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About LU

Introducing Lingnan - the Liberal Arts University in Hong Kong

Introducing Lingnan - the Liberal Arts University in Hong Kong

About LU


Lingnan University (LU) is a liberal arts university in Hong Kong with the longest established tradition among the local institutions of higher education. The University’s history dates back to 1888, when the forerunner, the Christian College in China, was founded in Guangzhou, and to 1967, when the institution, as Lingnan College, was re-established in Hong Kong and renamed Lingnan University in 1999.

International Reputation


LU is a global leader in quality education. It ranks first for “International Faculty”, “Inbound Exchange Students” and “Outbound Exchange Students” in QS Asia University Rankings 2021; ranks third for “Quality Education” in THE University Impact Rankings 2021, and ranks 33rd for “International Faculty” in QS World University Rankings 2022.

Hong Kong’s Best


Locally, LU received the highest score among the eight UGC-funded universities regarding “undergraduate satisfaction with the quality and value which they have gained from their teaching and learning experience” in the University Grants Committee’s University Accountability Agreements annual progress report 2019. This has been the second consecutive year in which the University came top in the area based on evaluation by students.

Learn more: Why Lingnan University

Liberal Arts Education


LU's Faculties of Arts, Business, Social Sciences and School of Graduate Studies run undergraduate, taught postgraduate and research postgraduate programmes. Students are provided with the best liberal arts education through a broad-based curriculum, close staff-student relationship, a vibrant residential campus, abundant service-learning and exchange opportunities, extensive co-curricular programmes and extra-curricular activities. The University prepares students to think critically and creatively, judge independently, care genuinely, and act appropriately and responsibly, and to pursue their goals in the future.

Learn more: Liberal Arts Education at Lingnan

Internationalisation and Collaborations


LU has formed alliances with more than 250 partner institutions in the world, covering 49 countries, over 83% of undergraduates participated in exchange in 2019. Meanwhile, LU focuses on the participation of students in the community service. The University provides locals, Mainland and overseas service opportunities, combining meaningful services with formal academic learning and encouraging students to participate in contributing to the society.

Learn more: Global Engagement

Social Engagement and Entrepreneurship Education


Service-Learning enables students to put theory into practice, and to develop a meaningful engagement with the community based on academic knowledge and research. One of the key elements is the Lingnan Entrepreneurship Initiative (LEI), a resource hub and focal point for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education activities supporting and empowering the Lingnan community and encouraging innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship for a better future. The LEI provides excellent education and service opportunities, aiming to identify and solve pressing humanitarian challenges through a sustainable development mindset and entrepreneurial spirit. 

Global Leader in High Impact Research


LU has made great strides in engaging academics in research and knowledge transfer to achieve impact from research and professional knowledge. In the latest Research Assessment Exercise 2020, conducted by the University Grants Committee using international benchmarks to identify the areas of relative strengths of the city’s public universities, LU’s research in humanities, social sciences and business were classified as “World Leading” (4 star) and “Internationally Excellent” (3 star); and came first or second among all public universities in terms of the percentage of “World Leading” research work in Accountancy, Sociology & Anthropology, Social Work & Social Policy, and Philosophy.

LU’s strength in knowledge transfer lies in gerontechnology and smart ageing, culture and heritage, humanitarian technology and environmental sustainability. Success is seen not only in the number of projects completed but also in new platforms established and new opportunities identified.

Learn more: Research & Impact