UNY Reveals Admission Data After State University Selection System Scrutinised

Several private universities (PTS) consider the state university (PTN) selection system to be a factor in their declining student numbers. Yogyakarta State University (UNY) deems this assessment inaccurate. “We simply follow the regulations. If the government stipulates that non-PTNBH state universities can take a maximum of 30 per cent through the Independent Selection pathway, and PTNBH are given the authority for a maximum of 50 per cent, as long as the government maintains that rule, we will comply,” said UNY Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Prof Nur Hidayanto Pancoro Setyo Putro, when contacted on Friday (12/6/2026). “If later we are asked to reduce or increase the quota, we are ready to follow the government’s rules,” he added. Nevertheless, Nur Hidayanto considers it inaccurate to blame state universities for the reduced number of students entering private institutions. The number of prospective students not accommodated by state universities is far greater than those accepted. He revealed that interest in UNY reaches around 150,000 to 170,000 applicants each year across all admission pathways, while the number of students accepted is only about 8,000. “Interest in our university is around 150,000 prospective students per year. If we admit around 8,000, that means 142,000 are not taken by us,” he said. Under these conditions, Nur Hidayanto continued, UNY does not have the authority to direct unsuccessful applicants to choose specific private universities. “We also cannot force those 142,000 to enrol in this or that private university. We do not have that authority,” he stressed. According to Nur Hidayanto, the high number of applicants compared to capacity shows that public interest in state universities remains very high. He noted that the number of applicants at other large universities could be even higher than at UNY. “UNY admits about 8,000 students from an interest pool of 150,000 to 170,000 applicants. Large universities like UI or UGM likely have very high figures as well,” he said. Nur Hidayanto added that universities are not permitted to reopen the Independent Selection registration even if some study programmes have not met their quotas. This provision follows nationally applicable regulations regarding state university admissions. However, he explained that there are several admission pathways outside the Independent Selection scheme that are not subject to these limits. “It is not allowed; as of 31 July, we cannot reopen registration. It is finished, done. Except for the assignment pathway, which comes from the ministry, or RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning), which is outside the Independent Selection. The IUP (International Undergraduate Program) is also not included,” he elaborated. Nur Hidayanto added that international student admissions at UNY are also outside the Independent Selection quota, though the number of foreign students studying at the campus remains relatively limited. “International students are also not included in the Independent Selection quota. The number of international students here is standard, not significant, not extraordinary either,” he said.