A rising number of respected universities in Indonesia provide a variety of academic programs for local and foreign students. Each university offers a different kind of education and is located in a different part of the nation, from Yogyakarta to Jakarta to Bandung. Indonesian universities strive to contribute to the growth of the country and worldwide academic standards via research, innovation, and community involvement.
Among the most highly esteemed educational institutions in Indonesia are Universitas Indonesia (UI), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). The technical, medical, business, and social science disciplines at these universities attract international students.
Top 10 Universities in Indonesia
Below is the list of top 10 Indonesian universities to study:
- Universitas Indonesia
- Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)
- Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB)
- Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR)
- Bogor Agricultural University (IPB)
- Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS)
- Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD)
- Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP)
- Universitas Brawijaya (UB)
- Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS)
1. Universitas Indonesia
UI is dedicated to becoming the highest-ranking research university that consistently strives for outstanding achievements in terms of regional and worldwide knowledge dissemination, development, and discovery. As Indonesia’s first and longest-running public university, Universitas Indonesia has played a pivotal role in the country’s long-term progress toward prosperity via its dedication to teaching and research for over 160 years. Since its founding in 1950, UI has thrived.
In keeping with its objective to become a world-class research university, Universitas Indonesia has recently embarked on a major reform to provide an outstanding education with a global perspective, welcoming over 30,000 students from Indonesia and throughout the globe. With a global ranking of 206st, Universitas Indonesia has solidified its status as Indonesia’s top educational institution.
Universitas Indonesia offers 57 Master’s Programs and 29 Doctoral Programs throughout its 12 Faculties for postgraduate study. The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Nursing offers 13 Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Programs and around 30 Specialist/Professional Programs.
2. Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)
The Universitas Gadjah Mada, a public research university in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, was established on December 19, 1949. When it comes to Indonesian universities, UGM is both the largest and oldest. The 360-acre university in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, provides education in 18 faculties leading to 68 bachelor’s degrees, 23 master’s degrees, 104 specialist degrees, and 43 doctoral degrees. At present, there are over 2,500 teachers and 5,500 students, including 1,187 international students. The institution offers education aid scholarships for poor students domestically and abroad, as well as government and private merit scholarships.
As part of its efforts to foster an atmosphere that supports lifelong learning, UGM has established an educopolis area. In pursuit of the university’s mission, these initiatives aim to address environmental concerns and foster interdisciplinary partnerships. By lowering pollution, building new “green” dorms on campus, and limiting automobile access, UGM has embarked on a committed ecological development initiative. Universitas Gadjah Mada’s academic pursuits are embodied in the trinity of Tri Dharma, which comprises of Research, Community Service, and Education & Teaching.
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3. Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB)
The Indonesian government established Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) on March 2, 1959, to serve as a university for the study of science, technology, and fine arts. Bandung, a city in western Java, is home to ITB’s main campus. In the last 30 years, the huge and fast-growing city of Bandung has emerged as one of the most significant industrial regions in Indonesia. With a huge number of institutions spanning a variety of styles and subjects, Bandung has also become an important center for higher education in the nation.
ITB is proud of more than simply its academic offerings. Sporting events, dining halls, and a student activity center catering to a variety of interests are just a few of the many recreational opportunities available to university students. Bandung is a popular destination for domestic tourists, especially young people, because of its vibrant nightlife and plenty of shopping opportunities.
The decision on ITB as a legal enterprise (Badan Hukum) was made possible by Government Decree No. 155/2000, which has given ITB a new chance to become self-sufficient. Autonomy allows the institution to efficiently run the organization, plan and execute all programs and activities, and provide quality control to achieve its institutional goal.
4. Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR)
Among Indonesia’s most prestigious and long-standing educational institutions is Universitas Airlangga – UNAIR. Ir. Soekarno, the first president of Indonesia, founded it in 1954. Prabu Airlangga, a renowned king who ruled East Java in 1019, is the inspiration for the university’s name. Currently, UNAIR is ranked #308 worldwide, #67 in Asia, and #4 in Indonesia in the 2024 QS World University Rankings. Diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, professional, specialty, and international programs are all available to students through UNAIR’s educational offerings.
In terms of distinguishing itself, UNAIR is well-known for its principles, ideology, motto, and dedication to moral perfection. This guiding philosophy is operationalized by four essential concepts: Based on Morality, Excellence in Academics, Research, Community Services, and University Holdings, Strong Academic Culture, and Target-Oriented. United Nations Academic Research Institute (UNAIR) is committed to realizing its mission of being a world-class, autonomous, and preeminent institution that leads the way in advancing religiously informed research in the fields of science, technology, and humanities.
UNAIR has a large network of Research Centers (RC) and Research Groups (RG) in Life Sciences and Medicine, Natural Science, Engineering and Technology, and Social Sciences and Humanities. The university has made substantial contributions to these fields, as evidenced by the fact that 66.9% of its publications in the last five years have been in these areas.
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5. Bogor Agricultural University (IPB)
Academics at Bogor Agriculture University have a track record of creating groundbreaking ideas that have received praise on a global scale. IPB University has produced the most number of inventions in Indonesia for 10 years running, making it the top university in the nation. The Business Innovation Center of Indonesia’s Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education bestowed the title of Indonesia’s Most Prospective Innovation upon this accomplishment as an evaluation. The QS World University Rankings for 2024 placed IPB University 426.
The 24 research centers that makeup IPB’s research university include priorities related to biomedicine, food safety, energy, ecological sustainability, and the reduction of poverty. To expand the scope of research that draws from several disciplines, they have introduced the idea of Agro-Maritime 4.0. Every year, more than 1,000 students receive their diplomas from IPB University, joining a community of more than 100,000 successful alums from a wide range of industries.
A wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs are available at IPB University. There are 41 undergraduate majors, 17 specializations in vocational education, 62 master’s degree programs, four doctorate degree programs, and four professional degree programs offered by IPB University’s nine faculties and five schools.
6. Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS)
The Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) is one of Indonesia’s top universities for technical and scientific studies. Initiated in 1960 in Surabaya, Indonesia, ITS aspires to become a world-class university that aids in the nation’s independence and becomes a benchmark in education, research, and community service. Its primary focus is on developing innovations that support the maritime and industry sectors.
ITS is known for its welcoming environment and strong sense of community. The institute has long been known for its proactive and innovative approach to industry and government. ITS students, graduates, and teachers have contributed scientific and social works to society and industry to maximize economic and social benefits.
ITS is currently structured into seven faculties that provide 33 different degree programs: 20 master’s, 15 doctoral, 6 vocational, and 20 international undergraduate programs (IUP). More than 360 partner institutions in 52 countries are an integral part of ITS’s international network. The institution is host to 14,000 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as over 1,000 academic members. The Science Techno Park at ITS is home to research institutes for automotive, marine, information and communication technology, robotics, and creative design.
ITS has three Surabaya campuses. The primary campus is in Sukolilo. Along with other cities in East Java, ITS collaborates closely with Surabaya’s municipal government and the provincial government to create and deploy smart city technologies.
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7. Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD)
Established in 1957, Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD) is situated in Bandung, the capital of West Java province in Indonesia. Padjadjaran is the name of a Sundanese kingdom that inspired the university’s name. One primary campus is in Jatinangor, while the other is in Bandung, specifically the Dipati Ukur campus, which is primarily for graduate students. Other smaller campuses in Bandung include Sekeloa, Banda, Simpang Dago, Eijkman, Dago Pojok, Singaperbangsa, Garut, and Pangandaran.
There were only four departments when the institution was first founded: economics, mathematics and natural sciences, law, and medicine. Currently, the university is home to 16 departments and 1 graduate school, encompassing various fields. The university offers a wide variety of degree programs, including numerous postgraduate options, 44 undergraduate majors, 2 minors, 5 concentrations, a few certificate programs, and 32 three-year programs.
As a researcher, UNPAD is actively engaged in a wide range of scientific fields. This promotes active participation in national and international research grants by both students and professors. When it comes to cooperation, UNPAD has partnered with a wide range of global educational institutions. UNPAD has also been recognized for its research and excellence in world university rankings, sustainability, and SDGs.
8. Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP)
The Indonesian city of Semarang is home to Universitas Diponegoro, a public institution of higher learning. In 1957, the Semarang University Foundation established it as a private university. There are 11 departments at the university, covering topics such as business, economics, politics, humanities, law, medicine, engineering, public health, mathematics, natural sciences, public agriculture, psychology, and marine science.
Eight doctoral programs and 28 master’s programs are available through one postgraduate institution. A vocational school offering a diverse range of courses is also available. At the moment, there are 7859 students enrolled in various graduate and postgraduate programs. UNDIP also hosts graduate students from other countries, such as Korea, the Netherlands, Japan, and others.
In addition to the main campus in Semarang, four more campuses are located outside of the city. Tembalang campus is the newest and largest and houses the administrative center, Central Library, engineering faculty, and science school. The oldest campus, Pleburan, houses the social sciences school and teaching and doctoral program. The medicine school is at Gunung Brintik while the fisheries and marine science faculty is at Teluk Awur. Although most classes for overseas students are given in English, students are expected to know Indonesian and have a minimal level of English competence to study at the university.
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9. Universitas Brawijaya (UB)
Universitas Brawijaya (UB) is in the Indonesian city of Malang, which is in the province of East Java. President Sukarnoputri of the Republic of Indonesia officially established UB on January 5, 1963. The word “Majapahit” comes from the imperial title of the vast Indonesian monarchy that existed from the 12th to the 15th centuries. Over 60,000 students enrolled in degree programs at UB, including Diploma, Bachelor, Master, Doctoral, and Medical Specialist programs, across 18 faculties.
With a focus on agriculture, medicine, economics, law, engineering, and information technology, the university is proud to be one of Indonesia’s best universities. The institution has made a name for itself via its dedication to research and innovation, particularly in relation to Indonesia’s national and regional problems.
In a wide range of fields, including the agricultural, technological, medical, and social sciences, UB has a number of research centers and institutes. Partnerships between Universitas Brawijaya and many other universities throughout the world allow for student exchange programs, collaborative research, and other forms of academic cooperation.
10. Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS)
In 2009, Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) changed its status from a private to a public university and was officially founded in 1976. The university is situated in the Indonesian city of Surakarta, which is in central Java. The Asian University Rankings place Universitas Sebelas Maret in the top 500 Asian universities.
The university is structured academically into 11 departments. Students can choose from a variety of courses, such as 20 PhD programs, 46 master’s programs, 14 programs for medical specialist education, 4 professional programs, 66 undergraduate programs, and 29 programs for vocational schools.
At the university level, there are 32 student organizations. These organizations are supervised by the Student Activity Unit and fall into four categories: interest and ability, religion, sports, and leadership. Many extracurricular activities are available to students, including the students’ pressboard, marching band, and choir.
The “UNS ACTIVE” work culture is something the university is dedicated to implementing. This includes being goal-oriented, having a passion for helping others, working well with others, being honest, having a vision, and being entrepreneurial. The goal of these six measures is to help the institution achieve its vision of being a world leader in creative, scientific, and technological innovation.
Conclusion
To sum up, Indonesian institutions provide a vibrant and diversified academic environment for local and foreign students for academic achievement. The higher education system in Indonesia is undergoing fast change, with new universities popping up all across the region. These universities train students to thrive in a globally interdependent economy by fostering an environment that values innovation, research, and international cooperation.
Indonesian universities are educating students to adapt to a changing world by emphasizing sustainability, entrepreneurship, and the integration of cutting-edge technology.
| Top Universities in Indonesia | QS Global Ranking 2024 |
| Universitas Indonesia | 206 |
| Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) | 239 |
| Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) | 256 |
| Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) | 308 |
| Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) | 426 |
| Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) | 585 |
| Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD) | 596 |
| Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) | 721 |
| Universitas Brawijaya (UB) | 801 |
| Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) | 1001 |
FAQs
How Many Universities Exist In Indonesia?
The country of Indonesia is home to 319 universities.
Is Indonesia A Good Place For Foreign Students?
Indonesia is a multicultural nation with a wide range of languages, customs, and cultures. Indonesia’s cheaper tuition and living costs make education more affordable than in many Western countries.
What Is The Reputation Of The University Of Indonesia?
UI is a major research university that strives for regional and global excellence in discovery, development, and knowledge diffusion.
What Is The Primary Industry In Indonesia?
Petroleum and natural gas, clothing and textiles, footwear, mining, chemical fertilisers, plywood, and rubber are among the most important industrial sectors in Indonesia.
