Indonesia
Indonesia is an emerging study destination in Southeast Asia, hosting over 10,000 international students as of 2024 within one of the region’s largest higher education systems. With more than 4,000 universities spread across the country, Indonesia offers affordable education, cultural immersion, and regional exposure. Public universities are government-regulated and relatively low cost, while private institutions dominate the sector. However, Indonesia is best suited for students seeking cost-effective education and cultural experience, as post-study work options are limited and there is no automatic pathway to employment after graduation.
Key Insights
Key Student Cities
Major Indonesian cities offer affordable living, strong student communities, and cultural exposure, though infrastructure quality and international services vary significantly by location.
Cost of Studying in Indonesia
Tuition at public universities is subsidised for local students, with international students typically paying 3–4 times domestic fees
Cost of Living in Indonesia
Indonesia is among the lowest-cost study destinations in Asia, with expenses varying by city and lifestyle. Jakarta and Bali are the most expensive, while regional cities are significantly cheaper.
Admission Requirements for Studying in Indonesia
- Academic transcripts from all previous institutions
- Certified English or Indonesian translations of documents
- Secondary school certificate or relevant university degree
- Official Letter of Acceptance from an accredited Indonesian institution
- Proof of Indonesian language proficiency for Indonesian-taught programs
- English proficiency proof for limited English-taught programs
- Statement of Purpose outlining academic goals and study plans
- Letters of Recommendation (academic or professional)
- Curriculum Vitae detailing education and experience
- Valid passport (18–36 months validity depending on KITAS duration)
- Proof of financial resources (minimum USD 2,000)
- Sponsor letter from Indonesian university
- Medical certificates (TB clearance required for some nationalities)
- Police clearance certificate (if required)
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Language Requirements
Most programs are taught in Bahasa Indonesia, with limited English-taught options mainly at postgraduate level.
Intermediate to advanced level for undergraduate programs; requirements vary by institution as no standardized international Indonesian proficiency test exists
Many universities require 1 year preparatory Indonesian language study for students without proficiency
5.5-6.5 overall; varies by institution and program
60-80 overall; varies by institution
550-650+; some institutions accept
Visa Requirements
Indonesia’s student visa process is strict and sponsor-based, meaning students can study only after securing admission and visa sponsorship from an approved institution
Document Checklist:
- Valid passport (minimum 18 months validity for 1-year KITAS, 36 months for 2-year KITAS)
- Letter of Acceptance from accredited Indonesian institution
- Study permit from Ministry of Education (university assists in application)
- Sponsor/guarantee letter from university or personal sponsor registered on eVisa platform (2025 requirement)
- Financial proof: Bank statements showing minimum USD 2,000, scholarship letters, or sponsor documents
- Academic transcripts and certificates with certified translations
- Passport photos meeting Indonesian specifications (recent, plain background)
- Medical/vaccination certificates (varies by nationality; tuberculosis clearance mandatory for Vietnamese nationals)
- Completed visa application forms for eVisa portal (evisa.imigrasi.go.id)
- Birth certificate (for some applications)
- Police clearance certificates (if required)
Intakes In Indonesia
|
Intake |
Application Timeline |
|
September (Fall Semester) - Main Intake Primary intake for most universities |
Application deadlines February - June current year; allows 2-4 months visa processing before September start |
|
February/March (Spring Semester) - Secondary Intake Limited availability, not all programs offer |
Application deadlines September - December previous year; more common at private institutions |
Post-Study Work Opportunities in Indonesia
Indonesia does not offer a post-study work visa. Graduates must secure employer-sponsored work permits, which are difficult to obtain and heavily regulated.
|
Field |
Average Salary (IDR/Month) |
Employment Prospects |
|
Engineering |
IDR 5,000,000 - 10,000,000 (USD 325-650) |
Data not officially published - estimated from secondary sources; requires Bahasa Indonesia proficiency and employer sponsorship |
|
IT & Software Development |
IDR 6,000,000 - 12,000,000 (USD 390-780) |
Data not officially published - estimated from secondary sources; international companies offer 2-3x local rates |
|
Business & Finance |
IDR 5,000,000 - 10,000,000 (USD 325-650) |
Data not officially published - estimated from secondary sources; concentrated in Jakarta |
|
Education |
IDR 4,000,000 - 8,000,000 (USD 260-520) |
Data not officially published - estimated from secondary sources; limited positions for international graduates |
Scholarships in Indonesia
Indonesia offers several government and university-level scholarships, though information is fragmented and requires individual research.
|
Scholarship Name |
Administered By |
Eligibility |
Benefits |
|
KNB (Kemitraan Negara Berkembang) - Developing Countries Partnership Scholarship |
Government of Indonesia / Ministry of Education |
Students from developing countries pursuing full degree programs at Indonesian universities; applied through Indonesian embassies or online portal; competitive selection |
Full tuition waiver, monthly living stipend, accommodation support, health insurance, round-trip airfare; covers full degree program duration; application deadline typically January-March annually |
|
Darmasiswa Scholarship |
Government of Indonesia / Ministry of Education |
International students from all countries pursuing non-degree cultural and language study programs; 1-year duration; applied through Indonesian embassies |
Tuition waiver for Indonesian language and culture courses, monthly living stipend, accommodation assistance; highly popular cultural exchange program |
|
University of Indonesia International Scholarships |
University of Indonesia (UI) |
International students with strong academic performance; merit-based and need-based programs |
Varies by program: tuition reduction, partial to full coverage depending on scholarship type and student qualifications |
|
Bandung Institute of Technology Scholarships |
Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) |
International students with excellent academic records; research assistantships for graduate students |
Tuition waivers, research stipends for graduate programs, merit-based awards |
|
Gadjah Mada University International Scholarships |
Gadjah Mada University (UGM) |
International students demonstrating academic excellence and financial need; partnership scholarships with international institutions |
Partial to full tuition coverage, varies by specific scholarship program and student eligibility |
|
Bina Nusantara University Merit Scholarships |
Bina Nusantara University (BINUS) |
High-achieving international students; early application incentives |
10-50% tuition reduction for high academic performance; early enrollment discounts; sibling discounts available |
|
ADB-Japan Scholarship Program |
Asian Development Bank |
Students from ADB member countries studying at participating Indonesian institutions |
Full tuition coverage, living expenses, travel costs for graduate programs |
|
Private University Scholarships |
Various Private Indonesian Institutions |
Academic merit, early enrollment, specific demographics; requirements vary by institution |
10-50% tuition reduction most common; some institutions offer sibling discounts, early payment discounts, achievement-based awards |
Note: Scholarship information for Indonesia is fragmented without centralized national database. Students must research individual university websites and Indonesian embassy websites in their home countries for most current scholarship opportunities and application procedures.