Institut Desain & Bisnis Bali’s creative campus blends an academic environment with a family atmosphere. It is one of Indonesia’s most popular creative arts educational institutions.
IDB Bali
15 Weeks
The fifteen-week program combines lectures and guest lectures with weekly excursions, workshops, leisure activities, and cultural events. All classes are held in English.
6 Subjects
Six subjects lend insight to the unique architecture and interiors in a tropical climate and the topics of indoor and outdoor living, furniture design, green architecture and building with natural materials.
30 Credit Points
You can receive up to 30 ECTS credits within the Tropical Architecture, Interior & Green Design program. The ECTS credits are transferable to other credit systems such as the US credit system.
Study Abroad
Tropical Architecture, Interior & Green Design
Bali is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, blessed with a unique blend of artful, traditional architecture, and also modern Western influences. The hotel and villa architecture is characterized by buildings that harmoniously combine eastern and western design concepts to give an adorable outward appearance. The 15-week program “Tropical Architecture, Interior & Green Design” at the Institut Desain & Bisnis Bali (IDB Bali), formerly known as Sekolah Tinggi Desain & Bisnis Bali (STDBali), is designed exclusively as a semester abroad for international students and graduates. The program offers deep insights into the “indoor-outdoor-living” in the tropics, the art, and craft of furniture design as well as a sustainable building with natural materials. The participants will work on innovative design concepts, and will also discover the unique architecture of Indonesia in lectures, guest lectures, weekly excursions, and workshops.
Tropical Architecture, Interior & Green Design
General
How is the course organized?
- Lectures in English
- Excursions
- Workshops
- Design projects
- Language course in “Bahasa Indonesia”
- Selected cultural events
Who can participate?
- Interior design
- Architecture
- Design
- Landscape architecture
- Related subject areas
Master students are also invited to participate. Although the Tropical Architecture, Interior & Green Design program was originally developed for students, it is also suitable for graduates and professionals. It is also open to anyone who is interested in the subject but has no academic background in the field of architecture & design.
Why study in Bali?
- receive detailed knowledge about the exotic and sustainable building culture in the Tropics
- experience Tropical Living in Bali through workshops and excursions
- earn up to 30 credit points
- meet students from around the world
- gain valuable insights into the cultural diversity of Indonesia
Tropical Architecture, Interior & Green Design
Dates
Winter Class 2023
02.10.2023 – 14.01.2024
Registration deadline 15.06.2023
Welcoming Dinner: 30.09.2023
Orientation Day: 02.10.2023
Classes: 02.10.2023 – 14.01.2024
Semester Break: 20.11.2023 – 01.12.2023 (tentative)
Graduation & Farewell : 14.01.2024
Summer Class 2024
08.04.2024 – 26.07.2024
Registration deadline 31.12.2023
Welcoming Dinner: 06.04.2024
Orientation Day: 08.04.2024
Classes: 08.04. – 19.07.2024
Semester Break: 03.06.2024 – 14.06.2024 (tentative)
Graduation & Farewell : 26.07.2024
Tropical Architecture, Interior & Green Design
Fees
Early BirdBe one of the first applicants and save on the course fee
€ 2190
course feeIncluding:
- tuition fee for the 15-week long semester course
- fees for registration & enrollment
- lectures and guest lectures conducted in English
- excursions & workshops
- support for the application and preparation process
Regular
€ 2340
course feeIncluding:
- tuition fee for the 15-week long semester course
- fees for registration & enrollment
- lectures and guest lectures conducted in English
- excursions & workshops
- support for the application and preparation process
Early BirdBe one of the first applicants and save on the course fee
$ 2420
course feeIncluding:
- tuition fee for the 15-week long semester course
- fees for registration & enrollment
- lectures and guest lectures conducted in English
- excursions & workshops
- support for the application and preparation process
Regular
$ 2600
course feeIncluding:
- tuition fee for the 15-week long semester course
- fees for registration & enrollment
- lectures and guest lectures conducted in English
- excursions & workshops
- support for the application and preparation process
Tropical Architecture, Interior & Green Design
Subjects
Subjects
- Tropical Interior & SEA Architecture
- Furniture Design
- Natural Materials & Green Design
- Architectural Sketching & Illustration
- Indonesian Language & Culture of Bali
- Design Project/Studio: Villa, Resort & Hospitality Design
Tropical Interior & SEA Architecture
Architecture in a place where the inside and the outside merge: Due to the climate, the topographical situation of Bali in the Southeast Asian tropics enables open forms of buildings and at the same time requires completely different structural tasks than the Western architectures. In this module, you will get to know the basics of traditional architecture & interior in the tropics & Southeast Asia. (5 CP)
Furniture Design
Bali furniture is a true work of art that is handcrafted with great attention to detail, exported worldwide and appreciated for its individuality and massiveness. In this module, you will gain a deep understanding of the design and the manufacturing of furniture in Bali so as to know manufactories, materials and processing techniques. (5 CP)
Natural Materials & Green Design
The course “Natural Materials & Green Design” introduces specific materials from the tropics and shows how these elements can be used constructively and artistically in design concepts. The use of sustainable materials such as bamboo as well as “green design” and “eco-design” principles will be explored together to bring forth the desired result. (5 CP)
Architectural Sketching & Illustration
The subject“Architectural Sketching & Illustration” shows theories and techniques for architectural drawing and further teaches the Balinese style of sketching and designing. With these skills, you can optimally present your ideas and work them out to detailed designs. In addition to manual sketching, digital sketching software, 3D modelling and animation basics are covered. (5 CP)
Indonesian Language & Culture
In this course, you will gain basic knowledge about Bali’s unique culture, history, religion, and language. The language course is in the national language “Bahasa Indonesia,” and it will give you the most important basics to master everyday situations in Indonesia. Indonesian is a variation of the Malay language and connects the inhabitants of the country who communicate on the islands with about 500 languages and dialects. (2 CP)
Studio Project
The design project is an integral part of the program. Within the 15-weeks course, you will be able to develop your own design concept based on the knowledge, observations, and comparisons you have gained during the lectures, workshops & excursions throughout Bali. The task will be to combine eastern and western design principles with the tropical living concepts of Bali focusing Villa, Resort & Hospitality Design. (8 CP)
Tropical Architecture, Interior & Green Design
Excursions & Workshops
Bamboo Tour at Green Village Bali and Factory PT Bamboo Pure
Bamboo Construction Workshop at Green Village Bali
Water Color Workshop for Architectural Drawings with Urban Sketchers Bali
Visit to Taman Nusa Cultural Park
Visit to Penglipuran, Traditional Balinese Village
Batik Painting
Beach Yoga Lesson
Surfing Lesson at Bali Green Surf School
Ceremonial Workshop and traditional Ceremony
Tropical Architecture, Interior & Green Design
Application
Preparation
You can apply online, using our online registration form. Have your proof of student status, CV, letter of motivation as well as a high-resolution picture of yours handy.
Fill in the registration form
Fill in the online registration form and upload all required documents. Within 1-3 working days, you will receive an email from us with your registration confirmation.
Confirm Application
Sign the registration confirmation and send it back to us. Your registration is now complete and you will receive all further information regarding study fees, visa, accommodation, etc.
Semester Abroad in Bali
FAQ
IDB Bali
Institut Desain & Bisnis Bali – Campus of ‘Creative Innovation’
Institut Desain & Bisnis Bali, or IDB Bali for short, is located in Denpasar, the capital city of the island of Bali, widely recognised for its beautiful landscape, strong traditional arts and culture, as well as friendly people. IDB Bali, formerly known as Institut Desain & Bisnis Bali (STDBali) focuses on creating a family style academic environment to remain the preferred creative arts educational institution in Indonesia. With the vision of setting industry standards for education and training with the twin mottos of “empowering people to be creative” and “knowledge is our power” Bali Design School has developed a coordinated process for insuring that learning is relevant to the work place. Offering various domestic and international classes, vocational and short courses in design, architecture, interior, landscape, tourism, art culture, new media, business, graphic & communication design and others, the Creative Campus seeks to help students to become smart, competitive, creative and tough in order to meet the needs of both local and international industry.
Requirements for Participation
- Minimum age of 18 years (you must be at least 18 years old at the time of application)
- High School diploma or similar qualification at the upper secondary level
- No proof of English language skills or an official language test (e.g. TOEFL) is required. However, all applicants are expected to have a good command of English, to follow lessons and to take exams in English.
All programs are open to bachelor and master students as well as graduates. Although the Tropical Architecture, Interior & Green Design program was originally developed for students, it is also suitable for graduates and professionals. It is also open to anyone who is interested in the subject but has no academic background in the field.
You can also participate if
- you study at a university of applied sciences, private university, polytechnic college, evening school, or adult education center.
- you already have a university degree or are about to finish your studies.
- you have already completed an exchange semester or a semester abroad.
- your current university does not have a partnership with the university in Bali. The programs are free mover programs and can be organized autonomously, independent of exchange or cooperation contracts of your own university.
- you have no academic background in architecture or related subjects
- you would like to register in pairs or as a group.
Registration & Enrollment Procedure
Before registration
- Inform yourself extensively on this program page.
- Download the Course Description and the Terms of Condition and read them.
- If needed: Check with your university whether semesters abroad are accepted as free movers and whether the credits earned abroad can be credited to your degree program. Of course, you can sign a Learning Agreement between your university and IDB Bali.
The application
Fill in the registration form completely and upload the required documents:
-
- Letter of motivation
The letter of motivation should not be longer than one page (DIN A4 format) and describe why you would like to apply for a semester abroad in Bali (motivation), what your expectations are of the program and what significance the semester abroad has for your personal and academic development. - Certificate of enrollment
The certificate of enrollment must be an official document of your university, proving that you are currently enrolled as a student. Graduates can submit proof of your degree, e.g. bachelor’s/master’s or diploma certificate. If you are not a graduate and are not currently enrolled as a student, or if you come from another field of study – but would still like to participate in one of the programs – you can give a short statement explaining your situation under in the registration form. - Photo
Please upload a high-quality portrait photo of yourself. The photo will also be used for the Student Book and Student ID if your enrollment is successful. You should be easy to recognize and it should not be too dark or pixelated. - Curriculum Vitae
Please upload your most recent CV – if possible, it should not be longer than one page (DIN A4 format). You can find an example here.
- Letter of motivation
Registration confirmation and tuition fees
- Within 1-3 working days, you will receive a confirmation of registration by e-mail.
- The registration confirmation must be signed and returned to us within the period stated in the e-mail (scanned, by e-mail)
- Once the signed registration confirmation has been received, you will get the Letter of Acceptance from IDB Bali and a checklist for the planning of the semester.
- If the minimum number of 10 participants has already been reached, you will also receive a payment request for the tuition fees. The tuition fee must be transferred within 30 days. Exceptions can be agreed on individually. If the minimum number of 10 participants has not yet been reached, all registrations will only be collected and the payment request will only be sent after the minimum number of participants has been reached.
Enrolment, visa documents, information on the start of the semester
- Once the tuition fee has been received in full, you will get the Certificate of Enrolment (LoE) and the sponsor Letter/Invitation Letter (LoI) from IDB Bali. You will need these documents to apply for a visa (Visa Sosial Budaya).
- About 4 weeks before the semester starts you will receive an e-mail with all the information about the Welcome Event & Orientation Day, Time Table, Academic Calendar, Study Guide, and much more…
Structure & Course of the program
The 15-week program at IDB Bali is designed exclusively as a semester abroad for international students. All courses are held in English. As this is an international program, the curriculum and academic calendar are independent of the local Bachelor‘s and Master‘s programs.
The course duration is 15 weeks, divided into 11 weeks of effective course, 2 weeks semester break, 1 week final exam, and 1 week revision.
- Welcome Dinner
Before the semester starts officially, there will be a Welcoming Dinner for all participants. The dinner will take place in a relaxed atmosphere on the Saturday before the start of the semester. Here you will have the opportunity to get to know each other and exchange initial information. Participation is not compulsory. - Orientation Day
The Orientation Day will take place on the first Monday in the first week of study at the IDB Bali Campus in Denpasar. On Orientation Day you will get all the important information about the study program and living on Bali. You will also get to know your course coordinators and sign up for the courses you want to take. - Lectures & Excursions
The lectures usually take place from Monday through Wednesday mornings, Thursdays are days for excursions & workshops. Excursions & workshops are part of the curriculum and included in the workload of each module. - Semester Break
During the 15-week program, there is a two-week semester break where no lectures, excursions, or other events are held. The semester break usually takes place in weeks 8 & 9. Detailed information comes at the beginning of the semester. - Final Examinations
During the week of the final exams, the performance of all modules will be assessed in writing, orally, or in the form of a submission. You will receive the results at the latest at the graduation. - Graduation
The graduation is the last official event of the summer school. In a festive setting, you will receive your certificates. Participation is not compulsory.
Certificates
At the end of the program, students who satisfactorily complete all course requirements will be awarded certificates as follows:
- A certificate stating that the student has attended the semester abroad program.
- An Academic Transcript showing the student’s performance in the program. The grades in the transcript are the final marks.
- A Certificate stating that the student has participated in the workshop or certain academic excursions (on request).
Credit Points
All programs are designed to comply with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). This system is based on workload, measured in hours and includes lectures, exams, self-study, research, subject-related excursions, etc. One semester corresponds to 30 ECTS credits. ECTS enables the measurement, comparison, and transfer of academic achievements between universities. If the semester is completed successfully, the credits achieved can be credited with the help of ECTS. So you can return to your home university without any loss of time or credit points. The ECTS system is transferable to other credit systems such as the US credit system and similar systems.
If you want to have the subjects credited at your home university, we suggest having the course pre-approved by the home institution’s exchange coordinator, academic advisor, or a professor; whoever is in charge of credit transfer and sign a “Learning Agreement”, in order to provide a transparent and efficient preparation of the study period abroad and to ensure that you will receive recognition for the educational components successfully completed abroad.
Course Selection
All modules listed in the program description are offered every semester. It is not necessary to register for certain modules before the start of the course. It is up to you to decide which of the offered modules you want to take.
Can I combine modules of different SIB programs?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to combine modules of different programs since the SIB courses are spread over several universities in Bali.
What happens if I don‘t pass a course?
If you do not pass a course, you will not get a grade or credit points for the module.
Visa
According to visa regulations, anyone wishing to study at an Indonesian university is required to hold a valid Visa Sosial Budaya. The visa must be applied for at the Indonesian Embassy in the home country or another country outside Indonesia prior to the stay abroad. It is not possible to apply for the visa locally in Bali.
The Sosial Budaya Visa (Type B21-A Visa Kunjungan Sosial Budaya – Socio Culture Visa) is a subcategory of the Visit Visa. It is issued to travelers who wish to visit Indonesia for lectures, study programs, internship programs, short courses, meetings, volunteer programs, family visits, and other related social activities.
The Visa grants an initial stay of 60 days, followed by 4 possible extensions of 30 days each so that the total stay is a maximum of 180 days.
Transport
The traffic on Bali’s roads is impressive and very different from that found in Western countries. It can seem pretty chaotic in the beginning. Traffic jams are a part of everyday life. The traffic flows according to its own rules. Time, patience, and serenity are important at peak times in this respect. Many students choose to ride a scooter. It´s the fastest and easiest way to get around. They drive on the left side of the road, but one gets used to that relatively quickly.
An international driver’s license is mandatory. You can apply for one in your home country.
Accommodation
Usually, participants form groups and rent a house or a villa (house with pool) together. We have a Facebook group for each semester, where the students can meet the other participants. For those who would like to book accommodation beforehand, we recommend the website of Zaheva Bali, offering accommodation with student prizes.
Additional Costs
The tuition fee for the 15-weeks program includes:
» Registration and enrollment
» Lectures at the IDB Bali
» Workshops and Excursions
» Welcoming & Farewell event
» Selected student services
not included in the tuition fee:
» Flight and accommodation
» Visa Fees & Extension Fees
» Travel Health Insurance
» Transport
» Living costs
The cost of living is relatively low in Bali. However, it is difficult to say how much money you will need for the 15 weeks, as it strongly depends on the individual lifestyle.
Here you can find a list of general living costs.