Without studying at an Islamic boarding school, Sjafruddin was sent to an elementary school, which at that time had high quality, namely ELS (Europeesche Lagere School). This school is intended for European (Dutch) children. Thus, it is a privilege that Sjafruddin can enter this school.
From ELS (1918-1925), he continued his education to MULO (1925-1928), then to AMS Part A (1928-1931), and continued to enter higher education at RHS (Recht Hooge School) in 1931-1939 until he graduated and received his diploma. Mr (Meester in de Rechten), current Bachelor of Laws). All levels of education use Dutch as an introduction and study other foreign languages.
Apart from that, Sjafruddin studied diligently by reading various books (literature, law, history, philosophy), newspapers, and magazines. Therefore, Sjafruddin was classified as an intellectual, who was still few in number at that time among native (Indonesian) people. Furthermore, he wrote extensively on various aspects of politics, economics, philosophy, and religion. Sjafruddin not only knows the world of his nation and his homeland but also knows and understands the science and life of the Western world, a symbol of world progress.