Universities in Indonesia 2027: Rankings & Study Guide

Top Universities in Indonesia: Admissions, Tuition, English Programs, Scholarships & Student Visa

Indonesia operates one of Southeast Asia’s largest higher-education systems, with universities, institutes, polytechnics, academies and specialist institutions spread across a vast archipelago.

The government’s PDDikti — Pangkalan Data Pendidikan Tinggi currently records 4,416 higher-education institutions, 33,741 study programs, 303,067 lecturers and 9,967,487 students. PDDikti is the official national reference database for higher-education institutions, programs, students and lecturers.

That scale makes one point immediately clear: a useful guide to universities in Indonesia for 2027 cannot simply reproduce thousands of institution names.

Students need to distinguish:

• universities from institutes and polytechnics;
• legitimate institutions from unrelated organisations;
• institutional recognition from program accreditation;
• overall rankings from subject strength;
• Indonesian-medium study from English-taught programs;
• domestic admissions from international admissions;
• tuition from the complete cost of study;
• university admission from immigration permission.

Indonesia’s leading universities also have substantial international ranking visibility.

The QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, list 20 Indonesian institutions. Universitas Indonesia is the country’s highest-ranked institution at =191 globally, followed by Gadjah Mada University at =206, Universitas Airlangga at 276 and Institut Teknologi Bandung at 287.

For international applicants, ranking is only the first layer of the decision.

The stronger questions are:

Which Indonesian university is strongest for my subject?

Is my exact degree properly recognised and accredited?

Can I study in English?

What are the current international admission requirements?

How much will the exact program cost?

Can I qualify for the KNB Scholarship?

Which student visa applies?

Can I work while studying?

Will the qualification be recognised where I intend to work?

Indonesia Higher Education at a Glance

PDDikti provides the national higher-education figures, while the visa conditions come from Indonesia’s official immigration system.

How Many Universities Are There in Indonesia?

It would be inaccurate to say:

“Indonesia has 4,416 universities.”

PDDikti records 4,416 higher-education institutions, but Indonesia has several institutional forms.

Universitas

Broad institutions normally covering several disciplinary areas.

Examples include:

• Universitas Indonesia;
• Universitas Gadjah Mada;
• Universitas Airlangga;
• Universitas Brawijaya.

Institut

Institutions generally organised around related disciplinary clusters.

Major examples include:

• Institut Teknologi Bandung;
• Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember.

Politeknik

Institutions with a stronger applied, technical or vocational orientation.

Akademi and Specialist Institutions

These can concentrate on particular professional or vocational fields.

The defensible national statement is therefore:

Indonesia currently has 4,416 higher-education institutions recorded in PDDikti.

That is different from claiming all 4,416 are conventional universities.

Top Universities in Indonesia for 2027

There is no ranking-independent national Top 10.

Different rankings measure different combinations of reputation, research, teaching, employability, internationalisation and other indicators.

For a globally comparable current table, the newest major evidence is the QS World University Rankings 2027.

Top 10 Universities in Indonesia — QS World University Rankings 2027

Ranking authority: QS World University Rankings 2027.

These are QS positions, not an independent Universityi ranking.

All Indonesian Institutions in QS World University Rankings 2027

QS currently lists 20 Indonesian institutions.

Beyond the Top 10, the table includes:

• Bina Nusantara University — BINUS — 901–950
• Universitas Sebelas Maret — 951–1000
• Universitas Sumatera Utara — 1001–1200
• Telkom University — 1201–1400
• Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta — 1201–1400
• Universitas Andalas — 1401+
• Universitas Negeri Padang — 1401+
• Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta — 1401+
• Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia — 1401+
• Universitas Trisakti — 1401+.

That provides substantially better national coverage than presenting only three or five institutions.

What Is the No. 1 University in Indonesia?

If the question specifically means:

Which Indonesian institution ranks highest in QS World University Rankings 2027?

the answer is:

Universitas Indonesia — =191 globally.

That does not establish that UI is automatically best for every subject.

An engineering student may reasonably prefer Institut Teknologi Bandung.

An agriculture or tropical bioscience applicant may prioritise IPB University.

A student interested in technology may compare ITB and ITS.

A medical applicant may compare UI, UGM, Universitas Airlangga, Universitas Padjadjaran and other appropriately accredited programs.

The useful question is therefore:

Best university in Indonesia for which subject, qualification and student?

1. Universitas Indonesia — UI

Universitas Indonesia is the highest-ranked Indonesian institution in QS 2027 at =191 globally.

Its principal campus is in Depok, immediately south of Jakarta, and it operates as a major comprehensive university.

Academic areas include:

• medicine and health;
• engineering;
• computer science;
• sciences;
• economics and business;
• law;
• psychology;
• public health;
• humanities;
• social and political sciences.

For international students, UI also operates a dedicated international admissions system separate from domestic admissions. Its official portal states that applicants without Indonesian nationality are treated as international applicants.

2. Gadjah Mada University — UGM

Gadjah Mada University — UGM ranks =206 globally in QS 2027, making it Indonesia’s second-highest institution in that ranking.

UGM is based in Yogyakarta, one of Indonesia’s best-known university cities.

Its academic breadth includes:

• medicine;
• engineering;
• economics;
• business;
• law;
• agriculture;
• veterinary medicine;
• sciences;
• humanities;
• social and political sciences.

UGM’s current 2026–2027 international material also confirms English-taught courses and programs in areas including engineering, agriculture, economics, management and related fields.

3. Universitas Airlangga — UNAIR

Universitas Airlangga in Surabaya ranks 276 globally in QS 2027.

It is particularly relevant to students researching:

• medicine;
• dentistry;
• pharmacy;
• public health;
• law;
• economics;
• business;
• sciences;
• social sciences.

For medicine and health applicants, overall ranking should be supplemented by program accreditation, clinical training and destination-country professional recognition.

4. Institut Teknologi Bandung — ITB

Institut Teknologi Bandung — ITB ranks 287 globally in QS 2027.

ITB is one of Indonesia’s most important specialist science and technology institutions.

Its academic identity includes areas such as:

• engineering;
• computer science;
• architecture;
• mathematics;
• physical sciences;
• earth sciences;
• industrial technology;
• design;
• management.

For students seeking the best engineering universities in Indonesia, ITB deserves direct investigation even when another comprehensive university has a higher overall ranking.

5. IPB University

IPB University, historically known internationally as Bogor Agricultural University, ranks =419 globally in QS 2027.

Its specialist strengths make it particularly relevant to:

• agriculture;
• forestry;
• fisheries;
• food science;
• veterinary science;
• environmental science;
• biosciences;
• agribusiness;
• rural development.

This is an important example of why subject fit can matter more than overall institutional position.

6. Universitas Padjadjaran — UNPAD

Universitas Padjadjaran ranks 496 globally in QS 2027.

Its major academic operations are in West Java, with a broad portfolio including:

• medicine;
• dentistry;
• pharmacy;
• law;
• economics;
• communication;
• agriculture;
• sciences;
• humanities;
• social sciences.

UNPAD offers a comprehensive alternative to ITB’s more technology-focused profile in the Bandung/Jatinangor region.

7. Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember — ITS

Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember — ITS ranks =497 globally in QS 2027.

Located in Surabaya, ITS is particularly relevant to:

• engineering;
• maritime technology;
• computing;
• information technology;
• industrial systems;
• architecture;
• design.

Engineering students therefore have at least two major specialist technology institutions to compare nationally: ITB and ITS.

8. Universitas Brawijaya — UB

Universitas Brawijaya in Malang ranks =616 globally in QS 2027.

It is a major comprehensive university offering study across areas including:

• agriculture;
• engineering;
• medicine;
• economics;
• business;
• law;
• sciences;
• social sciences.

Its Malang location also gives students an alternative to Greater Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta and Surabaya.

9. Diponegoro University — UNDIP

Diponegoro University in Semarang ranks =662 globally in QS 2027.

Its portfolio includes:

• engineering;
• medicine;
• economics;
• business;
• law;
• public health;
• fisheries;
• marine science;
• social sciences.

Students researching Central Java should normally include UNDIP in a serious national shortlist.

10. Universitas Hasanuddin — UNHAS

Universitas Hasanuddin in Makassar ranks 851–900 in QS 2027.

Its presence is important because it demonstrates that internationally ranked Indonesian higher education is not confined to Java.

For students seeking a major university in eastern Indonesia, UNHAS is a significant institution to investigate.

Best Indonesian Universities by Student Goal

This is a subject-based decision guide, not a separate ranking.

Public Universities in Indonesia

Indonesia has a major public higher-education sector.

Prominent public institutions include:

• Universitas Indonesia;
• Gadjah Mada University;
• Universitas Airlangga;
• Institut Teknologi Bandung;
• IPB University;
• Universitas Padjadjaran;
• Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember;
• Universitas Brawijaya;
• Diponegoro University;
• Universitas Hasanuddin;
• Universitas Sebelas Maret;
• Universitas Sumatera Utara.

Students should confirm institutions and programs through PDDikti, which remains the government’s official reference database.

Public status does not mean that every student or program uses the same fee.

International classes, joint programs and specialist pathways can have different tuition structures.

Private Universities in Indonesia

Indonesia also has a large private higher-education sector.

Private institutions appearing in QS World University Rankings 2027 include:

• BINUS University;
• Telkom University;
• Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta;
• Universitas Trisakti.

Students comparing private universities should consider:

• PDDikti status;
• program accreditation;
• academic specialisation;
• language of instruction;
• tuition;
• industry partnerships;
• graduate outcomes.

Private status by itself says very little about academic quality.

Recognition and Accreditation in Indonesia

This is one of the most important stages of university research.

PDDikti

PDDikti provides official information on:

• institutions;
• study programs;
• students;
• lecturers.

Before paying tuition, a student should confirm that the intended institution and program appear correctly in the official system.

BAN-PT and LAM Accreditation

Accreditation is a separate quality-assurance question.

Indonesia’s framework involves BAN-PT — Badan Akreditasi Nasional Perguruan Tinggi and discipline-specific Lembaga Akreditasi Mandiri — LAM bodies.

Current 2026 BAN-PT regulations confirm that program accreditation can fall under specialist LAM organisations, while BAN-PT continues to operate within the national accreditation framework.

Indonesia also amended its higher-education quality-assurance framework in July 2026 through Permendiktisaintek No. 10 of 2026, changing elements of accreditation mechanisms and LAM governance.

The correct verification sequence is therefore:

Institution in PDDikti → exact program → responsible accreditation body → current accreditation status.

Institutional Recognition vs Program Accreditation

These are different questions.

A recognised university can operate many programs.

Individual programs may be accredited through different bodies and may have different accreditation histories or statuses.

This matters particularly for:

• medicine;
• dentistry;
• nursing;
• pharmacy;
• engineering;
• architecture;
• other professional programs.

International students then need one more check:

Will this qualification be professionally recognised in the country where I intend to work?

Domestic accreditation does not automatically guarantee licensing abroad.

Indonesia’s Degree Structure

Indonesia offers academic, vocational and professional higher-education routes.

Students may encounter qualifications such as:

• Diploma;
• Sarjana;
• Sarjana Terapan;
• professional programs;
• Magister;
• Magister Terapan;
• Doktor;
• Doktor Terapan;
• specialist qualifications in relevant disciplines.

The exact qualification should be checked through PDDikti and university documentation rather than automatically translated into another country’s degree terminology.

Can International Students Study in Indonesia?

Yes.

Major Indonesian universities maintain dedicated international pathways.

Universitas Indonesia, for example, operates a separate online application portal for international applicants and defines an international applicant as someone who does not hold Indonesian nationality.

Other institutions, including UGM, operate their own international admission and mobility systems.

There is therefore no single Indonesia-wide international admissions calendar.

Students must check the exact university and program.

Indonesia University Admissions for 2027

The principal SEO year of this guide is 2027, but the latest confirmed admission cycles available for many institutions are still 2026 or 2026–2027.

Those dates should be used as current evidence—not rewritten as invented 2027 deadlines.

Universitas Indonesia International Admissions 2026

UI’s current international portal shows that in the 2026 Term 1 Phase 1 cycle:

Bachelor and International Class Bachelor applications opened 11 February 2026 and closed 4 June 2026.

UI then opened a second International Class Bachelor phase:

5 June–16 July 2026, with results on 25 July 2026 and offer acceptance through 27 July 2026.

Students targeting 2027 should wait for UI’s official next-cycle calendar.

Do not simply change those dates to 2027.

Typical International Admission Requirements

Requirements vary by institution and degree, but international applicants may need combinations of:

• passport;
• school or university qualification;
• academic transcripts;
• English-language evidence;
• statement of purpose;
• curriculum vitae;
• recommendations;
• financial evidence;
• health documentation;
• interview;
• admission examination;
• portfolio;
• research proposal.

UI’s international admissions guidance, for example, identifies documents including transcripts, passport, recommendations, health documentation and financial-guarantee evidence for relevant applicants.

UGM’s current international mobility documentation similarly requires a passport, academic transcript, CV, personal statement, financial statement, health statement, recommendation and English-language evidence where applicable.

Degree applicants should always use their own program’s official checklist.

Can You Study in Indonesia in English?

Yes.

English-taught and international programs are available at major Indonesian universities.

But language must be checked program by program.

UGM’s 2026–2027 international documentation, for example, identifies English-taught engineering programs in areas including chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, information engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering and urban and regional planning. It also lists English-taught options in agriculture and other fields.

The same document notes that some areas use a mixture of English and Indonesian, with Indonesian remaining the primary language in parts of the curriculum.

The correct rule is:

An institution offering English-language study does not mean every program is entirely English-taught.

Do International Students Need Bahasa Indonesia?

Not necessarily for admission to a fully English-medium program.

But Bahasa Indonesia can be valuable for:

• daily life;
• transport;
• housing;
• social integration;
• internships;
• fieldwork;
• clinical interaction;
• administrative procedures.

In medicine and other patient-facing fields, applicants should check the language used in clinical training even if some classroom education is offered in English.

Tuition Fees in Indonesia

There is no national standard tuition fee for international students.

Costs vary by:

• university;
• program;
• faculty;
• international or domestic pathway;
• public or private status;
• degree level;
• joint-degree structure.

Universitas Indonesia’s 2026–2027 international-class fee decision provides a useful example of how much fees can vary within one university.

Current Universitas Indonesia International Tuition Examples

UI’s official rector decision for the 2026–2027 International Special Class undergraduate route lists separate semester tuition — UKT — and institutional-development charges — IPI.

These figures demonstrate why an Indonesia study guide should never state:

“University in Indonesia costs IDR X per year.”

The correct budget must use the exact program and exact intake.

Gadjah Mada University International Study Cost Example

UGM’s 2026–2027 international factsheet gives another useful example, but for free-mover/exchange study, not standard degree tuition.

It lists:

• IDR 1,750,000 per credit — English-taught courses
• IDR 350,000 per credit — Indonesian-taught courses
• IDR 13,692,300 per semester — INCULS Indonesian-language program.

Those figures should not be presented as universal UGM degree tuition.

What Does It Really Cost to Study in Indonesia?

A realistic international-student budget can include:

tuition

• institutional/admission fees
• housing
• food
• transport
• health insurance
• books and equipment
• visa costs
• personal expenses

− confirmed scholarships

The final cost will differ substantially between Greater Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Bogor, Malang and other university cities.

Scholarships in Indonesia for International Students

Funding can include:

• Indonesian Government scholarships;
• university scholarships;
• bilateral awards;
• merit funding;
• research grants;
• mobility programs;
• tuition waivers.

The most important national international-student scheme is the KNB Scholarship — Kemitraan Negara Berkembang.

KNB Scholarship 2026

The Indonesian Government’s current KNB program works with 47 host universities and supports:

• bachelor’s study;
• master’s study;
• doctoral study.

The official KNB platform states that since 2006 the program has supported 2,299 students and alumni from 107 countries.

KNB Scholarship 2026 Dates

For the confirmed 2026 cycle:

Applications opened: 2 February 2026

Applications closed: 31 March 2026

Initial award announcement: June 2026, followed by replacement rounds where vacancies emerged.

Students targeting 2027 should wait for the official next-cycle announcement.

These dates must not simply be changed from 2026 to 2027.

KNB Scholarship Eligibility

Requirements vary by study level.

The current KNB portal provides separate eligibility rules for:

• bachelor’s applicants;
• master’s applicants;
• doctoral applicants.

For the 2026 bachelor’s route, the official information includes a maximum-age rule, previous qualification requirements, English-language evidence, CV, medical documentation, academic documents and a recommendation from an Indonesian embassy or consulate.

Applicants should use the 2027 KNB rules when published, because age limits, language thresholds and documentary requirements can change.

Is the KNB Scholarship Fully Funded?

KNB is a government financial-aid program for international degree study, but applicants should read the current award-year guidance before treating any specific allowance as guaranteed.

Older KNB guidance has included living, book/research, health-insurance and travel support, but award details should be confirmed from the current cycle rather than copied indefinitely from historic scholarship manuals.

For 2027 applicants, the safest approach is:

wait for the official 2027 KNB guide and verify the exact benefits before budgeting.

Indonesia Student Visa — E30B

Indonesia’s current higher-education immigration category is the E30B limited-stay education visa.

The official immigration system states that the visa permits higher-education activity and offers stays of up to:

• 1 year
• 2 years
• 4 years

with extension available under the applicable rules.

E30B Visa Fees

E30B Guarantor Requirement

The current E30B requirements include a guarantee letter from a guarantor.

That guarantor can be an Indonesian citizen or the educational institution where the foreign national studies.

Applicants also need an acceptance letter from the educational institution stating the intended period of study.

E30B Financial Requirement

Current immigration guidance requires evidence of living funds of at least:

US$2,000 or equivalent.

Other listed documents include:

• valid passport;
• recent photograph;
• curriculum vitae;
• travel itinerary;
• guarantee letter;
• university acceptance letter.

Can International Students Work in Indonesia?

This is a particularly important issue.

The current official E30B higher-education visa explicitly prohibits ordinary work or employment.

Visa holders are prohibited from:

• doing work or employment;
• selling goods or services;
• receiving rewards or wages from individuals or companies in Indonesia.

International students therefore should not build their study budget around ordinary part-time employment under E30B.

If a different immigration status or officially authorised arrangement becomes relevant to an individual case, it should be confirmed directly with Indonesian immigration.

E30B and e-ITAS

Current immigration guidance states that eligible E30B entrants automatically receive an Electronic Limited Stay Permit — e-ITAS — and Re-Entry Permit upon arrival, without needing a separate immigration-office visit solely to obtain the electronic permit.

A physical limited-stay permit card can also be available through immigration offices.

Best Universities in Indonesia for Engineering

Students interested in engineering and technology should investigate:

• Institut Teknologi Bandung;
• Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember;
• Universitas Indonesia;
• Gadjah Mada University;
• Universitas Brawijaya;
• Diponegoro University;
• Telkom University.

ITB and ITS deserve particular attention because technology and engineering are central to their institutional missions.

Applicants should then compare:

• exact engineering discipline;
• program accreditation;
• laboratories;
• curriculum;
• research;
• internships;
• industry partnerships;
• professional recognition.

Best Universities in Indonesia for Computer Science and AI

Potential choices include:

• Universitas Indonesia;
• Institut Teknologi Bandung;
• Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember;
• Gadjah Mada University;
• BINUS University;
• Telkom University.

All six have current QS 2027 global visibility.

For computing and AI, students should compare:

• curriculum;
• mathematics depth;
• AI laboratories;
• cybersecurity;
• data science;
• software engineering;
• faculty expertise;
• industry connections.

Best Universities in Indonesia for Medicine

Students can investigate institutions including:

• Universitas Indonesia;
• Universitas Airlangga;
• Gadjah Mada University;
• Universitas Padjadjaran;
• Universitas Hasanuddin;
• Universitas Brawijaya;
• Diponegoro University.

Medical applicants should conduct additional checks covering:

program accreditation

clinical training

hospital relationships

patient-facing language

internship requirements

professional recognition abroad

licensing examinations

A global ranking does not establish professional licensing eligibility.

Best Universities in Indonesia for Agriculture

Indonesia is especially relevant for study in:

• tropical agriculture;
• forestry;
• food systems;
• fisheries;
• biodiversity;
• environmental science;
• rural development.

IPB University — =419 in QS 2027 is one of the most obvious specialist institutions to investigate.

Other possibilities include:

• UGM;
• Universitas Brawijaya;
• Universitas Padjadjaran;
• Universitas Hasanuddin;
• Universitas Andalas.

Best Universities in Indonesia for Business and Economics

Students can investigate:

• Universitas Indonesia;
• UGM;
• Universitas Airlangga;
• ITB;
• BINUS University;
• Universitas Padjadjaran.

The best choice will depend on whether the student’s objective is:

• economics;
• management;
• entrepreneurship;
• accounting;
• finance;
• business analytics;
• research.

Overall university ranking should not replace a direct comparison of the business or economics program.

Best University Cities in Indonesia

Jakarta and Depok

Greater Jakarta provides access to Indonesia’s largest economic and professional centre.

Universitas Indonesia’s principal campus is located in Depok, immediately south of Jakarta, while other public and private institutions operate throughout the metropolitan region.

Best suited to: students prioritising a major metropolitan environment, professional networks and a large academic ecosystem.

Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is one of Indonesia’s best-known university cities.

Major institutions include:

• Gadjah Mada University;
• Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta;
• Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta.

All three appear in QS World University Rankings 2027.

Best suited to: a strong student-city environment and broad academic choice.

Bandung

Bandung is a major West Java education and technology centre.

Important institutions include:

• ITB;
• Universitas Padjadjaran;
• Telkom University;
• Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia.

All four appear in QS 2027.

Best suited to: engineering, science, computing, telecommunications, design and comprehensive study.

Surabaya

Surabaya contains two of Indonesia’s strongest current QS institutions:

Universitas Airlangga — 276

ITS — =497.

Best suited to: medicine, health sciences, engineering, computing and technology.

Bogor

Bogor is particularly associated with:

IPB University — =419 in QS 2027.

Best suited to: agriculture, food science, forestry, veterinary science and environmental fields.

Malang

Malang is home to:

Universitas Brawijaya — =616 in QS 2027.

It is a major university centre outside Indonesia’s largest metropolitan regions.

Semarang

Semarang is home to:

Diponegoro University — =662 in QS 2027.

Makassar

Makassar is home to:

Universitas Hasanuddin — 851–900 in QS 2027.

Its presence gives international students a major ranked university option outside Java.

Medan and Sumatra

Universitas Sumatera Utara appears in the 1001–1200 QS 2027 band, while Universitas Andalas appears at 1401+.

Students should therefore not assume that Indonesia’s strongest higher-education opportunities exist only on Java.

Is Indonesia Good for International Students?

Indonesia can be attractive for students seeking:

• one of Asia’s largest higher-education systems;
• globally ranked universities;
• strong engineering and technology options;
• agriculture and environmental sciences;
• medicine and health education;
• English-taught international programs;
• government scholarship opportunities;
• varied university cities;
• exposure to one of the world’s largest and most diverse societies.

PDDikti currently records almost 10 million students, while QS lists 20 Indonesian institutions in 2027.

International students must also account for:

• program accreditation;
• teaching language;
• scholarship competition;
• tuition differences;
• visa fees;
• the E30B work prohibition;
• professional recognition abroad.

Indonesia can therefore be a strong destination, but it is not automatically the right choice for every applicant.

How to Choose the Best University in Indonesia

1. Verify the Institution in PDDikti

Start with the official national database.

2. Verify the Exact Program

Do not stop after confirming the university.

3. Check Accreditation

Identify whether BAN-PT or the appropriate LAM handles the program and confirm its current status.

4. Compare Subject Strength

Engineering, agriculture, medicine and business require different shortlists.

5. Confirm the Teaching Language

Determine whether the degree is:

• English;
• Bahasa Indonesia;
• mixed or bilingual.

6. Check the Current International Admission Cycle

Do not convert old deadlines into 2027 dates.

7. Obtain the Exact Tuition

Use the current program fee rather than another faculty’s price.

8. Research KNB and University Scholarships

Funding deadlines can occur months before enrolment.

9. Calculate the Complete Cost

Include:

• tuition;
• institutional fees;
• housing;
• food;
• insurance;
• transport;
• visa;
• personal expenses.

10. Understand E30B Work Restrictions

Do not plan to fund study through ordinary paid employment prohibited by the current student visa.

11. Compare Cities

Greater Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Bandung and Surabaya offer very different environments.

12. Verify Professional Recognition

Essential for medicine, engineering and other regulated professions.

Practical Indonesia University Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

How many universities are there in Indonesia?

PDDikti currently records 4,416 higher-education institutions, but these include different institutional types and should not all be labelled conventional universities.

How many students study in Indonesian higher education?

PDDikti currently records 9,967,487 students.

How many study programs are there?

PDDikti currently records 33,741 study programs.

How many lecturers are there?

The current PDDikti headline figure is 303,067 lecturers.

What is the No. 1 university in Indonesia?

According to QS World University Rankings 2027, Universitas Indonesia is Indonesia’s highest-ranked institution at =191 globally.

What is the second-highest-ranked university?

Gadjah Mada University — =206 in QS 2027.

How many Indonesian institutions are in QS 2027?

QS currently lists 20 Indonesian institutions.

Which universities are strong for engineering?

ITB and ITS are major specialist technology institutions. UI, UGM, Telkom and other universities also provide relevant engineering and technology programs.

Which university should agriculture students investigate first?

IPB University is an important specialist starting point and ranks =419 globally in QS 2027.

Can international students study in Indonesia?

Yes.

Major universities such as UI and UGM operate international admissions or international-study pathways.

Can international students study in English?

Yes.

English-taught programs and courses are available, but language varies by institution and degree. UGM’s current international material identifies multiple English-taught programs while also noting mixed-language areas.

How much does university cost in Indonesia?

There is no national standard tuition.

For example, UI’s current 2026–2027 international-class decision lists semester tuition ranging substantially by program: IDR 25 million in several science and engineering programs, IDR 28 million in Communication Science, IDR 29 million in International Relations, and IDR 51.7 million in Medicine, with separate institutional-development fees.

What is the KNB Scholarship?

KNB is an Indonesian Government scholarship for international students from developing countries. The current 2026 scheme involves 47 partner universities and supports bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral study.

When did KNB Scholarship 2026 applications run?

The official application period was:

2 February–31 March 2026.

Are KNB 2027 dates available?

Students should wait for the official 2027 KNB announcement rather than assuming the 2026 calendar will repeat.

What visa do international degree students use?

Indonesia’s current higher-education limited-stay category is E30B.

How long can E30B last?

Current options are:

up to 1 year

up to 2 years

up to 4 years.

How much does E30B cost?

Current official fees are:

IDR 6,000,000 — up to 1 year

IDR 8,500,000 — up to 2 years

IDR 12,000,000 — up to 4 years.

Does E30B require a sponsor?

Yes.

The official requirements include a guarantor, which may be an Indonesian citizen or the educational institution.

How much financial evidence is required?

Current E30B guidance requires proof of at least US$2,000 or equivalent in living funds.

Can international students work part-time in Indonesia?

Under the current E30B higher-education visa, ordinary paid employment is prohibited.

Students should not budget on the assumption that they can legally fund their studies through standard part-time employment.

Final Guide to Studying in Indonesia in 2027

Indonesia’s higher-education system is too large and varied to understand through an old alphabetical university directory.

Current PDDikti figures show:

4,416 higher-education institutions

33,741 study programs

9,967,487 students

and

303,067 lecturers.

Indonesia’s internationally visible universities are led in QS 2027 by:

Universitas Indonesia — =191

Gadjah Mada University — =206

Universitas Airlangga — 276

Institut Teknologi Bandung — 287

IPB University — =419

Universitas Padjadjaran — 496

ITS — =497.

But ranking should not make the final decision.

An engineering applicant may prefer ITB or ITS.

An agriculture student may find IPB more relevant.

A medical applicant should compare accredited programs and professional-recognition requirements rather than overall rank alone.

An international student seeking English-medium education should identify the exact international program rather than assume an entire university teaches in English.

A scholarship applicant should monitor the next KNB cycle.

And every student relying on E30B needs to understand that ordinary paid employment is currently prohibited under that visa category.

The strongest decision sequence is:

Verify the institution in PDDikti.

Verify the exact program.

Check accreditation.

Compare subject strength.

Confirm the teaching language.

Use the real international admissions calendar.

Obtain exact tuition and institutional fees.

Research KNB and university scholarships.

Calculate housing and living costs.

Confirm E30B eligibility, fees and financial requirements.

Do not rely on employment your visa prohibits.

Verify professional recognition where necessary.

Then shortlist.

Then apply.

That turns an Indonesia university directory into a genuine education decision resource.

Knowledge is power. Education for everyone. Wisdom for all.