A guide to the Indonesian education system and how your credentials compare to US standards for immigration, university admissions, and employment.
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Apply Now →Indonesia operates a 12-year system of general education, with children starting school at age 6. The Ministry of National Education (Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan) is responsible for implementing education policy and regulations. The academic year begins in July and ends in June. Bahasa Indonesia is the official language of instruction throughout all levels. Islamic schools (Madrasahs) provide an alternative education pathway within the Islamic school system, regulated by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Compulsory. Covers Bahasa Indonesia, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Civics, Religious Education, Arts, and Physical Education. Culminates in the Certificate of Graduation (Surat Tanda Kelulusan – STK) after a school-administered final examination.
Compulsory. Culminates in the Certificate of Completion of Junior Secondary Education (Surat Tanda Tamat Belajar: Sekolah Menengah Pertama – STTB: SMP or Ijazah: SMP), issued by the school. Students sit a national examination (Ujian Nasional) at this level.
General academic track or Vocational track (Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan – SMK). Culminates in the Secondary School Certificate of Completion (Ijazah SMA or STTB: SMA) issued by the school and the National Examination Certificate (Surat Keterangan Hasil Ujian Nasional – SKHUN) issued by the Ministry. The SMA diploma is equivalent to a US high school diploma.
Bachelor's degrees (Sarjana, S1) take 4 years. Professional degrees in medicine (Dokter) take 5–6 years. Master's degrees (Magister, S2) are 2 years and Doctoral degrees (Doktor, S3) are 3 years. Indonesia uses a 4.0 GPA scale at university level.
| Grade Scale (0–10) | Description | US Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 8.0 – 10.0 | Excellent (Sangat Baik) | A |
| 7.0 – 7.9 | Good (Baik) | B+ |
| 6.0 – 6.9 | Satisfactory (Cukup) | B |
| 5.0 – 5.9 | Sufficient (Cukup) | C |
| 0.0 – 4.9 | Fail (Kurang) | F |
A formal credential evaluation is required for US university admissions, employment-based immigration petitions, and professional licensing.
All Indonesian academic documents must be accompanied by certified English translations.