Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago, straddling the equator. Known for pristine beaches, active volcanoes, and distinctive wildlife, the country is a popular travel destination.
Beyond tourism, Indonesia is also a notable destination for higher education. The country’s national motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, is commonly translated as Unity in Diversity, reflecting an open and diverse culture that can be attractive to international students. In this article, we will be looking at the top universities in Indonesia for international students.
Top Universities in Indonesia for International Students
| INSTITUTION NAME | NOTABLE RANKED SUBJECT AREAS |
|---|
| University of Indonesia | Law, Medicine, and Life Sciences & Medicine |
| Bandung Institute of Technology | Engineering & Technology, Art & Design, Architecture & Built Environment, and Business & Management Studies |
| University of Brawijaya | Sciences, Technology, Medicine, Agriculture, Law, and Social Sciences |
| Diponegoro University | Petroleum Engineering, Law, Agriculture & Forestry, Social Sciences & Management, and Business & Management Studies |
| Universitas Gadjah Mada | Theology, Anthropology, Development Studies, Geography, Agriculture & Forestry, and Law |
1. University of Indonesia
The University of Indonesia is one of the oldest and most prominent universities in Indonesia. Rather than being established in 1924, UI traces its roots to 1849, while its modern university form dates to 1950. It is a public university with major campuses in Depok, West Java, and Salemba, Jakarta. UI is closely associated with sustainability through the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings, and it provides education through 14 faculties, two schools, and one vocational education program across a wide range of subject areas.
UI is active in international higher education networks, including the Association of Pacific Rim Universities and the ASEAN University Network. Through these and other collaborations, UI strengthens academic mobility and services for international students.
2. Bandung Institute of Technology
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Notable Ranked Subject Areas: Engineering & Technology, Art & Design, Architecture & Built Environment, and Business & Management Studies
The Bandung Institute of Technology is the first technical university in Indonesia and has a strong reputation in science, engineering, technology, art, design, and management. This top university in Indonesia has its main Ganesha Campus in Bandung City, a major center for technology and industry, and also operates campuses in Jatinangor, Cirebon, and Jakarta. ITB consists of 12 faculties and schools and offers programs across engineering, natural sciences, business, arts, design, architecture, and related fields.
ITB manages extensive research facilities, including centers, research groups, centers of excellence, and laboratories. Beyond academics, ITB offers student activities and campus facilities that support a full university experience.
3. University of Brawijaya
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Notable Subject Areas: Sciences, Technology, Medicine, Agriculture, Law, and Social Sciences
Universitas Brawijaya, one of the best universities in Indonesia for international students, is a major public university in Malang, East Java. It carries the name of the kings of the great Majapahit kingdom in Indonesia’s history. UB was officially declared a state university on January 5, 1963, and today has 18 faculties across fields such as sciences, technology, medicine, agriculture, law, economics, and social sciences.
UB continues to build its global reputation through international programs, partnerships, and rankings. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, Universitas Brawijaya is ranked #=680 globally and #145 in Asia. QS also reports 47,011 total students, including 734 international students.
4. Diponegoro University
- Admissions | Faculties
- Notable Ranked Subject Areas: Petroleum Engineering, Law, Agriculture & Forestry, Social Sciences & Management, and Business & Management Studies
Diponegoro University is a public university in Semarang City, Central Java. It is named after Diponegoro, a Javanese prince who played an important role in the Java War and the nation’s history. Founded in 1957 as the University of Semarang, UNDIP later became Universitas Diponegoro and a state university. UNDIP offers education across a wide range of fields, including medicine, humanities, natural and social sciences, engineering, law, economics, and agriculture.
With international programs and globally ranked subject areas, this top university in Indonesia has been expanding its international profile. QS lists 1,642 international students, and UNDIP’s 2026 QS-ranked subjects include Petroleum Engineering, Law, Agriculture & Forestry, Social Sciences & Management, Business & Management Studies, and Medicine. UNDIP is also recognized for sustainability, with UI GreenMetric listing it #23 overall globally and #2 in Indonesia.
5. Universitas Gadjah Mada
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Notable Ranked Subject Areas: Theology, Anthropology, Development Studies, Geography, Agriculture & Forestry, and Law
Universitas Gadjah Mada, one of the best universities in Indonesia for international students, was officially established on December 19, 1949, as a national university and is one of the oldest universities in Indonesia. Located at the Bulaksumur Yogyakarta campus, UGM now has 18 faculties, one postgraduate school, and one vocational school. It offers programs across the arts and humanities, engineering, natural sciences, medicine and health, social sciences, law, economics, agriculture, and related fields.
UGM’s international reputation has continued to grow. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, UGM is ranked #224 globally and #55 in Asia. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, UGM placed 28 subjects in the rankings, with Theology, Anthropology, and Development Studies among its highest-ranking areas, followed by strong results in Geography, Agriculture & Forestry, Law, and other disciplines.
FAQs: Studying in Indonesia
Is Indonesia Good for International Students to Study In?
Indonesia has more than 4,600 higher education institutions, making it one of the largest higher education systems in Southeast Asia. International students can find programs in Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering, Humanities, Literature, Islamic Studies, Business, Social Sciences, and other fields.
The main language of instruction is Indonesian, but many universities also offer selected programs taught in English and language support for international students. English proficiency varies by region and institution, so students should check each program’s language of instruction before applying.
Affordable tuition is also a primary reason many international students choose Indonesia. Tuition fees vary depending on the level of study, university, and program. Living costs also differ by city and lifestyle; for example, the University of Indonesia estimates student living costs at about USD 678 per month.
Can International Students Work in Indonesia While Studying?
International students commonly use a student limited-stay visa and an electronic limited stay permit, often referred to as an e-ITAS or KITAS. Indonesian Immigration states that student visa holders may carry out education-related activities, but they are prohibited from doing work or employment, selling goods or services, or receiving rewards or wages from individuals or companies in Indonesia. Therefore, international students are generally not allowed to work while studying unless they obtain a separate legal status that permits work.
Can International Students Stay in Indonesia After Graduation?
After graduation, students should coordinate with their university or visa sponsor to close, extend, or convert their stay permit according to Indonesian Immigration rules. Students who wish to leave Indonesia after completing their studies may need to complete the proper stay-permit closure procedure, commonly referred to as an Exit Permit Only. Those who wish to return or remain in Indonesia must apply for an appropriate visa or stay permit based on their purpose, such as tourism, further study, or eligible employment. Indonesian Immigration currently lists tourist visas that allow stays of up to 60 days, and visa-on-arrival stays of up to 30 days with a possible 30-day extension. Graduates who secure eligible employment must obtain the appropriate work-related stay permit sponsored by an employer.
We hope that this article on the best universities in Indonesia for international students was helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
