Scholarships in Indonesia

Studying in Indonesia with a scholarship

Indonesia has a large and diverse higher education system, with public and private universities across cities such as Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Malang and Semarang.

International students can find scholarships through the Indonesian Government as well as individual universities.

One of the most important government programmes is the Kemitraan Negara Berkembang Scholarship, commonly known as the KNB Scholarship.

For the 2026 cycle, KNB worked with 47 host universities and supported bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral study. The programme is administered by Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology.

Students should also investigate scholarships offered directly by Indonesian universities because KNB is not the only route.

KNB Scholarship

The KNB Scholarship is designed primarily for applicants from developing countries who want to complete a degree in Indonesia.

The programme supports:

• bachelor’s degrees
• master’s degrees
• doctoral degrees

According to the official KNB programme, the scholarship is intended not only to provide education but also to strengthen cooperation between Indonesia and participating developing countries.

Applicants should be aware that the programme has detailed eligibility rules and should not be treated as a general scholarship available to every international student.

What the KNB Scholarship covers

The official KNB programme states that scholarship support can include:

• tuition fees
• monthly living expenses
• arrival allowance
• book allowance
• research allowance
• publication assistance
• transportation for arrival and return after graduation
• monthly health insurance

The exact conditions are governed by the scholarship agreement and current guidelines.

This makes KNB broader than a tuition-only scholarship, but students should still budget for personal expenses that may fall outside the award.

2026 KNB application cycle

For the 2026 intake, applications opened on 2 February 2026 and closed on 31 March 2026.

The official selection schedule included:

• application submission
• verification by the Indonesian Embassy
• verification by the Directorate of Institutional Affairs
• academic selection
• final announcement

The main selection results were announced on 19 June 2026.

Students planning for the next KNB cycle should not assume these exact dates will automatically apply again.

The 2027 application schedule should be published through the official KNB portal when the next call opens.

Embassy recommendation is important

One feature that distinguishes KNB from many university scholarships is the requirement for an Indonesian Embassy or Consulate recommendation.

Applicants must obtain a recommendation letter from the Indonesian diplomatic mission connected with their country of origin, not simply the country where they currently live.

This is important for applicants studying or working abroad.

Someone who is temporarily living in another country should not assume they can obtain the recommendation there.

Follow the instructions issued for your nationality.

KNB bachelor’s requirements

For the 2026 cycle, bachelor’s applicants had to be no older than 21 years by December 31, 2026.

They also needed a high-school qualification and could not already hold a bachelor’s degree.

The programme also required proof of English ability unless the applicant qualified for an exemption.

Accepted minimum scores included:

• TOEFL ITP 477
• TOEFL iBT 53
• IELTS 5.5
• TOEIC 510

The language certificate generally needed to have been issued within the previous two years.

Applicants should always use the current cycle’s requirements because age and language conditions can change.

Academic performance requirements

The KNB programme also sets minimum academic standards.

For the 2026 cycle, the official KNB FAQ listed a minimum GPA equivalent of:

• 2.75 for bachelor’s applicants
• 3.00 for master’s applicants
• 3.00 for doctoral applicants

These are minimum requirements, not guarantees of selection.

Competitive applicants should still present a strong academic record and a convincing reason for choosing their programme.

Medical requirements are extensive

KNB applicants should prepare for a more detailed medical requirement than many other scholarship programmes.

For the 2026 application, the scholarship required a certified medical report covering areas including:

• physical examination
• tuberculosis
• syphilis
• HIV/AIDS
• Ebola
• Mpox
• mental health
• drug screening

The medical documents had to be issued recently and submitted in English or Bahasa Indonesia.

Applicants should not complete expensive medical testing too early because the scholarship may specify how recent the results need to be.

Applicants also submit a video

The 2026 KNB application required bachelor’s applicants to submit a video of up to five minutes.

The video needed to explain:

• the applicant’s profile
• why they want to study in Indonesia
• why they chose KNB
• why they selected their university and programme

The video was uploaded online and the link included in the KNB application.

This is another reason applicants should prepare early rather than beginning the application just before the deadline.

Indonesian language study is a major part of KNB

Students should understand the language structure before applying.

KNB awardees are required to study Bahasa Indonesia through the BIPA programme, normally for up to one year before beginning the main degree.

The official KNB programme states that awardees must successfully complete this language preparation because academic classes are conducted in regular Indonesian-language classes.

This is especially important.

A student should not apply for KNB assuming the entire degree will automatically be taught in English.

The scholarship is designed partly around cultural and linguistic integration into Indonesia.

University scholarships can work differently

Not every Indonesian scholarship follows the KNB model.

Individual universities can offer their own international scholarships with completely different conditions.

These may include:

• full tuition
• partial tuition
• accommodation
• monthly allowances
• language programmes
• research funding

Some university programmes are taught in English, particularly international classes.

Others are mainly taught in Bahasa Indonesia.

Applicants should check:

• language of instruction
• tuition coverage
• accommodation
• stipend
• duration
• academic renewal conditions

Do not assume that a scholarship offered by an Indonesian university has the same benefits or language requirement as KNB.

International classes

Several Indonesian universities operate international programmes taught fully or partly in English.

These programmes may have different tuition structures from regular Indonesian-language programmes.

An international programme can sometimes cost more even at the same university.

Before applying, confirm whether the scholarship covers:

• regular programme tuition
• international programme tuition
• both types of programme

This distinction is important because a university may advertise a scholarship without making every programme eligible.

Cost of living varies significantly

Indonesia can be relatively affordable compared with many Western study destinations, but there is no useful single living-cost figure for the entire country.

Costs differ significantly between:

• Jakarta
• Yogyakarta
• Bandung
• Surabaya
• Bali
• smaller university cities

Housing is one of the largest differences.

A student living in a basic boarding house, commonly known as a kos, may spend much less than someone renting a private apartment in central Jakarta.

Your monthly budget should include:

• accommodation
• food
• transport
• mobile data
• study materials
• health expenses
• personal expenses
• visa-related fees

Students receiving a stipend should still calculate whether it realistically matches the city where they will study.

Accommodation

Universities may offer dormitories, international student residences or assistance finding private accommodation.

Housing conditions vary greatly.

Ask before arrival:

• whether accommodation is included in the scholarship
• whether it is free or paid
• whether utilities are included
• whether rooms are shared
• how far the residence is from campus
• whether students must move out during university holidays

If accommodation is not included, students may need to find a kos or rented room independently.

Avoid transferring a large housing deposit before verifying the property and landlord.

Indonesia’s higher-education student visa

International students undertaking university study require the appropriate Indonesian education visa and residence permission.

Indonesia’s current immigration system lists education visa categories including:

• E30B for diploma and bachelor’s-level higher education
• E30C for master’s-level higher education
• E30D for doctoral-level higher education

Education residence permits can generally be issued for periods such as one or two years and may be extended subject to immigration rules.

Students should follow the university’s international office because institutions normally assist with sponsorship and immigration documentation.

Financial evidence

Indonesian immigration can require students to provide evidence that they have sufficient funds during their stay.

Official immigration guidance for education-related limited stay visas has included evidence such as bank statements, savings records or deposits covering the previous three months, with at least USD 2,000 or equivalent indicated in the relevant guidance.

Requirements can change and may differ according to the visa category.

Do not rely on this figure months later without checking the current Indonesian immigration requirements.

Scholarship students should also ask whether their scholarship documentation satisfies part of the financial evidence requirement.

Health insurance

International students may also need valid health insurance during their stay.

Indonesian immigration guidance for education residence visas includes evidence of insurance that covers healthcare expenses while the foreign national is in Indonesia.

Some scholarships include insurance.

Others expect students to arrange it themselves.

Check the policy carefully because international coverage, Indonesian private insurance and university health services are not necessarily the same thing.

Student visas are not work visas

Students should be cautious about assuming that an Indonesian education visa provides permission to take ordinary paid employment.

Official student visa guidance states that education visas are for study activities and are not intended for employment.

Do not plan to cover a large funding gap through informal work after arrival.

If work or professional activity is important to you, check the immigration rules first.

Choosing a university

Do not choose an Indonesian university only because a scholarship is available.

Compare:

• programme curriculum
• university accreditation
• language of instruction
• city
• accommodation
• research facilities
• international student support
• scholarship package
• total remaining cost

A scholarship is more valuable when the programme itself fits your academic and professional goals.

Master’s and PhD applicants

Postgraduate applicants should pay particular attention to research fit.

A master’s or doctoral scholarship may require:

• research proposal
• academic recommendations
• previous research experience
• interview
• supervisor approval

Applicants should understand what the department actually specialises in before submitting a research proposal.

A generic proposal that could be sent to any university is less convincing than one clearly connected to the programme.

Academic documents

International applicants may need:

• passport
• school or university certificates
• academic transcripts
• CV
• recommendation letters
• proof of language ability
• medical documents
• research proposal
• employment documentation
• certified translations

For KNB, academic certificates and transcripts must meet specific legalisation requirements in the applicant’s country.

Check those requirements before paying for legalisation or translation.

KNB has important personal conditions

Applicants should read the scholarship agreement carefully because KNB includes conditions that go beyond academic performance.

For the 2026 programme, the official rules included restrictions relating to marriage, pregnancy during the scholarship period, military service and bringing family members.

Awardees are also expected to return to their home country after completing the scholarship, and the current FAQ states that recipients generally need to leave Indonesia within 60 days of graduation.

These are significant commitments.

Applicants should understand them before accepting the scholarship.

Prepare for cultural adjustment

Studying in Indonesia involves more than attending university.

Students may experience differences in:

• language
• food
• religion and social customs
• academic communication
• transportation
• weather
• housing
• administrative procedures

Learning some Bahasa Indonesia can make daily life considerably easier even for students enrolled in English-taught programmes.

It can help with shopping, transport, housing and communicating with local services.

Indonesia has many different study environments

A student experience in Jakarta can be very different from one in Yogyakarta.

Jakarta is a much larger and more expensive metropolitan area with extensive business and professional activity.

Yogyakarta is known as a major student city with numerous universities and generally lower living costs.

Other cities such as Bandung, Malang, Semarang, Solo and Surabaya also offer different academic environments.

When choosing a university, research the city as well as the institution.

What applicants should check before applying

Before applying for an Indonesian scholarship, confirm:

• whether your nationality is eligible
• study level
• age limit
• academic requirements
• English requirement
• Bahasa Indonesia requirements
• embassy recommendation requirements
• medical requirements
• university choices
• exact scholarship benefits
• whether accommodation is included
• visa sponsorship
• family restrictions
• scholarship deadline
• university-specific requirements

For KNB, always use the current official guideline rather than an older scholarship article.

Avoid scholarship scams

Be cautious if someone claims they can guarantee:

• KNB selection
• an Indonesian Embassy recommendation
• university admission
• a student visa
• scholarship approval in exchange for unofficial payment

KNB applications are processed through the official scholarship system and formal selection stages.

The programme’s official website publishes its schedule, requirements and results.

Use third-party scholarship websites to discover opportunities, but complete the final verification through the scholarship provider or university.

Final advice

Indonesia can be an attractive destination for international students because it combines a large higher education system with relatively manageable living costs in many cities.

The KNB Scholarship is one of the strongest options for eligible students from developing countries because it can support tuition, living expenses, health insurance and other study-related costs.

However, applicants should understand the programme properly before applying.

KNB involves Indonesian-language preparation, embassy recommendations, detailed documentation and specific scholarship conditions.

Students who do not qualify for KNB should also investigate university-specific scholarships, particularly international programmes offered directly by Indonesian institutions.

The opportunities listed below can help students discover scholarships in Indonesia, but always verify the current requirements through the official scholarship provider, university or Indonesian Government source.

Last reviewed: September 10, 2026