Government Reviews Possibility of Private Universities Adopting State University Selection Systems
The Director General of Higher Education at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Khairul Munadi, stated that the government is reviewing the possibility of private universities (PTS) implementing the new student selection systems currently utilised by state universities (PTN). According to Khairul, private campuses are legally permitted to implement both the National Selection Based on Achievement (SNBP) and the National Selection Based on Test (SNBT).
This provision is regulated under Law Number 12 of 2012 concerning Higher Education. “Law Number 12 of 2012 stipulates that private universities can conduct independent selection or participate in the joint selection system used by state universities,” Khairul said during a working meeting with Commission X of the DPR at the DPR/MPR Complex on Thursday, 4 June 2026.
Article 73 of Law Number 12 of 2012 regulates that new student admissions for each study programme in private campuses are carried out by the respective universities. However, private campuses also have the opportunity to follow the student admission patterns used by state campuses, which are organised nationally. Khairul revealed that several private universities have already implemented selection patterns similar to those of state universities.
In the same meeting, Khairund also explained that non-official study programmes within Government-Affiliated Higher Education Institutions and Agencies (PTKL) are mandated to follow the joint selection process used by state universities. This regulation refers to Government Regulation Number 4 of 2014 concerning the Implementation of Higher Education and the Management of Higher Education.
According to him, the government is currently restructuring the regulations regarding official and non-official study programmes within PTKL. This restructuring is being conducted in response to recommendations from the DPR Working Committee (Panja).
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology has set the capacity for the 2026 National Student Admission Selection (SNPMB) at 604,446 seats. The Acting Secretary General of the Ministry, Badri Munir Sukoco, noted that this figure represents an increase from the 2025 capacity, which stood at 595,558 seats. “Universities proposed 617,853 seats for 2026, and the approved quota is 604,446,” Badri stated during a hearing with Commission X of the DPR.
The 2026 SNPMB consists of three selection tracks: SNBP, SNBT, and independent selection. The selection processes for the SNBP and SNBT tracks have been completed, while independent selection is still ongoing at individual universities.