Double PhD Degree Programme in Mathematics and Business with Renmin University of China (RUC), China
Lingnan University (LU) and Renmin University of China (RUC) will launch a double PhD degree programme in Mathematics and Business from September 2026, which leverages more mathematical training in quantitative business research from RUC’s PhD programme.
Programme Highlights
Candidates for the double PhD programme will be selected from RUC and the candidates must have fulfilled the admission requirements of both RUC and LU (including English proficiency and programme specific requirements). The normal study period of the double PhD degree programme would be either three or four years, subject to the admission qualifications of the selected candidates.
Each student will be assigned from each of LU and RUC a Chief Supervisor and a Co-supervisor. Upon graduation, students can apply for the conferment of doctoral degrees from both LU and RUC. The conferral of a doctoral degree from LU (i.e. PhD in Business) is contingent upon the student receiving the doctoral degree from RUC (i.e. PhD in Mathematics).
Study Mode and Programme Duration
The programme is available in full-time mode.
For those who have already obtained a master’s degree and are currently pursuing a PhD programme at the School of Mathematics in RUC, the normal study duration of the double PhD degree programme would be three years with the 1st and 3rd years at LU while the 2nd year at RUC.
For those who are transitioning from a master’s programme to a PhD programme at the School of Mathematics at RUC, with at least one academic year of enrollment in an MPhil or a research postgraduate programme and have evidence of research achievement, the normal study duration of the double PhD degree programme would be four years with the 1st and 3rd years at RUC while the 2nd and 4th years at LU.
For those in possession of only an undergraduate degree but are currently pursuing a PhD programme at the School of Mathematics in RUC, with at least one academic year of enrollment in the PhD programme and have evidence of research achievement, the normal study duration of the double PhD degree programme would be four years with the 1st and 3rd years at RUC while the 2nd and 4th years at LU.
Students can have a maximum 2-year extension, with a limit of one year at each university subject to approval by both LU and RUC according to the regulations of both LU and RUC.
Students of this double PhD programme will be a registered student at RUC throughout the entire 3- or 4-year study period and simultaneously a registered student at LU at the time when studying at LU.
Programme Curriculum
Students are required to fulfil all coursework and general requirements required by both LU and RUC, i.e. the 2-credit required course for all RPg students at LU, the 18-credit coursework requirements of PhD in Business programme at LU, Faculty’s written candidacy examination, fulfilment of Teaching Requirements after successful completion of the candidacy examination, topic-defence, research findings seminars, and confirmation of candidature by the stipulated timeline and the submission of an English thesis. For the 18-credit programme-specific coursework requirements, credit transfer of at most nine credits earned at RUC for the “Major Requirement” is allowed.
Award of Degree
Students joining this double PhD programme must submit an English thesis that satisfies the writing standards of both LU and RUC and meet the respective academic requirements of LU and RUC, and pass two separate thesis examinations. LU and RUC will independently arrange the review and defence of the thesis in accordance with its own regulations. Upon successful completion of the graduation requirements of both LU and RUC and passing the thesis examinations, students can apply for the conferment of doctoral degrees from both LU and RUC. The conferral of a doctoral degree from LU (i.e. PhD in Business) is contingent upon the student receiving the doctoral degree from RUC (i.e. PhD in Mathematics).
Fees and Studentships
Fees
RUC will collect tuition fee and miscellaneous fees for the entire study period (including the study period at LU), while LU will collect tuition fee and miscellaneous fees when students are studying at LU. Students under this collaboration will be admitted as a self-financed student of LU.
For fee details at LU, please refer to https://LN.edu.hk/rpg/admission/fees. Fees details of RUC will be available in due course.
Studentships
When students are studying at RUC, they are eligible to apply for studentships from RUC and such provision is subject to students’ academic performance. When studying at LU, students are eligible to receive studentships from LU in accordance with the LU’s Terms and Conditions of Postgraduate Studentships (PGSs) during their normal study period.
For LU, please refer to https://LN.edu.hk/rpg/admission/financial-support for the details of financial support available. Information on financial support at RUC will be announced in due course.
Accommodation
On-campus accommodation may be available for students (at their own costs and subject to availability) during their studies at LU. Details of student hostels of LU are available at https://LN.edu.hk/osa/hostel. Information on accommodation at RUC will be available in due course.
Admission Requirements
Applicants shall meet the minimum admission requirements of both universities.
For LU, please refer to https://LN.edu.hk/rpg/admission/requirement/admission-criteria-and-requirements for the admission criteria and requirements of LU, and https://LN.edu.hk/rpg/admission/requirement/additional-admission-requirements for the additional admission requirements of the PhD in Business programme.
For RUC, please refer https://www.ruc.edu.cn/ for the admission criteria and requirements of RUC.
An applicant needs to pass the interview jointly conducted by the faculty members from both LU and RUC.
Application for Admission
Selected candidates from RUC should submit an individual application to LU via the University’s Online Admission System at https://apply.ln.edu.hk.
For more details about LU’s online submission and uploading of documents, please refer to the webpage of Online Application at https://LN.edu.hk/rpg/admission/application-for-admission/online-application.
Application Fee
HK$300 per programme for LU. For the details about RUC, please visit the RUC’s website at https://www.ruc.edu.cn/.
Application Deadline
The application deadlines are as follows:
For LU: To be confirmed
For SDU: To be confirmed
About Renmin University of China (RUC)
For the details about RUC, please visit the RUC’s website at https://www.ruc.edu.cn/.