Católica/Harvard Summer School Global Partner Program 2026 Edition
OVERVIEW
On November 13, 2025 Universidade Católica Portuguesa has entered into a new academic collaboration with Harvard University's Division of Continuing Education (DCE) becoming an official member of DCE’s Global Partner Program.
Through this agreement, eligible Católica students will have access to Harvard Summer School’s academic offerings through either a three-week or four-week session. Students will join a global cohort of peers from leading universities around the world, engaging in rigorous coursework and gaining access to Harvard’s dynamic, inclusive learning community.
As part of the Global Partner Program, Católica students will receive dedicated enrollment support, advising resources, and access to exclusive partner events designed to enhance cultural exchange and global networking.
About this program:
To apply to the Católica/Harvard Summer School Global Partner Program, candidates must be enrolled in a degree program at Católica (Undergraduate, Master or Integrated Master) by the deadline for this application (January 6th 2026) and meet the following criteria:
UNDERGRADUATE and INTEGRATED MASTER’S STUDENTS
- Must have completed at least 60 ECTS
- Minimum grade average in the previous academic years: 13
1st YEAR MASTER STUDENTS
- Undergraduate degree final grade average: 14
2nd YEAR MASTER STUDENTS
- Minimum grade average in the previous academic year:14
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
- Be a native of an English-speaking country; or
- Have completed a degree fully taught in English; or
- Submit proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL 100; IELTS 7; PEARSON 70; DUOLINGO 125)
| 7 week session |
|---|
| $7.164 tuition (two 4-credit courses) |
| $7.575 on campus housing and meal plan (optional) |
| $14.739 total cost per student |
| Enroll in two 4-credit courses Starting June 22 - August 7 |
| 3 week session |
|---|
| $3.582 tuition (per 4-credit courses) |
| $3.700 on campus housing and meal plan (optional) |
| $7.282 total cost per student |
| Enroll in one 4-credit course each 3-week session Session I: June 22 - July 9 Session II: July 13 - July 30 |
| 4 week session |
|---|
| $3.582 tuition (per 4-credit courses) |
| $4.920 on campus housing and meal plan (optional) |
| $8.502 total cost per student |
| Enrool in one 4-credit course Starting July 13 - August 6 |
Students cannot combine the 7-week session with 3-week or 4-week sessions.
Students may combine 3-week and 4-week sessions.
A list of courses from the previous edition (Summer 2025) can be found here.
ON CAMPUS HOUSING AND MEAL PLAN
Students may apply for on-campus housing which also includes a meal plan and Health Insurance for the duration of the program. Católica strongly encourages students to apply for on-campus housing, although that is not mandatory.
Note that the accommodation will only be available during the official program dates. Students arriving earlier or leaving later are responsible for finding accommodation for those additional days.
Students who do not wish to apply for on-campus housing are responsible for finding their own accommodation.
There are no scholarships or tuition waivers available for this program.
The application fee is non-refundable.
Students are responsible for expenses related to:
- Visa
- Travel
- Accommodation, health insurance and meals if the student chooses not to apply for the on campus housing
- Personal expenses
Application Requirements & Process
@ Católica
Católica’s Application Deadline: January 6th, 2026 – 23:59h (Lisbon time, GMT+0)
Interviews – January 12th-22nd
Student nomination to Harvard – mid February
@ Harvard
Validation by Study Abroad Office & Pre-Registration in the Courses – late February
Course Enrollment – March
Submission of on campus Housing Request (optional) – March
Payment – early April
At the time of application, candidates must meet the following criteria:
UNDERGRADUATE and INTEGRATED MASTER’S STUDENTS
- Must have completed at least 60 ECTS
- Minimum grade average in the previous academic years: 13
1st YEAR MASTER STUDENTS
- Undergraduate degree final grade average: 14
2nd YEAR MASTER STUDENTS
- Minimum grade average in the previous academic year:14
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
Minimum scores for each exam:
Important notes:
- Only these four certificates are accepted
- Native English speakers are exempt from presenting test scores
- To have completed a degree fully taught in English is also acceptable
To apply to the Católica/Harvard Summer School Global Partner Program, please fill the application form and submit the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (in English, max. 1 page)
- Motivation letter (in English, max.2 pages)
Based on the Summer 2025 course offerings (DCE Course Search) please let us know:- why is this program important for your future career
- which courses you would like to attend and why.
- Updated Transcript of Records (can be a print screen of your UCP student portal, showing all the courses completed as of the day of the application submission)
- Proof of English proficiency:
- Graduate Certificate / Diploma of a degree fully taught in English
- TOEFL, IELTS, PEARSON, DUOLINGO | other English Language Certificates will not be accepted
- Payment receipt for the application fee (150€ - not refundable)
STEP 1
Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria, on a scale of 0-20:
60% - Academic performance
40% - CV and Motivation Letter
STEP 2
Only the candidates who score higher than 14 in STEP 1 will be invited for an online interview that will take place online, between January 12 and 22. For these candidates, the following criteria will apply, on a scale of 0-20:
40% - Academic performance
40% - Interview
20% - CV and Motivation Letter
Contact:
Email: global.engagement@ucp.pt
Contact:
Email: global.engagement@ucp.pt