10 Free Software Engineering Courses for High School Students
For high school students aiming to stand out on college applications and gain early exposure to the world of tech, free software engineering courses are the ideal opportunity. These programs not only deepen students' knowledge and technical skills but also foster practical experience in fields like coding, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Each course is designed to go beyond basic learning, with interactive projects and lessons that simulate real-world tech challenges, allowing students to explore their passions and gain a practical understanding of how software shapes our world.
Whether you're interested in developing apps, securing networks, or programming robots, these free courses equip students with the foundational skills and confidence to pursue exciting opportunities in technology.
Dive into our selection of 10 free software engineering courses for high school students and discover your pathway to a future in tech innovation!
1. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a highly selective seven-week research program for high school juniors and seniors with a strong academic background. Upon acceptance, you’ll engage in practical, hands-on research in fields such as software engineering and computer science, working closely with distinguished faculty mentors. As a participant, you can explore dynamic topics like virtual and augmented reality, high-performance computing, big data visualization, and human-computer interaction. Alongside hands-on research, you'll engage in weekly seminars, field visits, and social activities, creating opportunities to connect with like-minded peers while gaining broader insights into your field.
Upon successfully completing your project and report, you’ll receive a $750 stipend. With only 12 participants selected each year and a competitive acceptance rate, being an Anson L. Clark Scholar is a distinction that will stand out on any college application.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Program dates: June 16 - August 1 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application deadline: Applications typically close in February
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 17 years of age by the start of the program, will graduate in 2024 or 2025, and are U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents
If you’re looking for a high-impact program to boost your STEM skills, MITES Semester offers a comprehensive six-month experience designed to fit your high school schedule. It is a unique six-month hybrid STEM and college prep experience, where you’ll dive deep into fields like computer science and machine learning through rigorous, live, online courses. Over the summer, you’ll engage in one project-based course and one core supplemental course, allowing you to develop real-world solutions while learning to leverage STEM for societal impact.
Weekly virtual classes and interactive assignments help you build practical skills while working closely with a network of motivated peers. With classes held in the evenings, you can keep up with other commitments and make the most of this flexible but intensive learning journey.
As fall approaches, the MITES Semester shifts focus to college preparation with weekly webinars, admissions counseling, essay reviews, and mock interviews to help strengthen your application process. A college fair with admissions counselors from top universities adds further insight, supporting you as you identify and apply to the school that best fits your goals. Alongside academics, the MITES Semester enriches your experience with social events, workshops, and an in-person conference at MIT.
Location: Virtual
Program dates: June 16 – December 8 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application deadline: Applications open in November and close in February.
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
3. NYU’s Computer Science for Cyber Security
NYU’s Computer Science for Cyber Security (CS4CS) is a 3-week, full-day summer program that provides high school students with an in-depth introduction to cybersecurity and computer science. Hosted by NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering, this program covers essential topics like ethical “white-hat” hacking, cryptography, digital forensics, and steganography. Through hands-on projects, you’ll learn to use software tools to detect and analyze cyber threats while developing fundamental coding skills. The curriculum also includes insights into behavioral science, examining issues like phishing scams and identity theft to deepen your understanding of cybersecurity.
A unique aspect of CS4CS is the Irondale improvisation workshop, where participants engage in exercises designed to enhance their public speaking and teamwork skills, which are essential for cybersecurity professionals. Classes are held in person on NYU’s campus, allowing students to connect with experienced faculty, cybersecurity experts, and fellow students in a collaborative learning environment.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY
Program dates: July 15 - August 9 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application deadline: Applications open in February and close in April.
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-11 who are NYC residents
4. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
NYU’s ARISE program gives high school students the chance to dive into the world of advanced STEM research, providing an immersive 10-week experience across various science and engineering disciplines. This program is ideal if you’re keen on exploring fields such as computer engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, data science, or bioengineering. It begins with four weeks of virtual workshops covering lab safety and research ethics, followed by six weeks of in-person lab work at NYU. As an ARISE student, you’ll gain practical lab experience and attend professional development sessions, engage with researchers, and contribute directly to ongoing lab projects, often tackling real-world issues in areas like cybersecurity, health data, or AI ethics.
Each lab within ARISE offers unique research opportunities to broaden your skills. For example, in the Responsible Data Science Lab, you could work on projects that integrate ethical practices into data science, developing tools for fair and private data analysis. Alternatively, the Machine Learning for Good lab applies machine learning to public health, justice, and social issues, allowing you to contribute to impactful research on fairness in decision-making. In every lab, you’ll be expected to engage critically with complex topics, analyze datasets, and even help design algorithms, building a foundation in research methodology that is highly valuable for your college and career journey in STEM.
Location: Remote + NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York City
Program dates: June 3 to August 9 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application deadline: Applications open in December and close in March.
Eligibility: Rising juniors and rising seniors in New York City
Kode With Klossy is an opportunity for high school students of traditionally underrepresented genders in the STEM fields to explore the world of coding through a transformative two-week camp experience. Founded by Karlie Kloss, the program aims to inspire the next generation of female tech leaders by providing hands-on experience in areas like web development, data science, mobile application development, and artificial intelligence. If your interest lies in software engineering, the web development and mobile app tracks provide a strong foundation by covering essential programming languages like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, along with frameworks like SwiftUI for building fully functional iOS apps. No prior coding experience is required, making the camp accessible to beginners and those with some technical background alike.
Throughout the camp, you will work on projects that foster creativity and practical application of coding skills. In the web development track, you’ll learn how to create dynamic websites, focusing on responsive design and user experience. For those diving into machine learning, the curriculum demystifies artificial intelligence, teaching you about algorithms, data sets, and natural language processing. By the end of the program, you’ll not only have developed a functional project but also gained access to a supportive community of alumni and peers who share your interests in technology.
Location: Virtual or in-person camps across the U.S., including cities like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles
Program dates: Multiple camps between June to August
Application deadline: April (tentative)
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 who identify as female, gender-nonconforming, and transgender
6. MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute
The Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) at MIT is a 4-week program that engages high school students in the dynamic world of software engineering, computer science, robotics, artificial intelligence, and other STEM subjects. Before arriving on campus, you must complete online prerequisite courses that lay the groundwork for the program curriculum. Once the summer program begins, BWSI offers multiple specialized courses that cover advanced topics such as machine learning and data science. Your journey culminates in a competitive project showcase, where you’ll present your innovative solutions to real-world problems.
Collaboration is a cornerstone of the BWSI experience. Working in teams with fellow students, you will tackle various real-world challenges, fostering an environment that emphasizes critical thinking and creative problem-solving. Further, you will also have the opportunity to engage with faculty and industry experts through guest lectures, gaining insights that enhance your understanding of STEM. With the program available for free to qualifying families, BWSI represents a remarkable opportunity for aspiring engineers.
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA (with some virtual courses)
Program dates: Tentatively July 2025, with specific dates announced closer to spring. Virtual courses are open for interested students till November.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (excluding seniors)
7. Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program
The Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program (SIP) is an engaging two-week virtual experience ideal for high school students interested in exploring the world of technology and coding. In this program, you will attend live classes hosted by industry leaders such as MetLife, Bank of America, and Logitech, diving into foundational computer science concepts and the game design process. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, where you will use p5.js, a JavaScript library for creative coding, to design your own computer games. You’ll also gain insight into the basics of user experience (UX) design, enhancing your ability to create interactive and user-friendly applications.
Beyond the technical skills, the SIP offers invaluable opportunities for personal and professional growth. Mentorship and career inspiration are also key components, with exclusive Partner Events featuring industry professionals. Classes meet Monday through Friday for two to three hours each day, complemented by independent work time and optional Student Hours for additional support. While the program is paid, 100% need-based grants are available to eligible students, making it accessible for those seeking to deepen their understanding of computer science and coding.
Location: Virtual
Program dates: Multiple two-week programs between June to August
Application deadline: Rolling admissions, typically closing in March
Eligibility: Students in 9th - 11th grade who identify as female or non-binary
8. Johns Hopkins’ ASPIRE Program
The ASPIRE Program at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) invites high school juniors and seniors to explore various STEM careers in a practical, engaging environment. This program partners you with experienced APL mentors and researchers, working on real-world projects that require critical thinking and innovation. Within the ASPIRE Program, you have the flexibility to select two areas of interest, including Programming and Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or Cybersecurity, allowing you to focus on your desired field.
Internships can be completed in-person at the university, requiring 90% of the internship to be on-site with potential flexibility for one remote day per week, or virtually, allowing for 100% remote work except for essential in-person events like onboarding. You’ll tackle projects such as creating an accessibility map using Python, developing AI models to assess cybersecurity threats, or designing secure systems for data protection. Each project is designed to challenge your creativity and technical abilities, ensuring you gain experience that is both educational and exciting.
Location: Virtual or in-person at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Program dates: June 24 - August 21, 2025
Application deadline: February 15, 2025
Eligibility:
High school juniors or seniors who are at least 15 years of age at the start of the program and have a minimum GPA of 2.8
Be a permanent resident of the Washington-Baltimore Metro area (applies even for virtual internships).
9. UT Austin’s Academy for All
The Academy for All at UT Austin is an immersive one-week program designed to enhance participants’ understanding of computer science and its applications. The academy offers two options: the Standard Edition, focused on C++ programming and hardware, and the Machine Learning Edition, which covers Python and machine learning fundamentals.
In the Standard Edition, you'll dive into coding with C++, engage in project management, and explore teamwork dynamics. Engaging in hands-on activities like programming an Arduino microcontroller to create a light show will enhance your understanding. You will also connect with industry representatives and professors, gaining insights into future career opportunities in tech and strategies for crafting a standout application for UT.
If you opt for the Machine Learning Edition, you'll learn Python programming and explore foundational concepts in machine learning. This edition emphasizes both technical skills and social implications, allowing you to write code to train your own machine-learning models while understanding the broader impacts of these technologies.
The Academy for All program is held on UT Austin's campus, allowing students to experience university life firsthand by staying in residence halls and using campus facilities. A 10:1 student-to-mentor ratio ensures that students receive individualized support throughout the program.
Location: UT Austin campus, Austin, TX
Program dates:
Standard Academy Edition: June 9 - 15 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Machine Learning Edition: July 7 - 13 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application deadline: Applications typically close in January
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th grade students
10. Princeton University’s Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose
Princeton University’s "Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose" is a free, online, self-paced course available through Coursera. This program introduces high school students and other beginners to the fundamental principles of programming and computational problem-solving. The course uses the Java programming language to cover essential concepts, such as variables, conditionals, loops, and arrays. This structured approach makes it accessible for students without prior coding experience while providing a robust foundation in computer science.
As you progress, you'll learn to handle input and output effectively, grasp the importance of functions, and explore essential topics such as recursion and modular programming. The course emphasizes real-world applications and computational thinking skills that can be transferred across various programming languages. The focus is on understanding core programming principles, with Java serving as the medium to illustrate these ideas rather than as the primary objective.
This course is free to access, though it does not offer a completion certificate without payment. Students can work through video lectures, exercises, and programming assignments at their own pace, making it suitable for those balancing school and other commitments.
Location: Virtual
Program dates: Self-paced
Application deadline: None; open enrollment
Eligibility: Open to all
One other option - Lumiere Research Foundation
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI is founded by Harvard graduate students. Through the programs, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here!
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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