Indonesia is a beautiful island nation in Southeast Asia. More than a popular tourist destination, it is also home to several established medical faculties. Although not every medical program in Indonesia is taught in English, several universities offer English-taught or international medicine pathways. In this article, we will be looking at notable medical schools in Indonesia.
How long does it take to become a doctor in Indonesia?
The Indonesian medical pathway is generally an undergraduate-entry route. A common structure includes an academic or pre-clinical phase of about 3.5 years, followed by a clinical or professional phase of about 2 years. After completing the medical degree and professional stage, graduates may also need to complete national competency, registration, and internship requirements before practicing independently.
What are the admission requirements for Indonesian medical schools?
To apply for an undergraduate medical program in Indonesia, students generally need to have completed high school or an equivalent qualification. For Indonesian public universities, national undergraduate admission routes now include SNBP, which is based on academic and non-academic achievement, and SNBT, which is based on UTBK test results. Many universities also offer independent selection routes, and international or English-taught programs may have separate admissions procedures and English-language requirements.
In some cases, students may also be admitted through university-specific invitation, talent-scouting, international class, or independent admission pathways.
Best Medical Schools in Indonesia
1. Universitas Indonesia Faculty of Medicine
The University of Indonesia is one of the country’s most established universities, and its Faculty of Medicine is among Indonesia’s oldest and most reputable medical faculties.
Universitas Indonesia traces its medical education history to the Dutch colonial period, when medical training was offered through the School tot Opleiding van Inlandsche Artsen. Today, the Faculty of Medicine offers medical education pathways that lead from undergraduate medical study to the professional doctor stage.
The faculty also offers an international class pathway for students seeking an internationally oriented medical program. In current global subject rankings, Universitas Indonesia is the highest-ranked Indonesian institution for medicine in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
2. Andalas University Faculty of Medicine
Established in 1955, Andalas University is a major public university in West Sumatra. Its Faculty of Medicine began the same year and has since grown into one of the region’s long-standing medical faculties.
The faculty has updated its curriculum over time, including the adoption of student-centered, problem-based, and competency-based approaches. Its medical education includes academic study and professional doctor training, with learning across basic medical sciences, clinical sciences, and community-oriented medicine.
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 country’s oldest and most respected universities. Its notable alumni include former Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
The Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing predates the university, with its medical education history beginning in 1946. Its School of Medicine uses problem-based learning and a block-based curriculum. The medical program commonly includes a 3.5-year bachelor phase followed by a 2-year clinical rotation phase.
At the end of the course, Gadjah Mada medical students are expected to develop competencies in professionalism, effective communication, information management, basic and clinical sciences, and public health management.
4. Airlangga University Faculty of Medicine
Universitas Airlangga, located in Surabaya, is home to one of Indonesia’s historic medical faculties. The university describes its Faculty of Medicine as the second-oldest faculty of medicine in Indonesia, with roots in the Nederlandsch Indische Artsen School, founded in 1913.
The faculty is located on Campus A and works with major teaching and health-care partners, including Dr. Soetomo Regional General Hospital and Universitas Airlangga Hospital.
Universitas Airlangga also offers Medicine as part of its international undergraduate program options, where English is used as the medium of instruction for international classes.
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 West Java. It was founded in 1957, with the Faculty of Medicine among its early faculties.
Padjadjaran University offers an International Undergraduate Program in Medicine. This pathway is conducted entirely in English and includes international academic opportunities such as exchange, joint lecture, and double-degree options with partner institutions.
Students interested in the program should check the university’s official admissions page for the latest curriculum, eligibility, and selection requirements.
6. Diponegoro University Faculty of Medicine
Diponegoro University was founded as Semarang University in 1957. In 1960, it was renamed Diponegoro University by President Soekarno in honor of Prince Diponegoro.
The Faculty of Medicine was established in 1961 and became the university’s fifth faculty. The faculty has long been affiliated with Dr. Kariadi Hospital and is also integrated with Diponegoro National Hospital for medical education and clinical training.
Today, the Faculty of Medicine continues to train physicians through academic and clinical education supported by university and hospital-based learning environments.
7. Universitas Hassanudin Faculty of Medicine
The Faculty of Medicine at Universitas Hasanuddin was officially established in 1956. It is based in Makassar and is now located in the Tamalanrea area.
The university’s medical education pathway includes a Bachelor of Medicine stage and a Professional Doctor stage. The Bachelor of Medicine stage is organized across seven semesters, or about 3.5 years, before students continue into professional medical training.
The faculty includes pre-clinical and clinical departments and continues to develop its medical education through academic, clinical, and community-oriented learning.
8. Sriwijaya University Faculty of Medicine
Sriwijaya University is a public university with campuses in Palembang and Indralaya. Its Faculty of Medicine was founded in 1962 and has played an important role in medical education in South Sumatra.
This Indonesian medical school is closely associated with Palembang’s health-care and teaching hospital environment, including Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital.
The medical curriculum emphasizes scientific development, clinical training, and community health. Applicants should check the faculty and university admissions pages for the latest curriculum structure, clinical placement details, and selection requirements.
9. Universitas Sumatera Utara Faculty of Medicine
Universitas Sumatera Utara, also known as the University of North Sumatra, is a public university based in Medan. Its Faculty of Medicine is described by the university as its first and oldest faculty.
The faculty provides medical education supported by university and clinical training environments in North Sumatra. Its stated academic focus includes tropical medicine and preventive oncology.
Prospective students should consult the university’s official admissions page for the latest program, selection, and curriculum information.
10. Universitas Trisakti Faculty of Medicine
The final candidate in our list of best medical schools in Indonesia is Universitas Trisakti, a private university in Jakarta. It was founded in 1965, and the Faculty of Medicine was one of the university’s first five faculties, alongside Law, Economics, Dentistry, and Engineering.
The Faculty of Medicine is located in West Jakarta, on Jl. Kyai Tapa. Its Medicine program follows Indonesian medical education and competency standards and prepares students for professional medical training.
Apart from modules and lectures, medical education commonly includes tutorials, practical sessions, clinical-skills training, and other active-learning methods. Applicants should check the faculty’s admissions page for current entry requirements and program details.
I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Scholarships Page and Open Courses Page for International Students!
