YBB – Lingnan University is accepting applications for admission to its research postgraduate programmes for the 2027–28 academic year. Applicants seeking admission to a PhD programme may apply through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS), established by the Research Grants Council (RGC) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2009.
The HKPFS aims to attract outstanding students from around the world to pursue PhD programmes at participating institutions in Hong Kong. Lingnan University is one of the participating universities that can nominate outstanding applicants for the fellowship.
For the 2027–28 admission intake, HKPFS awardees at Lingnan University are eligible for the LU Presidential PhD Scholarship top-up package. This scholarship package includes an annual allowance of HK$40,000, a full tuition fee waiver for the standard duration of study, and a guaranteed place in a residential hall for three years. Scholarship recipients also have the opportunity to apply for additional performance-based scholarships of up to HK$60,000 per year.
Program Overview
- University: Lingnan University
- Host Country: Hong Kong
- Fellowship Scheme: Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS)
- Fellowship Provider: Research Grants Council (RGC), Hong Kong
- Admission Year: 2027–28
- Degree Level: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Study Mode: Full-time
- Monthly Stipend: HK$28,700 (2026–27 rate, subject to annual review)
- Conference and Research-related Travel Allowance: Up to HK$14,400 per year (2026–27 rate, subject to annual review)
- Additional Scholarship: LU Presidential PhD Scholarship top-up package for the 2027–28 intake
- Initial HKPFS Application Deadline: December 1, 2026, 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time
- Lingnan University Application Deadline: December 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Hong Kong Time
About the Program
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme was established by the Research Grants Council (RGC) in 2009. It aims to attract outstanding students from around the world to pursue PhD programmes at Hong Kong’s participating institutions.
Lingnan University is one of the universities that can nominate outstanding applicants for the fellowship. The university conducts the selection of applicants for its PhD programmes and nominates candidates for the HKPFS award.
The fellowship selection considers the following areas:
- Academic performance.
- Research ability.
- Interpersonal and communication skills.
- Leadership abilities.
The RGC establishes selection panels to evaluate the nominations submitted by participating institutions.
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Research Postgraduate Programmes at Lingnan University
Lingnan University offers research postgraduate programmes leading to Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees across several academic areas.
The available disciplines include:
1. Arts
- MPhil/PhD in Chinese
- MPhil/PhD in Cultural Studies
- MPhil/PhD in English
- MPhil/PhD in Film and Visual Arts
- MPhil/PhD in History
- MPhil/PhD in Philosophy
- MPhil/PhD in Translation
2. Business
- MPhil/PhD in Business, including Accounting, Finance, International Business, Management, Marketing, Operations Management, Risk Management and Insurance.
3. Data Science
- MPhil/PhD in Data Science.
4. Science/Interdisciplinary Studies
- MPhil/PhD in Environmental Science.
- MPhil/PhD in Sustainability.
5. Social Sciences
- MPhil/PhD in Economics.
- MPhil/PhD in Government and International Affairs.
- MPhil/PhD in Psychology.
- MPhil/PhD in Sociology and/or Social Policy.
- MPhil/PhD in Urban Studies.
Lingnan University also offers collaborative research postgraduate programmes with universities in mainland China. These include double PhD degree programmes in Business, Mathematics and Business, Economics, and Data Science.
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Benefits
The amounts published on the university’s website for the 2026–27 academic year are:
- Monthly Stipend. Each HKPFS awardee receives a monthly stipend of HK$28,700. The amount is subject to annual review.
- Conference and Research-related Travel Allowance. Awardees receive a conference and research-related travel allowance of up to HK$14,400 per year. This allowance is also subject to annual review.
- Fellowship Support for the Fourth Year. The HKPFS provides fellowship support for a maximum period of three years. For an awardee whose normative study period is four years, Lingnan University will provide the same level of fellowship and conference and research-related travel allowance for the fourth year of study.
LU Presidential PhD Scholarship for 2027–28 HKPFS Awardees
In addition to the HKPFS fellowship, Lingnan University provides the LU Presidential PhD Scholarship top-up package for outstanding candidates admitted through the RGC’s HKPFS in the 2027–28 admission intake.
The package includes:
- Award of HK$40,000 per year for the entire duration of study, up to four years of the normative study period.
- Full tuition fee waiver for the whole normative study period.
- Eligibility to apply for an additional performance-based scholarship of up to HK$60,000 per year.
- Guaranteed hostel accommodation place for three years.
The additional performance-based scholarship is subject to an application process and is not stated as an automatic award for every recipient.
These benefits are applicable to HKPFS awardees for the 2027–28 admission intake.
Admission Requirements for PhD Programmes
According to the university’s admission criteria, an applicant for a PhD programme should normally meet one of the following academic qualifications:
- Hold a master’s degree awarded by a tertiary education institution recognised by the university.
- Hold a relevant bachelor’s degree with first or second class honours, or an equivalent qualification, and have registered in a master’s degree programme at a recognised tertiary education institution for at least one year, with evidence of research achievement.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree with first class honours, or an equivalent qualification, from a recognised tertiary education institution, with evidence of substantial research achievement.
- Hold an equivalent qualification to the qualifications listed above.
- Provide satisfactory evidence of academic and professional attainment.
For applicants whose degrees are not from a tertiary institution where English is the medium of instruction for all courses, the university normally requires one of the following:
- A minimum TOEFL internet-based test score of 79 for tests taken before January 21, 2026, or 4 for tests taken on or after January 21, 2026.
- An IELTS band score of 6.5 or above.
- An equivalent score in a recognised test or an equivalent qualification, subject to consideration by the university.
Application Period and Important Dates
Applicants seeking admission to Lingnan University’s PhD programmes through HKPFS for the 2027–28 academic year must complete two application steps.
- September 1, 2026: HKPFS application period opens.
- December 1, 2026, 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time: Deadline for the initial application through the RGC online application system.
- December 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Hong Kong Time: Deadline for submitting the full application through Lingnan University’s online application system.
How to Apply
Applicants seeking admission to a PhD programme through HKPFS must complete the initial application through the RGC system before submitting a full application to Lingnan University.
Step 1: Submit an Initial Application to the RGC
Visit the Research Grants Council HKPFS application system and submit the initial application between September 1 and December 1, 2026. Applicants will receive a reference number after submitting the initial application.
Step 2: Submit a Full Application to Lingnan University
After receiving the reference number from the RGC, applicants must submit a full PhD admission application through Lingnan University’s online application system. Visit the Lingnan University Online Application Portal to complete the application.
Step 3: Select the Correct Application Type
When completing the online application, select “HK PhD Fellowship Scheme (2027–28)” as the application type. Applicants must quote the reference number assigned by the RGC for verification.
Step 4: Settle the Application Fee
Applicants must settle the application fee when submitting the full application to Lingnan University. The university’s application instructions specify that the application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline
Ensure that the initial application to the RGC is submitted by December 1, 2026, at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time, and that the full application to Lingnan University is submitted by December 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Hong Kong Time.
For further information, applicants can refer to the following official university pages:
- Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme at Lingnan University
- Lingnan University Research Postgraduate Programmes
- Application for Admission
- Financial Support
- Admission Criteria and Requirements
What Happens if an Applicant Is Not Awarded the HKPFS?
Lingnan University states that applicants who are nominated for the HKPFS but do not receive the final fellowship award, as well as applicants who are not selected for nomination, will be considered for admission as PhD students at Lingnan University.
These applicants may be considered for places assigned to the university with Postgraduate Studentship awards.
Admission and the award of a Postgraduate Studentship remain subject to the university’s admission and selection arrangements.
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Conclusion
The Lingnan University Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027–28 provides an opportunity for outstanding applicants to pursue full-time PhD studies at Lingnan University through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme. For the 2027–28 intake, HKPFS awardees are also eligible for the LU Presidential PhD Scholarship top-up package, which includes an annual award of HK$40,000, a full tuition fee waiver, eligibility to apply for an additional performance-based scholarship, and a guaranteed hostel accommodation for three years.
Applicants interested in the programme should review Lingnan University’s PhD admission requirements and complete both application steps before December 1, 2026.
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