Design + Architecture Summer Programs at UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental design offers three for-credit architecture and design summer programs open to college students and young professionals from diverse backgrounds. We also offer a commuter program for high school students.

UC Berkeley is globally recognized as the nation’s top public university, where academic excellence is paired with a mandate to challenge the status quo. In our immersive design and architecture summer programs, you’ll be challenged to produce your best work, at an accelerated pace. That means that during this rigorous architecture summer school, you’ll accomplish as much in just a few weeks as others do in an entire semester. In our design summer programs, you’ll explore how architecture and design can benefit communities.

A focus on climate solutions, social equity, and design excellence will encourage you to envision more just and sustainable futures, both for our communities and our planet. Spend your summer at UC Berkeley and reimagine our world.

On architecture summer school field trips, we’ll explore the geographic diversity of the Bay Area, visit local creative design firms, and get a glimpse of Silicon Valley’s high tech culture.

Enjoy the summer in the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area. Berkeley is located just 25 minutes from downtown San Francisco and within an hour of most local attractions, including national parks, museums, shopping, and restaurants, as well as music, art, and a multitude of other cultural venues. In San Francisco, walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, stroll down twisty Lombard Street, ride a cable car, visit lively Chinatown, or take a tour of Alcatraz Island.

In the full-time design and architecture summer programs, you’ll explore multiple aspects of environmental design and learn how to conceptualize and communicate your ideas in both 2D and 3D.

Each summer design program is known for its engaged teaching style — highly skilled instructors and accomplished professionals review your work one-to-one and in small groups. You’ll also meet and collaborate with students with similar passions and build a strong portfolio of design work. Plus, you’ll gain college-level credit for passing the credit-bearing programs.

In addition, our youngest students get to explore architectural design and hands-on building using state-of-the-art tools in CED’s wood and metal shop and digital fabrication lab. 

More than 3,000 students have attended CED Summer Programs since 2008. The majority of our alums have gone on to pursue design or architecture degrees at top-rated schools and embark on fulfilling design careers — and it all started with an extraordinary and empowering summer school experience at Berkeley.

We encourage early application due to the competitive nature of our programs. For detailed information about application deadlines and requirements, and to start your journey with us, visit our Application & Admissions page.

No previous design experience is necessary. We encourage students and professionals from all backgrounds to apply. We are primarily looking for intellectual curiosity and evidence of academic ability. International students are welcome and encouraged to apply.

All for-credit programs begin on July 7, 2025. The Design + Build Bootcamp begins July 14, 2025.

Still have questions? Read more about Applications & Admissions, Program Cost & Financial Support, Course Credit, How to Prepare, Housing & Transportation, Cancellation & Withdrawal, After the Program on the Summer Program FAQ page.