Study and find schools in Indonesia

Studying in Indonesia

Indonesia is a vast archipelago in Southeast Asia, between Asia and Australia, with five main islands: Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua. It spans three time zones and hundreds of ethnic groups, and Bahasa Indonesia is the national language used in public life and in most university teaching. For international students it offers large public universities with a long history, a growing number of programmes in English and relatively low living costs.

Most foreign students come for a semester of exchange, a short course in Indonesian language and culture, or a master's or doctorate, often with a government scholarship. Full bachelor's degrees in English exist but are fewer, so the language of each programme should be checked first.

The education system

Indonesian universities award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, and many also offer vocational (diploma) programmes. Public universities include the State Universities with Legal Entity (PTN-BH), which have more autonomy; Universitas Airlangga, for example, became one of the first seven in 2012. Alongside them there are private universities, some of them church-affiliated, and specialised institutes and academies.

Universities organise teaching in semesters and use their own credit system; exchange students receive credits that can be transferred to their home university. Universitas Indonesia (UI), for example, has 17 faculties and states that it offers more than 150 accredited study programmes, from medicine, nursing and pharmacy to engineering, law, economics, humanities and social and political sciences, as well as a vocational school.

Admission and language requirements

International students apply directly to each university, which sets its own rules. At UI, applicants for a bachelor's degree must have finished secondary school in 2022 or later and submit their passport, school certificate, transcript and a health certificate. English proficiency is required for programmes taught in English: UI asks for a TOEFL ITP score of 500, TOEFL iBT 61 or IELTS 5.5, although faculties may set higher scores. For master's study, applicants need a bachelor's degree, and UI's information for international master's applicants states that all courses are delivered in English.

Programmes taught in Bahasa Indonesia require a good level of the language, which is why many students start with an Indonesian course. Recognition of an Indonesian degree in Spain or Latin America is decided by the education authorities of the country where it will be used, so students should check this before enrolling.

Student visa

Students need a visa issued under Indonesia's immigration rules. The Directorate General of Immigration lists a specific higher education visa, the E30B (Visa Pendidikan Tinggi), which UI uses for degree and non-degree students. Short courses use visit visas, such as the C9 short study visa, and there is a separate C9B visit visa for short Indonesian language training. Visas are applied for online through the official e-visa system, usually with support from the host university, which provides the letter of acceptance. Requirements and fees change, so students should follow the instructions of their university's international office and the Indonesian embassy in their country.

Costs and scholarships

Tuition fees differ by university and programme, and public universities publish a separate fee schedule for international applicants; UI, for example, has published one for 2026/2027. Living costs are relatively low. UI's international office estimates a monthly budget of IDR 9,200,000 (about USD 558 at June 2025 exchange rates) for a student in the Jakarta area, including IDR 3,000,000 for off-campus housing.

The main government scholarship is the Kemitraan Negara Berkembang (KNB) scholarship, funded by the Indonesian government for students from developing countries. At UI it covers master's and doctoral programmes; applicants must be under 35 (master's) or 40 (doctorate), show English proficiency (for a master's: TOEFL ITP 500, TOEFL iBT 61 or IELTS 6) and obtain a recommendation letter from the Indonesian embassy. The 2026 call closed on 31 March 2026, so applicants should watch for the next call.

Where to study

• Jakarta and Depok: Universitas Indonesia, whose history began in 1849, has its main campus in Depok, south of Jakarta, with students from more than 26 countries. Jakarta also has specialised schools such as Language Studies Indonesia, which teaches the Indonesian language.
• Surabaya: Indonesia's second city is home to Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), a public university established on 10 November 1954, with more than 30,000 students, 6.5% of them international, and a Faculty of Vocational Studies created in 2014. Petra Christian University, a private university, is also in Surabaya.

Climate and daily life

Indonesia is tropical and warm all year. In Jakarta, temperatures usually range from about 25 °C at night to 34 °C at midday, and the rainy season normally runs from November to April. Most of the population is Muslim, and the government recognises six religions, whose main holidays are national holidays. Students usually dress smart-casual for campus. Students should arrange health insurance that is valid in Indonesia before they arrive.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in Indonesia in English?

Yes, mainly at master's level, in international classes and in exchange programmes. Many bachelor's programmes are taught in Bahasa Indonesia, so check the language of each programme.

Which visa do I need to study in Indonesia?

Degree students normally need the E30B higher education visa. Short courses use visit visas, such as the C9 short study visa or the C9B visa for short Indonesian language courses.

How much does it cost to live in Indonesia as a student?

Universitas Indonesia estimates about IDR 9,200,000 (around USD 558) a month for a student near Jakarta, including housing, food, transport and study materials.

Are there scholarships to study in Indonesia?

Yes. The Indonesian government's KNB scholarship supports master's and doctoral students from developing countries. Applications open once a year through the KNB website.