Lord Wilson Scholarship

The Lord Wilson Scholarship was established in 2013, in honour of the former Chancellor of the University. Lord Wilson of Tillyorn was installed as Chancellor of the University in 1997 following a career which saw him appointed as 27th Governor of Hong Kong from 1987 until 1992.

The University established the scholarship to recognise both a remarkable career and Lord Wilson’s fundamental role in the leadership of the University of Aberdeen.

There are two single semester scholarships available of £5,000 each. These can be awarded for either Term 1 or Term 2.

Students can apply to any of the university's four partners in Hong Kong:

• Chinese University of Hong Kong
• City University of Hong Kong
• Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
• University of Hong Kong

This is a very prestigious opportunity and would look excellent on your CV or LinkedIn profile.

It is expected that you will serve as an ambassador for the University of Aberdeen.

Students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds will be prioritised but all students applying to a partner in Hong Kong are encouraged to apply. The criteria are:

1. Students with low household income or low socio-economic status (including those with an annual household income of £35,000 or less).
2. Students in receipt of a University scholarship or bursary that was awarded on the basis of financial need.
3. Students receiving Universal Credit or income-related benefits because they are financially supporting themselves, or financially supporting themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them, such as a child or partner.

If you believe you meet financial disadvantaged background criteria, please let us know in your email. You will be asked to provide evidence, such as a SAAS bursary or rUK maintenance loan, or evidence of household income.

Eligible applicants will be judged on two criteria: academic excellence, and their ability to serve as an ambassador for both the University of Aberdeen and Scotland.

In order to receive the scholarship, you must be able to meet the requirements of your degree calendar while on exchange in Hong Kong. Please review the course catalogue of the relevant host university carefully (you will find this in the 'University Information' tab on each partner page) and confirm that they teach your degree subject(s), and that they offer courses similar to those which you would have studied in Aberdeen if you were not going abroad.

Please see the 'How do I apply?' section of the Go Abroad webpages for further information about the study exchange application process.

The study exchange application and the Lord Wilson Scholarship applications are two separate documents. In order to apply for the scholarship, you must complete both applications.

The online study exchange application for 2026/27 will be open until Friday 30 January. When completing the application, please ensure you include one (or more) of our Hong Kong partner universities on your Exchange Study Plan, preferably as your first choice. 

You will also need to complete the online Lord Wilson Scholarship application. As part of the application, you are required to write a Statement of Motivation of no more than 600 words telling us why you are a suitable candidate for the Lord Wilson Scholarship and what you hope to achieve during your time in Hong Kong. We’ll be interested to learn more about your future academic or professional aspirations, particularly in relation to Hong Kong and the partners you have applied to, and how you think being there will help you with your own personal growth and intellectual development.

Submit your Lord Wilson Scholarship application here

The application deadline is Friday 30 January 2026 at 23:59.

Good luck!

All applicants will be notified in late February/early March as to whether or not they have been successful.