Up to two places are available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The application form is in the purple section at the bottom of this page. The deadline for applications is 28 February 2025 at 15:00.

Call Details

The Lingnan University Summer Institute will bring together students from around the world for an exciting learning experience on Lingnan’s campus. Participants can expect an amazing summer, experiencing Lingnan’s residential halls, interacting with a community of like-minded students, and exploring the vibrancy and diversity of Hong Kong culture.

Whilst the programme is described as 'liberal arts' there is a wider variety of courses to choose from than the common definition of liberal arts. Please see the course list for available courses (Summer Term, 2024-25). Courses are taught in English except for language courses.

You can choose from two sessions; 27 May - 9 July 2025 and 14 July - 1 August 2025.

Why participate?

Students who successfully apply for the scheme will have the chance to:

• participate in an internationally competitive opportunity in Hong Kong in 2025;
• enhance cultural and language skills;
• experience educational, social, and recreational opportunities;
• join an international alumni community.

What are the costs?

The two students nominated by Durham to participate will be considered exchange students and will not have to pay the programme tuition fee to Lingnan. However, all participants will have to meet costs associated with:

• Visas c. HK$330–HK$630 (£35 - £65);
• Travel;
• Accommodation costs (share room in student hostel). Typical fees: Session 1: HK$2,944 (£300) and Session 2: HK$1,600 (£162)

Funding is available to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds to help meet these costs. 

What funding is available?

Up to two Turing funded placements are available to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who meet the University's definition of Widening Participation (see Fair Access below). The typical level of funding is composed of:

• Living cost grant: £21 per day (pro-rated for shorter stays)
• Travel grant: up to a maximum of £905 (reclaimable against receipts).

Eligibility

Interested students need to meet the following eligibility criteria. At the point of expressing interest in this initiative students must:

• Have already have completed at least one year of their degree. Typically students will currently be in second year (though some students on four-year integrated Masters programmes may apply in third year);
• Have one full year of study remaining at the time of the prospective programme (summer 2025);
• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Have a minimum weighted average of 60% or higher for their most recent academic year, equivalent to a low 2:1;
• Meet the Widening Participation definition (see below);
• Be able to spend 3 - 6 weeks within in the period 27 May – 1 August 2025 in Hong Kong;
• Have not been on a year abroad to Hong Kong (via Durham's exchange programme) or be about to go on a year abroad to Hong Kong in 2025-26.

Fair Access

Fair Access: This initiative is open to any Durham student who meets the eligibility criteria above.  Expressions of interest are particularly welcomed from students from backgrounds where participation in study or work abroad is traditionally low. This includes students who: have received or are eligible for the Durham Grant Scheme; have participated in the Supported Progression Scheme or Sutton Trust Summer school at Durham University; are from a minority ethnic group; have a home address in an area of low progression to higher education (i.e. your postcode is listed '1' or '2' in the Polar checking tool.

Widening Participation

For the purposes of funding, the University's definition of Widening Participation includes:

Please note that completing the 'register to apply' form is only the first step of a longer two-step application process. Students must:

1. Apply to Durham, who will select up to two students to nominate to Lingnan.
2. Nominated students will then have to complete an application with Lingnan. 

If you do not complete step 1 and directly apply to Lingnan you will not be considered an exchange student (and they will charge associated Summer School fees).

1. Application to Durham

The application form (in the purple section at the bottom of this page) will ask for:

• Personal details;
• Upload of a Transcript of Marks indicating that you meet the 60% average requirement;
• Declaration of whether you meet the University's Widening Participation criteria.

The deadline for applications to Durham is 15:00, Friday 28 February 2025. 

Selection by Durham

All applications will be vetted by Durham to ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria. Each eligible application will be given a unique number with successful applications selected using a random number generator. Students will be notified whether they have been successful on Monday 3 March 2025. 

2. Application to Lingnan

Selected students will be nominated to Lingnan by Durham on Monday 3 March 2025. Students will then receive application information from Lingnan. 

Selected students will need to apply to Lingnan by Wednesday 5 March 2025 by completing the online application form AND providing the following printed/paper forms to the International Office: 

• Completed application form;
• Part K Endorsement form signed by Durham's Global Opportunities team;
• Official Transcript;
• Official TOEFL/IELTS score report (if English is not your first language);
• Recommendation letter from Durham's Global Opportunities team;
• Complete VISA/ENTRY Permit Application Form.

Selected students MUST be able to bring the documents listed above to the International Office by 12noon on Wednesday 5 March in order to meet Lingnan's deadline for receipt of documents. Durham will arrange for the documents to be couriered to Lingnan. Documents received after the deadline cannot be accepted. 

Further Information / Resources

Lingnan Application User Guide

Lingnan University fact sheet