15 Social Sciences Programs for High School Students in Canada

Key Takeaways

• These 15 programs cover a wide range of social science disciplines, from psychology research at U of T’s SPRINT to political science and international relations at McGill and the University of Ottawa, alongside Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs, which offer a virtual research track for students who want a fully remote option in fields like political theory and psychology.
• Costs vary enormously across this list, from free programs like SPRINT, the Canadian Economics Olympiad, and LAWS to premium university programs like the University of Ottawa Youth Summer University and U of T’s International Summer Academy, which run into the thousands of dollars.
• Program formats range from short one-week enrichment courses like the EMCP to longer three-week intensives like the University of Ottawa Youth Summer University, so time commitment is worth weighing alongside subject matter.
• Several programs, including SPRINT and the McGill Summer Academy’s migration stream, offer financial aid, scholarships, or fully funded awards for eligible students, making cost less of a barrier than the sticker price might suggest.
• Many of these programs conclude with a tangible research output, whether that’s a research proposal, a capstone project, or a formal paper, giving you something concrete to reference in future applications regardless of which program you choose.

15 Social Sciences Programs for High School Students in Canada

Understanding how people, governments, and societies actually work is a skill that matters no matter what you end up studying later. If you want to build that understanding early, a social sciences program is one of the smartest options to consider in high school.

A social sciences program helps you explore subjects like sociology, psychology, and political science properly, work through real case studies, and practice arguing through issues that rarely have a single right answer.

Why should you choose a program in Canada?

Canada’s strong lineup of respected universities with well-established social sciences departments means students here have real, high-quality options close to home. You could end up conducting a small research project, debating a real policy issue, analyzing actual data, or diving into a specific area like criminology or international relations, guided by real faculty.

Choosing a local program also has practical advantages. You avoid the cost and logistics of international travel while building lasting academic and professional connections with instructors and peers in your own community. These networks often remain valuable well beyond the program itself.

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 15 social sciences programs for high school students in Canada! After one of these programs, you can explore these social science research topics curated for high school students.

1. University of Toronto Summer Psychology Research Initiative (SPRINT)

The University of Toronto’s SPRINT introduces you to psychology research through either a Lecture Stream or a Research Stream. You’ll explore areas such as social, cognitive, developmental, clinical, and neuroscience psychology while learning experimental design, coding, statistical analysis, and scientific communication. If you’re in the Research Stream, you’ll work with graduate and postdoctoral mentors to develop a group research proposal based on current questions in psychology. Past projects have examined topics including parasocial relationships, adolescent body image, moral reasoning, and bilingual memory development. The programme concludes with a presentation of your research proposal to faculty members and the rest of the cohort.

2. McGill Summer Academy (Political Science Stream)

McGill Summer Academy’s Political Science Stream explores how international politics, law, and global institutions shape the modern world. You’ll study topics including international organisations, international law, human rights, conflict and cooperation, peacekeeping, international development, climate change, and state sovereignty through academic readings, case studies, and seminar discussions. A highlight of the programme is a two-day international organisation simulation, where you’ll work in teams to negotiate policies and build a framework for international order. Discussions are also informed by the instructors’ research in international law, global governance, and development policy, giving you a deeper understanding of current debates in political science.

3. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)

Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in subjects such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback you can use to improve future projects. Apply here!

4. UBC Future Global Leaders

The UBC Future Global Leaders programme lets you explore university-level social sciences by choosing one course or mini-school from a wide range of options. Depending on your interests, you can study global political economy, global politics, psychology, psychopathology, crime and society, international criminal law, or urban studies. Psychology courses examine topics such as social identity, moral reasoning, intergroup conflict, leadership, and social bias, with opportunities to attend lab meetings and research demonstrations led by graduate researchers. Other courses explore international trade, multinational corporations, and global markets, giving you a broad introduction to social science through university-style teaching.

5. University of Toronto International Summer Academy Pre-University Program

The University of Toronto International Summer Academy allows you to take two university-level courses during each session from subjects including Social Psychology, World Economics, Law and Ethics, Global Leadership, and Applied Mathematics in Statistics. Depending on your choices, you’ll study topics such as group behaviour, attitudes, trade, markets, legal systems, and sustainable development through lectures, case studies, guest speakers, and group discussions. Every course also includes a substantial final project, whether that involves designing a small research study, analysing economic issues, or investigating real-world legal and policy questions.

6. Youreka Canada

Youreka Canada introduces you to quantitative research through a structured programme in scientific reasoning, R programming, and statistical analysis. Working with undergraduate mentors from seven Canadian universities, you’ll use open datasets to investigate research questions in economics, public health, social science, bioinformatics, or corporate finance. After learning the research methods, your team will design and complete an independent project before presenting it at a regional symposium. Strong projects advance to a national competition, and the best manuscripts may be submitted for peer review and publication, allowing you to produce research while still in high school.

7. University of Toronto Law Youth Summer Program (Law YSP)

The University of Toronto Law Youth Summer Program (Law YSP) introduces you to legal practice through four week-long modules in Criminal Law, Corporate Law, International Law, and AI and Technology Law. In the Criminal Law module, you’ll prepare a mock murder trial by analysing evidence, examining witnesses, and presenting courtroom arguments alongside criminal lawyers. Corporate Law explores mergers and acquisitions through simulations and visits to law firms, while International Law examines the United Nations, human rights, and the International Criminal Court through debates and case discussions. Each module ends with practical assessments such as mock trials, debates, or legal simulations, alongside career talks with practising lawyers from different legal fields.

8. Forum for Young Canadians National Summit

The Forum for Young Canadians National Summit takes you inside Canada’s political institutions while introducing you to public policy and democratic decision-making. You’ll visit the House of Commons, the Senate, and the Supreme Court, and meet MPs, Senators, and political leaders to discuss governance and public policy. The academic core of the programme consists of three simulations: a national election, an international trade negotiation, and a cabinet decision-making exercise. Throughout these activities, you’ll negotiate policies, defend your ideas, and work with others to solve political challenges. The programme offers a practical introduction to how government institutions and public policy operate in Canada.

9. Canadian Economics Olympiad

The Canadian Economics Olympiad challenges you to apply economic reasoning across microeconomics, macroeconomics, international trade, finance, game theory, and decision-making. The competition begins with an online examination, with the highest scorers advancing to the in-person national finals. Top performers are also invited to compete in a Mini Business Case, where you’ll analyse a real business problem and develop solutions under timed conditions. The strongest competitors are selected for Team Canada, which represents the country at the International Economics Olympiad. The competition is designed for those who enjoy analytical thinking and quantitative problem-solving in economics.

10. Shad Canada (A-Plus Track)

Shad Canada’s A-Plus Track explores how the humanities, social sciences, and the arts can contribute to innovation alongside STEM. Through workshops, you’ll examine topics such as economic inequality, digital transformation, policy change, community design, and ethical decision-making using systems thinking and human-centred approaches. A major part of the programme is an interdisciplinary design challenge, where teams develop solutions to real-world problems related to climate action, healthcare, or economic inequality. You’ll also hear from academics, entrepreneurs, and innovators while refining your team’s final project. The programme combines social science with collaborative problem solving in a practical, project-based setting.

11. University of Waterloo Future Ready

The University of Waterloo Future Ready programme explores global challenges through cross-cultural communication, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and international relations. University of Waterloo professors lead lectures, workshops, and simulations that introduce topics connected to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Throughout the programme, you’ll build a capstone project using the design thinking process to address a real global issue. You’ll also take part in an international relations simulation, explore social entrepreneurship, and visit ecology and science labs that connect policy discussions with scientific research. Mentorship sessions throughout the programme help connect the academic content with future study and career pathways.

12. University of Ottawa Youth Summer University (International Relations & Social Sciences Stream)

The University of Ottawa Youth Summer University brings high school students to Canada’s capital for an intensive three-week experience in international relations, leadership, and public policy. You’ll earn 4.5 university credits while taking university coursework, participating in professional development workshops, and completing a collaborative hackathon. Beyond classroom learning, you’ll explore key national institutions,s including the Supreme Court of Canada and Parliament, build an international network with peers, and live in campus residences. You will also receive an exclusive application package for early conditional admission offers to up to three undergraduate programs in Social Sciences, Arts, or Management at uOttawa.  

13. Ottawa-Carleton Enrichment Mini-Courses Program (EMCP)

The Enrichment Mini-Courses Program (EMCP) is a regional partnership connecting high school youth with university learning across social sciences, law, psychology, and public affairs at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa. You’ll spend a week on campus enrolled in an interactive 25-hour course capped at 22–24 students, exploring topics like forensic psychology, Canadian sentencing law, cognitive neuroscience, or international political economy. Classes blend short lectures with mock trials, group discussions, and laboratory demonstrations led by university faculty and graduate researchers. Completing an EMCP course at Carleton University also qualifies you to apply for dedicated $1,000 undergraduate entrance scholarships.  

14. McGill Summer Academy (Understanding Migration, Global Citizenship and Diasporic Resistance Stream)

McGill Summer Academy’s global studies stream invites you to explore international relations, political science, sociology, and human rights frameworks on McGill’s downtown campus. Through academic readings, case studies, and collaborative seminars led by university scholars, you’ll examine pressing global issues surrounding international migration, citizenship, and community resistance. You’ll live in campus student housing, experience undergraduate life in Montreal, and collaborate with peers from across Canada and internationally.  

15. Law in Action Within Schools (LAWS) Core High School Program

Developed by the University of Toronto Jackman Faculty of Law in partnership with Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, LAWS immerses you in Canadian legal practice, social justice, and constitutional law. You’ll participate in interactive legal workshops led by law student mentors, attend field trips to courtrooms and legal clinics, and coach for mock trial competitions. Upper-year participants can access paid summer legal internships at law firms, public interest organizations, and legal departments, gaining direct professional experience. Program graduates also qualify for free LSAT preparation and mentorship through the Law School Access Program.  

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of social sciences programs are available to high school students in Canada?

You’ll find a mix of formats, including psychology research programs like U of T’s SPRINT, political science and international relations programs like McGill’s Summer Academy and the University of Ottawa’s Youth Summer University, and quantitative research training like Youreka Canada. Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs offers a different kind of option, letting you conduct independent, mentored research remotely across subjects like political theory and psychology rather than joining a fixed in-person program.

Do you need prior research or coursework experience to apply?

Most of these programs don’t require prior research experience, since many are designed to teach research methods and social science concepts from the ground up. That said, some, like SPRINT and UBC Future Global Leaders, do set a recommended GPA or academic average, and Youreka Canada builds in dedicated training on statistical analysis and R programming before the independent project phase begins.

Are there free options available?

Yes, several programs on this list don’t charge a fee. U of T’s SPRINT, the Canadian Economics Olympiad, and the LAWS Core High School Program are all free to participate in. Youreka Canada charges only a modest $80 fee, making it one of the more affordable research-focused options on this list.

Which programs offer financial aid or fully funded opportunities?

A number of these programs provide financial support for eligible students. The McGill Summer Academy’s migration stream offers full awards covering 100% of tuition, housing, meals, and travel for eligible Canadian youth, and Shad Canada offers fee assistance for domestic students. SPRINT and several university programs also prioritize students from underrepresented backgrounds, sometimes with associated funding support.

Which programs focus specifically on law or legal practice?

If law is your main interest, the University of Toronto Law Youth Summer Program and the LAWS Core High School Program are the most directly relevant options, both incorporating mock trials and hands-on legal simulations. The EMCP at Carleton University also offers a course specifically in Canadian sentencing law, giving you another way to explore legal topics in a shorter, one-week format.

Is there a way to pursue independent social science research beyond a structured Canadian program?

Yes. If you want a mentored research experience without needing to commute to a specific Canadian university, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs pairs you with a professor or PhD scholar to develop a 20-page research paper you can submit for academic publication, entirely online. The program also provides a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback, and covers over 600 research specializations. You can find the application here.

When should you apply?

Deadlines for these programs are spread throughout the year, so it helps to plan ahead. Youreka Canada has one of the earliest deadlines in early January, followed by Shad Canada (January 5) and the Forum for Young Canadians National Summit (October 26 for the following year’s cohorts). Several others cluster in February, including the University of Toronto Law YSP (registration opened February 11) and the EMCP (February 20), while the University of Waterloo’s Future Ready program closes later, on April 15. Horizon, by contrast, has multiple deadlines throughout the year across its Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts, giving you more flexibility if you miss an earlier cutoff.

Image source: University of Toronto