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Jakarta is a major metropolitan city, the capital of Indonesia, and the largest city in Southeast Asia. Having gone through quite a few name changes in the past, Jakarta is now nicknamed ‘The Big Durian’, after the city’s native fruit, and is seen as Indonesia’s equivalent to ‘The Big Apple’ in the US.
Jakarta earned a top score for affordability, due to the relatively low tuition fees and a cost of living which is low in comparison to other major cities, even though it’s relatively high compared to the rest of Indonesia.
Given its status as the economic, cultural and political centre of Indonesia, it’s unsurprising Jakarta attracts masses of people, boasting a population of over 30 million, with many others commuting in during the day for work.
This bustling metropolis is perfect for students who want to experience a diverse culture, from food and languages to local traditions and customs. Those interested in learning more about the traditional culture should stop by Setu Babakan in South Jakarta and get to know the story of Betawi culture (the native ethnic group of Jakarta), drink the local beverage bir pletok, try the traditional dances of the area or have a bite of kerak telor (a spicy omelette dish).
As Content Editor for TopUniversities.com and TopMBA.com, Chloe creates and publishes a wide range of articles for universities and business schools across the world. Chloe has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Reading and grew up in Leicestershire, UK.
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Study in Jakarta
Chloe Lane
Updated Jul 25, 2025Save
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Jakarta is a major metropolitan city, the capital of Indonesia, and the largest city in Southeast Asia. Having gone through quite a few name changes in the past, Jakarta is now nicknamed ‘The Big Durian’, after the city’s native fruit, and is seen as Indonesia’s equivalent to ‘The Big Apple’ in the US.
Jakarta earned a top score for affordability, due to the relatively low tuition fees and a cost of living which is low in comparison to other major cities, even though it’s relatively high compared to the rest of Indonesia.
Given its status as the economic, cultural and political centre of Indonesia, it’s unsurprising Jakarta attracts masses of people, boasting a population of over 30 million, with many others commuting in during the day for work.
This bustling metropolis is perfect for students who want to experience a diverse culture, from food and languages to local traditions and customs. Those interested in learning more about the traditional culture should stop by Setu Babakan in South Jakarta and get to know the story of Betawi culture (the native ethnic group of Jakarta), drink the local beverage bir pletok, try the traditional dances of the area or have a bite of kerak telor (a spicy omelette dish).
Jakarta is also home to some world-class universities that are ranked in the QS World University Rankings. These are the Universitas Indonesia, Bogor Agricultural University and Bina Nusantara University (BINUS).
Have you studied in Jakarta? Let us know your thoughts.
Top universities in Jakarta
QS World University Rank
QS World University Rank
QS World University Rank
Jakarta's QS Best Student Cities performance
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As Content Editor for TopUniversities.com and TopMBA.com, Chloe creates and publishes a wide range of articles for universities and business schools across the world. Chloe has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Reading and grew up in Leicestershire, UK.
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