Indonesia is a wonderful and comparatively less explored country. The country is made up of thousands of islands and is the largest economy in Southeast Asia. It is home to hundreds of ethnic groups, cultures and languages. This makes it the perfect destination for international students wanting a study experience like no other.
Indonesia is an excellent choice for an international student. You will be getting a high quality education for a reasonable price. Filled with great food, wonderful sights and friendly people, the country has it all.
You will find public and private institutions of higher education across Indonesia. Both types of institutions are supervised by the Ministry of Education and Culture. Since the country became independent in 1945, education has experienced dramatic growth. Universities in Indonesia employ the traditional three-tiered degree system – bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral, as well as awarding Associate degrees. There are four of Indonesia’s universities in the QS World University Ranking top 500. These are Universitas Indonesia, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Gadjah Mada University and Airlangga University.
There are around 6,000 international students enrolled at Indonesian universities. Many programmes are taught in English or other languages for those who do not speak the Indonesian language. However, studying in Indonesia is a fantastic chance to pick up another language, a skill that looks great on your CV/resume!
International students need a comprehensive Indonesian Student Visa, involving multiple steps and permits, including a study permit, VITAS, and KITAS, taking up to two months and costing approximately $135.
For more information about visas, see our International Student Visas advice article.
There are over 100 publicly funded higher education institutions in Indonesia, and they can be divided into the following categories:
Public universities – Often focusing on the quality of research and with an academic focus, there are over 60 public universities in Indonesia including institutions such as the University of Indonesia, Gadjah Mada University and Airlangga University.
Polytechnics – Aimed at preparing students for a vocation, there are over 40 public polytechnics in Indonesia, including Jakarta State Polytechnic, Padang State Polytechnic and Banjarmasin State Polytechnic.
Institutes – Public institutes in Indonesia are institutions that have a particular subject focus, such as agriculture and the arts. Institutes include Sumatera Institute of Technology and Bandung Institute of Technology.
Other educational institutions in Indonesia include Community colleges, and private universities. The private universities of Indonesia include Jakarta Institute of Arts, Technology Institute of Indonesia and Bandung Islamic University.
| University | Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2024 | Best Global Universities | QS World University Ranking |
| University of Indonesia | 801-1000 | 970 | 237 |
| Universitas Airlangga | 1201-1500 | 345 | |
| Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) | 1201-1500 | 1405 | 281 |
| BINUS University | 1201-1500 | 1001-1200 | |
| Universitas Gadjah Mada | 1201-1500 | 1369 | 263 |
| IPB University | 1201-1500 | 489 | |
| Universitas Sebelas Maret | 1201-1500 | 1001-1200 | |
| Universitas Syiah Kuala | 1201-1500 | ||
| Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember | 1201-1500 | 621-630 | |
| Universitas Andalas | 1500+ | 1401+ |
| Capital City | Jakarta |
|---|---|
| Currency | IDR, Indonesian Rupiah |
| Language(s) | Indonesian |
| Major Student Cities | Medan |
The official language of Indonesia is Bahasa Indonesian. Across the islands however, there are over 700 recognised languages.
Whilst English is spoken in the bigger cities, and is used as a teaching language at institutions, you will not find an advanced level of English outside of these major cities. Before you move to Indonesia, it is worth learning some basic phrases so that you can get around in your first few weeks. When you have spent some time in the country, you will find that you have picked up more of the language than you expected to, make sure to utilise that skill and communicate with the locals and other international students.
Whether you choose to study a course in English, Indonesian or any other offered languages, you will probably have to prove your language proficiency. It is common for institutions to offer language courses for international students who do not meet the language requirements. For more information about the required standards of your course and details of language courses, contact your institution.
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