Study Law in Indonesia

What Is a Law Degree in Indonesia?

The Indonesian law degree comes in three tiers. The first, which is equivalent to a Bachelor of Law, is called the "Sarjana Hukum/S.H." This can be attained directly out of high school. The second tier involves the specialties the legal professional will study. This is called "Magister Hukum/M.H.", or Master in Law. Sometimes it is called the "Megister Kenotariatan/M.Kn.", or Master in Notary. Finally, the third tier is the Doctor in Law. The first tier is required for any legal profession

Law Higher Education in Indonesia

The basic first tier law degree requires four to seven years of study in Indonesia. The amount of time the second and third tiers take depends largely on the course of study and the amount of courses per semester that he student is able to take. In order to become an Advocate or lawyer in Indonesia, students must attend a one to two month Advocate Special Course and pass the Bar exam.

The academic year in Indonesia does not follow any set schedule, but some schools follow an odd and even semester program. Odd semesters run from September through January. Even semesters run from February to June. These dates correlate with the religious holidays of some of the major religious groups in the country.

Legal studies in Indonesia happen at the country's major universities or law schools, which are found on the larger islands and main urban districts of the country. While each school has its own rules and regulations, the study is rigorous, and testing throughout the program to show that the student is able to complete the course of study is common.

The cost for a law degree in Indonesia will vary depending on the length of the program and the university chosen. State universities have fees that are very low, but private universities have higher fees. The typical student will spend around US $4,500 for a semester of coursework in Indonesia.

Studying law in Indonesia opens the door to a lifetime of service in a growing country with a huge population. An Indonesian law degree may also open the door for legal work in other smaller countries throughout Oceania and Asia. Students who choose to study law in Indonesia will get an introduction to the rich culture of the islands and gain a deeper understanding of the culture of its various people groups.

Introduction to Indonesia

The Republic of Indonesia is an archipelago of over 13,400 islands in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Over 238 million people live in Indonesia, making it the world's fourth most populous country. For centuries, Indonesia has been an important trade route, and the rich natural resources of the region have continued to draw trade throughout modern history.

Indonesia is known for its distinctively diverse culture, with hundreds of languages and ethnic groups throughout the islands. It also has the world's second highest level of biodiversity and plenty of wilderness and jungle areas that make it a beautiful place to visit.

What Is the Law System in Indonesia?

Indonesia's legal system follows the civil law system primarily. The diversity of the country brings customary law to many aspects of the system, and some Roman Dutch Law is also mixed into the system. The country's civil code largely follows Dutch colonial traditions, and its first law school was started by the Dutch.