Quick Answer: Over 15 major UK scholarships are available to Indonesian students in 2026, including Chevening (full funding worth £50,000+), Commonwealth Scholarships, and university-specific grants like Oxford's Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships. Indonesian students can access funding ranging from partial tuition coverage to full scholarships including living expenses.

Studying in the UK has become increasingly popular among Indonesian students, with over 8,500 Indonesians currently pursuing higher education across British universities. However, the financial commitment can be substantial, with international tuition fees ranging from £15,000 to £40,000 annually. Fortunately, numerous scholarship opportunities exist specifically for Indonesian students seeking to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the UK.

This comprehensive guide covers all major scholarship opportunities available to Indonesian students in 2026, from government-funded programs to university-specific grants, helping you navigate the funding landscape and secure financial support for your British education.

Government-Funded UK Scholarships for Indonesian Students

Chevening Scholarships

The Chevening Scholarship remains the most prestigious and comprehensive funding option for Indonesian students. In 2026, approximately 45-50 Chevening awards will be available to Indonesian applicants, covering:

• Full tuition fees (up to £40,000 for some programs)
• Monthly living allowance of £1,347
• Return flights from Jakarta to the UK
• Additional grants for thesis research and academic materials

Eligibility Requirements:

• Indonesian citizenship
• Minimum 2 years work experience
• English proficiency: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6.0 in each component
• Leadership potential and career plan demonstrating return to Indonesia

Application Timeline: Applications typically open in August 2026 for 2027 entry, with a November 2026 deadline.

Commonwealth Scholarships

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers two main pathways for Indonesian students:

Commonwealth Master's Scholarships:

• 15-20 awards annually for Indonesian students
• Full tuition coverage plus £1,347 monthly stipend
• Focus on development-related subjects
• Preference for applicants from lower-middle-income backgrounds

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships:

• 8-10 awards for Indonesian doctoral candidates
• Full funding for 3-4 years
• Additional research and conference allowances
• Strong emphasis on research impact in Indonesia

LPDP Scholarships (Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education)

While administered by the Indonesian government, LPDP scholarships can be used for UK universities:

• Full funding including tuition, living expenses, and flights
• Available for master's and PhD programs
• Requires commitment to return and serve Indonesia for twice the study duration
• Highly competitive with approximately 200 UK placements annually

University-Specific Scholarships

University of Oxford

Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships:

• 15-20 full scholarships annually for developing country students
• Covers full tuition plus £17,668 living costs
• Open to all graduate programs
• Strong preference for leadership potential

Reach Oxford Scholarships:

• Undergraduate scholarships for students from low-income countries
• Full tuition plus living expenses
• 2-3 awards typically go to Indonesian students

University of Cambridge

Cambridge Trust Scholarships:

• Multiple funding schemes available
• Full and partial funding options
• Indonesia-specific Gates Cambridge Scholarships (2-3 annually)
• Strong academic merit requirement (minimum 85% undergraduate GPA equivalent)

Imperial College London

President's PhD Scholarships:

• Full tuition plus £20,000 annual stipend
• Open to all international students including Indonesians
• 50 awards annually across all departments
• Strong research focus required

Imperial College Business School MBA Scholarships:

• Partial scholarships up to £25,000
• Specific consideration for Southeast Asian applicants
• Merit and need-based assessment

University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships:

• Full tuition coverage for PhD students
• 30 awards annually for international students
• Strong research proposal essential

Principal's Career Development PhD Scholarships:

• Full funding plus additional career development support
• 15 scholarships available in 2026
• Focus on interdisciplinary research

King's College London

King's International Scholarships:

• Partial tuition reduction of £10,000
• Available for all international students
• Merit-based selection

Dickson Poon School of Law Scholarships:

• Full tuition scholarships for LLM programs
• 2-3 awards for Southeast Asian students annually

Subject-Specific Scholarships

Engineering and Technology

Royal Academy of Engineering Scholarships:

• Partial funding for master's programs
• Preference for students from developing countries
• Focus on sustainable technology and innovation

Institution of Civil Engineers Scholarships:

• £5,000-£15,000 awards
• Specific stream for Indonesian students in infrastructure development

Business and Economics

Said Business School Scholarships (Oxford):

• Various schemes including Skoll Scholarships for social entrepreneurs
• Saïd Foundation Scholarships for Middle East and developing country students
• Full and partial funding available

London Business School Scholarships:

• Need and merit-based awards
• Specific consideration for underrepresented regions including Indonesia

Medicine and Health Sciences

Wellcome Trust International Training Fellowships:

• PhD funding in health-related research
• Strong preference for research addressing health challenges in low and middle-income countries
• Including specific Indonesian health priorities

Application Strategy and Tips

Timeline Planning

For 2027 entry, Indonesian students should follow this timeline:

January-March 2026:

• Research universities and courses
• Begin preparing supporting documents
• Start scholarship essay drafts

April-June 2026:

• Take IELTS/TOEFL if required
• Contact potential supervisors (for research degrees)
• Finalize university applications

July-September 2026:

• Submit university applications
• Complete scholarship applications as deadlines approach
• Prepare for potential interviews

October-December 2026:

• Submit remaining scholarship applications
• Attend interviews (many conducted virtually)
• Await results

Documentation Requirements

Most UK scholarships for Indonesian students require:

• Certified academic transcripts with English translations
• English proficiency test results (IELTS/TOEFL)
• Two academic references
• Personal statement (500-1,500 words depending on scholarship)
• CV/Resume highlighting leadership experience
• Research proposal (for research degrees)

Maximizing Success Chances

1. Apply Early: Submit applications well before deadlines to avoid technical issues
2. Tailor Applications: Customize each application to specific scholarship criteria
3. Demonstrate Impact: Clearly articulate how your studies will benefit Indonesia
4. Show Leadership: Provide concrete examples of leadership roles and initiatives
5. Academic Excellence: Maintain strong academic records throughout the application process

Alternative Funding Sources

Beyond major scholarships, Indonesian students can discover funding options through:

Corporate Sponsorships:

• Indonesian companies like Telkom, Bank Mandiri, and Pertamina offer educational sponsorships
• Usually require post-graduation employment commitments

Professional Associations:

• Indonesian Medical Association scholarships for medical students
• Engineering associations supporting technical education

University Alumni Networks:

• Many UK universities have active Indonesian alumni offering mentorship and small grants
• Particularly strong at LSE, Imperial College, and University College London

Post-Application Process

Interview Preparation

Many prestigious scholarships require interviews, often conducted online for Indonesian applicants:

• Research current UK-Indonesia relations and policy challenges
• Prepare specific examples of leadership and community impact
• Practice articulating your career goals and return plans to Indonesia
• Understand your chosen field's relevance to Indonesia's development priorities

Visa Considerations

Successful scholarship recipients will need to apply for a Student visa (formerly Tier 4):

• Scholarship letters significantly strengthen visa applications
• Full scholarships typically exempt students from financial evidence requirements
• Processing time from Indonesia is typically 3-4 weeks in 2026

The landscape of UK scholarships for Indonesian students continues to evolve, with increasing opportunities reflecting the growing educational partnership between the UK and Indonesia. Success requires early preparation, strategic application choices, and clear demonstration of academic merit and leadership potential. With proper planning and preparation, Indonesian students can access significant funding opportunities to pursue their educational goals in the UK.

Key Statistics

📊 Over 8,500 Indonesian students currently study in UK universities as of 2026

💰 Chevening Scholarships provide full funding worth over £50,000 per year including tuition and living costs

🎓 45-50 Chevening awards are available annually to Indonesian students, making it the largest scholarship program

📈 UK tuition fees for international students range from £15,000-£40,000 annually depending on the university and program

🌟 Commonwealth Scholarships offer 23-30 total awards annually for Indonesian master's and PhD students

✈️ LPDP provides approximately 200 UK university placements annually for Indonesian students with full funding

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I apply for Chevening Scholarships as an Indonesian student?

Indonesian students must apply through the official Chevening website between August and November 2026 for 2027 entry. You need Indonesian citizenship, minimum 2 years work experience, IELTS 6.5 overall (6.0 in each component), and a strong leadership profile. The application includes academic transcripts, references, personal statements, and a detailed study plan showing how you'll contribute to Indonesia upon return.

What is the difference between Commonwealth and Chevening scholarships for Indonesian students?

Chevening focuses on leadership potential and offers slightly higher living allowances (£1,347/month), while Commonwealth Scholarships emphasize development impact and academic merit. Chevening requires 2+ years work experience while Commonwealth accepts recent graduates. Commonwealth has separate master's and PhD streams, while Chevening primarily funds master's degrees. Both provide full funding but have different selection criteria and application processes.

How much funding can Indonesian students receive from UK scholarships?

Full scholarships like Chevening and Commonwealth provide £45,000-£55,000 annually, covering tuition fees (£15,000-£40,000), living expenses (£15,000-£20,000), and additional costs. Partial scholarships range from £5,000-£25,000. University-specific awards vary widely - Oxford's Weidenfeld-Hoffmann provides £57,000+ annually while King's International Scholarships offer £10,000 tuition reductions. PhD scholarships typically include £18,000-£20,000 annual stipends plus full tuition coverage.

When should Indonesian students start applying for UK scholarships for 2027 entry?

Indonesian students should begin preparation in January 2026 for 2027 entry. Key deadlines include Chevening (November 2026), Commonwealth (December 2026), and university-specific scholarships (December 2026-January 2027). Students need 6-12 months to prepare documents, take English tests, secure references, and craft compelling personal statements. Early preparation is crucial as popular scholarships receive thousands of applications from Indonesian students.

What English language requirements do Indonesian students need for UK scholarships?

Most UK scholarships require IELTS Academic with minimum 6.5 overall and 6.0 in each component (Chevening standard). Some universities accept TOEFL (minimum 100 iBT) or Pearson PTE Academic (minimum 62). Cambridge and Oxford often require higher scores (IELTS 7.0-7.5). Commonwealth Scholarships follow similar requirements. Students should take tests early as scores are valid for 2 years and retakes may be necessary.

Can Indonesian students combine multiple UK scholarships?

Generally, full scholarships like Chevening, Commonwealth, and LPDP cannot be combined as they provide comprehensive funding. However, students can combine partial scholarships - for example, a university merit scholarship with external grants or corporate sponsorship. Some scholarships explicitly prohibit combining with others, so students must check terms carefully. It's ethical to apply to multiple scholarships simultaneously but must declare other funding sources during applications.

What career commitments do Indonesian students face with UK scholarships?

LPDP requires students to work in Indonesia for twice their study duration (2 years for master's, 6-8 years for PhD) with potential financial penalties for non-compliance. Chevening expects students to return to Indonesia for minimum 2 years but enforcement is limited. Commonwealth Scholarships encourage development work but don't mandate specific commitments. University scholarships typically have no return requirements. Students should carefully consider these obligations when choosing funding options.

How competitive are UK scholarships for Indonesian students?

UK scholarships are highly competitive for Indonesian students. Chevening receives 800-1,000 Indonesian applications annually for 45-50 awards (5-6% acceptance rate). Commonwealth Scholarships have similar competition levels. University scholarships vary - Oxford and Cambridge accept 2-5% of international applicants for full funding, while newer universities may offer better odds. Success depends on academic excellence (typically 3.5+ GPA equivalent), leadership experience, clear career goals, and strong English proficiency.

Key Takeaways

✅ Over 15 major scholarship programs offer funding to Indonesian students, with Chevening providing the most awards (45-50 annually)

✅ Full scholarships can cover £45,000-£55,000 annually including tuition, living expenses, and travel costs

✅ Applications for 2027 entry open in mid-2026 with deadlines between November 2026 and January 2027

✅ Strong English proficiency (IELTS 6.5+ overall), leadership experience, and clear career goals are essential for success

✅ Government scholarships like LPDP require work commitments in Indonesia, while university scholarships typically don't

✅ Early preparation starting 12 months before deadlines significantly improves chances of securing funding