Study in Indonesia — universities, campus life and student cities

Indonesia flag Sukhada's Study Destination Guide

Study In Indonesia

Everything you need to know about tuition, cost of living, post-study work rights and top universities in Indonesia — backed by Sukhada's counselling team.

Indonesia at a Glance

Partner Universities 24+
Region Asia
Cost Tier Moderate
Post-Study Work N/A
› Study Destinations › Indonesia

Why Study in Indonesia?

Indonesia offers low-cost study options and scholarships such as the Darmasiswa programme for language and culture. International programmes are available at several leading universities.

  • Low tuition and living costs
  • Darmasiswa and KNB scholarships
  • Rich cultural experience

Quick Facts

Asia Moderate cost tier Not specified PSW N/A
Talk to a Counsellor

Key Numbers

24+ Partner Universities
Moderate Cost Tier
Asia Region
N/A Post-Study Work
29 Programmes
24 Universities with Scholarships

What Are the Most Popular Courses in Indonesia?

Our partner universities in Indonesia offer 29 programmes. The largest subject areas are Business & Management, Engineering, Health & Medicine.

A programme can appear in more than one subject area.

Indonesia at a Glance

Official Name Republic of Indonesia
Capital Jakarta
Population 283M
Currency Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
Official Language(s) Indonesian
Also Spoken Javanese, English
Calling Code +62
Region Asia
Economy Emerging
English Proficiency Low

How Does the Education System Work in Indonesia?

A bachelor's degree in Indonesia usually takes 4 years and a master's takes 2 years. The main intakes are September, February.

Bachelor's 4 years
Master's 2 years
MBA 2 years
PhD 3–4 years
Academic Year Starts September
Intakes September, February

Grading system

4.0 GPA scale

Accepted tests

IELTS/TOEFL; Indonesian for local-language programmes

What Is the Application Timeline for Indonesia?

Most students start 10–12 months before their intake. Exact deadlines vary by university and programme.

  1. ResearchShortlist universities in Indonesia that match your budget, course and career goals.
  2. ShortlistNarrow down to 4–6 programmes and note each deadline for your intake.
  3. TestsBook the tests your universities ask for: IELTS/TOEFL; Indonesian for local-language programmes.
  4. ApplySubmit applications with transcripts, SOP, LORs and test scores.
  5. OfferAccept your offer and receive the Letter of acceptance.
  6. VisaApply for the Student Stay Permit (KITAS) as soon as your documents are ready.
  7. AccommodationBook on-campus or private housing before you travel.
  8. TravelArrange flights, forex and insurance, and carry original documents.
  9. EnrolComplete orientation, local registration and course enrolment.

How Much Does It Cost to Study in Indonesia?

Typical bachelor's tuition in Indonesia: USD 2,000–7,000/yr. Master's tuition: USD 2,500–8,000/yr. Living costs, covering rent, food and transport: USD 400–700/month.

Bachelor's Tuition USD 2,000–7,000/yr
Master's Tuition USD 2,500–8,000/yr
Living Cost USD 400–700/month
Proof of Funds Sponsor letter or bank statement

Monthly budget breakdown (Jakarta)

Rent (shared) USD 200/month
Food & groceries USD 150/month
Local transport USD 30/month
Utilities & phone USD 50/month
Personal & leisure USD 50/month
Estimated Total USD 480/month (approx.)

Accommodation options

On-campus housing USD 150/month
Shared apartment USD 200/month
Private studio USD 400/month
Homestay USD 250/month

Figures are indicative ranges for international students and change every year. Your counsellor will confirm exact fees for your shortlisted courses.

How to Get a Indonesia Student Visa

Indian students apply for the Student Stay Permit (KITAS) after receiving the Letter of acceptance. Visa fee: Varies. Typical processing time: 4–8 weeks.

Visa Type Student Stay Permit (KITAS)
Visa Fee Varies
Processing Time 4–8 weeks
Interview No

Step-by-step visa process

  1. Secure your admission Apply to your chosen university and accept the offer. You will receive your Letter of acceptance, which your visa application depends on.
  2. Arrange proof of funds Sponsor letter or bank statement. Keep recent bank statements, loan sanction letters or sponsor documents ready.
  3. Prepare your documents Collect your passport, academic records, English test scores, Sponsor letter, Health certificate.
  4. Submit the visa application Apply for the Student Stay Permit (KITAS) and pay the fee: Varies.
  5. Biometrics and interview Give biometrics if requested. Visa interview: No.
  6. Get your decision and travel Typical processing time: 4–8 weeks. Once approved, book your travel and complete any local registration after arrival.

Can You Work in Indonesia During and After Studies?

Part-time Work Not permitted
Work During Breaks Not permitted
Post-Study Work Limited
After a Bachelor's Limited
After a Master's Limited
PR Pathway Rarely granted
Typical PR Timeline Rarely granted

Immigration rules change often — always confirm on the official government website before you apply.

Documents You'll Typically Need

Exact document requirements vary by university and visa category. This is a general checklist — we'll confirm the precise list for your course.

Checklist

Academic transcripts & certificates
Valid passport
English proficiency score (IELTS / TOEFL / PTE / DET)
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
Proof of funds / financial statements
Resume / CV (for PG programs)
Offer letter (once admitted)
Sponsor letter
Health certificate

What Is the Weather Like in Indonesia?

Tropical: warm and humid all year. Summers: Hot year-round. Winters: Wet season Nov–Mar.

Average temperatures in Jakarta

January 24°C to 30°C
April 25°C to 32°C
July 24°C to 32°C
October 25°C to 33°C

How Do Students Open a Bank Account in Indonesia?

Accounts need a KITAS and sometimes a local tax number.

Popular banks for students

Bank Mandiri BCA BNI

Documents usually needed

Passport
KITAS
University letter

Is Indonesia Safe for International Students?

Safety: Moderate. Healthcare: Basic to good.

Health Insurance Recommended
Typical Insurance Cost USD 100–300/yr

Common insurance options

International student insurance

Safety tips

  • Dress modestly in religious areas
  • Drink bottled water
  • Save local emergency numbers on your phone
  • Keep digital copies of your passport, visa and admission letter

What Is the Job Market Like in Indonesia?

Graduate job demand in Indonesia is low. Entry-level salaries are roughly USD 5,000–8,000/yr, rising to about USD 10,000–20,000/yr with experience.

Top hiring sectors

Tourism Medium demand
Mining Medium demand

Skills in demand

Bahasa Indonesia Engineering

Salary figures are indicative gross annual ranges and vary by city, role and employer.

What Is Student Life Like in Indonesia?

Diverse, with hundreds of ethnic groups and strong community values.

Student life

  • Island trips
  • Cultural festivals

Major religions

Islam Christianity Hinduism (Bali)

Indian community

Community Size About 120,000 people of Indian origin
Indian Food & Groceries Available in Jakarta and Bali

Which Scholarships Can Indian Students Get for Indonesia?

Well-known options for Indonesia include Darmasiswa Scholarship, KNB Scholarship. Eligibility and deadlines change every year, so check the official page before applying.

Darmasiswa Scholarship language and culture
KNB Scholarship full funding

Scholarships for Indonesia

Our team tracks live scholarship listings across 150+ university and government portals. Here are the common categories students in Indonesia typically qualify for — talk to a counsellor for current deadlines and amounts.

All Levels Merit-Based

Merit Scholarships

Awarded by universities based on academic performance
Indonesia
UG / PG Need-Based

Need-Based Financial Aid

Partial tuition waivers based on demonstrated financial need
Indonesia
PG / PhD Government

Government & Institutional Grants

Country and institution-run funding programs for international students
Indonesia
All Levels Sukhada

Sukhada Partner Discounts

Fee-waivers and priority processing through our university partnerships
Indonesia

Partner Universities in Indonesia

We work directly with 24 verified universities across Indonesia — browse the full list and filter by course, budget and intake.

View All 24+

Top-ranked universities in Indonesia

UNIVERSITAS INDONESIA Depok · Est. 1849
QS #189
Universitas Gadjah Mada Yogyakarta · Est. 1949
QS #224
Bandung Institute of Technology Bandung · Est. 1920
QS #255
Universitas Airlangga Surabaya · Est. 1954
QS #287
IPB University Bogor · Est. 1963 · IDR 1,500–6,000/yr
QS #399
Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember Surabaya · Est. 1957 · $ 1,500–6,000/yr
QS #497
Universitas Padjadjaran Bandung · Est. 1957 · $ 1,500–6,000/yr
QS #515
Diponegoro University Semarang · Est. 1957 · IDR 1,500–6,000/yr
QS #662

Frequently Asked Questions

Typical tuition for international students in Indonesia: USD 2,000–7,000/yr for a bachelor's degree and USD 2,500–8,000/yr for a master's. Living costs: USD 400–700/month, depending on the city.

The visa you need is the Student Stay Permit (KITAS), and the application is based on the Letter of acceptance. Visa fee: Varies. Typical processing time: 4–8 weeks.

Sponsor letter or bank statement. The exact amount is revised from time to time, so confirm it with the official immigration website before applying.

Student work rules in Indonesia: Not permitted.

Post-study work in Indonesia: Limited.

Safety in Indonesia: Moderate. Healthcare: Basic to good.

Recommended. Typical cost: USD 100–300/yr.

Graduate job demand in Indonesia is low, led by Tourism, Mining. Entry-level salaries are roughly USD 5,000–8,000/yr.

About 120,000 people of Indian origin. Indian food: Available in Jakarta and Bali.

The main intakes in Indonesia are September, February. A bachelor's degree usually takes 4 years and a master's takes 2 years.

IELTS/TOEFL; Indonesian for local-language programmes. Minimum scores differ by university and course, so check each programme page.

We currently work directly with 24 verified universities in Indonesia, spanning a range of budgets and course levels.

Ready to start your journey to Indonesia?

Book a free session with a Sukhada counsellor — no obligation, no pressure, just a clear plan for Indonesia.

Free Counselling Zero Hidden Charges 94% Visa Success 12,000+ Students Guided
Handpicked For You

Top Universities Worldwide

A closer look at some of the institutions our students are applying to right now.

United States flag United States Cambridge
  • IntakesFall and Spring
  • Visa SuccessNA
  • Post-Study Work12 months OPT (STEM +24 months)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20 hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, United States Est. 1861
QS WORLD#1
Annual Tuition US$66,720 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 93%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #4
Employer Reputation
100/100 #2
Faculty / Student
100/100 #16
Citations / Faculty
100/100 #7
Intl. Faculty
100/100 #63
Intl. Students
91.6/100 #153
Intl. Student Diversity
92.3/100 #130
Intl. Research Network
94.1/100 #98
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #7
Sustainability
93.8/100 #33
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-C4CA
United Kingdom flag United Kingdom London
  • IntakesSeptember
  • Visa SuccessNA
  • Post-Study WorkUp to 2 years (Graduate visa)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

Imperial College London

London, United Kingdom Est. 1907
QS WORLD#2
Annual Tuition £42,700 – £58,600 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 94%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
99.6/100 #22
Employer Reputation
100/100 #9
Faculty / Student
99.3/100 #42
Citations / Faculty
95/100 #69
Intl. Faculty
100/100 #74
Intl. Students
100/100 #35
Intl. Student Diversity
100/100 #22
Intl. Research Network
97.5/100 #28
Employment Outcomes
95.9/100 #68
Sustainability
98.3/100 #7
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-C81E
United States flag United States Stanford
  • IntakesFall and Spring
  • Visa Success82
  • Post-Study Work12 months OPT (STEM +24 months)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

Stanford University

Stanford, United States Est. 1885
QS WORLD#2
Annual Tuition USD67,731 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 90%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #5
Employer Reputation
100/100 #3
Faculty / Student
100/100 #17
Citations / Faculty
99.7/100 #24
Intl. Faculty
94.2/100 #188
Intl. Students
73.5/100 #261
Intl. Student Diversity
76.1/100 #230
Intl. Research Network
96.5/100 #49
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #2
Sustainability
95.4/100 #19
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-ECCB
United Kingdom flag United Kingdom Oxford
  • IntakesOctober (Michaelmas term)
  • Visa SuccessNA
  • Post-Study Work2 yrs; 18 months from Jan 2027
  • Cost of LivingGBP 1,405-2,105 / month
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

University of Oxford

Oxford, United Kingdom Est. 1096
QS WORLD#4
Annual Tuition GBP 39,620-66,580 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 90%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #
Employer Reputation
100/100 #
Faculty / Student
100/100 #
Citations / Faculty
91/100 #
Intl. Faculty
98.8/100 #
Intl. Students
98.6/100 #
Intl. Research Network
100/100 #
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #
Sustainability
77.9/100 #
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-A87F
United States flag United States Cambridge
  • IntakesFall
  • Visa SuccessNA
  • Post-Study Work12 months OPT (STEM +24 months)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

Harvard University

Cambridge, United States Est. 1636
QS WORLD#5
Annual Tuition USD 62,226 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 87%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #1
Employer Reputation
100/100 #1
Faculty / Student
98.3/100 #50
Citations / Faculty
100/100 #1
Intl. Faculty
79.1/100 #300
Intl. Students
81.4/100 #217
Intl. Student Diversity
60.6/100 #335
Intl. Research Network
99.4/100 #8
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #1
Sustainability
77.8/100 #201
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-E4DA
United Kingdom flag United Kingdom Cambridge
  • IntakesSeptember
  • Visa Success95
  • Post-Study WorkUp to 2 years (Graduate visa)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

University of Cambridge

Cambridge, United Kingdom Est. 1209
QS WORLD#6
Annual Tuition £29,052 – £70,554 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 95%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #3
Employer Reputation
100/100 #5
Faculty / Student
100/100 #23
Citations / Faculty
88.6/100 #107
Intl. Faculty
100/100 #80
Intl. Students
93.1/100 #144
Intl. Student Diversity
93.6/100 #120
Intl. Research Network
99.2/100 #12
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #5
Sustainability
78.4/100 #194
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-8F14
This Week's Picks

Scholarships worth applying to right now.

A rotating shortlist our counsellors flag as genuinely worth the paperwork.

Germany flag
Technische Universität Braunschweig Germany
All Levels All funding: eUR 300 / month

Deutschlandstipendium (merit-based, via university)

Deadline: Contact counsellor for deadline
Enquire about this scholarship
Apply Now
Germany flag
Hertie School Germany
Postgraduate Funding + benefits

Hertie School full scholarships

Deadline: Contact counsellor for deadline
Enquire about this scholarship
Apply Now
United Kingdom flag
University of Sheffield International College United Kingdom
Bachelor's GBP 2,500/yr (max 10,000)

Sheffield International Undergraduate Scholarship 2027

Deadline: Contact counsellor for deadline
Enquire about this scholarship
Apply Now
Denmark flag
University of Southern Denmark, Odense and Sonderborg Campus Denmark
Master's Full tuition fee waiver

Danish Government Scholarship (Electronics, Mechanical, Mechatronics)

Deadline: Contact counsellor for deadline
Enquire about this scholarship
Apply Now
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