嶺南大學的歷史可追溯至1888年，當時美國長老會在廣州沙基金利埠創辦了一所名為格致書院的高等學府。是年3月28日，格致書院正式授課，第一批學生只有三十人。
1893年，格致書院脫離美國長老會，在紐約另組董事局，成為一所不屬於任何教會的基督教大學。其時中國政局正值多事之秋，格致書院難免成為仇外份子滋擾的對象。1900年，曾經在格致書院就學的史堅如謀刺兩廣總督德壽事敗，格致書院引起了滿清政府的注意。為免捲入政治旋渦，格致書院遷往澳門暫避。1903年，格致書院改名Canton Christian College，中文校名亦改為嶺南學堂，是為「嶺南」用作校名之始。1904年，嶺南學堂決定遷回廣州，並在廣州河南康樂村購下三十多英畝土地，成為日後嶺南大學的永久校園。
隨著永久校址的啟用，嶺南學堂的發展蒸蒸日上。1911年，校友司徒衛從康樂校園北望的景緻得到啟發，設計出一個饒有意思的校徽。圓形校徽的上半部是廣州的白雲山，橫亙其中的是珠江，其南岸有茂盛的荔枝樹；下半部是康樂校園的曲水細流，富有詩意。這個圓形校徽經過多次細微的修飾，一直沿用至今。另外，當時嶺南學生參加省運動會的時候，啦啦隊所用的校旗以紅色為底色，上面印有「嶺南」兩個灰色大字。自此「紅」、「灰」二色成為了嶺南精神的代名詞。
1912年9月，學堂的中文名稱改為「嶺南學校」，英文名稱則不變。1918年，嶺南學校終於發展出整套大學課程，並且頒發學位證書予當年修畢課程的三名畢業生。這時候，美國的哈佛、耶魯、哥倫比亞、史丹福，以及加拿大的多倫多等十五所著名大學正式接受嶺南畢業生入讀研究院課程。
1926年，國民政府頒佈私立學校立案規程，禁止外國人在中國辦大學，嶺南學校亦在被禁之列。嶺南學校隨即成立以華人為主的校董會，以取代紐約董事局，並準備由華人接手主理校務。1927年1月，校董會推舉一直襄助校務的鍾榮光為校長，李應林為副校長，展開華人領導嶺南的新一頁。嶺南亦正式易名嶺南大學，英文名稱亦相應改為Lingnan University。嶺南大學於是年3月向國民政府呈請立案，確定為國際性的私立基督教大學。從1927年至抗戰前夕，嶺南大學在原有的文理學科上先後增設農學院、商學院、工學院、醫學院等部門；又開辦中學、小學、華僑班等附屬組織；並且在香港設立嶺南分校，成為中國南方一所舉足輕重的教育機構。
抗戰期間，在1938年，嶺南大學遷移往香港，而早於1937年，附屬中學已遷往香港青山灣梁園。嶺南大學借用香港大學的校舍繼續授課；農學院則租用屯門藍地的農場。1941年12月，香港淪陷，時為校長的李應林率領嶺南大學師生輾轉逃亡至粵北韶關。在國民政府和美國基金會的協助下，嶺南大學最後在曲江大村復校，並將校園命名為「嶺大村」。後來戰事日漸蔓延，嶺南大學只好由曲江轉移往東江梅縣。
1945年抗戰勝利，嶺南大學重回廣州康樂村的校園，李應林承擔起復課的任務，完成了艱巨的重建工作。1948年8月，陳序經接任校長一職，迅即將嶺南大學的學術地位提昇到一個新的境界。陳序經是著名的全盤西化論的倡導者，在海內外享有盛譽。他立意要將嶺南大學打造成全國最優秀的學府。嶺南大學優秀的師資在戰後的廣東造就了一個人文薈萃、精英雲集的局面，其盛況可謂一時無兩。
1952年底，全國高等院校進行調整，嶺南大學的康樂校園變成了中山大學的校園，原有的課程或科系拼入廣州其他院校，曾經是國內著名學府的嶺南大學正式解體，結束了六十多年曲折而光輝的教育道路。
自1952年院校調整以來，嶺南大學校友一直以復校為奮鬥的共同目標。1967年9月，嶺南校友在香港成立嶺南書院有限公司籌辦嶺南書院，開始了嶺南大學復校的第一步。為結集資源以推動嶺南教育事業在香港的發展，嶺南書院有限公司更於1969年與嶺南中學有限公司合併，組成嶺南教育機構有限公司。
創設伊始，嶺南書院借用嶺南中學的課室上課。第一年取錄了約一百名新生入讀大學先修班，三十名入讀一年級，其中有部分學生在學校寄宿。後來得到熱心校友支持奔走，嶺南書院先後興建了教學及行政大樓、大禮堂、語言實驗室、圖書館及教職員宿舍，具備了專上學院的基本規模。1974年，嶺南書院師生的努力得到了回報；超過七十間北美的大學承認嶺南書院具有高等學府的地位。1978年，嶺南書院成功向教育署註冊為專上學院，並隨即易名嶺南學院，同時推行由政府資助的專上學制。1978年，嶺南開辦「二二一」制專上課程；即兩年預科、兩年高等文憑及一年榮譽文憑課程。轉制以後學生人數漸增，嶺南的整體發展空間亦隨之擴大。
嶺南校友以十年時間建立了一所頗具規模的專上學院，為此後的發展打下了堅固的基礎。1983年，陳佐舜校長接掌嶺南，肩負提升嶺南學術地位的重任。陳校長在任期間大量延聘人才，重組學術部門，並改革課程結構，推行通識教育，為學術評審作好準備。1983年，嶺南進行學科課程改革，包括停辦音樂學院、成立社會科學院、並推行通識教育課程。1986年，嶺南增設翻譯課程。至此，預科課程停辦，學院將資源集中投放於榮譽文憑課程的發展之上。1987年12月，英國「國家學歷頒授委員會」對嶺南進行全面評審。對於嶺南多年來進步神速，評審團予以高度評價，並認為嶺南的學術水平足以媲美「大學及理工教育資助委員會」轄下的院校。
1988年，政府決定增加對嶺南的撥款，以推動榮譽文憑課程的發展。同時，政府亦計劃邀請嶺南加入「大學及理工教育資助委員會」，升格為開辦學位課程的高等學府。1991年，嶺南的努力奮鬥得到了重大的回報，嶺南在「香港學術評審局」的全面評審中取得上佳的評價。評審團成員特別推許嶺南教職員資歷良好，更對學生的傑出表現留下了深刻的印象。評審局因此認為嶺南有優良的學術條件開辦學位課程。最後政府接納建議，於1991年把嶺南升格納入「大學及理工資助委員會」體系，成為本港頒授學位的大專院校之一，首先開辦了翻譯及社會科學兩個學士學位課程，1994年增辦中文及工商管理學位課程。
嶺南為了進一步發展大學教育，於1995年遷入屯門新校舍，並由陳坤耀教授接任校長。新校園設計將廣州嶺南大學的原貌融入現代建築的風格之中，傳承嶺南大學1888年以來的優良傳統。同年開辦哲學碩士課程。1998年，嶺南獲得自我評審資格，並於1999年正名為嶺南大學。
進入2000年，嶺南不斷向前邁進，增設研究生課程，成立持續進修及社區學院，為香港以至鄰近地區提供多元化的優質大學教育。
為了進一步深化博雅教育的成效，嶺南更於2001年起推出「綜合學習課程」計劃，課程現時包括公民教育、智育發展、體育發展、群育及情緒發展、美育發展和宿舍教育六大範疇的非學分課程，鼓勵學生在課堂以外擴展多元學習的經驗，以達致「學問淵博、為人儒雅」的目的。
2003年教資會「教與學質素保證過程檢討」專家小組對嶺大作出正面評價，高度讚揚嶺大在提升教學質素工作上的傑出表現。同年《信報財經月刊》發表其委託的教學質素調查，嶺大的教學質素位居八大院校之首，再度印證了嶺大推動博雅教育的卓越成果。
2006年教資會主持的「2006年研究評審」報告中，嶺大的整體研究表現指數位列全港八大院校的第四名，僅次於三所「研究型大學」。嶺大的教師素來堅持以學生為本的教學原則，格外重視與學生建立良好而互信的關係，同時又緊守學術的本分，在研究工作上推陳出新，充分展示了嶺南教師隊伍的專業精神。
In 2023, a new chapter began in Lingnan University's history with the appointment of Professor S. Joe Qin as President. His leadership marked the beginning of a transformative era, steering the University toward becoming a comprehensive institution in arts and sciences for the digital age, with a strong emphasis on impactful research and innovation.
Leadership and Strategic Development
A significant milestone in the University’s governance was the passage of the Lingnan University (Amendment) Ordinance 2023 by the Legislative Council, enabling the appointment of up to three Vice-Presidents. This structural enhancement strengthened leadership and facilitated greater engagement with local, national, and international stakeholders.
The newly appointed Vice-Presidents are:
- Professor Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academic) and Provost
- Professor Xin Yao, Vice-President (Research and Innovation)
- Mr Ernest Chan Chi-man, Vice-President (Administration)
As Lingnan approaches its 60th anniversary of re-establishment in Hong Kong in 2027, it launched the “Lingnan-60 Global Talent Recruitment” initiative in January 2024. The initiative aims to recruit over 60 internationally renowned faculty in interdisciplinary fields pivotal to a digitalised future. By November 2025, the University had recruited 30 top-tier scholars, further enriching its academic community.
Academic and Research Development
Lingnan has embraced digital transformation as a cornerstone of its educational approach. Since 2023, all students and staff have had access to advanced artificial intelligence tools, including ChatGPT and DeepSeek, fostering innovation in teaching, learning, and research. Beginning in the 2024/25 academic year, the University introduced Generative AI as a compulsory common core course for all first-year students. This initiative underscores Lingnan's commitment to preparing graduates for the evolving technological landscape.
To support this transformation, the University’s Teaching and Learning Centre launched the IDEAL-GenAI Platform, a pioneering tool for AI-assisted course development that has gained adoption beyond the Lingnan community.
In 2024, Lingnan established the School of Data Science (SDS) and the Lingnan Institute for Advanced Study (LUIAS). The SDS provides comprehensive education that blends technical skills with critical thinking, preparing students to tackle real-world challenges. LUIAS brings together world-class scholars on fractional appointments to promote interdisciplinary collaboration. Nobel Laureate Professor Samuel C.C. Ting, Lingnan's 2023 Honorary Doctorate recipient, serves as the Institute's Honorary Director.
Advancing Research and Collaboration
The University has expanded its research footprint through strengthened regional and global partnerships. A Memorandum of Understanding with South China Agricultural University enhanced postgraduate programmes, student exchanges, scientific research, and training. Additional agreements with Rizhao City, Shandong Hi-Speed Group, and others supported research, innovation, and the commercialisation of technological achievements.
The opening of the Shenzhen Research Institute in early 2025 marked another milestone. It serves as a platform for research in creative and cultural industries and fosters deeper engagement in the Greater Bay Area. A Cooperation Framework Agreement with the Center of International Innovation for Technology and Science (CIITs) strengthened Lingnan's industrial and research integration.
The 2023/24 academic year witnessed a record-breaking year in research funding. Lingnan achieved a 17% increase in funding from the Research Grants Council (RGC), including seven projects, each receiving close to or more than HK$1 million. The University was also awarded seven postdoctoral fellowships under the Hong Kong RGC Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme, achieving a 78% success rate.
A significant institutional achievement was Lingnan’s designation as a Supporting Institution (Hong Kong and Macau) by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), enabling its scholars to participate fully in national-level research funding and talent schemes.
Lingnan also became a Participating Institution in three major RGC-funded projects:
- A HK$61 million Theme-based Research Scheme project on sustainable supply chain finance, co-led by Prof Jia Li
- A HK$33 million Strategic Topics Grant project on construction industry technology, co-led by Professor Sam Kwong Tak-wu
- A HK$7 million Research Impact Fund project on online digital service platforms, co-led by Professor S. Joe Qin
These collaborations reflect Lingnan’s emergence as a research-driven university addressing global challenges through interdisciplinary excellence.
Student Growth and Global Profile
Lingnan’s appeal to students has continued to grow. The 2024/25 admissions exercise saw record-breaking enrolment. The University welcomed over 1,300 new undergraduates and 3,300 new postgraduates, bringing the total student population to 7,700, representing more than 40 countries. This diverse academic community reflects Lingnan's rising global reputation.
Innovation and Societal Impact
Lingnan University has continued to make meaningful contributions to innovation and social impact. A notable highlight was the development of PureAura, a mini air purifier created by the Lingnan Entrepreneurship Initiative (LEI). By the end of 2024, PureAura had achieved a Grand Slam of 14 international design awards, including the Good Design Award Best 100—often hailed as the "Oscars of Design in the East." In line with the University’s motto, Education for Service, 7,500 units were distributed to households in need.
At the 49th Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions in 2024, Lingnan scholars were recognised for their outstanding technological advancements:
- Professor Sam Kwong earned a gold medal for his innovative AI technology that measures hair thickness and follicles, and a silver medal for enhancing image quality in low-light environments using AI.
- Professor Xie Haoran received a silver medal for his cutting-edge invention for railway signalling system testing.
Lingnan made an impressive debut at the 4th Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions in Hong Kong in 2024. AI projects led by Professor Sam Kwong won three awards—a gold medal for a socially impactful AI project and two silver medals for additional AI-based innovations.
Faculty Achievements and Recognition
Lingnan’s faculty continue to gain prestigious recognition for their academic and research excellence:
- Professor S. Joe Qin was elected a Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences (HKAES) in 2023 and a Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts in 2024.
- Professor Sam Kwong was elected a Fellow of the U.S. National Academy of Inventors (NAI) and a Fellow of the HKAES in 2023.
- Professor Xin Yao, Vice-President (Research and Innovation), was elected a Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering (HKEA) in 2024.
- Professor Paulina Wong was elected a Member of the Young Member Section of the HKAES in 2024.
In 2024, 14% of Lingnan University’s academic staff were ranked among the world’s top 2% of scientists, based on the global citation database compiled by Stanford University. Additionally, four Lingnan scholars were recognised as Best Computer Science Scientists by Research.com in 2024: Professor S. Joe Qin, Professor Xin Yao, Professor Sam Kwong, and Professor Xie Haoran. These accolades reflect Lingnan’s growing academic stature and global research impact.
Infrastructure and Campus Expansion
To support the growing demand for high-performance research, Lingnan launched its first High-Performance Computing (HPC) Data Centre, HPC NexT, in February 2025. Delivering over 6,000 TFLOPS of processing power, HPC NexT significantly accelerates AI-driven research, reducing project computation times from months to hours.
The University also expanded its physical footprint with the opening of Lingnan@WestKowloon, a 20,000-square-foot learning hub in the M+ Tower, in 2023/24. This urban extension enhances teaching, collaboration, and community outreach in one of Hong Kong’s most vibrant cultural districts.