Indonesia: Postgraduate study

How does the higher education system work?

The higher education system in Indonesia consists of two divisions - academic and professional education. Professional education, concerned with the preparation of skills useful to the workforce, takes place in academies and polytechnics. Tertiary schools, institutes and universities offer both academic and professional education in either a specific field or a diverse range of disciplines. A full description of the education system is available from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in London .

What courses are available?

Masters and Doctoral programmes are provided by most universities along with diploma programmes for professional training.

The academic year is split into two semesters. Masters degrees can take between four to ten semesters (two to five years) to obtain and Doctoral programmes between six to ten semesters (three to five years) to complete. You should contact individual universities directly for details of the courses on offer.

Although some institutions do offer programmes delivered in English, Bahasa Indonesia is the main language of instruction at Indonesian universities. 

Where can I study?

A list of universities and research institutions in Indonesia is available on the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in London  website. 

World university rankings are available from Top Universities  and Times Higher Education University Rankings .

Applying for postgraduate study

Entry requirements will vary between institutions. It is advisable to contact the admissions office of the institution you are applying to in order to determine entry requirements and to check the acceptability of your existing qualifications. You should make your application as early as possible to allow yourself enough time to work through the visa process following an offer of acceptance. Applications for courses that start in September are usually accepted up until June of the same year. 

Applications should be made directly to the institution. University websites carry details of the application process, which is usually via a paper-based or online application form. You will need to provide evidence that you have any qualifications required for entry. It is common for international applicants to be asked to provide a CV or personal statement along with references or letters of recommendation.

Fees and scholarships

A separate fee category usually applies for international students, and fees may vary significantly between institutions.

Detailed statistical information for some universities, including average fees for international applicants, is listed on Top Universities . Scholarship opportunities for UK nationals are very limited. The Darmasiswa Scholarship Programme  is a government-sponsored scheme for study related to Indonesian culture on a non-degree programme.

Opportunities for academic exchanges are very limited for UK nationals. Try contacting the international office of your UK institution to see if they have any existing links with institutions in Indonesia and in which subject areas.

Will my qualification be recognised in the UK?

For a fee, UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom)  can provide information and advice about how qualifications and skills from overseas compare to the UK's national qualification frameworks.