Sultan Qaboos University
Muscat, Oman • Founded 1980 • World Rank #1298
Updated May 2026
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
Address book entry for Sultan Qaboos University: location, phone, email, web, and social channels. The press or media office handles institutional inquiries; admissions handles student-specific queries.
Academic Details
The academic indicators below give context on how Sultan Qaboos University operates at scale. A lower staff-to-student ratio generally signals more faculty access, though research-heavy institutions skew the read.
Academic Structures
Below: how Sultan Qaboos University organises its faculties and constituent units. Distance learning programmes often sit in a separate division from on-campus teaching, with different administration.
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
Degrees
Sultan Qaboos University's degree catalogue by academic level. Continuing education and non-degree pathways sit outside the standard tiers but are sometimes offered alongside.
Bachelor's 11 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Agriculture
- Economics
- Education
- Engineering
- Law
- Marine Science and Oceanography
- Medicine
- Natural Sciences
- Nursing
- Political Sciences
- Social Sciences
Master's 61 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Advertising and Publicity
- Agricultural Engineering
- Anatomy
- Applied Mathematics
- Arabic
- Architecture
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Business Administration
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Commercial Law
- Communication Arts
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Networks
- Computer Science
- Criminal Law
- Crop Production
- Curriculum
- Educational Administration
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- Foreign Languages Education
- Geography
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- Industrial Engineering
- Information Sciences
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Irrigation
- Journalism
- Marine Science and Oceanography
- Mass Communication
- Mathematics
- Mathematics Education
- Mechanical Engineering
- Media Studies
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Natural Resources
- Nursing
- Petroleum and Gas Engineering
- Physics
- Physiology
- Power Engineering
- Private Law
- Psychology
- Public Law
- Public Relations
- Science Education
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Soil Management
- Soil Science
- Sports Management
- Statistics
- Teacher Training
- Tourism
- Translation and Interpretation
- Water Management
- Water Science
Doctoral 33 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Applied Mathematics
- Arabic
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Crop Production
- Curriculum
- Education
- Educational Administration
- Electrical Engineering
- Epidemiology
- Fishery
- Foreign Languages Education
- Genetics
- Harvest Technology
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- Industrial Engineering
- Information Sciences
- Irrigation
- Marine Science and Oceanography
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Natural Resources
- Petroleum and Gas Engineering
- Physics
- Physiology
- Statistics
- Teacher Training
- Water Management
- Water Science
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
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Educational Technology (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Educational Technology
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
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
Common Career Paths
- Agricultural Scientist
- Agronomist
- Farm Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
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
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Economics and Political Sciences (College) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Business Computing
- Economics
- Finance
- Management
- Marketing
- Statistics
- Systems Analysis
Common Career Paths
- Economist
- Policy Analyst
- Financial Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
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
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
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
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (College) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Criminal Law
- Law
- Public Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
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
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Nursing (College) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Community Health
- Nursing
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
Common Career Paths
- Registered Nurse
- Clinical Nurse
- Public Health Nurse
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
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
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Communication (Research Division) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Common Career Paths
- Journalist
- Public Relations Specialist
- Content Strategist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Earthquake Monitoring (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Seismology
Environmental Studies and Research (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Environmental Studies
Common Career Paths
- Environmental Consultant
- Sustainability Officer
- Climate Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
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
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Sultan Qaboos University's programmes, with filter and level-based grouping. The combination of search and tier view makes shortlisting faster across large catalogues.
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
How to apply to Sultan Qaboos University
Below is a five-step path through the application process at Sultan Qaboos University, useful for first-time applicants and international students.
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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
Common questions about Sultan Qaboos University answered concisely, with each answer grounded in the institution's published data.
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 #1298 globally and #1 in Oman.
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
If you're weighing Sultan Qaboos University against other institutions in the area, these neighbouring universities offer overlapping faculties and similar admissions cycles. They are useful for shortlisting based on travel distance or campus environment.
Where Else to Study Education & Teaching
Alumni outcomes data publication varies across Education & Teaching programmes in Oman. Where available, post-grad employment and salary data is the best signal of programme quality beyond marketing claims.
Universities Compared with Sultan Qaboos University
Comparable institutions to Sultan Qaboos University — by academic scale and standing — are gathered below. Same-tier shortlists give you flexibility on admissions outcomes without compromising on institutional level.
Study abroad guides and resources
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