International Priority Scholarships (IPS) 2026 in Indonesia is a funded scholarship program offered by Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) for international students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. UMS describes IPS as an opportunity for Muslim youth—especially from Muslim developing countries—to study in Indonesia, and it recommends applicants hold a passport valid for at least 18 months at the time of applying.
Basic information (including application deadline)
The International Priority Scholarship (IPS) is offered by UMS for both Undergraduate and Postgraduate study routes, making it popular among students who want an affordable, culturally familiar study destination in Southeast Asia. UMS’s official IPS page confirms it is a scholarship opportunity for undergraduate and postgraduate applicants and highlights the importance of a long-validity passport due to embassy limitations in some countries.
Application deadline (important note)
The last date to apply for International Priority Scholarships IPS 2026 for International Students is 15th May 2026.
Duration
- Bachelor: 8 Semesters
- Master: 4 Semesters
- Doctoral: 6 Semesters
University/institution details (UMS Indonesia)
Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) is the host institution for the International Priority Scholarship (IPS), and the program is managed through UMS’s international office/admissions channels. UMS positions IPS as a pathway for international students to join undergraduate (for high school graduates) and postgraduate programs (for university graduates) at the university.
What makes UMS a strong host for IPS scholars:
- It runs a structured international student admission and scholarship pathway specifically branded as International Priority Scholarship (IPS).
- It provides clear scholarship-related requirements such as passport validity expectations and program fit.
- It supports international students studying in Surakarta (Solo), a city known for lower living costs than major Indonesian metros like Jakarta.
Study areas (available program names)
Undergraduate:
- Faculty of Education
- Accounting Education – S.Pd.
- Pancasila and Civic Education – S.Pd.
- Indonesian Language & Literature Education – S.Pd.
- English Education – S.Pd.
- Mathematics Education – S.Pd.
- Biology Education – S.Pd.
- Primary Teacher Education – S.Pd.
- Early Childhood Education – S.Pd.
- Geography Education – S.Pd.
- Informatics Engineering Education – S.Pd.
- Sports Education – S.Pd.
- Faculty of Economics and Business
- Management – S.E.
- Accounting – S.E.
- Economic Development – S.E.
- Faculty of Law
- Law – S.H.
- Faculty of Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering – S.T.
- Civil Engineering – S.T.
- Electrical Engineering – S.T.
- Architecture – S.T.
- Chemical Engineering – S.T.
- Industrial Engineering – S.T.
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Pharmacy – S.Farm.
- Faculty of Psychology
- Psychology – S.Psi.
- Faculty of Geography
- Geography – S.Geo.
- Faculty of Islamic Studies
- Islamic Education – S.Pd.I.
- Sharia Economic Law – S.Ag.
- Al-Qur’an and Tafsir – S.Ag.
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Nursing – S.Kep.
- Professional Nurse (Ners) – Ns.
- Nutrition – S.Gz.
- Public Health – S.K.M.
- Physiotherapy – S.Ft.
- Faculty of Communication and Informatics
- Communication Science – S.I.Kom.
- Informatics Engineering – S.Kom.
Postgraduate:
Master’s Degree Programs
- Education & Islamic Studies
- Master in Islamic Education – M.Pd.I.
- Master in Education Management – M.Pd.
- Master in Indonesian Language Education – M.Pd.
- Master in English Education – M.Pd.
- Master in Basic Education – M.Pd.
- Master in Mathematics Education – M.Pd.
- Law & Economics
- Master in Law – M.H.
- Master in Islamic Economic Law – M.HES.
- Master in Management – M.M.
- Master in Accounting – M.Ak.
- Science & Health
- Master in Psychology – M.Psi.
- Master in Pharmacy – M.Farm.
- Master in Nursing – M.Kep.
- Engineering & Technology
- Master in Civil Engineering – M.T.
- Master in Mechanical Engineering – M.T.
- Master in Chemical Engineering – M.T.
- Master in Informatics – M.Kom.
Doctoral (PhD) Degree Programs
- Doctor in Law – Dr.
- Doctor in Islamic Studies – Dr.
- Doctor in Education – Dr.
- Doctor in Psychology – Dr.
- Doctor in Mechanical Engineering – Dr.
- Doctor in Pharmacy – Dr.
International Priority Scholarships (IPS) benefits
For Undergraduate Students:
- Full tuition fee (8 semesters)
- Monthly living allowance: IDR 1,750,000
- Monthly book allowance: IDR 50,000
- Visa and limited stay permit
- Return airfare ticket
- Health insurance
- Free Bahasa Indonesia course (1 year)
For Postgraduate Students:
- Full tuition fee
- Master: 4 semesters
- Doctoral: 6 semesters
- Monthly living allowance: IDR 1,750,000
- Monthly book allowance: IDR 50,000
- Visa and a limited stay permit
- Return airfare ticket
- Health insurance
- Free Bahasa Indonesia course (1 year)
Benefits not included (or costs to plan for)
Even when a scholarship covers tuition and provides allowances, students should plan for personal and “setup” costs. UMS specifically recommends a passport validity buffer (minimum 18 months) because passport renewal can be difficult for some nationals, which is a hidden “risk cost” if not planned.
Common costs students may still need to cover (unless explicitly included in your award letter):
- Passport renewal costs and document legalization (before travel).
- Personal spending beyond the monthly allowance (shopping, extra travel, lifestyle).
- Upfront deposits (housing deposits can apply if you live off-campus).
- Any program-specific lab/material fees not included in tuition (depends on faculty).
Eligibility criteria for International Priority Scholarships (IPS)
Bachelor’s Program Eligibility
- Maximum age: 25 years
- Must have a high school diploma
- Bachelor’s degree holders are NOT eligible
- Required English proficiency (last 2 years):
- TOEFL ITP: 477
- TOEFL iBT: 53
- IELTS: 5.5
- TOEIC: 510
- English test waived if previous study was in English (with official letter)
- Recommendation letters required:
- Employer/supervisor (if employed)
- Academic recommendation from the previous school
- High School diploma & transcript (English/Bahasa Indonesia)
- Valid passport (minimum 18 months)
- Complete online application: isp.ums.ac.id
Master’s Program Eligibility
- Maximum age: 30 years
- Must have a Bachelor’s degree
- Master’s degree holders are NOT eligible
- Required English proficiency (last 2 years):
- TOEFL ITP: 500
- TOEFL iBT: 61
- IELTS: 6.0
- TOEIC: 575
- English test waiver possible (with official letter)
- Recommendation letters required:
- Employer/supervisor (if employed)
- Academic recommendation
- Bachelor’s certificate & transcript (English/Bahasa Indonesia)
- Valid passport (minimum 18 months)
- Visa deposit: IDR 7,000,000
- Refunded for fully funded scholars
- Complete online application: isp.ums.ac.id
PhD Program Eligibility
- Maximum age: 35 years
- Must have a Master’s degree
- Doctorate holders are NOT eligible
- Recommendation letter from UMS potential supervisor
- Statement of Purpose must include:
- Study purpose
- Interest in Indonesia & research topic
- Dissertation plan
- Required English proficiency (last 2 years):
- TOEFL ITP: 530
- TOEFL iBT: 71
- IELTS: 6.0
- TOEIC: 640
- English test waiver possible (with official letter)
- Recommendation letters required:
- Employer/supervisor (if employed)
- Academic recommendation
- Master’s certificate & transcript (English/Bahasa Indonesia)
- Valid passport (minimum 18 months)
- Visa deposit: IDR 7,000,000
- Refunded for fully funded scholars
- Complete online application: isp.ums.ac.id
Required Documents (General)
- Passport-size photo
- Color, recent
- JPG/JPEG format
- Size: 200–300 KB
- Passport documents
- Scanned passport cover (PDF, max 300 KB, all corners visible)
- Scanned passport detail page (PDF)
- The passport must be valid at least 18 months
- Recommendation letters
- From an educational or professional institution
- On official letterhead
- Signed
- Written in English (or Bahasa Indonesia, where allowed)
- Academic documents
- Academic certificate(s) (PDF, English/Bahasa Indonesia)
- Academic transcript(s) (PDF, English/Bahasa Indonesia)
- English language certificate (PDF)
- TOEFL / IELTS / TOEIC / Duolingo
- OR an official letter confirming English asthe medium of instruction
- Study Purpose Essay
- Motivation and study goals
- Written in English
- Research Proposal (PhD only)
- PDF format
- Written in English
- Supporting documents (if available)
- Relevant field-related certificates
- Certificates of achievements or experience (academic & non-academic)
- Publication links (Master’s & PhD applicants only)
- Financial documents (Non-Scholarship applicants only)
- Financial Guarantee (PDF)
- Minimum balance: USD 2,000 for last 3 months
International Priority Scholarships (IPS) application process (step-by-step guide)
Step-by-step process:
- Choose your degree level and program at UMS
- Decide whether you are applying for Undergraduate or Postgraduate and select your intended program based on UMS options.
- Check passport validity early
- UMS strongly recommends a passport valid for at least 18 months when applying to avoid future extension problems.
- Prepare documents in the right format
- Submit your application through the UMS international admission portal
- Follow the selection process
- Receive decision and confirm scholarship terms
- Prepare for visa/residence steps and arrival
Tips for a successful IPS application
IPS is popular because it can reduce both tuition costs and daily expenses in Indonesia, so a strong application matters. The best applications look organized, sincere, and aligned with UMS programs and the scholarship’s mission.
High-impact tips:
- Make your motivation letter personal: explain why UMS, why Indonesia, and how you will use the degree for your community and career.
- Keep your documents clean and consistent (same name spelling, dates, and clear scans).
- Use strong recommenders (teacher/supervisor) who can speak about discipline, character, and study readiness.
- Show readiness for international study: include achievements, volunteering, leadership, and any Bahasa/English preparation.
- Apply with a passport that meets the 18‑month validity recommendation to avoid future complications.
Monthly living expenses in Surakarta, Indonesia (USD)
Surakarta (Solo) is considered a low-cost student city, making IPS attractive even for students who receive only partial financial support. A cost benchmark estimates that the total monthly cost of living for one person in Surakarta is about $409 including rent, and about $273 without rent.
Estimated monthly student budget (USD):
- If you have scholarship housing or shared housing: $250–$400/month (food, transport, phone/data, basic personal costs).
- If you pay rent privately: $400–$650/month depending on room type and lifestyle.
Why choose IPS 2026 in Indonesia? (minimum 5 reasons)
IPS is attractive for students who want quality education in a culturally familiar environment with strong cost advantages. It also gives international students a clear scholarship path at a well-established Indonesian university.
Top reasons:
- Affordable living city: Surakarta has a low estimated cost of living compared to many global student cities.
- Scholarship pathway for international students (undergraduate and postgraduate) at UMS.
- Passport-validity guidance and structured process helps students avoid common mobility issues.
- Potential tuition + allowance support (often described as fully funded in public listings), making study abroad feasible for budget-conscious families.
- Cultural immersion in Indonesia with opportunities to learn Bahasa Indonesia (often listed as part of IPS-type support).
- Strong resume value: studying abroad builds cross-cultural communication and independence, useful for jobs and further scholarships.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1) What is the International Priority Scholarship (IPS) 2026 in Indonesia?
IPS is a scholarship offered by Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) for international students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
2) Is IPS 2026 fully funded?
Many public listings describe IPS as fully funded and mention tuition coverage plus allowances, but exact benefits depend on your award category and offer letter, so always confirm in official UMS communications.
3) Who can apply for IPS?
UMS describes IPS as providing opportunities for Muslim youth (especially from Muslim developing countries) to apply for undergraduate and postgraduate programs at UMS.
4) How long should my passport be valid?
UMS highly recommends having a passport valid for a minimum of 18 months when you apply.
5) Where do I apply for IPS?
Applications are submitted through the UMS international student admission route where applicants register and upload required documents via the admission portal.
6) How much does it cost to live in Surakarta (USD)?
A benchmark estimate places total monthly cost (including rent) around $409 and around $273 without rent for one person in Surakarta.
7) What documents do I need?
Common requirements include a passport scan, photo, academic certificate, a transcript, language certificate (if required), recommendation letters, and motivation letter, but applicants must follow the current UMS portal checklist.
