Summer school rankings

Best Design summer schools

Compare 8 verified design summer schools. The average estimated cost is ₹1,40,698, with selectivity ranging from Open to Highly Competitive.

Verified programs8

Average cost₹1,40,698

SelectivityOpen to Highly Competitive

Strong transparency8

#1 Silver trust tier

RISD Pre-College

Rhode Island School of Design - RISD / Providence, Rhode Island or online

Best for

Students seriously exploring art, design, and studio critique.

Design / Creative International possible $12,495

Portfolio outputStudio project portfolio and critique experience

RISD Pre-College Summer School Official page

#2 Silver trust tier

Iowa Young Writers' Studio

University of Iowa - University of Iowa or online

Best for

Students who want serious creative writing workshop structure and voice development.

Writing / Communication International possible Need to verify

Portfolio outputRevised writing portfolio and workshop feedback

Iowa Young Writers' Studio Summer School Official page

#3 Gold trust tier

Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Architecture

Carnegie Mellon University - Carnegie Mellon University / Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Best for

Students seriously considering architecture and studio culture.

Design / Creative International possible Need to verify

Portfolio outputArchitecture studio work and critique experience

Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Architecture Summer School Official page

#4 Silver trust tier

Wharton Product Design Academy

Wharton Global Youth Program - Wharton / Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Best for

Students interested in design thinking, user needs, CAD, fabrication, and product prototyping.

Design / Creative International possible Need to verify for next cycle

Portfolio outputPhysical product prototype and design process evidence

Wharton Product Design Academy Summer School Official page

#5 Silver trust tier

NYU Tisch High School Programs

NYU Tisch School of the Arts - NYU Tisch / New York or online

Best for

Students serious about film, storytelling, Tisch-style creative work, and college-credit options.

Design / Creative International possible Need to verify by track

Portfolio outputShort film/music video work and creative portfolio evidence

NYU Tisch High School Programs Summer School Official page

#6 Gold trust tier

NextGen@IITB Summer School

IIT Bombay Educational Outreach - IIT Bombay / Mumbai, Maharashtra

Best for

Students who want a compact IIT campus exposure across AI, robotics, makerspace work, biosciences, bioengineering, design thinking, and innovation.

STEM / AI / Engineering In-person anywhere in India ₹82,600

Portfolio outputIIT-B EO certificate of participation, reflection/showcase material, and clearer STEM direction

NextGen@IITB Summer School Summer School Official page

#7 Gold trust tier

Design Thinking for Young Minds

IIT Bombay Educational Outreach - IIT Bombay / Mumbai, Maharashtra

Best for

Students interested in design, UX, product thinking, architecture, animation, fashion, making, storytelling, or creative problem-solving.

Design / Creative In-person anywhere in India ₹5,900

Portfolio outputSimple prototype, team presentation, and design-thinking reflection

Design Thinking for Young Minds Summer School Official page

#8 Gold trust tier

IIT Madras School Connect Certificate Courses

IIT Madras CODE - Online through partner schools

Best for

Students in Classes X-XII whose schools partner with IIT Madras and who want structured online exposure to career-oriented fields.

STEM / AI / Engineering Online Need to verify through partner school/IITM School Connect

Portfolio outputIIT Madras CODE e-certificate after successful assignments and final exam

IIT Madras School Connect Certificate Courses Summer School Official page