Sultan Qaboos University Scholarships 2027 in Oman

The application window closes on January 14, 2027, for studies beginning in September 2027. This date does not apply to undergraduate scholarships. Funding is competitive, and you should wait for a written scholarship offer before assuming your tuition or living expenses will be covered.

Considering another research destination in the region? Compare the KAUST Scholarship in Saudi Arabia with your preferred study route in Oman.

Sultan Qaboos University Scholarships 2027 at a Glance

• Host university: Sultan Qaboos University (SQU)
• Study destination: Oman
• Study levels: Undergraduate, Master’s and PhD through separate admission and funding routes
• Funding type: Funding Varies
• Postgraduate applicants: Omani and international students who meet the program requirements
• Postgraduate application period: October 15, 2026 to January 14, 2027
• Postgraduate study begins: September 2027
• Undergraduate scholarship dates: To be announced on the relevant GCC admissions page

Which application route should you choose?

For a Master’s or PhD, apply through the postgraduate admission system. The 2027–28 announcement explains that admitted students who meet the general scholarship criteria are considered automatically for scholarships and sponsorships. The admission application starts that process, but it does not guarantee an award.

Bachelor’s applicants need to check the undergraduate routes instead. SQU lists scholarships for eligible GCC students through embassies and the Higher Education Admission Centre (HEAC). Other international applicants can explore Afaaq, which is a tuition-fee-paying admission program. It should not be presented as a scholarship available to every nationality.

What Do SQU Scholarships Cover?

The university lists three types of postgraduate scholarships. Your offer determines which costs are covered, so compare the terms carefully before accepting a place.

• Full scholarship: Exemption from tuition fees together with a monthly allowance.
• Tuition-fee scholarship: Tuition exemption only; a living allowance is not included in this category.
• Monthly-allowance scholarship: A monthly payment without an automatic tuition exemption.
• Annual return airfare: International students arriving from abroad on a full scholarship are eligible for an annual return economy ticket to the nearest international airport to their permanent residence.

The allowance amount and duration follow the scholarship contract. The general rules do not give one current stipend figure that applies to every applicant. Check accommodation, meals, insurance and other personal costs against your own offer instead of treating them as included benefits.

Scholarship responsibilities

Recipients must study full time and follow the university’s scholarship conditions. Full-scholarship students may undertake assigned academic or administrative work for up to 10 hours per week. For tuition-exemption scholarships, the stated limit is 5 hours per week.

These are postgraduate scholarship terms. Undergraduate GCC awards follow their own conditions, and Afaaq applicants should budget for tuition and living expenses. The Afaaq guide states that the university does not provide accommodation, transport or meals through that program.

Degree Programs and Eligibility Requirements

Undergraduate degree programs

Examples of Bachelor’s programs offered by SQU include the following. Availability through Afaaq or a GCC scholarship depends on the current admission route and allocated places.

• Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering (BEng)
• Bachelor’s in Mechatronics Engineering
• Architectural Engineering (BEng)
• Electrical & Computer Engineering (BEng)
• BSc in Nursing
• Undergraduate Computer Science
• Bachelor’s education specializations: English, Chemistry and Biology

Master’s degree programs

SQU’s official program directory includes the following examples. Check the current admission system to confirm whether your chosen program is accepting applications for this intake.

• Computer Science (MSc)
• Data Science and Machine Learning (MSc)
• Environmental Science (MSc)
• Chemistry, Physics or Biology (MSc)
• Statistics, Pure Mathematics or Applied Mathematics (MSc)
• Mechanical Engineering (MSc)
• Electrical and Computer Engineering (MSc)
• Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering (MSc)
• Construction Engineering and Management (MSc)

PhD programs

The official directory lists these doctoral programs:

• Computer Science (PhD)
• Mathematics or Statistics (PhD)
• Physics, Chemistry or Biology (PhD)
• Earth Sciences (PhD)
• Civil, Mechanical or Industrial Engineering (PhD)
• Petroleum Engineering (PhD)
• Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)
• Chemical and Process Engineering (PhD)

Other colleges offer their own programs. Confirm the current intake and research requirements with your chosen department.

Postgraduate academic requirements

The university’s academic table gives a minimum CGPA of 2.75/4.00 for Master’s admission, or 2.50 with at least two years of work experience. For PhD admission, the listed minimum is 3.00/4.00, or 2.75 with at least two years of experience. Qualification equivalency and additional program requirements are assessed by SQU.

Scholarship eligibility is a separate check. Master’s scholarship applicants need at least 3.00/4.00 in their undergraduate degree. The scholarship rules also require unconditional admission and full-time study. PhD applicants must meet the applicable postgraduate admission regulations. International applicants living outside Oman must apply for full-time study.

Undergraduate scholarships and the Afaaq program

GCC applicants can explore the embassy scholarship route. A separate HEAC route is available to eligible GCC students who completed Grade 12 at an Omani or international school within Oman. Follow the conditions for your route; the undergraduate scholarship page currently says dates will be announced later.

Afaaq offers fee-paying undergraduate admission for international students. Its guide covers colleges including Engineering, Science, Economics and Political Science, Medicine and Health Sciences, Nursing, Law, Education, Arts and Social Sciences, and Agricultural and Marine Sciences. Examples include Education specializations in English, Chemistry and Biology. Entry subjects, grades and teaching language differ by program.

The published Afaaq criteria require the relevant current-school-year qualification, an age not exceeding 25 years, and the required final results and qualification equivalency. These undergraduate conditions do not set an age limit for the postgraduate scholarships.

English-language requirements

Program applicants generally need valid IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT results at the score required by their program. Limited exemptions are listed, including native English speakers and certain recent qualifying Master’s graduates applying for doctoral study. Confirm any exemption with SQU before relying on it.

For another university with separate undergraduate and research awards, explore Monash University Malaysia Scholarships and compare the degree-specific conditions.

Documents Required for Your Application

Prepare clear copies before opening the application form. SQU’s postgraduate upload checklist accepts JPG and PDF files and distinguishes Master’s documents from the additional research material required for a PhD.

• Personal documents: Passport, photograph and applicable ID or residence card.
• Certified degree certificates: Bachelor’s qualification for Master’s applicants; Bachelor’s and Master’s qualifications for PhD applicants, plus any other relevant certificates requested.
• Official transcripts: Records for the qualifications required by your application route.
• CV: Include your education, relevant experience and research work where applicable.
• English-language evidence: Valid accepted test results, unless SQU confirms an applicable exemption.
• Employer approval or study leave: Provide the required letter where applicable to your employment situation.
• Research proposal: Required in the general PhD checklist.
• Two academic recommendation letters: Required for PhD applications.
• Qualification attestation: Follow SQU’s instructions for qualifications obtained outside Oman.

This checklist does not mark the proposal and two academic references as standard Master’s requirements. Your chosen college may request additional evidence, so check its instructions before submitting.

For a PhD proposal, explain the research question, why it matters and how you plan to investigate it. Keep the scope realistic and connect it with the department’s work. Contact your referees early so they have time to write a useful recommendation.

Before uploading your files, use our scholarship application document checklist to organize certificates, references and supporting records.

How to Apply and Important Deadlines

1. Choose your degree and program. Read the entry conditions, teaching language and study mode in SQU’s official program directory.
2. Check scholarship eligibility. Compare the funding rules with your academic record. Meeting admission requirements alone may not meet the scholarship threshold.
3. Prepare your documents. Arrange attestation, valid language results and any research material required by your college.
4. Complete the online application. Use the postgraduate section of SQU’s applicant system for a Master’s or PhD, enter accurate information and upload the requested files.
5. Pay the application fee and submit. The application form lists a non-refundable fee of OMR 10 per program/preference. Follow the amount shown in your application.
6. Monitor your application. Complete any required examination or interview and respond to requests from the university. Eligible admitted students are considered for funding, with a separate scholarship offer issued to selected candidates.

Postgraduate application timeline for 2027–28

• Applications open: October 15, 2026.
• Application deadline: January 14, 2027. The portal lists a closing time of 11:59 PM; submit early and confirm the portal’s time convention.
• Application evaluation: January 20 to March 21, 2027.
• Admission results: March 31 to April 30, 2027.
• Studies begin: September 2027.

Undergraduate applicants must follow their own GCC scholarship or Afaaq announcements. The January 14 deadline is for postgraduate admission, not a common deadline for every SQU award.

Official sources and application links

Start with the 2027–28 postgraduate announcement, review the SQU scholarship rules, and submit through the official application portal. Check the program directory for college requirements. Bachelor’s applicants should use the undergraduate GCC scholarship guidance and the separate Afaaq information linked by the admissions office.

Information checked on October 19, 2026. Read the conditions attached to your admission and scholarship offers before making travel or financial arrangements.