10+ Master's Scholarships Abroad for Indonesian Students (Complete with DET Requirements)
Introduction
Getting a master's scholarship abroad is a dream for many Indonesian students. The good news is, there are dozens of scholarship programs available every year — from the Indonesian government, foreign governments, and universities.
This article covers 10+ most popular and competitive master's scholarships, complete with DET score requirements, application tips, and selection strategies.
A. Indonesian Government Scholarships
1. LPDP (Indonesian Endowment Fund)
LPDP is the most popular and prestigious scholarship from the Indonesian Government. Funded by the state budget, it aims to send Indonesia's best talents to top universities worldwide.
Coverage:
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Full tuition up to a certain limit |
| Living expenses | Adjusted to the destination country |
| Airfare | Round trip (Indonesia – destination) |
| Health insurance | During study period |
| Visa fee | Reimbursed as applicable |
| Book and research fee | Special allocation |
Requirements:
- Indonesian citizen (WNI)
- Minimum GPA of 3.00 (4.00 scale)
- Minimum DET score of 115 or IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 85
- Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from target university (for LPDP continuation)
- Sign a bond agreement
- Not receiving other scholarships
Deadline: 2 waves per year (usually March and September)
Tips to Win LPDP:
- Research contribution to Indonesia — LPDP emphasizes social impact. Your post-graduation plan must be clear and concrete
- Prepare research proposal — For PhD, your research proposal must be thorough
- Practice interview — LPDP interviews test commitment, national insight, and contribution plans
- Choose universities wisely — Don't just pick top universities; choose realistically
B. Foreign Government Scholarships
2. Chevening Scholarship (UK)
Full scholarship from the UK Government for master's studies at any UK university.
Coverage: Full tuition, monthly living expenses, airfare, visa, and additional costs.
Requirements:
- Minimum 2 years of work experience (after bachelor's)
- Minimum DET score of 125 or IELTS 7.0
- Proven leadership qualities
- Return to Indonesia for at least 2 years after study
Deadline: November each year
Chevening Tips:
- Chevening looks for future leaders. All essays must demonstrate your leadership potential
- Volunteering and organizational experience are highly valued
- Choose 3 universities with programs relevant to your career
3. DAAD Scholarship (Germany)
Scholarship from the German Government for master's and PhD studies at German universities.
Coverage:
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Tuition | None (German public universities are tuition-free) |
| Living expenses | €992/month |
| Health insurance | Included |
| Airfare | Included |
| Research allowance | For research programs |
Requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 or equivalent
- Minimum DET score of 120 or IELTS 6.5
- 2 years of work experience (for certain programs)
- Clear study proposal
Deadline: Varies, generally August–October
4. Australia Awards Scholarship (Australia)
Full scholarship from the Australian Government for master's and PhD studies at Australian universities.
Coverage: Full tuition, living expenses, airfare, visa, insurance.
Requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Minimum DET score of 120 or IELTS 6.5
- Work experience (preferred)
- Commitment to return to Indonesia
5. Fulbright Scholarship (USA)
Full scholarship from the US Government for master's/PhD studies at American universities.
Coverage: Full tuition, living expenses, airfare, insurance.
Requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Minimum DET score of 125 or IELTS 7.0
- Leadership ability
- Commitment to return to Indonesia
6. MEXT Scholarship (Japan)
Scholarship from the Japanese Ministry of Education.
Coverage: Full tuition, monthly living expenses, airfare.
Tips: Two routes available: embassy recommendation and university recommendation.
7. Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)
Full scholarship from the Hungarian Government.
Coverage: Full tuition, living expenses, insurance.
Requirements:
- Minimum DET score of 110 or IELTS 6.0
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
Tips: This is one of the scholarships with the lowest English score requirements. Great for those still building their DET score.
C. Multilateral European Scholarships
8. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees
Scholarship for master's studies in at least 2 European countries.
Coverage: Full tuition, living expenses (€1,400/month), travel, insurance.
Unique feature: You'll study at 2–4 different European universities over 1–2 years.
Requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Minimum DET score of 120
- Strong motivational essay
9. Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship
Scholarship for public sector employees from developing countries.
Coverage: Full tuition, living expenses, airfare.
Target: Candidates relevant to development with public sector work experience.
D. University Scholarships
10. Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford, USA)
The most prestigious scholarship at Stanford University.
Coverage: Full funding for all costs.
Requirements: Very selective — accepts 50–60 people per year globally.
11. University-Specific Scholarships
Many universities offer internal scholarships:
| University | Scholarship | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | Melbourne International Awards | Partial – full |
| University of British Columbia | UBC International Scholarship | Partial |
| University of Tokyo | ADB Scholarship | Full |
| University of Oxford | Clarendon Scholarship | Full |
| Harvard University | Harvard Financial Aid | Need-based |
How to check: Visit the "Scholarships" or "Financial Aid" page on your target university's website.
Winning Strategies
1. Application Timeline
| Month | Activity |
|---|---|
| January–March | Research scholarships, note deadlines |
| April–June | Prepare documents, take DET |
| July–September | Draft SOP, request recommendations |
| October–December | Submit applications |
| January–March | Interviews and announcements |
2. Tips to Increase Your Chances
Documents:
- Prepare 3–6 months before the deadline
- Have someone proofread your SOP
- Choose the right recommenders
English Score:
- DET score of 120+ is competitive for most scholarships
- For Chevening and Fulbright, target 125+
- A higher score gives you a competitive edge
Personalization:
- Don't send the same SOP to every scholarship
- Tailor to each scholarship's values and criteria
- Research alumni and learn from their applications
3. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing deadlines — Mark all deadlines with reminders
- Generic SOP — Scholarships want to know WHY YOU, not why everyone
- Incomplete documents — Double-check your checklist
- Bare minimum English score — Don't just meet the minimum
- Not researching — Each scholarship has different characteristics
Quick Comparison
| Scholarship | Country | DET Score | Living Expenses | Bond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LPDP | Global | 115+ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Chevening | UK | 125+ | ✅ | ❌ (soft) |
| DAAD | Germany | 120+ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Australia Awards | Australia | 120+ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Fulbright | USA | 125+ | ✅ | ❌ (soft) |
| MEXT | Japan | — | ✅ | ❌ |
| Erasmus Mundus | Europe | 120+ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Hungary | 110+ | ✅ | ❌ |
Conclusion
There are many master's scholarship options — from fully funded to partial, from governments to universities. The key to success is:
- Start now — Don't wait for "later"
- Research deeply — Understand every scholarship you target
- Prepare your DET score — 120+ opens many doors
- Strong SOP — Tell a personal and meaningful story
- Don't give up — Failure is part of the process
For DET practice assistance, visit Wono DET and improve your score now!