Sultan Qaboos University
A respected university offering high-quality education and research opportunities. Features modern facilities, diverse programs, and strong connections with industry and community partners.
- Acceptance Rate
- 40.7%
- SAT Range
- 1180–1380
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.65
- Size
- Large (23,321 students)
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- 1:24
- Setting
- rural
- Graduation Rate
- 82.0%
- Retention Rate
- 90.0%
- Tuition (In-State)
- $5,000
- Tuition (Int'l)
- $10,000
Academic Programs
STEM
Business
Social Sciences
Humanities
Health
Arts
English Proficiency Requirements
Student Life & Environment
Student life at SQU combines academic focus with cultural activities appropriate to an Islamic society. Gender separation applies in many contexts, with some facilities and programs designated for men or women separately. Student organizations cover academic, cultural, and recreational interests within frameworks acceptable to Omani norms. Sports facilities include gymnasiums, swimming pools, and outdoor fields, with competition in various sports. Cultural events celebrate Omani heritage through traditional music, dance, and craft demonstrations. International students, while a minority, add perspectives from other Arab countries, Africa, and Asia. Prayer facilities support the religious practice central to Omani life, and the academic calendar accommodates Islamic holidays. Social activities occur within more conservative parameters than at Western universities, but students find community and friendship through shared dormitory life and extracurricular involvement. Academic demands occupy much student time, with rigorous programs requiring substantial study. The residential nature of the campus creates a close-knit community, as students live, study, and socialize primarily within university grounds.
Location & Surroundings
The university sits in Al Khoudh, about 30 kilometers west of Muscat's city center in a rural setting at the base of the Al Hajar Mountains. The campus design incorporated traditional Omani architectural elements including arches, courtyards, and earth-toned colors that blend with the desert landscape. Facilities spread across a large area, with separate zones for different colleges and dedicated sections for student housing. The dry, hot climate requires air conditioning throughout, and much campus life occurs indoors during the hottest months. Date palms and other plantings provide greenery despite the arid conditions. The campus functions as a self-contained community with housing, dining, recreation, and essential services available without leaving university grounds. Muscat offers shopping, restaurants, beaches, and cultural attractions including the Royal Opera House and various museums. The country's dramatic landscapes, from mountains to deserts to coastline, provide opportunities for weekend exploration. Transportation between campus and the city relies primarily on private vehicles or university buses.
Costs & Career Outcomes
SQU graduates enter careers throughout Omani society, filling positions that were once held primarily by expatriates. Omanization policies that encourage hiring of nationals provide advantage to qualified graduates entering the workforce. Government ministries employ many graduates, from engineering to public administration to education. The oil and gas sector, dominated by Petroleum Development Oman and related companies, hires engineers and other technical graduates. Healthcare facilities throughout the country employ medical graduates who complete residencies and enter practice. Education relies heavily on SQU-trained teachers who have replaced many expatriate instructors in Omani schools. Business and finance graduates find positions with banks, trading companies, and the growing private sector. Many graduates pursue further study abroad before returning to careers in Oman, building advanced expertise while maintaining connections to home. The alumni network continues to grow as the university matures, with early graduates now in senior positions and able to mentor and hire recent graduates. Career services support job placement and professional development.
Campus Location
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