Summer Pre-College Courses
Franklin University Switzerland invites motivated high school students (ages 15–18) to immerse themselves in transformative summer learning experiences on our international campus in Lugano. Designed to spark curiosity, build global awareness, and develop university-level skills, our Pre-College programs combine academic rigor with hands-on exploration and collaborative learning.
Students can choose from two dynamic course options: Sustainability, Eco-Resilience, and Climate Justice or Art and Belonging: Making, Reflecting, and Creating Better Futures Together. Whether you’re passionate about building a more sustainable world or inspired by art as a powerful tool for connection and community, each course offers the opportunity to earn 3 university credits, engage with expert faculty, and connect with peers from around the globe — all while experiencing life as a Franklin student.
Why take a summer course?
This summer program provides the opportunity for high school students to:
- Enjoy first-class teaching,
- Learn alongside students from around the world in a small class environment,
- Enhance their resumes,
- Strengthen essential skills for their university career, and
- Earn three university credits!
Application
We welcome rising juniors and seniors (at least 15 years old with at least 10 years of schooling) to get a head start on their bachelor's degree. Further requirements are listed on our online application form. Applications for the 2026 Summer Program for high school students will be reviewed on a rolling admissions basis.
For general inquiries please contact the admissions team: admissions@fus.edu.
Courses
Sustainability, Eco-Resilience, and Climate Justice
As climate change accelerates, communities worldwide are imagining new ways to build healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable futures. But the challenges are complex. What actions will truly make a difference, and who gets to decide? How can everyday people contribute—and stay hopeful—as natural disasters increase?
Art and Belonging: Making, Reflecting, and Creating Better Futures Together
This immersive program combines studio work, local excursions, and group reflection to explore how art expresses ideas, emotions, and shared experiences. Guided by artist and educator jen berger, students discover creative expression as a tool for personal growth, social awareness, and community engagement while collaborating with peers from around the world.
| Tuition and Fees | 4000 CHF |
| Early-Bird Deadline, Before January 15th, 2026 | 3500 CHF |
Sustainability, Eco-Resilience, and Climate Justice
The accelerating impacts of climate change demand more than quick fixes—they call for informed, resilient, and compassionate leadership. This program offers a comprehensive introduction to environmental issues, unpacking the roots of climate disruption, biodiversity loss, pollution, and social injustice. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students discover how ecological systems, human behavior, and global policies intersect, gaining a clearer understanding of what meaningful action looks like.
Students also explore the emotional and psychological dimensions of environmental worry, learning strategies for empowerment, optimism, and personal resilience. Experiential learning is central: guided by local experts, students investigate the natural beauty surrounding Lugano and examine how communities respond to ecological change.
Art and Belonging: Making, Reflecting and Creating Better Futures Together
As the effects of climate change intensify and the human and natural landscapes are forced to change, communities everywhere are searching for healthier, more equitable ways to shape the future and understand the past. This immersive summer program invites students to explore how art making and creativity can spark real change. Guided by artist and educator jen berger, participants engage in hands-on studio work, local excursions, and collaborative discussions that deepen their understanding of art’s role in expressing identity, emotion, and belonging. Students learn how creative practices can be used to process complex global challenges, communicate ideas, and create new futures.
Outside the studio, students venture into Lugano’s parks, public artworks, and architectural landmarks—such as Parco Ciani, Piazza della Riforma, Chiesa Santa Maria degli Angioli, and the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo—while visiting institutions like the MASI art museum and the Lugano Arts & Culture Center. These experiences broaden cultural awareness and connect artistic practices to real environments and people. By sharing their perspectives with peers from around the world, students develop confidence, cultural curiosity, and collaborative skills that support more inclusive conversations about the future.
No previous art experience is required.
Experiential Learning
At Franklin University Switzerland, we highly value experiential learning, offering hands-on opportunities that empower students to connect academic theory with real-world practice. Read below some of the experiences we offer to High School students during our Summer Program:
- Visits to parks, vineyards, pollinator gardens, and Lake Lugano to explore efforts to preserve and enhance Ticino’s biodiversity
- Day trip into the Alps to learn about the development of sustainable approaches to outdoor recreation and tourism
- Day trip to Milan, which is part of the C40 network of cities committed to building “healthy, equitable and resilient communities” while cutting emissions in half by 2030.
- Lugano Arts & Culture Center.
- MASI Art Museum.
English language qualifications
If English is not your first language, or if you have not spent the last two years studying in a school where English is the primary language of instruction, you will need one of the following:
- TOEFL : 80 (internet-based)
- IELTS Academic Module: Average 6.0
- Duolingo: Score of 110, with no component under 100-105