Northeastern University Pre-College Programs

Boston, United States

About Northeastern University Pre-College Programs

Accelerate Pre-College Programs is Northeastern University's office for high school students who want a taste of college-level study. It runs short in-person summer programs and self-paced online courses. Northeastern says it offers more than twenty in-person programs across Boston, Oakland, London and New York City. Most are led by Northeastern faculty, with help from other instructors, graduate students and current Northeastern students working as teaching assistants. The residential programs in Boston, London and Oakland last 12 days, from a Sunday move-in to a Friday move-out. Classes run from about 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Social activities fill the evenings and weekends. Subjects range from bioengineering and cybersecurity to journalism, public health and entrepreneurship. New York City adds performing arts intensives and two short commuter programs in marketing and finance. The in-person programs are open to rising juniors and seniors, meaning students about to start grade 11 or 12. The online Pre-CollEDGE courses are a separate, cheaper option for high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors. Each one takes about four weeks of self-paced work and ends with a digital badge rather than a grade. None of the programs award college credit. In-person students get a Recognition of Completion signed by a faculty member.

Teaching style

The in-person programs focus on hands-on, project-based work in small groups. Northeastern says students take part in classroom discussions, work on projects in university facilities and often hear from industry guest speakers. Expect a full academic day, about 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Northeastern also says every student should expect some work outside class, usually group projects with classmates. Most programs require a personal laptop. The online Pre-CollEDGE courses work differently. You study pre-recorded lectures, readings and quizzes on your own schedule, and the quizzes are marked automatically. Each course takes about four weeks at roughly four to six hours a week. Students who complete a course in the 12 months before the summer 2027 webinar get an invitation to an optional live session with Northeastern faculty, students or alumni.

Reputation & Succeed take

There are no independent reviews or rankings of the pre-college programs here. Northeastern describes itself as a top-ranking experiential research university. The programs' own pages quote past participants. A Summer 2023 Boston student praised the Student Life staff, and a Summer 2026 online student said the healthcare course covered material she wouldn't meet in high school. These are the organizer's chosen testimonials, not an outside assessment.

Our take

In Succeed's view, Accelerate suits a student who wants a short, structured look at a subject with university faculty and a real taste of dorm life. Price is the main question. The 2027 residential tuition in Boston, London and Oakland is $6,995 for 12 days. That fee covers housing, meals and activities as well as classes. Northeastern considers every admitted student for need-based aid, so it's worth applying for aid if cost is a concern. Don't expect a credential that counts toward college. The programs give no credit or transcript, and Northeastern's pages don't say that taking part affects undergraduate admission. Places can also go fast. Northeastern admits more students than it has spaces, and the 20% deposit is non-refundable. We'd suggest applying by the priority deadline if you have your heart set on one program.

Northeastern's own formats differ mainly in cost, length and who can join. The residential programs in Boston, London and Oakland cost $6,995 in 2027 and include housing and meals. The New York City performing arts intensives cost $2,595 to $4,995 and include only some meals. The two New York City commuter programs, Experience Marketing and Investments & Capital Markets, cost $995. They run during the day only, and lunch isn't provided. The online Pre-CollEDGE courses are $495 each and are the only option open to freshmen and sophomores. Only the in-person programs give small-group, face-to-face teaching with faculty.

Who this provider suits

Who should choose them

This may suit you if you're a rising junior or senior who wants to test a possible college major in two weeks of hands-on, group-based work. Typical cohorts are 15 to 30 students, so you'll get to know your classmates and instructors. It's also a good fit if you'd like a supervised first try at living on a college campus in Boston, Oakland or London. Families on a tighter budget should look at the need-based aid and the high school and community partner sponsorships. If you're a freshman or sophomore, the $495 online courses let you explore marketing, healthcare or coding at your own pace.

Who it may not suit

Who should skip it: students who need college credit, a grade or a transcript, since none of the programs give them. The emphasis on group projects makes this a weaker fit if you want a quiet, individual research project. International students who need a student visa should know that Northeastern doesn't sponsor visas for these non-credit programs. The London program is only for students who are at least 17 by the start date. And if the full residential fee is out of reach and aid doesn't cover it, the commuter or online options may be more realistic.

Contact

precollegeprograms@northeastern.edu

617.373.2200

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Frequently asked questions

The residential and commuter programs are for rising juniors and seniors, meaning students about to start grade 11 or 12. For London, you must be at least 17 by the start of the program. The online Pre-CollEDGE courses are open to current high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors.

Northeastern sets 2027 tuition at $6,995 for residential programs in Boston, London and Oakland. That covers classes, materials, housing, meals and social activities. In New York City, the Musical Theatre Intensive costs $4,995 and the Acting and Dance Intensives cost $2,595, with some meals included. The Experience Marketing and Investments & Capital Markets commuter programs cost $995 and don't include lunch. Each online Pre-CollEDGE course costs $495.

Yes. Northeastern considers every admitted student for need-based aid, including international students. You apply inside the program application, and aid usually comes as a scholarship or a discount. Northeastern also works with partner high schools and community organizations that can sponsor some students.

No. In-person students receive a Recognition of Completion signed by a faculty member, with no credit or transcript. Online students who finish a course receive a digital badge, with no grade.

Applications open in early December 2026. The priority deadline is 15 January 2027, the regular deadline is 28 February 2027 and the late deadline is 15 March 2027, each at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Full tuition is due by 1 May 2027. Northeastern says a popular program may close after the priority deadline.

Yes, as long as they can be present for the program. Northeastern doesn't sponsor student visas for these non-credit programs. Students who aren't UK residents need a Standard Visitor Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization for London. Check the cost and eligibility on the UK government's website.

Student Life staff live in the residence halls with participants. In Boston, the building entrance is staffed around the clock and students must be in by 10:00 p.m. In London, staff walk students as a group between the residence hall and campus. Every participant must have health or travel health insurance.

Programs by Northeastern University Pre-College Programs

A Taste of History: Research and Writing through Food

Program

Applications open

A Taste of History: Research and Writing through Food

Organized by Northeastern University Pre-College Programs

HistoryHumanities

Dates

11 Jul – 23 Jul 2027

Location

Multiple locations

Duration

12 days

Northeastern University Pre-College Programs

About Northeastern University Pre-College Programs

Teaching style

Reputation & Succeed take

Who this provider suits

Contact

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply to the in-person programs?

How much do the programs cost?

Is financial aid available?

Do the programs give college credit?

What are the Summer 2027 deadlines?

Can international students attend?

How are students supervised?

Programs by Northeastern University Pre-College Programs

A Taste of History: Research and Writing through Food

Acting Intensive

Architecture in Action

Beyond Words: Exploring Identity, Culture, and Innovation through Language

Bioengineering Immersion

Biotechnology & the Future of Medicine

Cybersecurity & AI Pre-College Program

Dance Intensive

Design & the Modern Makerspace

Design for Impact: Build What Matters

Engineering Innovation & Design (Boston)

Engineering Innovation & Design (Oakland)

Engineering Sustainable Cities

Entrepreneurship in Health Science

Ethics & Emerging Technology Pre-College Program

Experience Marketing Pre-College Program

Experiential Entrepreneurship (Boston)

Experiential Entrepreneurship (London)

Experiential Entrepreneurship (Oakland)

Exploring Modern Physics

Financial Analysis & AI Consulting

Foundations of Pharmacy & Patient Care

Game Design in Extended Reality

Innovations in Health Professions

Investments & Capital Markets Pre-College Program

Kinesiology: The Science of Movement

Multimedia Journalism Pre-College Program

Musical Theatre Intensive

Public Health in Action: Local to Global

Wildfire Ecology in a Changing Climate