The University sponsors a formal program of summer study for Brown students. Among the many advantages offered by summer courses at Brown are: the luxury of small classes with some of Brown's best faculty and expert visiting faculty; a curriculum that includes innovative courses presently available only in the Summer Session; the opportunity to devote concentrated attention to one subject; and the availability of small sections of courses that are typically over-enrolled during the academic year.

In addition, Brown undergraduates can find summer courses helpful to either maintain progress towards their degree or to accelerate their degrees (i.e. graduate in seven semesters) by earning four summer credits at Brown, thus saving approximately half of one semester's tuition charges. (Note that summer courses taken elsewhere cannot be used to accelerate.)  Brown summer courses DO NOT earn enrollment/tuition units and therefore while there is a provision to waive a semester of tuition by taking and earning 4 Brown Summer/Winter courses, students cannot use less than 4 Brown summer and/or winter courses as a way to reduce the enrollment/tuition unit requirement.

Summer courses are equivalent to courses offered at Brown during the fall and spring semesters (As stated above however, they do not count towards enrollment/tuition unit credit)  They are intensive, meeting a minimum of seven hours per week. Courses carry full credit for undergraduates enrolled at Brown, and as many as four of these courses may count toward the baccalaureate degree. NOTE: Brown-RISD Students can enroll in summer courses but they do not count towards minimum degree requirements and cannot be used to waive a semester of tuition.  The staff in the School of Professional Studies staff is available for information and advice; students are urged to consult the staff with any questions concerning summer courses or policies.

Similar to the 7 week Brown summer session mentioned above, the Winter Session is a further compressed academic experience available to Brown students. Courses carry full credit for undergraduates enrolled at Brown (maximum one per session), and as many as four of these courses may count toward the baccalaureate degree on their own or when combined with Brown summer session classes (cannot exceed 4 altogether).  The same regulation regarding Brown summer courses in that they do not count towards the enrollment/tuition unit requirement holds for Brown Winter session courses

NOTE: Brown-RISD Dual degree students can enroll in Brown winter courses but they do not count towards minimum degree requirements and cannot be used to waive a semester of tuition.