How to Study in Indonesia for International Students
Indonesia offers the perfect study abroad experience for students. The country's universities and research institutions are highly regarded, and the cost of living is relatively low, making it a budget-friendly destination. While studying in Indonesia, you'll have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the country's rich and diverse culture.
When it comes to the choices that are available, Indonesia currently has 149 universities, from which 70 universities are a part of the public sector and 79 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Indonesia you should definitely check out are University of Indonesia, Airlangga University, and IPB University.
Being able to study in Indonesia as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Indonesia, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Indonesia
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Indonesia, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 46,000 Rp to 210,307,100 Rp, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 4,500,000 Rp and 123,500,000 Rp.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Indonesia
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Indonesia, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| University of North Sumatra | 8,000,000 Rp - 37,500,000 Rp | 6,500,000 Rp - 9,000,000 Rp |
| University of Jember | 13,100,000 Rp - 27,000,000 Rp | 25,800,000 Rp - 31,400,000 Rp |
| Airlangga University | 30,000,000 Rp - 50,000,000 Rp | 30,000,000 Rp - 45,000,000 Rp |
| University of Indonesia | 2,000,000 Rp - 54,000,000 Rp | 16,000,000 Rp - 82,000,000 Rp |
| Indonesian Institute of the Arts, Denpasar | 20,000,000 Rp | |
| Yogyakarta Arts Institute of Indonesia | 14,000,000 Rp - 20,000,000 Rp | |
| Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology | 30,000,000 Rp | 50,000,000 Rp |
| Sultan Thaha Saifuddin State Islamic University | 4,600,000 Rp | 4,600,000 Rp |
| Bandung Institute of Technology | 84,000,000 Rp - 93,000,000 Rp | 70,000,000 Rp |
| State University of Malang | 15,000,000 Rp | 16,000,000 Rp |
| Yogyakarta State University | 12,000,000 Rp | 25,000,000 Rp |
| Diponegoro University | 8,000,000 Rp - 10,000,000 Rp | |
| Indonesia University of Education | 20,000,000 Rp | 29,688,800 Rp |
| Padjadjaran University | 50,000,000 Rp - 70,000,000 Rp | |
| Gadjah Mada University | 46,000 Rp - 100,000 Rp | 16,000,000 Rp - 123,500,000 Rp |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Indonesia
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Telkom University | 16,000,000 Rp - 36,000,000 Rp | 14,000,000 Rp - 30,000,000 Rp |
| Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta | 12,063,000 Rp - 15,750,000 Rp | |
| Bina Darma University | 10,800,000 Rp - 12,800,000 Rp | 10,000,000 Rp - 12,000,000 Rp |
| Muhammadiyah University of Surabaya | 6,528,600 Rp - 8,254,500 Rp | |
| University of Islam Malang | 8,400,000 Rp - 28,600,000 Rp | 9,000,000 Rp - 18,000,000 Rp |
| Pakuan University | 18,202,300 Rp | |
| Bandung Islamic University | 1,600,000 Rp - 10,000,000 Rp | 11,200,000 Rp - 23,875,000 Rp |
| University of Muhammadiyah Malang | 23,982,200 Rp - 44,966,600 Rp | 29,977,700 Rp - 59,955,400 Rp |
| Islamic University of Indonesia | 4,500,000 Rp - 17,500,000 Rp | |
| Petra Christian University | 31,000,000 Rp | 35,000,000 Rp |
| Mercu Buana University | 37,400,000 Rp - 44,000,000 Rp | |
| Bina Nusantara University | 94,810,000 Rp - 210,307,100 Rp | 32,000,000 Rp - 88,796,300 Rp |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Indonesia, check out the Cheap Universities in Indonesia!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in Indonesia for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Indonesia, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In Indonesia, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Indonesia may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Indonesia are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in Indonesia and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Airlangga University
Bachelor’s degree
- IELTS: 5.5
- TOEFL: 60
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Master’s degree
- TOEFL: no minimum score
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
Bandung Institute of Technology
Bachelor’s degree
- TOEFL: 61
- IELTS: 5.5
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Master’s degree
- TOEFL: 56
- IELTS: 5.0
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
Bina Nusantara University
Bachelor’s degree
- TOEFL: 75
- IELTS: 5.5
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Master’s degree
- TOEFL: 75
- IELTS: 5.5
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in Indonesia
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Indonesia have online applications available on their websites, like University of Indonesia and Airlangga University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Indonesia.
University of Indonesia
- Official Website
- Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
Airlangga University
- Official Website
- Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
IPB University
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in Indonesia differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Indonesia.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in Indonesia
Now that you’re accepted into your chosen institution, it’s time to apply for a student visa in Indonesia. A student visa is an essential document for studying abroad. It’s an important government document that you need to present before going to Indonesia as an international student.
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Indonesia. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Student Visa.
To start your student visa application in Indonesia, you will need to present the following:
- A filled out form
- Three photocopies of your passport
- Two letters of recommendation; one issued by your university and one from the Embassy/consulate in your country of residence
- A copy of your letter of acceptance
- Have health insurance
- 4 passport-style photographs (4×6 cm)
- Proof of Financial means
- A copy of all your academic records and transcripts
- A Curriculum Vitae
- A copy of the study permit issued by the Indonesian Directorate General of Higher Education
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Indonesia is IDR 1,378,890.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Submit an application for a Study Permit to the Directorate General of Higher Education in Indonesia.
- Submit an application for an entry visa (VITAS) at the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate situated in your country of residence
- Convert the VITAS to a KITAS (limited stay permit) at the Immigration Department in Indonesia
- Obtain a Certificate of Police Registration Card
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Indonesia. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!