10 Best Medical Schools in Indonesia
Indonesia is a beautiful island nation located in Southeast Asia. More than just a popular tourist destination, it is an excellent choice for future doctors as well. With most of its schools teaching medicine in English, Indonesia provides quality medical education at an affordable price. In this article, we will be looking at the top medical schools in Indonesia.
How long does it take to become a doctor in Indonesia?
The Indonesian medical curriculum is an undergraduate-entry course that runs for 5.5 years. It includes a pre-clinical phase of 3.5 years, followed by a clinical-stage of 2 years.
What are the admission requirements for Indonesian medical schools?
To apply, students need to possess a high school diploma. They then need to take the Seleksi Bersama Masuk Perguruan Tinggi Negeri or the Joint Entrance Selection of State Universities. Acceptance will be based on the exam results.
In some cases, students are admitted via special invitation.
Top Best Medical Schools in Indonesia
1. Universitas Indonesia Faculty of Medicine
The University of Indonesia is one of the oldest educational institutions in the country. The University of Indonesia also has what is considered the most prestigious medical school in Indonesia, alongside Bandung Institute of Technology and the Gadjah Mada University.
Universitas Indonesia was founded by the Dutch in 1851. It was originally a school for doctors named the School tot Opleiding van Inlandsche Artsen. This makes the Faculty of Medicine (FKUI) the oldest department in the university.
Although it has long been operating as a medical school, it was only formally established following the merger between the Republic of Indonesia Medical College and Geneeskundige Faculteit Nood-Universiteit van Indonesie.
The school curriculum makes use of modules that follow the World Federation for Medical Education standards. It is a 3-phase course that includes general education for the first semester. The second leg, which runs from the second to sixth semesters, focuses on the medical sciences. The last cycle is clinical practice, which is done from the seventh to the tenth semesters.
As per the Tempo Center of Data Analysis, the Jakarta-based FKUI is heralded as the best medical school in the country.
2. Andalas University Faculty of Medicine
Established in 1955, Andalas University is recognized as the oldest educational institution outside Java. One of its well-known departments is the Faculty of Medicine, which started the same year with 11 lecturers and 60 students. The school gradually expanded, necessitating the move to its current Jati location. The 4-level campus is home to state-of-the-art educational facilities, including lecture classrooms and various laboratories.
The professional physician course covers pre-clinical studies in Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Histology, Nutritional Sciences, Pathology, Microbiology, Parasitology, Pharmacology, and Chemistry. Clinical education, on the other hand, includes lessons in Anesthesiology, Forensic Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, Radiology, and Dermatology, to name a few.
3. Gadjah Mada University Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing
Gadjah Mada University is a public research university based in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Founded in 1949, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country. It has produced many notable Indonesian figures, including the current President Joko Widodo.
Its Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing actually precedes the university, as it was established a few years earlier in 1946. This medical school in Indonesia follows a problem-based learning curriculum, which is divided into 21 blocks. It follows the National Standard of Competence for Physicians, which requires a 3.5-year bachelor phase and a 2-year clinical stage.
At the end of the course, Gadjah Mada students are expected to excel in the fields of noble professionalism, capacity building, effective communication, information management, basic and clinical sciences, and public health management.
The Faculty has a very competitive admission rate, taking only 300 applicants every year.
4. Airlangga University Faculty of Medicine
Universitas Airlangga, which was established in 1954, is the second-oldest educational institution in Indonesia. Located in Surabaya, the Faculty of Medicine is the university’s first department. It predates the institution, having been founded as the Nederlandsch Indische Artsen School in 1913. The Faculty is currently located in Campus A along Jalan Prof Dr. Moestopo.
The Bachelor of Medicine degree is categorized into 3 stages, namely pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical rotation. The curriculum is composed of various modules, with the basics including Pancasila, Bahasa, Civics, and Religions. Its other subjects follow practical and evidence-based learning, both of which help stimulate critical thinking skills.
Internships run for 120 weeks. These are done at the Rumah Sakit Umum Dokter Soetomo, which is situated right across Campus A.
5. Padjadjaran University Faculty of Medicine
The next on our list of top medical schools in Indonesia is Padjadjaran University, a public educational institution located in Bandung, West Java. It was founded in 1957, with the Faculty of Medicine being 1 of its first 4 departments.
The Faculty follows the SPICES concepts. As such, the curriculum is known to be student-centered, problem-based, community-oriented, and systemic, with an integral focus on early clinical exposure. In 2001, it launched its English classes, which made the school a popular choice amongst many foreign students.
The program is divided into 8 phases, namely biomedical, clinical, public health, community research, bioethics & humanities, general lab, integration, and arts & creativity sports.
Courses are delivered through a variety of learning methods, including lectures, tutorials, seminars, and fieldwork. It also has a novel 7-week Junior Clerkship program that allows its students to gain experience in community medicine.
6. Diponegoro University Faculty of Medicine
Diponegoro University was founded as a private institution (Semarang University) in 1957. Three years later, it was renamed as Diponegoro by former President Soekarno. This was in honor of the now-public university’s role in promoting higher education in Central Java.
The Faculty of Medicine was the fifth department to be created when it was established in 1961. As one of the best medical schools in the country, it is home to modern facilities, which include LCD-equipped lecture rooms, computer laboratories, libraries, consultation rooms, and meeting rooms, to name a few.
Clinical rotations are mainly done in the Dr. Kariadi Hospital, with some immersions in hospitals in Tegal, Demak, Jepara, Blora, and Rembang.
7. Universitas Hassanudin Faculty of Medicine
The Universitas Hassanudin Faculty of Medicine was established in 1956 as the Makassar Medical Faculty. First based in Baraya, it started with a small class size of 60. In 1988, the Faculty transferred to the Tamalanrea campus. 5 years later, its affiliate institution Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital opened for patient treatment and clinical education.
To keep up with the advancements of medical education, the university shifted its curriculum to integrated education in 2002. The course was categorized into 3 blocks, shortening the degree to the current length of 5 years.
In response to the growing demand of international students, the university launched its international class in 2006. With English as the medium of instruction, its Bachelor of Medicine program has become a preferred choice amongst many foreign students.
8. Sriwijaya University Faculty of Medicine
Sriwijaya University is a public research university with campuses in Palembang and Indralaya. The Faculty of Medicine, which was founded in 1962, is the institution’s 5th department.
This Indonesian medical school is currently located in the Palembang vicinity.
The Medical curriculum is oriented towards science and technology, with an inherent focus on nurturing advancements and developments. The course is also community-focused, making its doctors highly responsive to the needs of the public.
The program is divided into 2 stages, with the first one being the academic phase. This 8-semester program leads to the professional stage, which runs from semesters 9 to 12. This covers clinical clerkships in 15 departments, with the bulk of rotations being done at the Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembang teaching hospital.
9. Universitas Sumatera Utara Faculty of Medicine
The Universitas Sumatera Utara, also known as the University of North Sumatra, is a public university based in Medan. It was founded in 1952, with the Faculty of Medicine being its first-ever department.
Medical internships for the program are done at the university’s many teaching hospitals. Students are given an immersive clinical experience at the Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital, which is the biggest teaching hospital in the country. Other areas for rotation include the Haji Adam Malik General Hospital and the Dr.Pirngadi General Hospital.
Apart from producing professional, ethical, and competent physicians, the school is also known to be a center of excellence in the fields of tropical medicine and oncology.
10. Universitas Trisakti Faculty of Medicine
The final candidate in our list of best medical schools in Indonesia is Trisakti University, the biggest private university in Jakarta. It was founded in 1965, though it can trace its roots back to Baperki University, which was opened seven years earlier.
The Faculty of Medicine is one of the university’s first five faculties, alongside Engineering, Dentistry, Economics, and Law. It is currently located in the B Campus at Jl. Kyai Tapa Kav.
The university’s Medicine program follows the regulations set forth by the Doctor Competency Standards, the National Higher Education Standards, and the Indonesian National Qualifications Framework.
The curriculum exemplifies the student-centered method, which focuses on cooperative, collaborative, problem-based learning. Lessons are delivered through modules that integrate the tenets of basic medical, biomedical, and clinical science.
Apart from modules, the professors also make use of other teaching methods. They include interactive lectures, tutorial group discussions, plenaries, practicum, and skills training.
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