Pursuing MPhil/PhD studies in Cultural Studies at Lingnan University, 2025 Intake

I would like to bring to your attention a very attractive PhD programme that the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong has established, i.e. Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS). The Scheme is aimed at attracting the best and brightest students from around the world to come for PhD studies in Hong Kong, and I very much hope to have one of you pursuing this degree with us at Lingnan. Each Fellowship awardee will be provided with an annual stipend of HK$337,200* (approximately US$43,230) and a conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,000* (approximately US$1,790) per year by the RGC. In addition, awardees’ full tuition fee for the first year of study will be waived by the University. The intention is to make this Scheme prestigious and highly international, hence hopefully attractive to you.  

Lingnan, forging a path as a global leader in quality education and impactful research, aspires to evolve into a distinguished research-focused liberal arts university for the digital era, equipping students with critical thinking skills and digital literacy and ensuring our students are well-prepared to face the modern world’s challenges. While maintain our century-old strengths in arts, business and social sciences, it is emerging as a powerhouse in data science and artificial intelligence (AI) research and this newfound research strength has fostered a number of new interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research areas emerging within the University, elevating our traditional research to a new height.

In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) conducted by the University Grants Committee (UGC) in 2020, Lingnan’s research in humanities, business and social sciences was classified as “World Leading” (4 star) and “Internationally Excellent” (3 star); while some research disciplines under business and social sciences also came 1st or 2nd among all public universities in Hong Kong in terms of the percentage of “World Leading” research work. Lingnan currently offers MPhil and PhD programmes in the Arts, Business, Data Science, Science/Interdisciplinary Studies and Social Sciences disciplines. Our top value is student-centred learning, which ensures close and supportive thesis supervision. At Lingnan, students establish cohesive peer-type working relationships with world-class scholars who offer expert and close-contact supervision in their respective areas. Our compact working environment where research students relate as peers with world-class scholars has enabled Lingnan to maintain an excellent track record in the HKPFS.

To offer more diversified learning opportunities, especially for interdisciplinary research studies, Lingnan has been offering a number of full-time PhD programmes in collaboration with Mainland universities while some new collaborative programmes are also in the pipeline. For further details and updates on our Lingnan MPhil/PhD programmes and collaborative programmes, please visit our websites at www.LN.edu.hk/rpg/admission/list-of-programmes and www.LN.edu.hk/rpg/admission/collaborative-programmes-with-mainland-universities.

​Founded in 1999, the Department of Cultural Studies is the forerunner of offering BA degree in Cultural Studies, Master of Cultural Studies Programme (MCS) and Research Postgraduate Programmes (MPhil & PhD). We promote interdisciplinary research that foregrounds new ideas and drives societal changes. Our faculty members come from different areas of expertise, focusing on topics such as cultural sociology, digital media cultures, food science and technology, gender and sexualities, Hong Kong cultural identity, labour studies, migration and mobility, modern Chinese intellectual history, race and ethnicities, transgender studies and urban commons. Geographically, we are interested in Hong Kong, inter-Asia and global China. Connecting cultural theories with civic engagement is the core of our values. We do so by fostering community partnerships and public outreaches through our affiliated research centre, the Centre for Cultural Research and Development.

Applicants may seek admission to our PhD programmes in two ways as follows:

· Outstanding applicants may seek admission via the HKPFS by 1 December 2024 (Hong Kong Time 12:00 noon). Fellowship awardees will be provided with a Fellowship with a monthly stipend of HK$28,100*, and will be waived the full tuition fee for his/her first year of study. Students who apply for and do not get the Fellowship can still be considered for the regular PhD places at Lingnan.

· Applicants may apply to the University directly~ from 1 November 2024 to 17 January 2025. Normally, full-time PhD students will be awarded Postgraduate Studentships. In 2024-25, the full monthly stipend is HK$18,900*#. The amount will be raised to HK$19,270*# after confirmation of candidature.

We also have a popular research-based 2-year MPhil Cultural Studies programme. Applicants may apply for admission to our MPhil programmes directly from 1 November 2024 to 17 January 2025. Full-time MPhil students will normally be awarded Postgraduate Studentships as well. In 2024-25, the full monthly stipend is HK$18,640*#.

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*Amounts subject to annual review

~ Applications for collaborative programmes with Mainland universities can also be made to the University directly. Details can be referred to www.LN.edu.hk/rpg/admission/collaborative-programmes-with-mainland-universities.

​#The University may also award a partial studentship which is a fraction of the amount for a full studentship to students. 

For more details regarding application methods and requirements, please visit our website at www.LN.edu.hk/rpg/.

​Join our vibrant community at Lingnan for a transformative postgraduate educational experience that would equip them with the skills, knowledge, and global perspective needed for the future and to embrace the opportunity to become part of a dynamic institution that values interdisciplinary collaboration, cultural diversity, and academic excellence. 

Should you have any queries, you are most welcome to contact the School of Graduate Studies (tel.: (852) 2616 8720; email: rpgadm@LN.edu.hk).