Sultan Qaboos University (SQU): Oman's national university
Oman's first and highest-ranked university in Al Khoudh: colleges, ranking, admission, campus and the University Medical City.
2026-10-19
Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) is Oman's national university. Founded by royal decree and opened in 1986, it occupies a large campus in Al Khoudh, west Muscat, with distinctive Omani-style buildings.
Colleges
SQU has colleges of medicine and health sciences, engineering, science, agricultural and marine sciences, economics and political science, law, education, arts and social sciences, and nursing. Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, its teaching hospital, is now part of the University Medical City.
Ranking
SQU is the best-ranked university in Oman: 334th in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
Admission
Most places are for Omani students through the national admissions system. International students may be admitted to some postgraduate programmes and exchange schemes; check the university's admissions pages.
Location
Al Khoudh is near Seeb, the airport, Al Mouj and Muscat Hills, a popular area for academic staff and families.
Good to know
Programmes, admission rules and fees change every year. Check the institution's official website before you apply, and confirm that any degree you plan to use abroad is recognised there.
Living nearby
For families, the school or university run is a big part of choosing where to live. R2LUX sells homes in communities where foreigners can own; three current listings are below.
Universities in Oman: a complete guide
University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS)
German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech)
