Sohar University

Sohar University (SU) is Oman’s first private university, established in 2001 in the industrial port city of Sohar (Al Batinah North). Its creation marked the start of Oman’s modern private-HE era, evolving from the earlier Sohar College of Applied Sciences (1998) to a full university by ministerial decree. su.edu.om

Identity & Mission

SU positions itself as a student-centered, research-active university serving Oman’s growing logistics, energy, manufacturing, and services hub along the Batinah coast. Teaching is primarily in English, with a long-standing international outlook shaped by historic academic partnerships. Times Higher Education (THE)

Colleges & Academic Offerings

The university delivers diplomas, bachelor’s, master’s, MBA, and selected PhD programs through six colleges:
Business Administration; Computing & Information Technology; Education & Arts; Engineering; Linguistic Studies; Law. Program matrices and handbooks detail curricula, learning outcomes, and assessment standards. su.edu.om

General Foundation Programme (GFP)

Most entrants take the GFP—a gateway year in English, Mathematics, and Computing with study-skills outcomes aligned to national quality benchmarks. Placement/exemptions apply for students who meet English/Math thresholds. su.edu.om

Research, Innovation & Impact

Sohar University has scaled research capacity across thematic clusters (e.g., Environment, Connecting Communities) and operates an open Research Repository showcasing outputs, grants, and industry collaboration. The university highlights impact across social, economic, environmental, cultural, policy, and technology domains. research.su.edu.om

Rankings & External Recognition

QS World University Rankings 2026: #951–1000 (improved for a second consecutive year). Top Universities
Media round-ups in 2025 note Sohar’s entry/progress alongside other Omani universities improving globally. Times of Oman
University communications and sector reports also reference SU’s performance in Arab rankings and QS Stars evaluations. (Always verify current badges on the official SU profile.) Times Higher Education (THE)

Campus & Student Experience

SU’s modern campus in Sohar hosts learning spaces, labs, a library, student services, and career/alumni units; the campus map identifies research and industrial collaboration areas, postgraduate centers, and entrepreneurship spaces. su.edu.om

Admissions Snapshot

Undergraduate: secondary-school results, English placement/proficiency (GFP or exemption), and program prerequisites (e.g., math/physics for engineering).
Postgraduate: accredited bachelor’s (and sometimes experience), English proficiency; program handbooks outline specific criteria. su.edu.om

Roots & Partnerships (Background)

Historically, Sohar’s quality systems were supported by international partners—first the University of Lincolnshire & Humberside (UK) during the college era, and subsequently an academic affiliation with the University of Queensland (Australia) in the early 2000s. These links helped benchmark programs to international standards. (Check current status on SU’s site.) Kiwix Server

Why Students Choose Sohar University

First private university in Oman with a two-decade track record. su.edu.om
Work-relevant programs across business, IT, engineering, law, languages, and education. su.edu.om
Structured entry via GFP plus clear progression to bachelor’s and postgraduate study. su.edu.om
Research themes and repository showcasing applied outputs and industry links. research.su.edu.om
Recognized in global rankings, with recent QS improvements. Top Universities