UNPRI, Medan - In North Sumatra, there are a number of private and state universities that offer master's or postgraduate education in a wide variety of fields, with a small number of universities accredited by BAN-PT. Master's programs typically require undergraduate graduates with a minimum GPA set by each university. Foreign language proficiency, entrance exams, and sometimes interviews or research proposals are also requirements that prospective students must meet.

A master's degree provides enhanced specialized competencies, research capabilities, enhanced career opportunities, and is part of the postgraduate level, which includes master's (S2) and doctoral (S3) degrees. Below is a list of the 10 universities in North Sumatra with the largest number of master's degree programs.

1. Prima Indonesia University (UNPRI) – Medan

   

   Prima Indonesia University, founded by Prof. Dr. dr. I Nyoman Ehrich Lister, M.Kes, AIFM-K, Sp.KKLP. has now been accredited as UNGGUL from the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education (BAN-PT) based on Decree (SK) No. 510/SK/BAN-PT/Ak/PT/V/2024 issued in May 2024. The campus that carries the concept of socio-technopreneurship led by Prof. Dr. Chrismis Novalinda Ginting, M.Kes., as the Rector has 11 master's study programs and ranks first among private universities that have the most master's study programs in North Sumatra and even in Indonesia, especially in the medical field, namely Master of Biomedical Science, Master of Tropical Medicine, Master of Clinical Medicine, Master of Dentistry, Master of Nursing and Master of Public Health. In the non-medical field, there are Master of Management, Master of Accounting, Master of Law, Master of Notary and Master of Indonesian Language Education. The main campus of UNPRI is located at Jalan Sampul No. 3, Medan Petisah, while the PSDKU UNPRI is located at Jalan Harapan Raya No. 1, Pekan Baru, Riau Province.

2. Muhammadiyah University of North Sumatra (UMSU)

   

   Muhammadiyah University of North Sumatra (UMSU) has also been accredited as superior based on BAN-PT Decree No. 174/SK/BAN-PT/Ak.Ppj/PT/III/2024 dated March 5, 2024, which is valid until March 20, 2029. Led by Prof. Dr. Agussani, M.AP., as Chancellor, UMSU currently has 8 (eight) master's study programs, including Master of Law, Master of Notary, Master of Accounting, Master of Management, Master of Communication Science, and Master of Mathematics Education. UMSU's main campus is located at Jalan Kapten Muchtar Basri No. 3 Glugur Darat II, Medan, while the master's study program campus is located at Jalan Denai No. 217, Medan.

3. Panca Budi University (UNPAB)

   

   Panca Budi University was founded by Prof. Dr. H. Kadirun Yahya on November 27, 1956. Initially named the Metaphysics Academy under the auspices of the Metaphysics Academy Foundation. On December 19, 1961, the institution, now led by Dr. H. Muhammad Isa Indrawan, SE, MM., as Rector, officially changed its name and was designated Panca Budi Development University. UNPAB now has superior accreditation status based on BAN-PT Decree Number 1865/SK/BAN-PT/Ak/PT/X/2024 dated October 8, 2024, which is valid until October 8, 2029. There are 7 (seven) levels of master's study programs at UNPAB, namely Master of Law, Master of Management, Master of Economics, Master of Accounting, Master of Information Technology, Master of Health Law, Master of Regional and City Planning. The UNPAB campus is located at Jalan Jenderal Gatot Subroto KM 4.5, Medan.

4. Medan Area University (UMA)

   

   Medan Area University, founded on April 29, 1983, by Haji Agus Salim Siregar, now holds excellent accreditation based on the Decree of the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education (BAN-PT) Number 2286/SK/BAN-PT/Ak/PT/II/2025 dated February 11, 2025. UMA is currently led by Prof. Dr. Dadan Ramdan, M.Eng., M.Sc., as Rector, has five master's study programs: Master of Public Administration, Master of Agribusiness, Master of Law, Master of Psychology, and Master of Management. UMA's main campus is located at Jalan Kolam No. 1, Medan Estate, while the master's campus is located at UMA Campus II, which is at Jalan Setia Budi No. 79B, Medan.

5. Muslim Nusantara University (UMN) Al Washliyah

   

   Muslim Nusantara University (UMN) Al Washliyah also holds excellent accreditation status based on Decree Number 2128/SK/BAN-PT/Ak/PT/IV/2025. The university was founded by PB. Al Washliyah, or the Al Jam`iyatul Washliyah Association, was established in 1996 through the merger of several educational institutions previously under the Al Washliyah umbrella, such as IKIP Al Washliyah and A-MIPA Al Washliyah. The university, now led by Dr. H. Firmansyah, M.Sc., offers five master's degree programs: Master of Indonesian Language Education, Master of English Language Education, Master of Mathematics Education, Master of Law, and Master of Management. The campus is located at Jalan Garu II A No. 93, Harjosari I, Medan Amplas.

6. Islamic University of North Sumatra (UISU)

   

   Historically, the Islamic University of North Sumatra (UISU) was founded by young Muslim figures on January 7, 1951, initiated by Bahrum Djamil, Adnan Benawi, Sariani AS, Rivai Abdul Manaf Nasution, and Sabaruddin Ahmad. UISU's founding aimed to provide access to higher education outside Java and was supported by government officials and religious scholars at the time. UISU offers five master's programs: Master of Law, Master of Management, Master of Literature, Master of Agribusiness, and Master of Agritechnology. The campus, currently led by Prof. Dr. Safrida, SE, M.Sc., as Rector, is located on Jalan Sisingamangaraja, Teladan, Medan.

7. HKBP Nomensen University (UHN)

   

   HKBP Nommensen University was originally founded in Pematang Siantar City by the Batak Protestant Christian Community (HKBP) on October 7, 1954. The university's name is taken from the German missionary, Dr. Ludwig Ingwer Nommensen, who spread Christianity to Batak lands. The university's website reveals that Dr. Richard A. M. Napitupulu, S.T., M.T., with 5 (five) choices of study programs, including Master of Management, Master of English Education, Master of Administrative Science, Master of Law, and Master of Mathematics Education. The campus address is at Jalan Sutomo No. 4 A Medan or at Jalan Perintis Kemerdekaan No. 23, Medan.

8. Darma Agung University (UDA)

   

   Darma Agung University Medan (UDA) was founded by Tumpal Dorianus Pardede in 1957, based on Notarial Deed Number 57 dated December 11, 1957. Currently, Darma Agung University offers five master's degree programs in several fields of study, including Master of Government Communication, Master of Law, Master of Management, Master of Agribusiness Management, and Master of Communication Studies. The campus is located at Jl. DR. TD Pardede No. 21, Petisah Hulu, Medan Baru District, Medan City.

9. Simalungun University (USI)

   

   Simalungun University was founded on the initiative of Mayor Radjamin Purba, SH, who at that time served as Regent of the Simalungun Regency. The idea was supported by the community and various parties, and finally, through deliberation on September 18, 1965, it was born. USI, located on Jalan Sisingamangaraja Barat, Bah Kapul, Siantar Sitalasari, Pematang Siantar City, North Sumatra, was officially established on April 9, 1966, under the Simalungun University Foundation. Currently, USI offers four master's degree programs: Master of Urban and Regional Planning, Master of Management, Master of Law, and Master of Social Science Education.

10. University of Labuhanbatu (ULB)

    

    Labuhan Batu University, located at Jalan Sisingamangaraja, Raja Aek Tapa No. 126 A KM 3.5, Bakaran Batu, Rantau Selatan District, Labuhanbatu Regency, North Sumatra, was founded by Dr. H. Amarullah Nasution, S.E., M.B.A., on March 21, 2007. The campus received its university certification on August 12, 2007, offering master's programs in several fields of study. Currently, there are three master's programs at ULB: a Master of Management Science, a Master of Educational Management, and a Master of Law. The large number of master's programs at several universities demonstrates the rapid development of postgraduate higher education in North Sumatra. The increasing number of master's programs means more opportunities for graduates to pursue further studies, research, and specialization. Importantly, the number of active master's programs listed above is subject to change (new programs, closures, or suspension of accreditation). Therefore, the latest data for each university needs to be verified directly with the respective university. (Yd).

The large number of master's programs at these universities demonstrates the rapid development of postgraduate higher education in North Sumatra, providing broader opportunities for undergraduate graduates to pursue further studies, research, and specialization.