Muscat – Sultan Qaboos University has recorded progress in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject, strengthening its global academic standing and reflecting the quality of its teaching and research programmes.

The latest edition of the rankings evaluated 6,273 universities worldwide, with 1,908 institutions included in what is described as the largest edition to date, covering 55 individual subjects across five broad academic fields.

SQU expanded its presence in the rankings this year, with the number of ranked programmes rising to 20, compared with 17 in 2025. The university also increased the number of programmes placed among the world’s top 500 from 15 to 19, indicating continued improvement in academic performance.

At the advanced subject level, SQU secured strong global positions in several disciplines. Petroleum Engineering climbed to 17th place worldwide, up from 25th, while Nursing improved to 25th, from 32nd previously. Library and Information Management was also ranked among the world’s top 50, placing 44th globally. The QS subject rankings are based on a set of international indicators, including academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations, the H-index, and international research networks, with weighting varying depending on the discipline.

The latest results highlight SQU’s continued efforts to enhance the quality of education and research and to strengthen its competitiveness among leading universities globally. Meanwhile, the university has announced the continuation of the suspension of in-person classes until Sunday, March 29 due to adverse weather conditions affecting Oman. All examinations scheduled for Sunday have also been postponed, with new dates to be announced later.