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    In-person Programme

    Engineering

    by National Student Leadership Conference

    A residential engineering summer programme combining hands-on design challenges, leadership workshops, expert perspectives and industry-focused trips.

    Last verified: 4 Aug 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
    Engineering

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    Engineering Summer Programme at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Past

    Eligibility

    Completed one high-school year

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Eight university locations

    Cost

    From $4,195

    Duration

    9 or 12 days

    Format

    In-person residential

    Next deadline

    Not announced

    See similar programmes
    EngineeringDesignMathematicsScience

    Accommodation: Supervised campus dormitories

    Meals: Campus meals included

    Campus experience: Workshops, trips and tours

    Technical practice: Robotics, drones, soldering and CAD

    College credit: Optional separate online course

    Engineering Summer Programme summary

    The programme introduces civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering through practical design challenges and technical workshops.

    Students build and test robots, drones, gliders and wind turbines while learning from guest speakers and visiting engineering organisations.

    It suits students who want an immersive test of engineering study and careers, with a substantial residential campus experience alongside the academic content.

    What is Engineering?

    The Engineering programme is a residential pre-college experience run by the National Student Leadership Conference. It explores civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering through practical projects that connect science, mathematics and creativity.

    Students work in teams on robots, drones, aquatic vehicles, gliders and renewable-energy systems. Guest speakers, leadership workshops, industry visits and campus living broaden the experience beyond technical classroom study.

    Why Succeed highlights Engineering Summer Programme

    • The programme turns engineering theory into tangible prototypes and flight or performance testing.

    • Its curriculum spans several engineering disciplines before students need to choose a university specialism.

    • Industry speakers and location-specific visits connect workshop learning with real engineering organisations.

    • Leadership sessions add structured work on communication, listening, resilience and empathy.

    • Residential campus life offers a realistic introduction to navigating university routines.

    Who is Engineering Summer Programme for?

    Best for

    Students who want to test engineering through collaborative building, technical practice and exposure to several disciplines before choosing a specialism.

    Not ideal if

    You want a low-cost day course, a narrowly specialised academic class or a programme assessed through formal examinations.

    Is Engineering Summer Programme worth it?

    It can be worthwhile for a student who learns best by building, testing and discussing ideas with peers. The combination of technical simulations, career exposure and residential campus life provides a broader experience than a conventional short course.

    The limitation is value for money: tuition is substantial, and travel plus optional college credit cost extra. Students should compare the practical content and preferred campus against less expensive local courses, independent projects and subject-focused summer schools.

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    From $4,195; includes Supervised campus housing, On-campus meals, Course materials and academic expenses, Trips, tours and activities, Off-campus event transportation.

    Accommodation

    Supervised campus dormitories

    Meals

    Campus meals included

    Provider details

    Review the National Student Leadership Conference provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    9 or 12 days; Eight university locations.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this programme with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

    Compare with similar programmes

    How much preparation does Engineering Summer Programme need?

    Effort level

    High and immersive.

    Best started

    Begin planning two to three months before a preferred session to allow for enrolment, travel and payment arrangements.

    Main challenge

    Turning engineering ideas into working team prototypes.

    Typical preparation

    • Review the available campuses and their location-specific trips.

    • Choose a session whose travel dates and tuition work for your family.

    • Prepare examples of your interest in engineering and leadership.

    • After enrolment, check the student profile for travel and packing instructions.

    Useful if

    You enjoy practical problem-solving and collaborative experimentation.

    What do students do on Engineering Summer Programme?

    Students move from engineering concepts to collaborative design, construction and testing, supported by technical workshops, speakers and industry visits.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Explore civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering applications.

    2. 2

      Design and flight-test a specialised drone prototype.

    3. 3

      Build and test a remotely operated aquatic robot.

    4. 4

      Construct a glider and matching launch system.

    5. 5

      Build a wind turbine that generates direct-current electricity.

    6. 6

      Practise soldering, programming, breadboarding and computer-aided design.

    7. 7

      Join leadership workshops, guest-speaker sessions and location-specific trips.

    Engineering Summer Programme dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Berkeley sessions

    12-20 June; 24 June-2 July 2026

    San Francisco; $4,395 residential.

    Reference date
    Get next-cycle reminder

    Oxford sessions

    5-16 July; 20-31 July 2026

    Twelve-day sessions; $6,395 residential.

    Reference date
    Get next-cycle reminder

    Penn sessions

    19-27 July; 30 July-7 August 2026

    Philadelphia; $4,395 residential.

    Reference date
    Get next-cycle reminder

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Ages 14-18

    • Completed at least one high-school year

    • Current high-school students or recent graduates

    • Academic excellence and leadership ability encouraged

    How much does Engineering Summer Programme cost?

    Programme fee

    $4,195-$6,395 — Varies by campus; residential tuition.

    Funding or discounts

    • Summer scholarship: Usually $500-$1,000 — Financial need must be demonstrated.
    • Payment plan: Monthly payments — Published for eligible 2026 enrolments.
    • Optional college credit: $1,044 — Separate online one-credit AU course.

    What's included

    Supervised campus housing, On-campus meals, Course materials and academic expenses, Trips, tours and activities, Off-campus event transportation

    How to apply to Engineering Summer Programme

    1. 1

      Open the official NSLC online enrolment portal.

    2. 2

      Create an NSLC ID if you do not already have one.

    3. 3

      Enter the student’s birth date, gender and current grade.

    4. 4

      Choose an available Engineering campus and session.

    5. 5

      Complete enrolment and place the required deposit by card or arrange payment by check.

    6. 6

      Use the student account to review availability, travel and payment details.

    What does Engineering Summer Programme cover?

    The programme covers the following focus areas.

    Drone engineering

    Design, build and flight-test prototypes using aerodynamics, circuitry and control systems.

    Robotics systems

    Build remotely operated aquatic robots and test them in peer competitions.

    Energy engineering

    Construct a wind turbine that converts kinetic energy into direct-current electricity.

    Prototyping skills

    Practise soldering, programming, breadboarding and computer-aided design.

    Leadership development

    Develop communication, listening, resilience and empathy through dedicated workshops.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Engineering Summer Programme?

    A typical day during the programme.

    Engineering study

    Interactive workshops and team simulations develop and test engineering designs.

    Career exposure

    Guest speakers and location-specific industry or university visits add professional context.

    Leadership study

    Workshops cover communication, listening, resilience, empathy and personality styles.

    Who teaches on Engineering Summer Programme?

    Students interact with engineering guest speakers from professional, academic and research backgrounds. Past speakers have represented organisations including NASA, SpaceX, Atom Computing, the National Academy of Engineering and university engineering laboratories.

    Named speakers are past examples and are not a confirmed future-session faculty list.

    Where do students stay on Engineering Summer Programme?

    Residential plan

    • Campus housing: Students live in supervised university dormitories.
    • Room setup: Students share with one or two roommates on an age-grouped floor.
    • Meals: On-campus meals are included through campus dining services.
    • Student supervision: Team Advisors accompany activity groups and live on student floors.
    • Campus security: Dorm access uses keys or cards, with monitored front desks described.

    Room and campus arrangements vary by location; students should check their account before booking travel.

    What happens after Engineering Summer Programme?

    After completing this programme, participants often pursue:

    Use practical experience to assess whether engineering suits you.

    Build examples for reflecting on engineering interest in future applications.

    Develop technical familiarity with prototyping, programming and CAD.

    Carry leadership and teamwork learning into school projects and activities.

    Optionally complete a separate one-credit American University course.

    College credit requires separate enrolment, online coursework and tuition.

    Where does Engineering Summer Programme take place?

    The programme ran at university campuses in New York, Durham, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Ann Arbor, Oxford and Philadelphia. Trips vary by location and may include engineering departments, laboratories, factories, museums and technology organisations in the surrounding region.

    Some host universities explicitly state that they do not sponsor or endorse NSLC; Oxford facilities are hired for programme use.

    Engineering Summer Programme FAQs

    Students explore civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering, with examples spanning sustainable energy, infrastructure, robotics and drones.

    It is strongly practical. Students complete interactive workshops and team challenges involving design, construction, testing and technical skills.

    Yes. Participants are required to live in supervised campus dormitories and experience university classrooms, dining and campus routines.

    Tuition includes housing, on-campus meals, course materials, academic expenses, trips, tours, activities and transport for off-campus programme events.

    Dedicated Team Advisors accompany smaller student groups during activities and also serve as Resident Advisors on student floors. An administrative team lives on site.

    Campus dining services can accommodate dietary allergies and restrictions when families complete the dietary information in the student profile.

    No. Eligible high-school students may separately purchase and complete an online one-credit American University course outside the campus programme dates.

    Trips vary by location and may include engineering schools, laboratories, factories, museums, aerospace facilities and technology organisations.

    Alternatives to Engineering Summer Programme

    Compare these published Succeed options if you want a different engineering focus, duration or campus experience.

    Alternatives to Engineering Summer Programme

    Academic Insights – Engineering
    Recently closed

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    Students seeking a longer subject-focused residential experience.

    View details
    Engineering Taster Course
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    Short in-person engineering experience in Cambridge

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    Students wanting a shorter, lower-cost introduction.

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    Engineering Course in Cambridge
    Recently closed

    Engineering study at St Catharine's College

    Engineering
    21 Jul 2026
    From £3195
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    Best for

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, programme quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • NSLC Online Enrollment
    • Youth Leadership Programs | National Student Leadership Conference
    • Frequently Asked Questions | National Student Leadership Conference
    • Summer Program Scholarships | National Student Leadership Conference
    • Join our Engineering Programs for High School Students

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 4 Aug 2026)

    • Programme identity checked

    • Eligibility reviewed

    • Campus dates checked

    • Location prices compared

    • Activities verified

    • Accommodation reviewed

    • Scholarships checked

    • Refund terms reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.