Evaluating affordability
The steady increase in living costs each year highlight the growing need for affordable student housing. The average living cost for students in Yogyakarta is IDR 2,966,514 per month (approximately USD 190 per month), as reported in a 2024 survey by detikedu. This reflects an increase of about 1.6% compared to the average living expenses in 2020. The largest proportion of expenses is allocated to food (26%), followed by lifestyle (23%), while housing accounts for 22%.
Providing housing directly
UGM offers affordable university-owned housing options for students, with monthly rates ranging from IDR 350,000 (USD 23) to IDR 650,000 (USD 42). Managed by the UGM Residence Office, the eight residence halls are located on-campus and can accommodate more than 2,000 students.
There are three male residential halls:
- Darmaputera Baciro
- Darmaputera Kranggayam
- Darmaputera Santren
Meanwhile, five female residence halls are available:
- Ratnaningsih Bulaksumur
- Ratnaningsih Sagan
- Ratnaningsih Kinanti 1
- Ratnaningsih Kinanti 2 & 3
- Ratnaningsih Sendowo
The number of rooms available in each hall varies. All rooms are fully furnished. Depending on the room type, there are en-suite and communal bathrooms. Available facilities include: a study room, kitchen, prayer room, sports facilities, and internet hotspot. Additional building facilities include: mini market, laundry service, cafeteria, meeting room, multipurpose hall, parking area, and 24-hour security.
For more details of each residential hall and type of rooms, see the UGM Residence brochure.
Source: UGM Residence brochure
One of the benefits of being a resident in the student residence is the Life Skills Program. The program is a one-year mandatory curriculum for all residents, aiming to foster personal development, leadership, community awareness, and cultural appreciation. Throughout the year, students participate in various activities divided into two semesters. In the first semester, the skills learned focus on self-development and social responsibility. The second semester emphasizes academic and entrepreneurial growth. In addition, religious and cultural practices are integrated throughout both semesters.
Students who wish to register for housing can fill in the application form on the UGM Residence Office website.
Providing housing scholarships
In organizing the Life Skills Program, the residential hall is assisted by Student Facilitators. These facilitators, often referred to as “Kakak Fasil,” play an important role as a bridge between students and the residence management. Students who become facilitators are provided with a housing scholarship, allowing them to stay at UGM Residence for one year while only being required to pay 25% of the total room rental fee.
UGM also provides free housing through the Program Indekos Beasiswa (PIB) in collaboration with RUMAH ZIS UGM. The program offers a free off-campus dormitory for Muslim male students, located on Jalan Manggis CT VIII, just a short distance from the main campus.
The dormitory accommodates up to 12 residents and currently opens four slots for new students. This scholarship is intended for active UGM undergraduate or diploma students from outside the Yogyakarta region, with priority given to RUMAH ZIS UGM volunteers and KIPK scholarship recipients.
Facilities include furnished rooms (bed, mattress, study table, cooking utensils), shared bedrooms (two students per room), a common area, kitchen, shared bathroom, motorcycle parking, and Wi-Fi access. Residents are required to actively participate in community and religious activities organized by RUMAH ZIS UGM.
References: