- Social/cultural visa (B211A) or student visa (C316) required for most international students — applied at Indonesian embassy or on arrival for eligible nationalities
- Tuition: very low at Indonesian public universities — IDR 5,000,000–20,000,000/semester (€280–€1,100); international programmes higher
- Indonesia does not participate in Erasmus+ — exchange students come via bilateral university agreements; BIPA Indonesian language programme widely available
- Cost of living is among Southeast Asia's lowest — monthly student budget of €300–€500 covers comfortable life in most Indonesian cities
Indonesia is one of Southeast Asia's most compelling emerging study destinations — the world's fourth most populous country, the world's largest archipelago (17,000 islands), and a nation of extraordinary cultural, linguistic, and geographic diversity. Universitas Indonesia (UI) and Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) are among Southeast Asia's most respected institutions. Studying in Indonesia means access to Javanese, Balinese, Sumatran, and hundreds of other distinct cultures within a single exchange — Jakarta's megacity dynamism, Bandung's volcanic highland setting, Yogyakarta's Javanese royal heritage, and Bali's Hindu cultural richness are all within reach. Cost of living is very low by any international standard.
Cost of Living
Indonesia is very affordable. Jakarta: monthly student budget €350–€550. Bandung, Yogyakarta: €280–€450. Bali (Denpasar/Ubud area): €350–€600 (higher due to tourism inflation). Street food (warung) meal: IDR 15,000–30,000 (€0.85–€1.70). Café meal: IDR 30,000–80,000 (€1.70–€4.50). Grab ride across city: IDR 20,000–50,000 (€1.10–€2.80). Shared kos-kosan (boarding house) room: IDR 800,000–2,500,000/month (€45–€140). Air-conditioned room with en-suite: IDR 2,000,000–5,000,000/month (€110–€280).
Housing
Kos-kosan (boarding houses, Indonesian student accommodation) are the standard for students — furnished rooms in shared houses with communal areas. Rooms from IDR 800,000–3,000,000/month (€45–€170) in Bandung and Yogyakarta; IDR 1,500,000–5,000,000 in Jakarta. Universities provide housing lists for incoming exchange students — UI and ITB both have limited dormitory places. Facebook groups ('Erasmus Indonesia', 'International Students Jakarta') and university bulletin boards are the primary housing discovery channels. Bali-based students typically rent private villas or bungalows (IDR 2,000,000–6,000,000/month).
Visa & Entry
International students typically use a Social/Cultural Visa (B211A, 60 days, extendable to 180 days) or a Limited Stay Visa (VITAS/KITAS) for longer study programmes. Apply for the B211A at an Indonesian embassy with a university invitation letter and itinerary. Students enrolled in formal programmes apply for a student visa (C316) through their university — the university sponsors the KITAS (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas, Limited Stay Permit). After arrival, KITAS holders report to the local Imigrasi office. Citizens of 45 visa-free countries can enter on 30-day visa-free entry, extendable once for 30 more days at the local immigration office.
Expat Life
Indonesia has a large expat community concentrated in Jakarta (South Jakarta's SCBD and Kemang districts), Bali (Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud), and Bandung. The international student community at UI and ITB is active. Indonesian people are among Southeast Asia's warmest and most welcoming. The country's cultural calendar — Batik Day, Independence Day (August 17), Nyepi (Balinese Day of Silence), and countless regional festivals — creates a rich backdrop for student life.
Indonesia suits anthropology, Southeast Asian studies, environmental science, and development economics students for whom Indonesia's extraordinary diversity is irreplaceable, engineering students targeting ITB (one of Asia's strongest technical institutions), and adventurous students who want the world's most diverse archipelago as their study base — from Javanese temples to Sumatran rainforests to Balinese rice paddies.
English-medium academic programmes at Indonesian public universities are very limited — most teaching is in Bahasa Indonesia. Bureaucratic processes (visa, KITAS, university registration) can be complex and require patience. Jakarta's traffic is among the world's worst — factor commute time carefully. Air quality in Jakarta is a significant concern.
Practical Tips
- Get an Indonesian SIM immediately — Telkomsel and XL Axiata offer affordable data packages (IDR 50,000–100,000/month for generous data). Essential for Gojek (Indonesian super-app: ride, food, payments) and Google Maps.
- Gojek and Grab are essential apps in Indonesia — GoRide (motorbike taxi) is the fastest and cheapest urban transport. Ojek (informal motorbike taxi) is ubiquitous outside major cities.
- Learn Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) — one of the world's easiest languages for English speakers to learn (Latin script, no tones, simple grammar). Even basic Indonesian dramatically improves daily interactions and cultural access. BIPA (Bahasa Indonesia for Foreign Speakers) programmes are available at most major Indonesian universities.
- Register at the Imigrasi (immigration) office if on KITAS — reporting requirements vary; your university's international office will guide you. Failure to comply with immigration reporting is a common problem for international students.
- Health: drink only bottled or filtered water. Street food from busy, high-turnover warungs is generally safe — avoid food that has been sitting out. Medical facilities in Jakarta and Bali are adequate; regional areas have more limited healthcare.
- Cultural norms: Indonesia is predominantly Muslim — dress modestly when visiting mosques and non-tourist areas. Remove shoes before entering homes and places of worship. Bali follows Hindu customs — respect temple dress codes (sarong required). Ramadan creates significant changes to daily rhythms in Muslim-majority areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Indonesian university is best for international students?
Universitas Indonesia (UI, Depok/Jakarta) — Indonesia's most prestigious public university; strong in medicine, law, social sciences, engineering, and humanities; ranked in QS Asia top 60. Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) — Indonesia's strongest technical university; engineering, architecture, and sciences; in Bandung's beautiful highland setting. Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM, Yogyakarta) — large, comprehensive, strong social sciences and medicine; Yogyakarta is Indonesia's cultural heartland. BINUS University (Jakarta) — strong computer science, business, and communication; most internationally oriented private university.
Can I study in Bali, Indonesia?
Bali has several universities (Universitas Udayana is the main public university) but limited English-medium options. Several international programmes and short courses in hospitality, tourism management, and cultural studies are based in Bali. Many international students choose to live in Bali (Ubud or Canggu) while attending online programmes or completing independent research. Dedicated English-medium academic exchange programmes in Bali are limited — if Bali is your priority, research specific programme availability carefully.
Is Indonesia safe for international students?
Indonesia is generally safe for international students. Petty theft (bag snatching, pickpocketing) occurs in tourist areas and markets — keep valuables secure. Avoid political demonstrations. Natural hazards: Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire — earthquakes, volcanic activity, and tsunamis are real risks; familiarise yourself with local emergency protocols. Bali has specific traffic risks — motorbike accidents among tourists are common; ride carefully and always wear a helmet. The general social environment is welcoming and friendly.
What is Bahasa Indonesia and how hard is it to learn?
Bahasa Indonesia is Indonesia's national language — spoken by 270 million people as first or second language. It uses the Latin alphabet (no new script to learn), has no tones (unlike Chinese or Vietnamese), no grammatical gender, and a very regular structure. English speakers can reach conversational level in 3–4 months of study. It is the same language as Malay (mutually intelligible), making it useful across the wider region. The Indonesian government's BIPA programme offers structured language courses at all major universities for international students.
Official Resources
Updated 2026-04-12