As of 2026, over 55,000+ students from Indonesia are studying abroad, with top destinations including Australia (14,000+), Malaysia (9,000+), Japan (7,000+), and the UK (5,000+).
This guide covers every destination worth considering for Indonesian students: real tuition figures, visa requirements, scholarships you can actually win, entrance exam scores, financial proof requirements, and post-study work pathways. No agent commissions — just data.
- LPDP is Indonesia’s flagship scholarship with ~4,000 awards per year for Master’s and PhD.
- Australia is the top destination (14,000+ students) with strong bilateral ties and post-study work.
- Japan and Korea offer generous government scholarships (MEXT, GKS) with language preparation.
- Germany offers tuition-free education — total cost under €12,000 (IDR 210 million).
- Malaysia is the most affordable regional option with 9,000+ Indonesian students.
- LPDP scholarship letter can serve as proof of funds for visa applications.
At a Glance
Top Destinations for Indonesian Students (2026)
| Country | Visa Type | Avg Tuition (€/yr) | Living Cost/mo (€) | Post-Study Work | Language | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Student visa | 14,000 – 30,000 | 1,100 – 1,800 | Graduate 2 yr (PhD 3 yr) | English | 3 – 6 weeks |
| USA | F-1 | 20,000 – 45,000 | 1,200 – 2,500 | OPT 12 mo (STEM 36 mo) | English | 4 – 12 weeks |
| Canada | Study Permit | 12,000 – 28,000 | 1,000 – 1,800 | PGWP 1 – 3 years | English / French | 4 – 8 weeks |
| Germany | Student visa | 0 – 1,500 | 900 – 1,300 | 18-month job seeker | English / German | 4 – 12 weeks |
| Australia | Subclass 500 | 15,000 – 32,000 | 1,200 – 2,000 | 2 – 4 years | English | 4 – 8 weeks |
| France | VLS-TS | 2,770 – 15,000 | 800 – 1,400 | APS 1 year | French / English | 3 – 6 weeks |
| Ireland | Stamp 2 | 10,000 – 22,000 | 1,000 – 1,600 | Stay Back 1 – 2 yr | English | 4 – 8 weeks |
| Netherlands | MVV + residence | 8,000 – 18,000 | 1,000 – 1,500 | Orientation year 1 yr | English | 4 – 8 weeks |
| New Zealand | Student visa | 10,000 – 22,000 | 900 – 1,400 | Post-study 1 – 3 yr | English | 3 – 6 weeks |
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Get Student Report — €29Cost Comparison: Indonesia vs Study Destinations
Annual Budget Comparison
| Expense (Annual) | Indonesia (IDR) | UK (€) | Canada (€) | Germany (€) | USA (€) | Australia (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (avg) | 10M – 50M | 20,000 | 18,000 | 300 | 28,000 | 22,000 |
| Rent (shared) | 12M – 36M | 10,800 | 9,600 | 6,000 | 12,000 | 10,800 |
| Food | 9M – 18M | 3,600 | 3,600 | 2,400 | 4,800 | 4,200 |
| Transport | 3M – 6M | 1,800 | 1,200 | 0 (semester ticket) | 1,800 | 1,500 |
| Health Insurance | 2M – 5M | 600 (NHS) | 900 | 1,200 | 2,400 | 600 (OSHC) |
| Total Annual | 36M – 115M | 36,800 | 33,300 | 9,900 | 49,000 | 39,100 |
Living Costs by City
Detailed Visa Requirements
| Country | Key Documents | Proof of Funds | Visa Fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | CAS, TB test (if required), police certificate | GBP 1,334/mo (London) × 9 + tuition | GBP 490 + IHS | 3 – 6 weeks |
| USA (F-1) | I-20, DS-160, SEVIS receipt, financial evidence | Full programme cost + living | USD 185 + SEVIS USD 350 | 4 – 12 weeks |
| Canada | Letter of acceptance, study plan, police cert | CAD 20,635 + tuition | CAD 150 | 4 – 12 weeks |
| Germany | Admission letter, blocked account, insurance | €11,208 blocked account | €75 | 4 – 12 weeks |
| Australia | CoE, GTE statement, OSHC, police check | AUD 29,710/yr + tuition | AUD 710 | 4 – 8 weeks |
LPDP as proof of funds: LPDP scholarship award letter is accepted as proof of funds for visa applications in most countries. This simplifies the visa process significantly.
SMA/SLTA recognition: Indonesian SMA certificate is accepted for UK foundation year entry. Australian universities have strong links with Indonesian institutions.
Currency: IDR is relatively stable. Use Indonesian banks with international transfer facilities. Bank Indonesia regulations apply to educational remittances.
English & Entrance Test Requirements
| Test | UK | USA | Canada | Germany | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS (UG) | 6.0 – 6.5 | 6.0 – 6.5 | 6.0 – 6.5 | 6.0 – 6.5 | 6.0 – 6.5 |
| IELTS (PG) | 6.5 – 7.5 | 6.5 – 7.0 | 6.5 – 7.0 | 6.5 – 7.0 | 6.5 – 7.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | Less common | 80 – 100 | 80 – 100 | 80 – 95 | 79 – 93 |
| GMAT (MBA) | 650 – 730 | 650 – 740 | 600 – 700 | 600 – 700 | 600 – 680 |
| GRE | Rare | 310 – 330 | Optional | Not required | Rare |
| Duolingo (DET) | Limited | 105 – 130 | 105 – 120 | Some programmes | Limited |
Scholarships for Indonesian Students
Full tuition + stipend + travel + insurance
Indonesia Endowment Fund. Master's and PhD. Covers tuition, living (varies by city), travel, insurance. Must return. ~4,000 awards. Multiple rounds.
Full tuition + AUD 3,762/mo + travel + OSHC
Australian government. Indonesia is priority partner. Must return for 2 years. Deadline: April–May.
Full tuition + GBP 1,195–1,511/mo + flights
UK government Master's. 2+ years work experience. ~1,500 awards globally. Deadline: November.
Full tuition + JPY 143,000–148,000/mo + flights
Japanese government. Indonesia is one of largest MEXT recipients. Includes Japanese language training. Deadline: April–May.
Full tuition + KRW 900,000/mo + flights
GKS/KGSP. All levels. Includes 1 year Korean language prep. ~1,500 awards. Deadline: February–March.
€1,400/mo + tuition + travel + insurance
EU-funded joint Master's. 15–25 awards per programme. 100+ programmes. Deadline: January–March.
Full tuition + NZD 491/week + travel
NZ government for developing countries. Covers tuition, living, travel, insurance. Must return for 2 years. Deadline: February–March.
€934/mo (Master's) or €1,300/mo (PhD)
German Academic Exchange Service. All fields. GPA 3.0+. Deadline: October–November.
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For a September 2026 intake:
Work While Studying
| Country | Hours (Term) | Hours (Break) | Avg Wage (€/hr) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | 20 hrs/week | Unlimited | 10 – 13 | National Living Wage GBP 11.44/hr |
| USA | 20 hrs (on-campus) | Unlimited (CPT) | 10 – 15 | Off-campus needs CPT/OPT |
| Canada | 24 hrs/week | Unlimited | 12 – 16 | Reduced from unlimited in 2024 |
| Germany | 20 hrs/week | 120 full days/yr | 12 – 15 | Minimum €12.82/hr |
| Australia | 48 hrs/fortnight | Unlimited | 14 – 18 | Highest minimum wage globally |
| Ireland | 20 hrs/week | 40 hrs/week | 11 – 14 | Minimum €12.70/hr |
Post-Study Work & Immigration Pathways
| Country | PSW Duration | PR Pathway | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | 2 yr (3 yr PhD) | Skilled Worker → ILR (5 yr) | No job needed for Graduate visa |
| Canada | PGWP 1–3 yr | CEC via Express Entry | 1 yr work exp = PR eligible |
| USA | OPT 12–36 mo | H-1B → Green Card | Job must match field |
| Germany | 18 months | Blue Card → PR (21–33 mo) | Job must match qualification |
| Australia | 2–4 yr | Skilled 189/190 | Points-based system |
| Ireland | 1–2 yr | Critical Skills → Stamp 4 | Must find qualifying job |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the LPDP scholarship?
LPDP (Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan) is Indonesia's government endowment fund. Full scholarships for Master's and PhD at top universities. Covers tuition, living (varies by city tier), travel, insurance, thesis support. ~4,000 awards annually. Must return to Indonesia after completion.
Which is the cheapest country for Indonesian students?
Germany: €0 tuition, ~€15,000/year (IDR 175 million). Malaysia: affordable tuition MYR 15,000–50,000/year. Japan/Korea with government scholarships cover everything. Turkey via Burslari is fully funded.
What English test scores are needed?
IELTS 6.0–6.5 (UG), 6.5–7.0 (PG). TOEFL iBT 80–100. Australia: IELTS 6.0+. Japan: English for international programmes, JLPT N2+ for Japanese programmes. IELTS costs IDR 3.3 million.
How much proof of funds is needed?
Australia: AUD 29,710 + tuition (IDR 350–700M). UK: GBP 12,006–15,306 + tuition (IDR 280–600M). Germany: €11,208 (IDR 196M). LPDP award letter accepted as proof of funds.
What scholarships are available?
LPDP (~4,000 awards), Australia Awards, MEXT (Japan), GKS/KGSP (Korea), Chevening (UK), Erasmus Mundus (EU), NZ Scholarships, DAAD (Germany). LPDP is most accessible with multiple annual rounds.
Can I work while studying?
Australia: 48 hrs/fortnight. UK: 20 hrs/week. Japan: 28 hrs/week. Korea: 20 hrs/week. Germany: 120 full days/year. Malaysia: limited to semester breaks. Wages €8–18/hour in Western countries.
What are post-study work options?
Australia: 2–4 years. UK: 2-year Graduate visa. Japan: designated activities visa. Korea: D-10 job-seeking. Germany: 18-month job-seeker. Canada: 1–3 year PGWP. Note: LPDP recipients must return to Indonesia.
Is my Indonesian degree recognised?
Yes, from BAN-PT accredited universities. Australia: NOOSR assessment is straightforward given bilateral ties. UK: NARIC. Canada/US: WES. Process 4–8 weeks. Strong recognition for Indonesian qualifications globally.
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Get Student Report — €29Last updated: 9 March 2026. Tuition and living costs based on 2025–2026 published figures from official sources. EUR figures using Q1 2026 exchange rates (1 EUR ≈ 17,500 IDR). This guide is for informational purposes only.