University of Nizwa
جامعة نزوى
Oman's first non-profit university, set at the foot of Jabal Akhdar near the historic city of Nizwa.
- Students
- 3,821
- International
- 12%
- of students
- Tuition
- OMR 2,490
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 2004
About UoN
The University of Nizwa was established in 2004 as a faculty-governed, not-for-profit private university, the first non-profit higher education institution in Oman. Its inaugural class of 1,200 students started on 16 October 2004. The campus lies about 140 km from Muscat in Ad Dakhiliyah, near the historic former capital of Nizwa, and a new campus is under construction.
Teaching is organised in four colleges: Arts and Sciences; Economics, Management and Information Systems; Engineering and Architecture; and Health Sciences, plus a Foundation Institute that prepares students in English and other skills before degree study. The university describes its education as bilingual in English and Arabic; health science programmes list English as the medium of instruction, while education programmes are taught bilingually. Programmes range from diplomas to bachelor's, master's and PhD degrees, including engineering, pharmacy, nursing, physiotherapy, data science and economics and finance.
Research is a notable strength for a young university: its Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center reports more than 600 publications and over fifty international collaborations, and in 2021 it created a UNESCO Chair on Aflaj Studies, devoted to Oman's traditional falaj irrigation channels. The university also runs the DHAD Institute, which teaches Arabic to speakers of other languages. It suits students who want a smaller, research-active university in Oman's cultural heartland rather than in Muscat.
Why students choose UoN
It is Oman's first non-profit university, governed by its faculty rather than run for profit.
Tuition is charged by the credit hour, from 83 to 125 Omani rials depending on the programme, so costs are published for every degree.
Health science degrees in pharmacy, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology and emergency medical services are taught in one College of Health Sciences.
The UNESCO Chair on Aflaj Studies, created in 2021, is described by the university as the first of its kind in the world.
Admissions
2027 entry (Fall/Spring semesters)
Selectivity
The university does not publish an acceptance rate. Entry to bachelor's programmes is based on the Omani General Education Diploma (or equivalent) with programme-specific minimum averages and subject grades, plus an interview and medical fitness test for many programmes.
Typical entry requirements
| Omani General Education Diploma (or equivalent) | Programme-specific: e.g. an overall average of at least 65% with C grades in biology, mathematics, physics and English for health science diplomas; at least 80% overall with 80% in mathematics and a science and 70% in English for the Bachelor of Education (Basic Education 2nd Field) |
|---|---|
| Foundation Institute | Students who do not yet meet English and other entry levels study a foundation year first; the university adds 2,240 rials to programme totals for it |
Deadlines
The University of Nizwa does not publish application deadlines for 2027 entry on its English website; check with the Deanship of Registration and Records.
How to apply
Apply to the University of Nizwa for the chosen college and programme with your secondary school certificate; shortlisted applicants for many programmes then sit a personal interview and medical fitness test. Omani students may be funded through Ministry of Higher Education internal scholarships, and international students are supported by the International Students Office.
What admissions looks for
- A secondary school average at or above the programme minimum (for example 65% for health science diplomas, 80% for education degrees).
- Minimum grades in subjects linked to the programme, such as biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and English.
- Success in a personal interview, and for health programmes a capabilities examination.
- Medical fitness, which many programmes require.
Tips for applying to UoN
- 1 Use the programme catalogue to check both the entry grades and the total cost of your degree before applying.
- 2 Expect a foundation year if your English is not yet strong enough: it adds 2,240 rials and roughly a year to your studies.
- 3 Prepare for the interview and, for health programmes, the capabilities examination.
- 4 Omani students should check eligibility for Ministry of Higher Education internal scholarships, which fund study at private universities including Nizwa.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in OMR
Omani students can study at Nizwa on Ministry of Higher Education internal scholarships, including full scholarships for students from social security families and full-tuition awards open to all students. The university does not publish a separate undergraduate scholarship scheme for international students.
- Adds 2,240 rials to the programme total
- Foundation year
- BSc Nursing: 18,504 rials including the foundation year (catalogue)
- Example whole-degree cost
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (Fall and Spring; tuition is quoted at 15 credits per semester)
B.Eng. programmes (Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Architectural, Chemical and Petrochemical)
Engineering degrees at 107 rials per credit; Architectural Engineering is the longest at 160 credits.
Bachelor in Pharmacy
149-credit degree in the College of Health Sciences with an interview and capabilities examination.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
152-credit degree taught in the College of Health Sciences.
BSc in Data Science and Machine Learning
One of the newer science programmes, at 88 rials per credit.
Bachelor in Economics and Finance
Offered with minors in financial management, international economics, Islamic banking and finance, and natural resource economics.
Fine Arts: Fashion Design and Jewellery Design
Unusual design degrees in Oman, taught in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Research
- The Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center reports more than 600 publications and over fifty active international collaborations.
- The UNESCO Chair on Aflaj Studies and Socio-hydrology, created in May 2021, studies Oman's falaj water systems.
- The DARIS Center for Scientific Research and Technological Development offers electron microscopy, mass spectrometry and histology services.
- The Al Khalil bin Ahmed Al Farahidi Center is named after the classical Arabic scholar al-Khalil ibn Ahmad al-Farahidi.
Schools & faculties
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Economics, Management and Information Systems
- College of Engineering and Architecture
- College of Health Sciences
- Foundation Institute
- DHAD Institute for Teaching Arabic to Speakers of Other Languages
Student life
UoN's campus sits at Birkat Al Mouz, below Jabal Akhdar and about 20 km from Nizwa city. The university describes numerous student-run clubs and organisations, guest lectures and trips, and summer study abroad and internship opportunities. An International Students Office supports non-Omani students and organises trips to learn about Omani heritage. The university has also hosted Arabic-language students from American universities including NYU, Princeton and Yale.
- Student-run clubs, groups and organisations, plus university-sponsored lectures and trips.
- International Students Office with heritage and recreational trips for non-Omani students.
- DHAD Institute brings Arabic-language students from abroad to campus.
- Summer study abroad and international internship opportunities.
Location
Nizwa is a historic former capital in Oman's interior, about 140 km from Muscat. The university's campus is at Birkat Al Mouz, about 20 km northwest of Nizwa near the base of Jabal Akhdar, among palm groves and rocky hills. It is a quieter, more traditional setting than the capital.
Nearest airport: Muscat International Airport (MCT)
Notable alumni
- SR Suzanne RaineFormer British diplomat and Master of Selwyn College, Cambridge (since October 2025); studied at the University of Nizwa while serving overseas (non-degree study)
Frequently asked questions
Is the University of Nizwa public or private?
It is a private, not-for-profit university governed by its faculty, established in 2004 as the first non-profit higher education institution in Oman.
How much are University of Nizwa tuition fees?
Fees are charged per credit hour: 83 rials for business and economics, 84-88 for arts and sciences, 107 for engineering and most health sciences, and 125 for respiratory therapy. At 30 credits a year that is about 2,490-3,750 rials, plus 2,240 rials if you need the foundation year.
Does the University of Nizwa teach in English?
The university describes its education as fully bilingual in English and Arabic. Health science programmes list English as the medium of instruction, while education programmes are taught bilingually in Arabic and English.
What are the entry requirements for the University of Nizwa?
You need the Omani General Education Diploma or an equivalent, with the minimum average and subject grades set for each programme, and many programmes add an interview and medical fitness test.
What is the University of Nizwa's QS ranking?
It is in the 901-950 band of the QS World University Rankings 2027.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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