:
    1. Create a MyDCE account
    2. Submit proof of English proficiency (if native language is not English)
    3. Pre-Registration (opens mid-February): Confirm biographical and contact information
    26 February(Optional) Deadline for I-20 “fast track” processing
    UQ strongly recommends students aim for this deadline
    Early MarchCourse Registration begins
    Early MarchHousing request period begins
    1 AprilFinal date for student nominations
    15 AprilFinal Deadline for nominated students to complete the following:
    1. Fully register in an I-20-eligible course load
    2. Submit I-20 Questionnaire and all supporting documentation, including financial statements
    3. Have all DCE accounts paid in full (tuition, housing, etc.)
    4. Meet immunization requirements

     

    Costs

    The participation mode of this experience is Study Abroad. Program tuition is approximately $5,650 AUD per 4 Harvard credit course. This fee estimate already included the 10% tuition discount for UQ students. More information regarding program fees can be found on the host university website.

    Note: If you apply directly to Harvard Summer School without support from UQ's Global Experiences team, you will not be eligible for the tuition discount.

    Accommodation

    Accommodation can be arranged as part of the program for an additional cost. For more information regarding accommodation, please see the host university website

    Funding

    Internships and Global Experiences Grants

    When you submit your application for an experience, you are automatically considered for funding that is relevant to your nominated experience. Please refer to the Short-Term Experiences Funding  page for details. 

    OS-HELP Loan

    You may also be eligible to submit an application for an OS-HELP loan if your program is for-credit and you are enrolled as a Commonwealth-supported student.

     

    Student Testimonials

    Owen - Harvard Summer School

    Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Winter 2023

    The experience pushed me academically, especially the fast-paced environment that I was subject to (completing a subject in three weeks).

     

     

      Andre - Harvard Summer School 

        Master of Business Administration, Winter 2023

     

     

     

     

     Patrick -Harvard Summer   School 

      Master of Business Administration, Winter 2023

    Key Dates

    Application Deadlines

    UQ: 30 March 2025
    Host: 03 April 2025

    Note: as course registrations open early March and fill quickly, it is recommended to apply early.

    Program Dates
    7-week Session*
    • Start Date: 23 June 2025
    • End Date: 08 August 2025
    3-week Session 1
    • Start Date: 23 June 2025
    • End Date: 10 July 2025
    3-week Session 2*
    • Start Date: 14 July 2025
    • End Date: 31 July 2025
    3-week Session 1 & 2*
    • Start Date: 23 June 2025
    • End Date: 31 July 2025

    4-week Session*

    • Start Date: 14 July 2025
    • End Date: 08 August 2025

    *For-credit only as dates impact on UQ Semester 2

    Fast Facts

    Type: Study
    Mode: Study abroad
    Location: Boston, USA
    Credit: For-credit and not-for-credit
    Cohort: Undergraduate, Postgraduate 

    OS-HELP Loan

    If you participate in a short-term program you may also be eligible to submit an application for an OS-HELP loan if your program is for-credit and you are enrolled as a Commonwealth-supported student. 

    Application Deadlines

    15 January for overseas study commencing March to August
    15 March for overseas study commencing May to October
    15 June for overseas study commencing August to January
    15 September for overseas study commencing November to April

    OS-HELP Loan application deadlines close before the Summer and Winter Short-Term Study application deadlines. Please visit the OS-HELP Loan website for deadline dates as late applications will not be accepted.

    Global Experiences Information Sessions

    Students are encouraged to register and attend an information session to receive more details on the short-term application process, eligibility criteria, funding etc.

    Register