MUSCAT: The first phase of registration for admission into public higher education institutions, as well as internal and external scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year, has officially opened and will remain open until June 1, 2025.
Students who have completed their General Education Diploma (or its equivalent) for the academic year 2024-2025 can now register online via the Higher Education Admission Centre’s (HEAC) portal at www.heac.gov.om. Here, they can explore the wide variety of academic programmes available and select their preferred specialisations.
In an effort to improve the student experience and ensure equitable access to higher education opportunities, HEAC has introduced several updates.
Ahmed bin Mohammed al Azri, Director-General of HEAC, outlined some key changes, including a streamlined registration interface. The new 'View and Select Eligible Programmes' feature merges two previous screens, simplifying the process and making it easier for students to explore all the programmes they are eligible for, while also allowing them to sequence their preferences.
There have also been modifications to the admission process at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS), particularly for the Muscat, Nizwa, and Al Musayfirah branches. Now, students residing in respective governorates can access local programmes, bringing higher education opportunities closer to home. A new personal interview requirement has been introduced for students applying to education-related programmes at UTAS, while the maximum age for admission to the Military Technological College has been raised to 23 years for those seeking academic programmes.
This year, HEAC is also focusing on inclusivity, with special initiatives aimed at supporting students with disabilities. A number of seats have been allocated at the Oman College of Health Sciences for students with physical disabilities, specifically in the Health Information Management specialisation. Additionally, a new programme for students with learning difficulties is available, as long as their specific learning challenges are officially recognised by the institution.
Among the 535 programmes being offered across various government and private institutions, students can choose from a broad spectrum of disciplines, including health sciences, natural and physical sciences, engineering, business management and more. Scholarships and grants are available to help students finance their education. To help students make informed decisions, HEAC will soon release a Competitive Admission Guide that offers suggested minimum scores for different academic programmes, enabling students to assess their chances of acceptance more realistically.
Furthermore, HEAC is running a series of awareness sessions for career guidance specialists from all governorates of Oman, designed to update them on the new admission process and address any challenges from previous years. The centre is also actively sharing information through its social media channels and engaging with participants at the GHEDEX 2025 (Global Higher Education and Training Exhibition).
Students and their families are encouraged to thoroughly review the Student Guide for Enrolment to ensure they understand the registration policies and make informed decisions regarding their academic futures.
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