Chevening Scholarship in Indonesia
Indonesia is one of Chevening's priority countries in Southeast Asia, with a large and growing applicant pool drawn from the region's biggest economy. The programme's alumni network in Jakarta is active and visible, which keeps awareness — and competition — high.
Eligibility for Indonesian applicants
- Citizenship of the country, with a commitment to return for at least two years after the award
- At least 2,800 hours (about two years) of work experience — full-time, part-time, and eligible volunteering all count
- An undergraduate degree that supports entry to a UK postgraduate programme
- Three eligible UK master's course choices submitted with the application
- Not a recent recipient of UK government funding, and not a serving member of the armed forces
Requirements are set globally by Chevening and apply identically in Indonesia. Always confirm details on the official Chevening Indonesia page .
What strong Indonesian applications look like
Typical strong applicants come from government ministries and agencies, state-owned enterprises, climate and marine policy, digital economy startups, and media. Many combine civil-service stability with side involvement in civic communities — a combination reviewers like when it is framed as one coherent trajectory.
High and rising, with strong representation from the civil service. Applications that show initiative beyond formal duties and a precise return mandate stand out.
Reviewer risks Indonesian applicants should defuse
- Civil-service applicants describing responsibilities that read as routine administration rather than initiative
- Community involvement (komunitas) listed as affiliation without concrete personal contribution
- Study plans naming UK courses that do not clearly map to the stated policy problem back home
How to apply from Indonesia: four steps
Confirm eligibility and hours
Check the work-experience requirement against your own record before investing time in essays.
Work experience calculatorChoose three coherent UK courses
The three choices should form one route toward a specific career problem, not three unrelated options.
Course eligibility checkerDraft the four essays around evidence
Leadership, networking, study, and career plan — each scored on concrete, individually owned outcomes.
Essay examples libraryPrepare references and deadlines
Line up two referees early and track every date from submission to the unconditional-offer deadline.
Application timelineChevening Indonesia: frequently asked questions
Can Indonesian civil servants apply for Chevening?
Yes — civil servants are a core Chevening constituency in Indonesia. The essays must show leadership beyond routine duties and the applicant should confirm their institution supports a year of UK study.
How does Chevening differ from LPDP for Indonesian applicants?
LPDP is Indonesia's own scholarship with a service bond and broader degree coverage; Chevening is a one-year UK master's award selecting specifically for leadership and influence. Many applicants apply to both, but the essays require different positioning.
When does the Chevening application open for Indonesia?
Applications typically open in early August and close in early November each year — the same window across all eligible countries. Track every date on the application timeline.
Position your Indonesia application before you write
Start with a free positioning diagnosis: see how reviewers are likely to read your profile, where your evidence is thin, and which essay needs work first.
Chevening in Southeast Asia
CheveningPrep is independent and is not affiliated with Chevening or the UK Government. Country notes are qualitative preparation guidance; official rules, dates, and award numbers are published only on chevening.org.
Keep preparing
Free Chevening guides, articles, and tools from CheveningPrep.