About Indonesian studies 

We’ve taught Indonesian studies for more than 50 years. We have one of Australia’s largest Indonesian library collections giving you the opportunity to develop a broad understanding of Indonesia and the wider world of Southeast Asia. Flexible entry points ensure you’ll study at a level that suits your language proficiency.

Why choose Indonesian studies?

Indonesia is one of the world’s largest and most diverse nations, and one of Australia’s nearest and most important neighbours. You’ll develop strong cultural literacy and intercultural communication skills, and examine the interaction of language and culture with reference to history, performing arts, journalism, literature and translation.

What will you study?

By studying Indonesian, you will be acquiring a language skills set while learning about the broader social and cultural contexts of Indonesia. Our units form a structured course of Indonesian starting from two possible entry points: one for learners with no previous Indonesian, and one for those with VCE or equivalent competency. Our language units are structured around themes that give you an education far broader than language alone:

• Languages of specific groups (youth, religious groups, regional languages)
• Political languages
• Storytelling traditions
• Media and expression.

All of our language units include the ‘Knowing Indonesia Through Research’ component, which enables you to:

• Learn the conventions and protocols of research;
• Meet with and learn about prominent researchers about Indonesia;
• Understand how research about Indonesia is conducted in and outside Indonesia;
• Learn about the political and social realities of Indonesian life.

What careers will you be ready for?

Indonesian studies will open up career opportunities in:

• Trade
• Education
• Agriculture
• Science
• Tourism
• Environmental management and much more.

Who will be teaching you?

The Indonesian studies staff bring a broad range of academic and life experiences to the teaching program. Their interests lie in religion, political cultures, literature, linguistics, gender and sexualities. At the heart of what they do is the adventure of communicating across cultures.

Global study

With Monash’s impressive international links, you’ll get the opportunity to immerse yourself in Indonesian language and culture to enhance your learning.

Exchange programs include:

• Universitas Indonesia – Indonesia
• Universitas Gadjah Mada – Indonesia
• Leiden University – The Netherlands.

GIG: Global Immersion Guarantee

The Monash Arts Global Immersion Guarantee (GIG) is an award-winning initiative that will enable you to explore first-hand the relationships between society, technology and the environment. It’s a two-week, funded study trip for all eligible first-year Monash Arts, single or double degree students to one of six destinations – China, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia or the Pacific Islands.

Australia’s leading university language program

When you study languages at Monash, you'll be studying at Australia’s largest international university, ranked in the top 1% in the world for Languages, Humanities and Social Sciences. We offer the most comprehensive, flexible and well-integrated program incorporating language acquisition with cultural competence. Choose from a wide range of Asian and European languages: Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, and Korean; and French, German, Italian, and Spanish and Latin American studies (within the European Languages Area of Study). Find out more about Languages at Monash.