The Harvard Summer Program in Shanghai is an eight-week study-abroad program administered by Harvard Summer School and facilitated and co-funded by the Harvard China Fund. University students travel to Shanghai for two four-credit courses spanning history, economics, education, and the study of learning.
Classes are combined with visits to historical sites, neighborhoods, museums, and factories, with occasional trips beyond Shanghai. Participants live in an on-campus hotel and complete original research leading to a creative project or academic paper.
Benefits & funding
- Participants complete two four-credit Harvard courses, for eight credits in total.
- The program fee includes tuition, hotel accommodation, scheduled activities, some meals, and the Harvard Summer School health insurance plan.
- Participants must separately budget approximately USD 2,000–2,200 for international airfare, USD 250 for ground transportation, USD 600 for meals, and USD 500 for personal costs, communications, course materials, a visa, and miscellaneous expenses.
- The official page does not publish the program fee amount.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- Applicants must be enrolled at an accredited university, have completed at least one year of college or be first-year students, and be in good academic standing.
- Students of all nationalities and residency locations may apply.
- No prior coursework on or exposure to China is required.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled
Age requirement
≥ 18 yrs
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Application process
- 1Review the Shanghai program, academic expectations, costs, and eligibility requirements.
- 2When the next cycle opens, follow the program page to the Harvard Summer School online application.
- 3Submit basic personal information, a statement of interest, the most recent transcript, and any program-specific materials by the deadline.
- 4If requested, complete an interview; the 2026 cycle planned to release decisions in early March.
Program timeline
December 9, 2025
Virtual information session for the 2026 cycle
Mid-December 2025
Summer 2026 application became available
Application deadline
January 29, 2026
Admissions decisions planned
Early March 2026
Program starts
June 1, 2026
Program ends
July 24, 2026