Menu Close

Universities & Study Programs in Oman

Public (Government) Universities

Oman’s public universities are generally well-recognized and may offer subsidized tuition (even
for international students in some cases):

  • Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) — Oman’s premier public university with a range of
    bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs. Some seats are available to international
    students; competitive admissions.
  • University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) — Focus on applied sciences
    and technology; primarily for nationals but may admit international students in select
    programs.

Private Universities

Private institutions often have more flexible admissions for international students:

  • German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech) — Engineering, computing,
    environmental sciences, architecture with merit-based scholarships.
  • Muscat University — Business, IT, engineering, design; scholarships for high-achieving
    students.
  • Middle East College (MEC) — Technology, business, and engineering programs; merit
    awards.
  • Majan University College, Modern College of Business & Science (MCBS) —
    Business, IT and other disciplines with partial scholarships.
  • Dhofar University, University of Nizwa, Al Buraimi University — Additional private
    choices with various programs (Engineering, Business, Sciences).
    Most programs are taught in English, especially at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Levels of Study

Undergraduate (Bachelor’s)

  • Typical duration: 3–4 years depending on the field.
  • Fields include Engineering, Business, IT, Sciences, Humanities, Architecture, etc.
  • Medicine and some health disciplines can be offered but are competitive and may have
    limited seats for international applicants.
  • Entry requirements normally include a high-school diploma or equivalent, English
    proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL), and academic transcripts.

Graduate (Master’s & PhD)

  • Oman offers Master’s and PhD programs, particularly at SQU and select private
    universities.
  • Research-focused degrees are available, and some scholarships are targeted at graduate
    candidates.
  • Typical admission requirements: bachelor’s degree for Master’s; Master’s for PhD;
    letters of recommendation, research proposal (for PhD), and English proficiency. (IELTS/TOEFL), and academic transcripts.

Scholarships & Financial Support

Government-Level Scholarships

  • Omani Scholarship Program (Fully Funded) — Undergraduate:
    The Government of Oman offers fully funded scholarships covering tuition, monthly
    stipend (approx OMR 140–200), and annual round-trip air ticket for selected
    international students at participating universities.
  • Ministry of Higher Education, Research & Innovation (MoHERI):
    Merit or need-based scholarships primarily for Omani nationals, but some slots may be
    open to international students through bilateral agreements.

University-Specific Scholarships

Many institutions provide merit-based and partial scholarships for both undergraduate and
postgraduate students:

  • Sultan Qaboos University (SQU): Tuition waivers, stipends, and support for
    international Master’s/PhD applicants.
  • GUtech: Merit scholarships; partial and full tuition support for high achievers.
  • Muscat University: Scholarships up to significant tuition discounts.
  • Majan, MEC, MCBS, NUST: Awards and tuition waivers based on academic
    performance. agreements.

External Scholarships & Organizations

  • Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Scholarships: Support for students from OIC
    member countries at undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD levels.

Admissions & Requirements

Undergraduate:

  • Completed high school (or equivalent) with strong grades.
  • English proficiency tests such as IELTS/TOEFL typically required.
  • Submit transcripts, motivation letter, passport copy, photos, and possibly recommendation letters.

Graduate:

  • Bachelor’s degree with a sufficiently high GPA for Master’s; Master’s for PhD.
  • Research proposal and letters of recommendation especially for PhD.

Universities usually handle student visa sponsorship, and student visas must be renewed
annually.

Costs & Living

  • Tuition varies by institution: ~OMR 1,500–3,000/year (public) and OMR
    1,800–5,000/year (private) for international students.
  • Living costs depend on city (Muscat tends to be higher). Budget for accommodation,
    food, and travel accordingly.

Tips for International Applicants

✔ Apply early — many scholarships require confirmed admission first.
✔ Prepare a strong Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Letters of Recommendation.
✔ Check official university and MoHERI portals regularly for updated deadlines and
application processes.
✔ Some cultural or language programs (like Arabic immersion) may also offer funded
opportunities beyond degree study.