Universitas Airlangga

Indonesia's premier health sciences university, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has shaped the nation's doctors, pharmacists, and public health leaders since 1954. Ranked #308 globally by QS and 4th in Indonesia, UNAIR offers internationally recognised degrees at among the lowest tuition costs in Southeast Asia — making it a compelling destination for students seeking quality, affordability, and a genuine Indonesian campus experience in the vibrant port city of Surabaya.

Real, freely-licensed photographs of the campus (via Wikimedia Commons).

UNAIR is the undisputed leader in Indonesia for health and life sciences. With 16 faculties, 72 departments, and 174 study programmes spanning medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, veterinary medicine, law, economics, and psychology, it offers breadth rarely found at comparable cost anywhere in the world.

UNAIR admits approximately 25% of applicants, making it selective but not hyper-competitive by global standards. Competition is highest for Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy, where demand from Indonesian and international students far exceeds available seats. International-class tracks — English-medium programmes designed for non-Indonesian speakers — have their own admission procedures and may have different competitive dynamics. Strong academic records, particularly in sciences for health programmes, significantly improve your prospects.

International students apply directly to UNAIR through the central admissions portal at ppmb.unair.ac.id. The application is qualification-based — your academic transcripts, predicted/final grades, and English proficiency are the primary factors. Submissions are processed by the International Office (int@ppmb.unair.ac.id).

UNAIR is fundamentally an academically-driven institution where your grades and subject background carry the greatest weight. There is no holistic 'story-building' exercise of the kind US-style admissions demand. The strongest international applicants to health programmes demonstrate exceptional science performance — Biology and Chemistry above all — alongside genuine motivation for a health career in an Indonesian-language context. For social sciences, law, and economics, strong humanities and mathematics scores are valued. For international-class tracks specifically, evidence of English proficiency meeting or exceeding the minimum is non-negotiable. UNAIR values students who are genuinely curious about Indonesia and Southeast Asia — those who come not merely for a credential but to engage with a country undergoing rapid development in healthcare, infrastructure, and the digital economy.

UNAIR operates on Indonesian academic calendar cycles. International students should apply through the central portal (ppmb.unair.ac.id/en) and contact the International Office directly to confirm current-cycle deadlines, as exact dates vary by programme and year. The university typically opens applications in the first quarter of the calendar year for intake commencing in August/September.

Always confirm exact deadlines with the UNAIR International Office at int@ppmb.unair.ac.id — dates shift annually. Allow additional time for Indonesian student-visa (KITAS) processing after receiving your admission letter.

UNAIR's campuses are spread across Surabaya — Indonesia's second city and the commercial capital of eastern Indonesia. The main Kampus A, B, and C are in Surabaya proper, with newer campuses in Gresik and Lamongan for specific faculties. This multi-campus model means student life varies by faculty, but the university ties everything together with centralised student-support services. Surabaya is a working Indonesian city, not a tourist hub — which is precisely why studying here offers an authentic immersion into Indonesian culture, language, and professional life that more internationalised campuses cannot provide. Street food is extraordinary and inexpensive, public transport is improving, and the city's port-city heritage gives it a distinctive multicultural character. Living costs average around USD 250 per month, meaning your total annual cost of living (USD 3,000) covers comfortable student accommodation, meals, and transport. The AMERTA (Academic Mobility Exchange for Undergraduate at Airlangga) programme brings international exchange students to UNAIR, and the Airlangga Science Olympiad (OSA) connects students nationally. Student organisations span academic clubs, cultural groups, and community-service initiatives including the university's celebrated Floating Hospital programme, which deploys student volunteers to underserved coastal communities.

UNAIR's graduate employment rate stands at 82%, with average starting salaries around USD 6,500 per year — competitive within the Indonesian market. Health-science graduates are in high demand across Indonesia and Southeast Asia, where physician and pharmacist shortages remain acute. Economics, law, and management graduates find strong opportunities in Surabaya's growing financial and logistics sectors.

For international students, an UNAIR degree carries weight across ASEAN — particularly in health-sector roles in Malaysia, Singapore, and other Southeast Asian markets that recruit Indonesian-trained health professionals. The ASEAN University Network membership bolsters mutual recognition of qualifications across member countries. Graduate-school pathways to leading universities in Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the Netherlands are well-established, with UNAIR alumni succeeding in top postgraduate programmes globally.

Universitas Airlangga is a research-intensive public university where academic achievement is the primary selection criterion. For international students, your secondary-school qualifications, predicted grades, and subject profile carry the most weight. The IB Diploma, A-Levels, and equivalent national curricula are all accepted. Health-programme applicants face the steepest academic bar — Biology and Chemistry are non-negotiable foundation subjects.

These are indicative minimum thresholds. Competitive programmes — particularly Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy — typically require scores well above these floors. Verify current programme-specific requirements with the UNAIR Admissions Office.

UNAIR operates a test-optional policy with respect to SAT and ACT scores — these international standardised tests are not required and are not a significant factor in the Indonesian university admissions system. Admission decisions rest on your national secondary qualifications (IB Diploma, A-Levels, national diplomas) and your academic transcript rather than on SAT/ACT performance. If you have strong SAT or ACT results, you may submit them as supplementary evidence of academic ability, but they will not substitute for the required academic transcripts and will not confer preferential treatment in the UNAIR selection process.

Unlike US universities, UNAIR does not require SAT or ACT scores. International students are assessed primarily on their secondary school results — IB Diploma, A-Levels, national baccalaureates, or equivalent qualifications. Focus your preparation on achieving strong grades in relevant subjects rather than preparing for SAT/ACT.

UNAIR accepts both the IB Diploma Programme and A-Level qualifications for international admissions. The indicative minimum for IB is 27 points overall, though competitive health programmes (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy) will expect scores considerably higher — typically 32+ with strong Higher Level science scores. For IB applicants targeting health programmes, Higher Level Biology and Chemistry are strongly recommended, with Mathematics Analysis & Approaches or Applications & Interpretation at Standard or Higher Level depending on the programme. For A-Level applicants, Biology and Chemistry at A-Level are essential for health sciences. Three A-Level subjects at grades B and above meet the general minimum, but again, health programmes are more demanding. The IB's emphasis on the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) provides good preparation for UNAIR's research-oriented environment and community engagement ethos — but these holistic components carry less weight in the Indonesian admissions process than they might at UK or US institutions. Your final IB score is what matters most.

Verify programme-specific subject requirements directly with individual faculties at admissions@unair.ac.id — requirements differ between, for example, Medicine and Economics.

All international students must demonstrate English proficiency. These are minimum thresholds — individual programmes, especially those taught in Indonesian, may have differing requirements. Always confirm with the specific faculty.

Universitas Airlangga is one of the most affordable research universities in Southeast Asia. Annual tuition of approximately USD 2,500, combined with Surabaya's low cost of living, makes the total annual cost of attendance around USD 5,800 — a fraction of what equivalent programmes cost in Australia, the UK, or Singapore. For families budgeting carefully, UNAIR represents exceptional academic value.

All figures are approximate annual estimates in USD. Exact tuition varies by programme and year of enrolment. Living costs depend on housing choice and lifestyle in Surabaya.

As a public Indonesian university, UNAIR's primary financial-aid programmes are structured around supporting Indonesian citizens. International students are generally not eligible for the main Indonesian government scholarship funds (KIP-Kuliah, LPDP) which are reserved for Indonesian nationals. However, UNAIR does offer some scholarship support for international students, and the Indonesian government's Darmasiswa scholarship programme specifically funds international students to study Indonesian language and culture at Indonesian universities including UNAIR. Average aid coverage is approximately 10% of costs for those who qualify — meaning the primary affordability advantage at UNAIR is the inherently low base cost rather than large scholarship packages. For most international students, the financial case for UNAIR rests on its extremely low tuition and living costs compared to any Western alternative, rather than on institutional aid.

Always verify current aid availability with the UNAIR International Office at int@ppmb.unair.ac.id — aid landscape changes annually.

The numbers are genuinely striking: studying Medicine or Pharmacy at UNAIR costs less per year than a single semester at many Western universities. The caveat is that the degree will carry greatest weight within the Indonesian and ASEAN job market — for students intending to return to Southeast Asia, this is an excellent return on investment. For international students who plan to practice medicine in their home country, they will typically need to pass their home country's medical licensing exams regardless of where they trained. Research whether an Indonesian medical degree is recognised for licensing in your specific country before committing — this is especially important for students from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and African countries with specific foreign medical graduate regulations. Living costs in Surabaya are lower than in most Indonesian cities and dramatically lower than in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Sydney. Student accommodation (boarding houses or kos) near campus typically costs USD 80–150/month, local meals USD 1–3 each, and city transport is inexpensive.

Unlike US universities, UNAIR does not use a formal essay application system with standardised prompts. International students apply through a direct admissions portal and typically submit a motivation letter alongside their qualifications. This tab guides you through what that statement should contain, how the application process works, and what the university looks for beyond grades.

Universitas Airlangga is a public Indonesian university. Domestic Indonesian students are admitted through the national entrance examination system (SNBT — Seleksi Nasional Berdasarkan Tes) and related tracks. International students follow a separate, direct-application pathway managed by UNAIR's International Office. The international application is submitted through the central admissions portal at ppmb.unair.ac.id/en. The process is primarily qualification-based: your secondary-school transcripts, predicted/actual IB Diploma or A-Level results, English proficiency scores, and supporting documents are the central selection inputs. There is no formal essay system equivalent to the Common App or UCAS personal statement. However, most programmes ask for a motivation letter (sometimes called a personal statement) as part of the documentation package. This is a free-form written document — typically 300–600 words — explaining why you want to study your chosen programme at UNAIR and what you intend to do with the degree.

UNAIR does not publish standardised essay prompts — the motivation letter is a free-format document. Based on UNAIR's admissions priorities and the Indonesian higher-education context, your letter should address the following themes. Verify exact requirements with the International Office for your specific programme cycle.

The motivation letter for UNAIR should be clear, direct, and honest — not the literary personal narrative that US-style applications encourage. Indonesian academic culture values precision, respect, and clarity of purpose. Here is how to write a letter that works: Open with a clear statement of purpose: the programme you are applying for and why. Do not start with a philosophical quote or a vague opening — admissions officers read hundreds of letters and appreciate directness. Then move systematically through your motivation, academic preparation, and post-graduation plans. Write in formal English. Proofread carefully. A well-structured, error-free letter signals the language proficiency and attention to detail that UNAIR programmes require. If English is not your first language, have a native or near-native speaker review your letter before submission. Keep the tone respectful but not sycophantic. You do not need to write 'Your esteemed institution is the greatest in Asia' — factual acknowledgement of UNAIR's national and regional standing is more effective. Target 300–500 words unless the faculty specifies otherwise. Longer does not mean better. Every sentence should carry specific information, not padding.

The most effective UNAIR applications from international students share a few characteristics. First, they demonstrate a clear, informed understanding of what studying in Indonesia actually means — not a romanticised view, but a realistic one that acknowledges language immersion, cultural adaptation, and a lower-resource environment compared to Western universities. Second, they show how the specific academic strengths of UNAIR — health sciences, veterinary medicine, Indonesia's growing pharmaceutical sector, ASEAN economic integration — connect to the applicant's specific goals. Generic admiration for 'a top Indonesian university' is less compelling than 'I chose UNAIR's School of Pharmacy because the institution's strong partnerships with Indonesian pharmaceutical companies align with my intention to work in drug development for tropical-disease contexts.' Third, they are pragmatic about language. If you do not yet speak Indonesian, acknowledge this honestly and describe your plan to learn. UNAIR values students who approach the language challenge proactively rather than ignoring it.