MUSCAT: The Higher Education Admission Center (HEAC) has announced the results of student placements for the 2024/2025 academic year, specifically for those who successfully completed the General Education Diploma or its equivalent. According to Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Azri, Director General of HEAC, government higher education institutions accounted for the largest share of accepted students at 56.3 percent. Meanwhile, internal scholarships for private institutions covered 41.4 percent of admissions, and external scholarships represented 2.3 percent. The first round of allocation filled 95 percent of the available seats, leaving 5 percent vacant due to candidates not meeting admission criteria.
Al Azri highlighted that out of 43,145 students who passed their diploma exams, 9,432 achieved an average of 90 percent or higher, while 20,383 students scored 80 percent or above. He noted that competition was particularly strong in high-demand programs. Minimum accepted scores for major institutions were as follows: Sultan Qaboos University required 92.3 percent for males and 97.5 percent for females; the University of Technology and Applied Sciences required 93 percent for males and 97.5 percent for females; and private institutions, excluding localized programs, required 91.2 percent for males and 97.4 percent for females. For flexible external scholarships, the last accepted competitive rates in STEM and ESAM programs were 98.2 and 97.5 percent, respectively.
Students accepted into flexible internal scholarship programs have the option to choose their preferred institution and minor specialization through the unified admission system. This process will be available between Tuesday, August 19, and Thursday, August 21. Additionally, students who received admission offers during this round must finalize their registration with their assigned institutions no later than 12 noon on Sunday, August 24. Failure to complete this step could result in losing the allocated seat.
Following the first screening, HEAC will open private admission for students wishing to self-fund their studies at Sultan Qaboos University or one of the following private universities: Sohar, Nizwa, Dhofar, and Al Sharqiyah. Registration for private admissions will begin on Monday, August 25, and continue until September 3. Names of students nominated for admission tests will be released on August 31, with sorting results scheduled for September 1. Additionally, the center will provide a seat modification service on September 15 and 16 for students seeking placement in vacant programs. HEAC also confirmed that students can submit grievances through the Unified Government Services Portal to ensure transparency and ease of access to e-services.
