INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS

Types of higher education institutions:

Universitas (University)

Institut (Institute)

Sekolah Tinggi (School)

Akademi (Academy)

Polteknik (Polytechnics)

School leaving and higher education credentials:

Sekolah Menengah Atas

Diploma

Sarjana (S1)

Magister (S2)

Doktor (S3)

STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM

Pre-higher education:

Duration of compulsory education:

Age of entry: 7

Age of exit: 15

Structure of school system:

Basic First Stage

Type of school providing this education: Elementary School

Length of program in years: 6

Age level from: 7 to: 12

Basic Second Stage

Type of school providing this education: Junior Secondary School

Length of program in years: 3

Age level from: 13 to: 15

Upper Secondary

Type of school providing this education: General Senior Secondary School

Length of program in years: 3

Age level from: 16 to: 18

Certificate/diploma awarded: Surat Tanda Tamat Belajar Sekolah Menegah Unum (Certificate of completion of upper secondary school)

Vocational Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Vocational senior Secondary Schools

Length of program in years: 3

Age level from: 16 to: 18

School education:

Basic education in Indonesia consists of 9 years of compulsory education. Primary education lasts for six years. Secondary education is divided into junior (Sekolah Menengah Tingkat Pertama -SMTP), senior (Sekolah Menengah Tingkat Atas -SMTA) and vocational/technical education. Junior secondary school covers three years and is part of the basic general education programme also covering the six years of primary education. Senior secondary school also covers three years. There are several types of secondary schools: general, islamic and vocational. Sekolah Menengah Atas is divided into three sessions. In the third year of senior secondary school, students choose between Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Languages (Bahasa). Graduates of the senior secondary schools obtain the Sekolah Menengah Atas which is a prerequisite for access to higher education (together with an entrance exam).

Higher education:

There are several types of institution: Universities, both private and public, which are recognized by the Ministry of National Education; institutes and teacher training institutes (Institut Kegurun dan ilmu pendidikan or IKIPs) which rank as universities with full degree-granting status; Islamic institutes, which have the same rank as universities but come under the Ministry of Religious Affairs; schools (Sekolah Tinggi), both public and private, which offer academic and professional university-level education in one particular discipline; single-faculty academies which offer Diploma/Certificate technician-level courses at public and private levels; and polytechnics, which are attached to universities and provide sub-degree junior technician training. The private universities come under the responsibility of the Directorate of Private Universities within the Directorate General of Higher Education. The Ministry of National Education, through the Directorate General of Higher Education, exercises authority over both state and private institutions. State institutions are financed by the central government, although provincial governments may also provide funds.

Main laws/decrees governing higher education:

Decree: National Education Act No. 20 Year: 2003

Decree: National Education Law Year: 1989

Concerns: all

Academic year:

Classes from: Jul to: Jun

Languages of instruction: Indonesian

Stages of studies:

Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):

Non-university level:

Higher technical/vocational education is offered by Akademi, which are single-faculty academies which confer Diploma level qualifications (up to three years' study) and in Polytechnics which also confer Diplomas. Diploma programmes are considered to be professional rather than academic.

University level studies:

University level first stage: Sarjana (S1):

The Sarjana (Strata Satu) is awarded after four years of  full-time study at a recognized university, institute or school. Students must obtain 144 credits. For Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Pharmacy and Engineering, an additional two to six semesters must be added. Degree Certificates usually bear the inscription Sarjana followed by the subject. A minimum of 144 credits are needed to graduate.

University level second stage: Magister (S2):

The Magister (Stata Dua) is awarded after a further two years' study plus research. Some 36-50 credits beyond S1are required to graduate.

University level third stage: Doktor (S3):

The Doktor (Strata Tiga) takes another two to four years beyond the Magister. In some cases, students can pursue Doktor degree programmes immediately after the first degree, depending on their potential. The Doktor degree is the highest award conferred by Indonesian universities or institutes. There is a residential requirement for 2 years and students must pass the examinations that are organized every year to check their research progress.

Teacher education:

Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers

Primary school teachers are trained at IKIPs where they follow two-year courses leading to the award of a Diploma.

Training of secondary school teachers

Junior secondary school teachers are trained at post-secondary level in two-year programmes at IKIPs leading to the award of a Diploma. Both Diplomas (DII, DIII) and Degrees (SI, SII, and SIII) are conferred to IKIP graduates. Each programme includes twenty credit hours in Education and entitles graduates to teach according to their qualifications. Education students are awarded a Teaching Certificate (AKTA I to IV) together with their Diploma or Degree. Senior secondary school teachers are trained at post-secondary level in four-and-a-half year courses at the IKIPs leading to the award of the Sarjana. Faculties for technical teacher training exist at several IKIPs, awarding Diploma and Sarjana qualifications.

NATIONAL BODIES

Administration & co-ordination:

Responsible authorities:

Ministry of National Education

Head: Bambang Sudibyo, Minister

Jalan Jenderal Sudirman - Senayan
Jakarta 10270
Indonesia

Tel: +62(21) 573 1618

Fax: +62(21) 573 6870

WWW: http://www.pdk.go.id

Direktorat Jenderal Pendidikan Tinggi (Directorate-General of Higher Education), Ministry of National Education

Head: Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro, Director-General

Jalan Pintu Satu, Senayan
Jakarta Pusat 10270
Indonesia

Tel: +62(21) 573 1436

Fax: +62(21) 573 1466

EMail: admin@dikti.org

WWW: http://www.dikti.org

Role of governing body: Executing authority for both public and private higher education institutions.

ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Admission to non university higher education studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Sekolah Menengah Atas

Entrance exams required:

Entrance examination for polytechnics.

Admission to university-level studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Sekolah Menengah Atas

Entrance exams required: Students must sit for the National Entrance Examination (Ujian Masuk Perguruan Tinggi Negeri). There are two options: Social Sciences (IPS) and Natural Sciences (IPA). Secondary school graduates from Physics and Biology streams can apply to any department; those from Social Sciences and Humanities are restricted to non-Science and non-Technology fields.

Recognition of studies & qualifications:

Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):

Directorate of Academic and Student  Affairs / Direktorat Pembinaan Sarana Akademik

Jalan Jenderal Suderman
Pintu I Senayan
Jakarta Pusat
Indonesia

Tel: +62(21) 573 1983

Fax: +62(21) 573 1903

References to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies

Title: Handbook on Diplomas, Degrees and other Certificates in Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific

Publisher: UNESCO PROAP

Year of publication: 1998

STUDENT LIFE

National student associations and unions

ISAFIS - Indonesian Student Association for International Studies

J1 Menteng Atas Selatan III No. 1
Jakarta-Selatan
Jakarta 12960
Indonesia

Tel: +62(21) 619 8894

Fax: +62(21) 619 8894

EMail: isafis@usa.net

WWW: http://come.to/isafis

GRADING SYSTEM

Usual grading system in secondary school

Full Description: 10-1; 10 excellent; 9 very good; 8 good; 7 above average; 6 average; 5 below average; 4-1 fail

Highest on scale: 10

Pass/fail level: 6

Lowest on scale: 1

Main grading system used by higher education institutions

Full Description: A credit system is used an it is essential to see the academic transcript in addition to the degree certificate. Akademi (Diploma) 120 credits; Politeknik (Diploma) 120 credits; Sekolah Tinggi 144-160 credits; Institut 144-160 credits; Universities S1 144-160 credits; S2 180-194 credits; S3 230 credits

Other main grading systems

Students are given a Grade Point Average (GPA) on completion of their studies. For S1 the minimum requirement is 2.0; for S2: 2.5; for S3: 3.0. The grading is on a scale of 1-4 and D-A with 2 and C as pass marks.

NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

Data for academic year: 2004-2005

Source: International Association of Universities (IAU), updated from IBE website, 2003 and documentation, 2005

Note on Higher Education Institutions: Also 563 other Sekolah Tinggi, 403 Akademi and 72 Politeknik for which names and details were communicated too late for inclusion.