Thanks to its safe environment, high quality of life, and growing international community, Oman became one of the most desirable destinations for expats. Education is one of the main priorities for families moving to the Sultanate. Oman's education system is a mix of public, private, and international options. While the national schools stick to Omanisation and focus on Arabic, Islamic studies, and Omani culture, the country also has internationally accredited schools for expat children.
In this guide, we will explain how Oman’s education system works, what expat families can expect, the schooling options for Golden Visa holders, and the top international schools in Muscat.
Key Takeaways
- The main 5 types of schools in Oman are government schools, private schools, religious schools, special needs schools, and international schools.
- Oman public schools are aligned with Omanisation. They’re structured for their nationals and focus on Islamic studies, Arabic, and country history.
- Golden Visa holders can enroll their children in private and international schools. If they meet the specific requirements (e.g., language level), the child may also study at the public school. The expat parent needs to learn about the specific school’s requirements.
- Muscat has some of the region’s top international schools that offer British, American, IB, CBSE, and bilingual programs.
- Homeschooling is generally not allowed in Oman, but accredited online schools are available for families who look for more flexible options.
Overview of the Education System in Oman
Oman education is free up to the end of secondary school. The Ministry of Education manages general schooling, and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation is responsible for universities and colleges. Basic education is divided into two stages: Grades 1-4 and Grades 5-10. After that comes secondary education (Grades 11-12). Public schools are free for Omani citizens. Starting from Grade 5, boys and girls study separately.
Here are the main 5 types of schools in Oman:
- Government schools: These are run by the Ministry of Education and are free for Omani students. They follow the national curriculum.
- Private schools: These are paid schools and operate independently. They may follow a national or international curriculum.
- Religious schools: These are typically linked to a mosque. They teach Islamic studies with a national or international curriculum.
- Special needs schools: These are designed for children with special needs. The schools offer support for physical, mental, or social disabilities.
- International schools: These are based on a foreign curriculum. Expats usually prefer international schools.
Oman has a strong Omanisation policy. That’s why in schools, children study the Arabic language, Islamic studies, and Omani history to build a strong national identity. At the same time, the curriculum is designed in a way that promotes creative and critical thinking in children. English is taught as a second language. Private schools usually follow the same curriculum but add additional languages or international programs.
During the past few years, Oman has opened six teacher-training institutes. Today, about 9,000 students are enrolled in these colleges. Now nearly 30,000 teachers are working in government schools. Almost all the teachers are Omani nationals. In 2000, there were 132 private schools and kindergartens. Now, there are more international schools that offer British, American, Indian, and bilingual programs. As for higher education in Oman, the country has public institutions such as Sultan Qaboos University (established in 1986) and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS), which has 9 governorates and enrolls more than 46,000 students.
The Ministry encourages the private sector to establish colleges for higher education. Currently, there are 14 private colleges of higher education licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education. All 14 colleges are partnered with universities in the UK, USA, Australia, or India.
Support for Expatriate Families
Public schools in Oman teach in Arabic and follow an Islamic curriculum. Despite the fact that basic Oman education is free, it’s mainly designed for its nationals. Expat families are allowed to enrol, but they face barriers like the Arabic language and limited support services. That’s why most expats choose private international schools.
Tuition fees vary a lot. Annual tuition fees at public universities can be OMR 800-1,500 (≈ $2,080-3,900). Private universities can charge OMR 3,000-6,000 (≈ $7,800-15,600) a year.
International schools in Muscat can charge OMR 2,000-10,000 ($5,200-26,000) a year. These international schools have students from various countries. According to Wikipedia, TAISM (The American International School of Muscat) had 720 students from 62 countries in 2020. These schools typically provide English‑language support for non‑native speakers and may offer Arabic or French as additional languages.
Many schools provide music, art, drama, and sports programs to help students in their well‑rounded development.
Golden Visa Families and Education
Oman has updated its Golden Visa program in August 2025. According to the new program, investors can receive a 10-year residency by investing at least OMR 200,000 (≈ $520K) in one of the 7 pathways. As some changes have been made, it’s recommended to consult with an expert before applying for the Golden Visa program. The Golden Visa doesn’t automatically grant citizenship. However, its holders can enjoy working, living, and studying in Oman. Golden Visa holders are allowed to enroll their children in Oman education in international or private schools. Those who prefer Arabic education may be able to register for public schools depending on local policies and the child’s language proficiency. According to Edarabia, here are some statistics about the tuition fees in Muscat’s leading schools:
- Beaconhouse Kindergarten Qurum charges OMR 2,173 (≈ $5,600) a year.
- British schools typically charge OMR 10,270 (≈ $27,000) a year.
- The British School Muscat charges around OMR 6,500 (≈ $17,000) a year.
Oman's education system also allows Golden Visa holders to study at universities like Sultan Qaboos University, UTAS, Sohar University, German University of Technology in Oman, and the Arab Open University, which offer internationally accredited programs.
Top International Schools in Muscat
Muscat has several international universities. Their curricula are adopted from one of the world-renowned systems, like the British National Curriculum, the International Baccalaureate (IB), American programmes, and CBSE. Here are some of the best schools in Oman:
British School Muscat (BSM)
This school was established in 1971. It’s a non-profit, co‑educational day school that offers a comprehensive education to English‑speaking expat pupils from 3 to 18 years old. The school’s education system is based on the English National Curriculum and has been listed in the top 150 private schools globally and the top 15 in the Middle East. BSM enrols around 1,165 students.
The American International School of Muscat (TAISM)
This school was founded in 1998. It’s a non-profit, co-educational school that offers an American curriculum from early childhood to Grade 12. It is the only American‑only curriculum school in Oman. In 2020, this school enrolled 720 students from 62 countries.
ABA Oman International School (American British Academy)
Being one of the private schools in Muscat, ABA Oman International School was established in 1987. It’s a non-profit, co-educational school. It has an English‑language curriculum and is an IB World Continuum School that offers the PYP, MYP, and IB Diploma program. The school enrolls 940 students from more than 65 countries.
The Sultan’s School
The school was founded in 1977. It’s a private co-educational school with a bilingual curriculum. It enrolls approximately 1,300 students and offers the IGCSE and IB Diploma programs in the senior years.
Indian School Muscat (ISM)
The school was established in 1975. It’s a non‑commercial institution funded by the Indian community. It’s aligned with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and had over 9,200 students in 2010.
Homeschooling and Online Education Options
In Oman education system, homeschooling is generally illegal at the compulsory education level. Basic education is compulsory. The Ministry of Education only allows homeschooling under specific circumstances. The legal framework can be complex, so we’d recommend expat parents to contact their embassy for clarification and guidance.
Those families who look for more flexible options can consider online and distance‑learning schools. Several accredited providers, such as Cambridge Home School Online, International Schooling, K8 School, Broadway International Homeschool, and Iqra Virtual School, offer virtual K‑12 programs that are aligned with American, British, or IB curricula. However, parents need to make sure that the program is accredited and will be accepted by future universities.
To sum it up, in this article, we’ve thoroughly covered Oman's education system. For expats, Oman offers international or private schools aligned with foreign curricula. Parents who look for more flexible options can choose accredited online schools.
Overall, the main education system is designed for both its nationals (and strictly sticks to Omanisation) and foreign people who pursue international education.
FAQ
Public schools are free in Oman and provide basic education up to 12th Grade, but in general, they are for Omani nationals and teach in Arabic. Golden Visa holders can live and work in Oman, but their children’s admission to public schools depends on the school policies and regional authorities. Considering the fact that the studies are in Arabic, most expats prefer international or private schools in Oman.
Yes, there are scholarships available in Oman for expat students. However, keep in mind that scholarships are limited and very competitive. Some private schools offer financial aid or a discount for siblings. Additionally, schools such as Indian School Muscat have community funding initiatives. There may be international universities that partner with Omani institutions and offer exchange programs or scholarships. Expat parents need to research these opportunities.
As Oman has compulsory schooling, home education is typically not allowed. The Ministry of Education allows homeschooling only in specific circumstances, like medical issues. Additionally, the process requires approval. Expat parents who are interested in homeschooling need to consult their embassy and the Ministry of Education. The alternative option is enrolling children in accredited online programs based outside Oman. However, before that, they need to make sure that it meets the future university application requirements.
