Sultan Qaboos University
Muscat, Oman • Founded 1980 • QS 2027 #306
Updated May 2026 · Source: squ.edu.om
Overview
Founded in 1986, the Sultan Qaboos University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Muscat (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants).
Officially recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation of the Sultanate of Oman, Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) is a medium-sized coeducational Omani higher education institution. Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 38-year-old Omani higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 10-19% making this Omani higher education organization an extremely selective institution.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
SQU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Below are Sultan Qaboos University's address, location, and primary contact channels.
Academic Details
Below are the institutional metrics for Sultan Qaboos University: scale, staffing, and accreditation.
Academic Structures
Sultan Qaboos University's academic units are listed below, by type.
Unit 9 items
- College of Agriculture and Marine Sciences
- College of Arts and Social Sciences
- College of Commerce and Economics
- College of Education
- College of Engineering
- College of Law
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences
- College of Nursing
- College of Sciences
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation of the Sultanate of Oman.
Community Services and Continuing Education (Centre) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Continuing Education
- Social and Community Services
Educational Technology (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Educational Technology
Human Resource and Staff Development (Centre) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Information Systems (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Computer Science
Language (Centre) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Linguistics
- Modern Languages
Agriculture and Marine Sciences (College) 14 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry
- Crop Production
- Economics
- Fishery
- Food Science
- Marine Science and Oceanography
- Natural Resources
- Nutrition
- Soil Management
- Veterinary Science
- Water Management
- Water Science
Arts and Social Sciences (College) 15 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Arabic
- Archaeology
- Arts and Humanities
- Communication Studies
- English
- Geography
- History
- Information Sciences
- Journalism
- Library Science
- Social and Community Services
- Social Sciences
- Sociology
- Theatre
- Tourism
Economics and Political Sciences (College) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Business Computing
- Economics
- Finance
- Management
- Marketing
- Statistics
- Systems Analysis
Education (College) 11 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Art Education
- Curriculum
- Education
- Educational Administration
- Educational Psychology
- Educational Technology
- Islamic Studies
- Pedagogy
- Physical Education
- Preschool Education
- Psychology
Engineering (College) 10 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Architecture
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Petroleum and Gas Engineering
Law (College) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Criminal Law
- Law
- Public Law
Medicine and Health Sciences (College) 22 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anaesthesiology
- Anatomy
- Behavioural Sciences
- Biochemistry
- Child Care and Development
- Community Health
- Epidemiology
- Haematology
- Health Sciences
- Immunology
- Medicine
- Microbiology
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Ophthalmology
- Oral Pathology
- Paediatrics
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Radiology
- Statistics
- Surgery
Nursing (College) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Community Health
- Nursing
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
Science (College) 13 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Applied Chemistry
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Earth Sciences
- Geophysics
- Laboratory Techniques
- Mathematics
- Medical Technology
- Natural Sciences
- Physics
- Statistics
Communication (Research Division) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Earthquake Monitoring (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Seismology
Environmental Studies and Research (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Environmental Studies
Oil and Gas (Research Division) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Omani (Research Division) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System (Research Division) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Geography
- Information Technology
- Surveying and Mapping
Water Science (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Water Science
Programs Offered
The full set of programmes Sultan Qaboos University offers is searchable and grouped by level below.
165 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Oman
Bachelor's Degree 46 programmes
Showing 10 of 46.
Master of Business Administration 1 programme
Master's Degree 69 programmes
Showing 10 of 69.
Doctorate 46 programmes
Showing 10 of 46.
Postgraduate Diploma 3 programmes
Scholarships in Oman
Financial-aid options for studying in Oman, applicable across institutions including Sultan Qaboos University.
How to apply to Sultan Qaboos University
A five-step guide to applying to Sultan Qaboos University.
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1
Browse the programme catalogue
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Sultan Qaboos University offers 165 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
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2
Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Each programme at Sultan Qaboos University has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
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3
Get your documents ready
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
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4
Apply through the official channel
Apply directly via Sultan Qaboos University's online portal at www.squ.edu.om. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.
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5
Reach out and track your application
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +968 2414 1111. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sultan Qaboos University
A short Q&A covering Sultan Qaboos University's essentials — founding, location, and structure.
In what year was Sultan Qaboos University established?
Sultan Qaboos University was founded in 1980 (approximately 46 years ago).
Where can I find Sultan Qaboos University?
The institution is located in Muscat, Oman.
Is Sultan Qaboos University a public or private institution?
Sultan Qaboos University operates as a public institution.
How many students does Sultan Qaboos University have?
The institution has a student body of 7,000-7,999.
Where does Sultan Qaboos University stand in university rankings?
It ranks QS 2027 #306.
What qualification levels does Sultan Qaboos University offer?
Sultan Qaboos University offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
How many faculties does Sultan Qaboos University have?
Sultan Qaboos University has 9 academic units.
Is Sultan Qaboos University officially recognised?
Yes, Sultan Qaboos University is recognised by Ministry of Higher Education.
What is Sultan Qaboos University's official website?
The institution's website is www.squ.edu.om.
Faculties at nearby universities
Also in Muscat: universities located close to Sultan Qaboos University.
Where Else to Study Education & Teaching
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Universities Compared with Sultan Qaboos University
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