Even if Bali is renowned as a major tourist destination, the island is by no means limited to its idyllic beaches, charming culture and the hospitality of its residents. Did you know that the island attracts many international students every year? In fact, some of the Balinese universities are among the most popular in the Southeast Asian region.
What you need to know before choosing Bali for your studies
In broad terms, education in Indonesia has been one of the most neglected sectors of the country's economic progress over the past few decades. The Indonesian education system is considered to be based more on the number of graduating students rather than on the quality of teaching. As such, the country has been struggling to catch up with other countries in the region, like Malaysia, which is by far a regional leader in terms of education.
However, the Indonesian archipelago is still home to some top-notch universities, located mainly in the vicinity of Jakarta and Bali, which are the two most important places of residence for expatriates in Indonesia. Bali, in this case, hosts a rather impressive number of universities for its relatively small geographical area. There are no fewer than 15 universities in Bali, spread over an area of just over 5,000 km虏.
Of the estimated 6,000 international students attending universities in Indonesia, a fair share have chosen to study in Bali. Whereas it is generally thought that most of the Balinese universities offer average quality education, the island also boasts a few universities that rate among the best in Indonesia. In fact, many of these international students usually opt for Bali as part of university exchange programs, mostly to experience the charms of the Balinese lifestyle.
It's worth noting that Udayana University alone attracts more than 2,000 international students every year, which would represent a significant share of the national total just from Bali's largest university. This is because Bali remains a popular destination for many overseas students participating in university exchange programs. Several Australian universities have signed such programs with Balinese universities, allowing students to spend a semester or more in Bali.
Higher education in Bali
Local universities offer several English-speaking curricula for international students wishing to study in Bali via student exchange programs for a semester or more. Not only do they provide for direct immersion in the Balinese culture and way of life, but they also allow the credits thus generated to be easily reclaimed by the students' home university.
Even though the number of universities and study programs available on the island may appear extensive, very few Balinese universities are reputed to offer solid academic programs. Of those that are open to foreigners, many are quite lax, seeking primarily to attract international students by selling Bali's laidback lifestyle rather than the expected rigor and quality of university courses. This seems to be entirely in line with the fact that very few international students come to the island solely to study!
Which are the best universities in Bali?
There are around 15 universities in the Bali region, and at least 4 offer courses open to international students. Most Balinese universities are located around Denpasar, the capital city of southern Bali. In that same vein, Denpasar can be regarded as the student capital of Bali, but this title could also go to Kuta, where bars and discos are among the favorite hangouts of international students in Bali.
To be fair, studying in Bali is not just about fun and wild parties. Several Balinese universities offer excellent international courses, as well as high-quality traditional courses.
The cost of a year's study in Bali ranges from USD 3,500 to USD 7,000 (IDR 60,000,000 - IDR 120,000,000) per year, on average. However, you should be aware that courses offered to international students are usually more expensive than those in the standard Indonesian curriculum. On top of that, you need to budget for daily living expenses (accommodation, food, entertainment), which are generally affordable. You should expect to pay around USD600-700 per month to live comfortably in Bali.
The best universities on the island are, without a doubt:
Udayana University
Established in 1962, Udaya University is the largest and most prestigious university in Bali and the only state-owned university in Indonesia. The institution hosts no less than 13 departments, ranging from medicine to law, through agroforestry.
Udayana University offers a specially tailored curriculum for international students. The courses range from undergraduate to postgraduate and doctorate. The institution also offers short-term summer courses and business, economics, marketing, law, tourism, communication, culture and language are the major subjects taught there.
At the moment, it costs around IDR 17,220,000 (USD 1,000) per semester for undergraduate programs. For more detailed information, check the conditions and requirements on the university's official website. You will also find out more about services for international students, as well as the admission process, details on housing, insurance, and transportation for newcomers wishing to study in Bali.
Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha
This university, established through a public-private partnership agreement, is also known as the Ganesha University of Education. It is well known on the island and is among the best private universities in the region of Bali, West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara. It has 8 departments and about 20 undergraduate and graduate programs. International students can study at UNDIKNAS as part of their international business, management and accounting program. They can choose to study for 1 or 2 semesters, but they can also choose to obtain a three- or four-year degree. The courses offered range from Bachelor's to Master's degrees, but not beyond. University fees range from IDR 6,000,000IDR to IDR 11,140,000 (USD 350 - USD 641) per semester, depending on the chosen diploma.
As a matter of interest, please note that this school was previously called Pendidikan Nasional Bali and was renamed a few years ago in honor of the Hindu god Ganesh. In Bali, where the Hindu religion is strongly established, it is indeed quite customary to place a school under the protection of a Hindu god or goddess.
University of Warmadewa
The University of Warmadewa, yet another private university, is renowned for its international bachelor's or master's degree program in Indonesian language and culture, business, economic management, strategic management, tourism, politics, environmental sustainability, entrepreneurship and management. Fees range from IDR 9,115,000 to IDR 14,180,000 (USD 530 鈥� USD 825) per semester, and courses are generally of good quality. Warmadewa is among the most popular local universities for international students. This is undoubtedly due to its high admission rate, which sits at around 78%.
Triatma Mulya Stenden University
This private university is an ideal choice if you want to do a full course of study in Bali. It is a joint initiative between the Triatma Mulya University in Bali and the University of Applied Sciences in Stenden, the Netherlands. The Bali campus offers two Dutch bachelor's degree courses in business administration and international hospitality management, taught in English by lecturers from around the world. As the university's website states, Dutch education is considered one of the best in the world.
Thanks to such a partnership, students can undertake their studies in Bali with the option to spend a year abroad in the Netherlands. The cost per semester is approximately 3,850 euros. The curriculum also includes personal coaching and a career development program. Triatma Mulyan Stenden University certainly offers some of the most professional academic programs available on the island of Bali.
Attending this institution is a good option for foreigners who want to stay on the island for an extended period. Furthermore, considering that most of the lectures are held 3 or 4 days a week, this leaves time to travel and explore the country and go to the neighboring islands of
Lombok, Gili or Java, which are easily accessible by boat. And why not go further into the Asia-Pacific region if you have the opportunity? With countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam or Thailand all within reach, you may well have the opportunity to treat yourself to fantastic trips at very affordable prices.
Seni Indonesia Institute Denpasar
Located in the vicinity of Denpasar, like most of Bali's academic institutions, the Seni Indonesia Denpasar Institute is known throughout Indonesia, especially for its art department. Commonly referred to as ISI Denpasar, the institution offers several academic art programs that range from painting to film, through sculpture, photography, dance, and more. The courses are relatively light and allow exchange students to study in a relaxed mode and enjoy the many activities throughout the island.
While famous for its art department, ISI Denpasar also offers several other interesting streams and opportunities for international students in Bali, such as languages, literature, engineering, and sciences, to name a few. In addition, the atmosphere on campus is said to be bohemian and rather open, which is quite unusual in Bali, an island where most people are quite conservative.
Mahasaraswati University Denpasar
Like several other Balinese universities, Mahasaraswati University Denpasar owes its name to a Hindu deity: Saraswati, the goddess of education, creativity and music, with the prefix "maha" or "maa" meaning "mother". Founded in 1982, this private institution has 8 departments and, as its name suggests, is located in Denpasar. Even if the name of the goddess of creativity and music may suggest it, Mahasaraswati University is less renowned for its artistic curriculum than its neighbor, ISI Denpasar. Nevertheless, the institution remains of solid value in the Balinese university landscape, being among the oldest and most respected tertiary institutions on the island.
Enrolling in a university in Bali
The enrollment process will obviously vary from one university to another, but there are a few common steps that most international students can expect to go through regardless of which university they choose in Bali.
As a first step, contact the international office of your chosen university directly, that is, through their official website or by email. Most of Bali's major universities have a dedicated department for international students, and staff should be quite responsive and helpful in guiding applicants through the process.
When it comes to documents, you will most likely need to provide proof of academic qualifications, a copy of your passport, passport-sized photographs, and, in some cases, a letter of motivation or recommendation. If you're enrolling as part of an exchange program, your home university should be handling most of the paperwork for you.
For students looking to study for a semester or more, getting the appropriate visa is an important step. Indonesia requires international students to obtain a student visa (KITAS) before they start their studies. It's worth beginning this process well in advance, as it can take time.
In general, applications for the academic year should be submitted several months ahead of the intended start date. Deadlines differ between institutions, so it's always worth checking with your chosen university early on to avoid missing your window.
Student life in Bali
Best known as a tourist destination rather than a place of learning, Bali can be tricky for many students. With its natural beauty, its population of young expatriates, surfers and tourists, not to mention the numerous bars, restaurants and discotheques, the island has enough distractions that can draw the most studious students out into a frenzy of parties and activities other than those for which they are here.
In fact, few international students come to Bali solely to study. Many local universities have taken this into account and have made special arrangements in their programs for expatriates so that they can enjoy the island during their free time. Many local institutions organize meet-up days for foreign and/or Balinese students, often in a paradisiacal place. You can visit asiaexchange.com if you want to learn more about these events and attend some of them. Most of the student days on the island open to expatriates are indicated there.
Important:
Be sure to learn how to study and have fun at the same time while taking advantage of the adapted programs offered by Balinese universities to enjoy the island of the Gods to the fullest.
Student accommodation in Bali
In 2025, Indonesia welcomed approximately 6,000 international students, many of whom opted to settle in Bali. Given the large number of students on the island, accommodation will not be a problem, regardless of your budget, needs and desires.
For a budget-friendly solution, look into kosts, as many Indonesian students do. These are smaller and less well-equipped accommodations than a regular studio, which typically cost around IDR 500,000 (about 30 USD) per month for the cheapest ones. But if you are willing to pay a little extra (up to 55 USD per month), you might as well enjoy your own private bathroom. Otherwise, you could just opt for a shared bathroom or for a more "luxurious" kost with a small kitchenette, private bathroom, office area and sometimes a shared pool. For the latter, you should expect to pay up to USD 250 per month. Kosts are usually located close to universities.
Alternatively, you can choose to stay at a local's home. This is another cost-effective option and, above all, an excellent way to immerse yourself in the local culture fully. In exchange, you will naturally have to respect the customs and rules of your hosts. For example, it would be inappropriate to party all night and come home late, especially if you are a female student!
Shared accommodation is probably the preferred option for international students in Bali, who often choose to rent a villa together. In such a scheme, the costs are shared. It is worth mentioning that this type of accommodation is usually rented with a cleaning lady and a gardener. To easily find such accommodation and roommates, rely on organizations such as Study in Bali, which help students find suitable accommodation.
Whatever your choice, it is always advisable to stay close to the university not only for transportation reasons but also to take advantage of the many special student deals that can be available (restaurants, stores or fairs located near the university).
Student discounts in Bali
Even though Bali and Indonesia generally do not have any special discount cards for students, many establishments practice "harga mahasiswa" or "student prices". In order to take advantage of this, it is best to hang out near the universities, to eat, for instance.
If you are a passionate traveler and want to explore Bali in your free time, why not organize group trips with other students? This is a great way to explore the country while expanding your circle of friends locally. That said, it's worth mentioning that Study In Bali provides special prices through partnerships with tour operators.
Good to know:
In addition to assistance with finding housing or travel, Study in Bali provides services for bike rentals, boat trip discounts, etc.
Since most student exchange programs are offered to Western students, you will probably have foreign colleagues! Don't let that stop you from getting to know your local counterparts, for example, by joining clubs or associations at your university.
This will allow you to take full advantage of your expatriation experience, to get better acquainted with a country you don't know very well yet, learn its culture, and improve your skills!
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