🍃Lingnan University

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Hong Kong's only dedicated liberal arts university, with small class sizes throughout.

About Lingnan

Lingnan is explicitly modelled on the US liberal arts college — small classes, broad general education requirements and close student-faculty contact — a distinct teaching model from Hong Kong's larger research universities. It traces its roots back to a college founded in Guangzhou in 1888 before relocating to Hong Kong.

Why students choose it

  • Hong Kong's only dedicated liberal arts university
  • Small class sizes and close student-faculty contact
  • US liberal-arts-college teaching model

🎓 Free application support for Lingnan

Submit a free enquiry and Tutopiya's admissions team will guide you through your application to Lingnan — personal statement, interview prep and deadlines — at no cost, no obligation. Application fees are typically waived through our university partnerships.

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Typical entry grades

ABB (A Level)  ·  IB 30

Solid tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

HK$150,000–HK$200,000/yr

high tier for Hong Kong — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

English

Campus

campus campus, Hong Kong

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or Lingnan's financial aid office.

Hong Kong's UGC-funded universities offer a limited number of highly competitive entrance scholarships for outstanding international/non-local students, generally covering a significant share of tuition or including a stipend.

  • University entrance scholarships for non-local students: e.g. HKU, CUHK and HKUST each run entrance scholarship schemes for top international applicants — competitive with a small number of awards each year, sometimes covering full or partial tuition plus a living stipend.
  • Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme: Government-funded, but for doctoral/research study, not undergraduate admission.

These are genuinely competitive with very few places — worth applying for, but don't rely on one as your funding plan.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Liberal Arts

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Portfolio / audition

Business

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Typical entry: Mathematics helps but usually isn't required recommended

Social Sciences

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Chinese Studies

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Translation

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Durations are typical for Hong Kong — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
September
Typical deadline
December, via the non-JUPAS international route

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall

Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

See where Lingnan ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free Hong Kong University Shortlist Builder to see whether Lingnan is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other Hong Kong university that matches.

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Lingnan FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to Lingnan as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into Lingnan?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, Lingnan expects around ABB at A Level or 30 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for Lingnan's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on Lingnan's own admissions page before applying.

How much does Lingnan cost for international students?

International tuition at Lingnan typically falls in the HK$150,000–HK$200,000/yr range (high tier for Hong Kong). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not Lingnan's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for Lingnan?

Lingnan follows Hong Kong's typical intake calendar: September, with applications generally due december, via the non-jupas international route. Always verify the exact date on Lingnan's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for Lingnan?

Hong Kong universities, including Lingnan, typically ask international applicants for 6.5 overall. Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

What is Lingnan known for?

Hong Kong's only dedicated liberal arts university, with small class sizes throughout. Lingnan is explicitly modelled on the US liberal arts college — small classes, broad general education requirements and close student-faculty contact — a distinct teaching model from Hong Kong's larger research universities. It traces its roots back to a college founded in Guangzhou in 1888 before relocating to Hong Kong.

Can I apply to Lingnan with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — Lingnan accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free Hong Kong University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against Lingnan and every other Hong Kong university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

Need help applying to Lingnan? Get free application support.

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