Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
SQU postgraduate IELTS by level
From SQU's English language proficiency certificate page and the programme pages for the MSc and PhD in Mechanical Engineering, the MBA and the Medicine internship.
| Programme | IELTS | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|
| Master's (direct) | 6.0 | 79 |
| Master's with LANK6000 in the first semester | 5.5 | 69 |
| MBA | 6.0 | 79 |
| PhD (direct) | 6.5 | 90 |
| PhD with LANC6001 | 6.0 | 79 |
| PhD with LANC6001 and LANC6003 | 5.5 | 69 |
| Medicine internship (non-English-speaking universities) | 6.0 (or OET Grade B) | Not stated |
Accepted tests and exemptions
Only IELTS Academic and TOEFL iBT are accepted, and the result must be valid when you submit the application. Candidates whose mother tongue is English are exempt. For a doctorate, the requirement can be waived if you completed a master's that had these requirements no more than two years before applying.
The page also prints an equivalence table: TOEFL iBT 79-80 equals IELTS 6.0, 90-91 equals 6.5 and 100 equals 7.0.
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Undergraduate entry
SQU did not publish an undergraduate IELTS cut-off on the pages we read; undergraduate entry is mainly for Omani students through the national admission system. Postgraduate diploma students admitted at IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 69 may take an English course in their first semester and must pass it. The Medicine internship listed a deadline of 19 October 2026 and a 1 December 2026 start.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your SQU programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS does Sultan Qaboos University need for a master's?+
IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 79, or 5.5 / 69 if you take the LANK6000 English course in your first semester.
What IELTS does SQU need for a PhD?+
IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90. Lower scores of 6.0 or 5.5 need one or two extra English courses.
Does SQU accept PTE or Duolingo?+
No. The postgraduate page accepts only IELTS Academic and TOEFL iBT.
Who is exempt from the English test at SQU?+
Candidates whose mother tongue is English, and PhD applicants who completed a master's with these requirements within the last two years.
Keep reading
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Guide updated on 30 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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