Just minutes from the beach in the heart of Los Angeles, this Summer Discovery pre-college program offers high school and middle school students the chance to attend America’s top public university while exploring the world’s entertainment capital. We've partnered with UCLA for more than 35 years - the longest partnership running for summer programs! We currently partner with UCLA Extension, UCLA Recreation, UCLA Anderson Center for Management of Enterprise in Media, Sports, & Entertainment, and UCLA Conferences to bring one-of-a-kind programs and activities to create a truly campus-collaborative experience for our students.

Connect with industry-leading instructors that bring the real-world to the classroom. The Summer Discovery program at UCLA has 100+ course offerings and specialty programs including our intensive academy programs in business, sports, leadership, screenwriting, and acting. Whether you want to learn to surf the high seas or decode the criminal mind – we’ve got something for everyone! Plus, with 60+ staff on campus dedicated to the health, safety, education and social needs of students with a dedicated office in our residence hall, safety, security, and student development are always top-of-mind.

Summer Discovery at UCLA Middle School Enrichment Program

Have a talented middle school student? Our engaging program allows students to prepare for high school while exploring their academic interests.

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Summer Discovery at UCLA Middle School Enrichment Program

Now Offering Our UCLA Extension Program

New for Summer 2023, students now have the option to add-on to their UCLA Session 1 experience, and their memories, in San Francisco or San Diego!

Go from the entertainment capital of the world to the cultural center of California in the City by the Bay or the historic town down south in San Diego!

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Two campuses. One amazing summer.

Having a hard time choosing between UCLA and sunny Los Angeles, the Big 10 feeling of the University of Michigan, the Texan charm and southern BBQ of UT Austin or exploring the nation’s capital and Georgetown University? Don’t worry, you can get the best of two worlds with our combination programs. These programs allow you to choose two campuses so you can extend your summer and explore more of what your college experience could be like.

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Sample Courses and Academies

See All UCLA Courses

Campus Life & Activities

After class, explore the iconic Westwood Village with new friends (either by foot or jumping on our prive shuttle) or soak up some sun by the Sunset Canyon Recreation Center pool. Follow in the footsteps of fame with our organized trips to TCL Chinese Theater and Hollywood & Highland. Shoot some hoops at the John Wooden Sports and Recreation Center – and maybe even run into some NBA legends and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) alums while you are at it!

Our students live in their own air conditioned residence hall in Rieber Vista, a short walk to the Sunset Rec Pool and Hitch Basketball courts. This residence hall is exclusive to Summer Discovery students, so you can get to know your peers in a comfortable setting that’s separate from the university students. Whether you’re watching a movie or working on a group project, it’s great to live with your friends. And if you have any questions, your resident counselor (RC) lives down the hall and is there for you, 24/7.

Just outside our door is Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world. Explore the city famous for theme parks, television and movie studios, theaters, museums and more. Discover the neighborhoods of L.A., which include Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Melrose. Prefer the outdoors? Los Angeles has some of America’s greatest beaches. Spend your summer discovering everything that Los Angeles can offer. It’s all included in your tuition and with class ending daily at 3:00pm, the possibilities are endless.

Sample Daily ScheduleSee what a typical day is like for students at our UCLA program! Experience Life on Campus

Top 5 Summer Discovery Activities at The University of California, Los Angeles

Ride the roller coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Cheer for the Dodgers, Angels, or Galaxy at a major league game.
Tour Universal Studios, the world’s largest TV and movie studio, or experience the magic of Disneyland.
Soak up some rays at Santa Monica and Manhattan Beaches.
Shop glamorous boutiques at Century City, Rodeo Drive, and The Grove.
Hike to the Hollywood sign or search for your favorite stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

*All on campus activities are subject to change based on current safety protocols.

2023 Dates & Tuition

Jun 25 - Aug 4 $13,5996 Weeks (Two 3-week sessions)*No courses July 4th* - Tuition includes morning and afternoon courses.Residential
Jun 26 - Aug 3 $7,4996 Weeks (Two 3-week sessions)*No courses July 4th* - Tuition includes morning and afternoon courses.Commuter
Jun 25 - Jul 28 $12,2995 Weeks Combo Program (3-Week Session 1 + 2-Week Session 2)*No courses July 4th* - Tuition includes morning and afternoon courses.Residential
Jun 26 - Jul 27 $6,2995 Weeks Combo Program (3-Week Session 1 + 2-Week Session 2) *No courses July 4th* - Tuition includes morning and afternoon courses. Commuter
Jul 2 - Aug 4 $12,2995 Weeks Combo Program (2-Week Session 1 + 3-Week Session 2) *No courses July 4th* - Tuition includes morning and afternoon courses.Residential
Jul 3 - Aug 3 $6,2995 Weeks Combo Program (2-Week Session 1 + 3-Week Session 2) *No courses July 4th* - Tuition includes morning and afternoon courses.Commuter
Jul 2 - Jul 28 $10,5994 Weeks Session #1 (Two 2-week sessions)*No courses July 4th* - Tuition includes morning and afternoon courses.Residential
Jul 3 - Jul 27 $5,9994 Weeks Session #1 (Two 2-week sessions)*No courses July 4th* - Tuition includes morning and afternoon courses.Commuter
Jun 25 - Jul 14 $8,3993 Weeks Session #1*No courses July 4th - Tuition includes morning and afternoon courses. Residential
Jun 26 - Jul 13 $3,9993 Weeks Session #1*No courses July 4th - Tuition includes morning and afternoon courses. Commuter
Jul 16 - Aug 4 $8,3993 Weeks Session #2Tuition includes morning and afternoon courses.Residential
Jul 17 - Aug 3 $3,9993 Weeks Session #2 Tuition includes morning and afternoon courses.Commuter
Jul 2 - Jul 14 $6,3992 Week Session #1*No courses July 4th - Tuition includes morning and afternoon courses.Residential
Jul 3 - Jul 13 $3,5992 Week Session #1*No Courses July 4th - Tuition includes morning and afternoon courses. Commuter
Jul 16 - Jul 28 $6,3992 Weeks Session #2Tuition includes morning and afternoon courses.Residential
Jul 17 - Jul 27 $3,5992 Weeks Session #2Tuition includes morning and afternoon courses.Commuter

Testimonials

"The Summer Discovery program has provided a great opportunity to be a part of UCLA and it's campus life. The campus is so beautiful, everyone was nice, and the professors were great."Joeun C. Alumni
“I spent an amazing 3 weeks meeting great people from all over the world and enjoying my summer to its fullest. The program is really fun, exciting, and a great opportunity to learn new things and make new friends.” Sophia S. Alumni
“It was really interesting to meet people from so many different places and it helped me develop a greater perspective on the world. I also learned a lot of college skills, like time management, doing laundry, and punctuality.” Teagan S. Alumni
“It impacted me in the sense that I discovered that I love meeting new people from around the world and also helped me with the election of the career I would like to study in college.”Valentina R. Alumni

Related Campuses + Locations

Georgetown UniversityWashington, DCEngaging courses in law, medicine, debate, and more for 2023!2 and 4 Week Programs$3,599 - $10,299For students completing grades 9, 10, 11, 12 (ages 14-18)Discover Apply Now
U Colorado BoulderBoulder, ColoradoNot Offered in 20232 or 4 Week Residential ProgramsFor students completing grades 9, 10, 11, 12 (ages 14-18)Discover Apply Now
University of Michigan & UCLAAnn Arbor, Michigan and Los Angeles, CaliforniaOne amazing summer, two life changing experiences!5 Week Programs$11,499 - $12,999For students completing grades 9, 10, 11, 12 (ages 14-18)Discover Apply Now

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