One of the most practical reasons to consider UMB is the cost. Studying at an Unggul-accredited university in Indonesia at this price point is genuinely rare, and Bengkulu as a city makes the overall cost of living even more manageable compared to most other Indonesian university towns.
All figures below use an exchange rate of IDR 17,400 to USD 1. Costs are estimates and may change without prior notice.
Tuition Fee (Per Semester)
| Faculty | IDR | USD (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| All Faculties (General) | Rp 4,000,000 | ~ USD 230 |
| Faculty of Health Sciences (FIKES) | Rp 6,000,000 | ~ USD 345 |
Tuition is charged per semester. International students pay the same rate as local students — there is no international surcharge. A limited number of scholarships are available for international students who meet the eligibility requirements. Contact UGE for details.
One-Time Academic Fees
Beyond tuition, students pay a one-time package covering several compulsory academic milestones throughout their study period. This includes the final thesis, thesis defense, graduation ceremony, student orientation (Ospek), community service program (KKN), and internship (Magang).
| Item | IDR | USD (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
Academic Milestone Package |
Rp 12,000,000 |
~ USD 690 |
This amount is indicative and may be adjusted from time to time.
Monthly Living Costs
| Item | IDR / month | USD / month (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Dormitory or student boarding house (kos) | Rp 500,000 | ~ USD 29 |
| Daily living expenses (food, transport, personal) | Rp 1,500,000 | ~ USD 86 |
| Estimated Total | Rp 2,000,000 | ~ USD 115 |
Dormitory and boarding house rates do not include electricity and water, which typically add a small amount depending on usage. Most students find their actual monthly spend falls comfortably within this range.
Full Cost Estimate — First Year
This gives a rough picture of what a first year at UMB costs in total.
| Item | IDR | USD (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition — 2 semesters (general faculties) | Rp 8,000,000 | ~ USD 460 |
| Tuition — 2 semesters (FIKES) | Rp 12,000,000 | ~ USD 690 |
| Accommodation — 12 months | Rp 6,000,000 | ~ USD 345 |
| Living expenses — 12 months | Rp 18,000,000 | ~ USD 1,035 |
| Total (general faculties) | Rp 32,000,000 | ~ USD 1,840 |
| Total (FIKES) | Rp 36,000,000 | ~ USD 2,070 |
Electricity, water, and personal expenses such as phone credit, clothing, and occasional travel are not included in the figures above.
How Bengkulu Compares
Bengkulu is one of the more affordable cities in Indonesia for students. The table below gives a rough comparison of average monthly student living costs across major Indonesian university cities.
| City | Est. Monthly Living Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Jakarta | ~ USD 400 – 600 |
| Bandung | ~ USD 250 – 400 |
| Surabaya | ~ USD 250 – 380 |
| Bengkulu (UMB) | ~ USD 115 |
The gap is significant. A student in Jakarta easily spends four to five times what a student in Bengkulu spends in a month, often just on rent alone. Bengkulu offers a quieter, more affordable pace of life without sacrificing access to quality education.
Scholarship Opportunities
UMB offers a limited number of scholarships specifically for international students at the undergraduate level. Scholarships are awarded based on eligibility criteria set by the university. For Master's programs, UMB does not currently provide institutional scholarships, though students are welcome to study at UMB using funding from external sources such as international organizations, their home government, or the Indonesian government's KNB Scholarship. Students are responsible for securing their own external funding.
For scholarship inquiries, reach out directly to the UGE team.