Choosing a summer school in Europe is about more than just picking a course. It’s a chance to spend a few weeks learning in a new environment, meeting people from around the world, and experiencing a different way of living and studying.
This guide brings together a range of European summer schools that are particularly popular with undergraduate students, but not limited to them. Some programmes suit those early in their studies, others work well for recent graduates or anyone looking to explore a subject in a focused, short-term setting.
The aim here is to give you a clear sense of what each option is really like, so you can find a summer experience that fits your interests, your goals, and how you want to spend your time in Europe.
Utrecht Summer School (Netherlands)
Utrecht Summer School is one of the biggest and most established summer programmes in Europe, with courses running across humanities, sciences, business, law, languages, and more. Every summer, thousands of international students pass through the city, which gives the whole programme a lively, university-wide feel rather than the sense of a small, self-contained course.
It works particularly well for students who want real academic choice. Many of the courses are built for current undergraduate students and are taught at bachelor’s level, often with the option to earn academic credit.
The structure feels familiar if you’re used to university study, with clearly defined modules and coursework, rather than something that leans heavily on networking or lifestyle experiences.
Because Utrecht sits right in the centre of the Netherlands, it also works well as a base for travel. Weekend trips to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or even neighbouring countries are straightforward, which makes it easier to combine focused study with the kind of travel many students hope for from a European summer.
IE University Summer School (Madrid, Spain)
IE University Summer School is built with undergraduates firmly in mind, offering flexible two-week modules across business, technology, humanities, and entrepreneurship. The format makes it easy to combine subjects, which suits students who want to explore more than one interest without committing to a long programme.
The experience is noticeably career-oriented. Classes are fast-paced and highly interactive, with a strong emphasis on discussion, group work, and presentations. This tends to suit students who are comfortable speaking up and want to sharpen practical skills alongside academic learning, rather than sitting through lecture-heavy sessions.
Outside the classroom, Madrid plays a big role in shaping the experience. The city’s energy, food culture, and social life add an extra layer to the summer, making it especially appealing for first-time summer school students who want a balance between structured study and an active social scene.
HEC Paris Summer School (France)
HEC Paris Summer School offers intensive programmes in areas such as data science, strategic marketing, entrepreneurship, and leadership, and attracts a genuinely international cohort.
While undergraduates can apply, it generally suits students who have already completed at least a year of university study and are comfortable with a more demanding academic environment.
This option works best for students who already feel confident with business fundamentals and want to build deeper, more specific skills. Classes are rigorous, and discussions tend to reflect the presence of recent graduates and early-career professionals in the room.
That can raise the level of conversation and challenge your thinking, but it also means the experience is less introductory than some other summer schools.
HEC’s reputation is a significant part of its appeal. For students who are conscious of how their summer choices appear on a CV, it offers a programme that signals focus, ambition, and academic seriousness.
University of Cambridge Summer Programmes (UK)
Cambridge’s summer programmes are a good fit for students who already have a clear sense of what they want to study and are looking to spend a few weeks going deeper into a subject, rather than sampling lots of different areas. Some courses are selective and expect prior university study, which helps keep the focus firmly academic.
Depending on the subject, the teaching can feel closer to upper-level undergraduate work, with an emphasis on critical reading, discussion, and independent thought. It’s less about ticking boxes and more about spending time engaging seriously with ideas, which tends to appeal to students who enjoy a quieter, more reflective pace.
A large part of the experience comes from being in Cambridge itself. Daily life unfolds across historic colleges, courtyards, and libraries, with opportunities to drop into public lectures, explore student societies, or simply spend time reading and talking with classmates in informal settings. For many students, that sense of immersion is as memorable as the course content.
European Summer School Prague (Charles University, Czech Republic)
European Summer School Prague sits comfortably at the intersection of study and cultural experience. Run through Charles University, it offers a wide mix of academic, language, and culture-focused courses that tend to attract a large undergraduate audience each summer.
It’s particularly appealing if you’re interested in Central Europe and want your learning to extend beyond the classroom. Many students combine language study with broader European or area-focused subjects, which makes the experience feel well rounded without being overly intense.
Prague itself plays a big role in shaping the summer. The city is easy to explore, rich in history, and generally more affordable than many Western European destinations. That combination makes it a practical choice for students who want strong academic content alongside everyday cultural immersion, without the higher costs often associated with larger capital cities.
Sciences Po Summer Schools (France)
Sciences Po’s summer school is a natural fit for students drawn to politics, policy, and international affairs. The courses focus on social sciences and contemporary global issues, and they tend to attract undergraduates who enjoy keeping up with current events and questioning how the world works.
The teaching leans heavily on discussion and analysis, so it suits students who like to engage, debate, and test ideas rather than sit back and take notes. Classes often connect directly to real-world developments, which keeps the content feeling relevant and grounded rather than theoretical.
Being based in Paris adds another layer to the experience. Beyond lectures, students have easy access to museums, think tanks, political institutions, and public events that naturally complement what’s being discussed in class. For many, that mix of academic focus and everyday exposure to global culture is what makes the programme particularly compelling.
EU Business School International Summer School (Barcelona & Swiss campuses)
EU Business School’s summer programmes are geared toward students who want a practical introduction to business rather than a heavily academic deep dive. The courses cover core business themes and are taught in an applied way, often supported by company visits and real-world examples that help concepts feel tangible.
Because the summer school welcomes a mixed group of participants, including pre-university students, undergraduates, and early-career professionals, the classroom dynamic is broader than at some traditional university programmes.
For some students, that variety is a plus, offering different perspectives and a less pressurised environment. For others, especially those looking for a more academically focused peer group, it may feel less specialised.
Location plays a role too. Whether based in Barcelona or on one of the Swiss campuses, the setting adds an international, outward-looking feel to the experience, making it a good fit for students who want to ease into business studies while still enjoying a social, city-based summer.
EHL Junior Academy (Switzerland)
EHL Junior Academy sits slightly outside the traditional undergraduate summer school model, but it earns its place here because of how clearly it speaks to students considering hospitality, business, or luxury careers.
Run on EHL’s Lausanne campus, the programme offers a short, intensive introduction to the kind of thinking, teamwork, and professionalism that define hospitality education at a top level.
The experience is deliberately hands-on. Over one to three weeks, students take part in interactive workshops covering hospitality business fundamentals, professional skills, and introductory culinary concepts, alongside excursions and structured social activities.
Rather than focusing on academic theory, the emphasis is on collaboration, communication, and understanding how hospitality works in practice. That makes it especially useful for students who want to “test-drive” the field before committing to a full degree.
While the Junior Academy is technically pre-university and aimed at students aged around 16 and up, it often attracts high-achieving students who are already thinking ahead.
For those who find the experience resonates, EHL’s Pre-University Course provides a natural next step, offering a deeper, more structured bridge into undergraduate study. Set in a scenic, international environment, the programme gives students a realistic sense of both campus life and the expectations that come with studying hospitality at EHL.
Kedge International Summer School (France)
KEDGE International Summer School offers business and management courses designed with undergraduates in mind, often with the option to earn academic credit. Programmes run across locations such as Paris and the French coast, which gives the summer a sense of variety rather than feeling tied to a single campus.
It’s a good fit for students who want their summer to balance coursework with a social and cultural experience. The structure tends to appeal to exchange students and those already studying business in Europe, as it’s relatively easy to slot into an existing degree without feeling overwhelmed.
Beyond classes, organised activities and excursions make it straightforward to explore the surrounding area and connect with other students. For many participants, that mix of structured learning and built-in opportunities to travel and socialise is what makes KEDGE an appealing summer option.
International Summer University Kassel (Germany)
International Summer University Kassel is a good match for undergraduates who are interested in sustainability, environmental issues, and socially focused fields of study. The short-term courses combine academic content with a practical lens, covering topics such as environmental science alongside German language, culture, and intercultural exchange.
What sets Kassel apart is its applied approach. Many courses include project work and collaborative tasks, which means learning often happens through discussion and hands-on problem solving rather than lectures alone. That structure tends to suit students who like working in groups and engaging with real-world challenges.
The setting reinforces the focus of the programme. Kassel offers a quieter, more local view of Germany, which makes it easier to engage with everyday culture and stay focused on study. For students who want a summer experience centred on purpose-driven learning rather than big-city energy, it’s a strong option.
Choosing the Right Fit
A summer school can be many things at once: a chance to explore a subject more deeply, a way to experience a new city, or simply an opportunity to step outside your usual routine for a few weeks. What matters most is finding a programme that matches how you like to learn and what you want out of the experience.
Whether you’re drawn to structured academic study, hands-on projects, or a balance of learning and cultural immersion, the options above offer different ways to shape a European summer. Take time to look beyond the course title, consider the setting and pace, and choose the experience that feels right for where you are now.
