Every summer, students from across the world arrive in Spain with curiosity, ambition and a sense that something important is about to begin. They step into Madrid’s dynamic energy, experience Segovia’s historic character, and discover what it feels like to learn in an environment where ideas are constantly in motion.
At IE University, summer isn’t a pause, it’s a launchpad. IE’s Summer School for pre-university students is built for high schoolers who want more than a typical summer experience. You will build, collaborate and create, surrounded by peers who are as motivated and open-minded as you are.
Two programs, one purpose: helping you move forward with clarity
If you’re still exploring what you might want to study, the Pre-University Summer Program offers a hands-on introduction to university life. If you’re closer to choosing your academic direction, the Pre-Track Programs let you dive deeper into a specific field and experience what that path truly looks like before committing.
- The Pre-University Summer Program (Ages 15–17): explore, learn, grow
Designed for students aged 15 to 17, the Pre-University Summer Program is a two-week experience that helps you explore academic interests while building essential skills for your future. Whether you’re drawn to business, technology or design, this program gives you the space to gain confidence in your strengths.
The program runs in English and takes place across Segovia and Madrid, offering a unique mix of campus life, cultural immersion and city energy. Across the two weeks, you’ll participate in interactive workshops, team-based challenges and hands-on projects designed to sharpen your ability to collaborate. For many students, this is the first time they realize just how motivating it can be to learn in an international environment.
Pre-University Intakes (Summer 2026):
IE offers six editions of the Pre-University Summer Program in Summer 2026, each lasting two weeks:
• Sunday, June 14 – Friday, June 26
• Sunday, June 21 – Friday, July 3
• Sunday, June 28 – Friday, July 10
• Sunday, July 5 – Friday, July 17
• Sunday, July 12 – Friday, July 24
• Sunday, July 19 – Friday, July 31
- The Pre-Track Programs (final year of high school): try your future before you choose it
For students entering their final year of high school (graduating in 2026 or 2027) and under 18 at the start of the program, IE’s Pre-Track Programs offer a more specialized experience. These are three distinct two-week programs (taught in English, in-person in Madrid) designed to help you explore a specific academic pathway.
You can choose from:
- Pre-Business: step into the world of a BBA student and dive into core business principles through practical sessions and dynamic case studies. Two intakes are available: July 5–17 and July 19–31, 2026.
- Pre-Law: explore the fundamentals of law and policymaking, gaining insight into how legal systems shape society and decision-making. Intake: July 5–17, 2026.
- Pre-Design: discover the transversal principles of design while building your own portfolio across pillars such as design, architecture, and fashion. Intake: July 5–17, 2026.
These programs are ideal if you want to test a direction before committing to a full degree. They give you first-hand exposure to the discipline, the learning style and the kinds of challenges you’ll encounter.
A summer that becomes a turning point
What students often remember most isn’t just what they learned: it’s how they felt. The clarity that comes from realizing a subject truly fits you (or doesn’t). The friendships that form when you spend two weeks building something meaningful with people from around the world.
Whether you choose the broader Pre-University Summer Program or the focused Pre-Track experience, IE University offers something rare: a summer that helps you discover your strengths, refine your ambitions and return home with more direction than you started with.