Harvard University

Access to the academic offer of Harvard Summer School – “Adult, Extension, & Visiting College”.
- 3-week session: 1 course may be selected (4 credits)
- 4-week session: 1 course may be selected (4 credits)
- 7-week session (Full Term): 2 courses may be selected (4 credits + 4 credits, for a total of 8 credits)

It is possible to combine two 3-week sessions or one 3-week session and one 4-week session, attending one course per session. No other combinations are permitted.

Guide to course selection

Please consult the HSS DCE Course Search, paying close attention to course dates, prerequisites and delivery mode. Select “Harvard Summer School 2026 – Adult, Extension, & Visiting College” and apply the “on campus” filter under Additional filters. Please note: the course list is currently being updated and will be available in January 2026. In the meantime, the 2025 course catalogue may be consulted for reference.
It is possible to request recognition of CFU credits. The request must be submitted before departure, in accordance with the procedures established by the student’s Faculty. Students are strongly advised to carefully read the Faculty regulations and related procedures: Exam approval | Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
For Master’s degree students, it is possible to obtain a Graduate Certificate issued by Harvard University by attending 1 or 2 on-campus summer courses, and subsequently continuing with 2 or 3 online courses. For further information, please visit: Harvard University – Cambridge, USA | Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (unicatt.it)

For the Brescia campus, the Faculties have identified a number of recommended exams (Excel file to be uploaded: GeCo and SMFN).

Applicants must hold one of the following certifications, obtained from May 2024 onwards:

TOEFL iBT: 100
IELTS Academic / IELTS Academic Online: 7.0
PTE Academic: 70
Duolingo English Test (DET): 125

English Proficiency Requirement – Harvard Summer School, section “Submitting a Qualifying Test Score”.

IMPORTANT: it is not possible to apply using the Cattolica International English test, nor by submitting enrolment in a Cattolica degree programme taught in English.

For further information

Students may choose whether to stay on campus and therefore make use of the facilities provided by Harvard University, or to arrange their accommodation independently.

To book on-campus accommodation:

Once enrolments have closed and confirmation of admission to courses at Harvard University has been received, each student may independently book accommodation via the Housing Request – Harvard Summer School.

Accommodation will be assigned directly by Harvard University. For further information:

https://summer.harvard.edu/academic-opportunities-support/campus-life/your-room/

In the event of a disability, students may contact the Accessibility Services Office (ASO):
Accessibility Services – Harvard Summer School

Costs may be subject to change, as indicated by Harvard University:

Room and board – 7 weeks: $7,575
Room and board – 4 weeks: $4,920
Room and board – 3 weeks: $3,700

7 weeks – no. 2 courses (4 credits + 4 credits, for a total of 8 credits): $7,164

4 weeks – no. 1 course (4 credits): $3,582

3 weeks – no. 1 course (4 credits): $3,582

Programme fee: €300 non-refundable

The programme fee includes:

guidance and support during the course application process at Harvard University
insurance coverage and the Student Safety Package activated by Cattolica International
US health insurance activated by HSS
assistance during the pre-departure phase
enrolment and attendance in one course for each three- or four-week session / two courses for the seven-week full-term session
access to all on-campus services (libraries, museums, sports facilities, etc.)
assistance upon return, relating to procedures for the official recognition of external examinations
official certificate of attendance, including exam grades
post-return workshop “Welcome Back: Unpack Your Experience!” organised by Cattolica International

The following costs are not included in the programme fee:

return flight
room and board (see accommodation section)
costs for the issuance of the student visa
expenses related to academic materials
any items not expressly specified

Cattolica is offering 10 scholarships to the value of € 1,500 each.

Notes on scholarships:

Please note that scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and are provided in the form of reimbursement.
To apply, it is sufficient to enrol in the programme; no specific application is required.
During the scholarship allocation phase, priority will be given to current students, followed by recent graduates.
For students holding qualifications obtained outside Italy, where no grade conversion is available and the grade has not been recorded in the academic record at Università Cattolica, an official score will be assigned as follows: 80/100 for the upper secondary school diploma and 90/110 for the three-year bachelor’s degree. No additional or alternative methods of recognising the grades obtained are permitted.

Selected students will be required to apply for a student visa. The application may only be submitted after admission to the courses has been confirmed. Further information will be provided once enrolments have closed.
If you already hold a passport, we recommend checking its validity. If you do not yet have one, you should apply as soon as possible.

Useful links:

All students of Università Cattolica will be covered by an insurance policy.

Università Cattolica “Student Safety Package” | Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (unicatt.it)

All students enrolled in HSS will also be provided with US health insurance directly by Harvard University.

“Health Insurance Coverage” is available at the following link:
For Admitted Students – Harvard Summer School.
The website is currently being updated.

Academic offer

Language and Academic Requirements

Housing

Cost of the programme

Scholarships

Passport and visa

Insurance