Major overview
Explore Indonesia’s society and global connections with a major in Indonesian
Build practical language skills and deepen your understanding of Indonesia, one of Australia’s closest neighbours and a rapidly growing global economy. With an Indonesian major as part of our Bachelor of Arts, you’ll study the language alongside culture and society, developing the confidence to communicate in real-world contexts and across professional settings.
Throughout your Indonesian studies, you’ll build practical skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing, progressing to more advanced communication in real-world contexts. Alongside language learning, you’ll examine contemporary issues affecting Indonesia, developing a deeper understanding of its culture, society and role in the Asia-Pacific region. You’ll also create a professional e-portfolio of your work, showcasing your skills and experience to future employers.
As part of your interdisciplinary arts degree, you can combine this major with others to shape your degree around your interests and career goals. Pair Indonesian with Asian Studies or Japanese to deepen your regional knowledge and strengthen your language capabilities or combine your studies with Politics and International Studies or International Aid and Development to understand Indonesia’s role in global and regional contexts. You can also explore social and community perspectives with Sociology, Community Development or Sustainable Development, or strengthen your critical thinking with History or Philosophy. Apply your skills in industry contexts with Tourism and Events or pair with English and Creative Writing or Theatre and Creative Production to communicate across cultures and engage diverse audiences.
3 reasons to study Indonesian at Murdoch University
- Study in Indonesia through the Australian Consortium for ‘In-Country’ Indonesian Studies (ACICIS), gaining immersive, real-world language and cultural experience.
- Build industry connections through our Indo-Pacific Research Centre, an international leader in East and Southeast Asian studies.
- Combine Indonesian with a wide range of arts degree majors, giving you the flexibility to tailor your degree to your career goals.
What you’ll learn
- Build confidence communicating in Indonesian across speaking, listening, reading and writing.
- Use Indonesian in real-world and professional contexts, from everyday interactions to more formal communication.
- Explore Indonesian society and contemporary issues to understand how people, place and context shape communication.
- Examine Indonesia’s role in the Asia-Pacific and its growing influence in regional and global connections.
- Communicate across cultures with awareness and adaptability, applying your language skills in diverse settings.
Having completed three semesters and my honours research in Indonesia, I was able to get a much better idea of development on the ground. I found that when I graduated, I had a more realistic idea of what to expect in the workplace.
Karis Erceg, Bachelor of Arts
Your future career using Indonesian
With an Indonesian major, you’ll graduate with language proficiency and cross-cultural skills that are highly valued in international and Asia-Pacific contexts. These capabilities are in demand across government, foreign affairs, trade, education, media and international development, particularly in roles connected to Australia–Indonesia relations.
Potential roles include:
- Foreign affairs or diplomatic support officer
- Policy officer
- Translator or interpreter (with further accreditation)
- International development officer
- Trade or business development officer
- Communications or media officer
- Education or language specialist
For more details about our Indonesian major, download our information pack.
Start dates
| Starting period | Location | Face to Face | Online | Mixed mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Semester 2, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Semester 1, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Semester 2, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | Yes | Yes |
View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.
Major Structure
Visit the Course Handbook - Get detailed information on units, prerequisites, and pathways.
To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
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How to Apply
Majors are part of a degree and can't be applied on their own. Apply for a related degree first, then choose your major once enrolled.
Undergraduate
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Undergraduate
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