University of Nizwa (UoN)

University of Nizwa (UoN) is Oman’s first non-profit university and one of the country’s fastest-rising institutions for teaching and research. Established by decree in the early 2000s and granted legal status in 2004, UoN welcomed its first cohort the same year—marking a milestone for community-driven higher education in the Sultanate. Today it operates as a faculty-governed, not-for-profit university with a mission grounded in quality, service, and national development. studyinoman.moheri.gov.om

Location & Campus

UoN is based in Birkat Al Mouz near historic Nizwa in Al-Dakhiliyah Governorate—about 140 km from Muscat and at the foothills of Jabal Al Akhdar. The initial campus sits in Birkat Al Mouz; a newer campus development has been underway to support growth. The setting blends quick access to Oman’s interior heritage sites with a quiet, study-friendly environment. unizwa.edu.om

Identity, Vision & Governance

As a non-profit, UoN emphasizes service to society, academic excellence, and graduate employability. Its vision highlights building an international reputation through program quality and outcomes, while maintaining alignment with Omani values and community needs under a faculty-governed model. unizwa.edu.om

Colleges & Academic Structure

UoN’s programs are organized through four colleges that cover the university’s major disciplines:

College of Arts & Sciences
College of Economics, Management & Information Systems
College of Engineering & Architecture
College of Health Sciences (incorporating the School of Pharmacy)

Collectively, these colleges offer diplomas, bachelor’s and master’s degrees across 20+ diploma tracks, 30+ bachelor’s programs and multiple master’s degrees. unizwa.edu.om

Notable Accreditation & Quality Marks

The School of Pharmacy’s BPharm holds international (ACPE) accreditation—a strong external quality signal for health programs. acpe-accredit.org
UoN engages with Oman’s national accreditation framework (OAAAQA) at institutional level and publishes updates on its accreditation journey. unizwa.edu.om

Foundation Institute & Student Support

Most entrants pass through the Foundation Institute, which develops English, Mathematics, Digital Literacy, and Study Skills. Students with IELTS ≥5.0 (with no band <4.5) or TOEFL ≥500 may earn exemptions; UoN also uses Cambridge Linguaskill for placement and exit benchmarking. unizwa.edu.om

Research & Innovation

UoN houses several research and development units, including DARIS – Center for Scientific Research & Technological Development and the Natural & Medical Sciences Research Center. These units support faculty and student research, consultancy, and innovation transfer with growing external collaborations. unizwa.edu.om

Rankings & Recognition

UoN features in major global rankings and has advanced notably in recent editions:

QS World University Rankings 2026: #761–770 (second in Oman on QS). Top Universities
THE World University Rankings 2026: 401–500 band globally, reflecting gains in research quality and international outlook. Times Higher Education (THE)

Programs Snapshot

Engineering & Architecture: Civil, Environmental, Architectural, Interior Design
IT & Business: Information Systems, Accounting, Finance/Economics, Management, Marketing, MBA/MIS master’s options. unizwa.edu.om
Health: Pharmacy (ACPE-accredited BPharm), Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Pathology.
Humanities & Sciences: Life Sciences & Chemistry, Arabic & Foreign Languages, Mathematics & Physical Sciences, Education & Humanities.

Admissions – What to Expect

Entry is program-specific and typically includes secondary school results, English proficiency/placement, and any program prerequisites (e.g., math/physics for engineering). Postgraduate admissions require an accredited bachelor’s (and sometimes experience), plus English proficiency; certain programs indicate IELTS 6.0 as a baseline. Always check the program page for the latest criteria. unizwa.edu.om

Student Experience

UoN highlights small-to-moderate class sizes, diverse international faculty, and a high percentage of Omani women in the student body. Student services include academic advising, career guidance, and co-curricular opportunities aligned with the region’s economy (tourism/heritage, SMEs, health, engineering, and IT). Academic Positions

Why Students Pick UoN

Non-profit mission & community focus with faculty governance. studyinoman.moheri.gov.om
Accredited health programs and clear foundation pathways to succeed. acpe-accredit.org
Recognized globally (QS, THE) with improving research profile. Top Universities
Great study location near Nizwa and Jabal Al Akhdar—safe, historic, and well connected. Wikipedia