What the SQU IELTS Centre is
Sultan Qaboos University's Centre for Preparatory Studies says on its own news page that it officially inaugurated an IELTS Open Centre, and describes it as closely affiliated with the British Council Oman. The article adds that the centre had first served as a closed centre for approximately 12 years.
The same article says individuals from many walks of life can take the test there, and it names groups such as people applying for postgraduate study in Oman, people preparing to study overseas, private college students who need an IELTS certificate, job seekers and non-Omani residents applying for immigration.
I read the official pages below on 1 November 2026. Venue lists and university pages change, so use the links to check the current position.
What the university's page asks of candidates
The SQU IELTS page gives the practical steps. In plain words:
- Location: the centre is on the SQU campus, in the Centre for Preparatory Studies, on the ground floor. Parking is available in front of the building and behind it.
- Registration: you fill in the online form and upload a copy of your ID. After the documents are validated, the centre emails you a payment link.
- ID: a valid passport or national identity card, needed for registration and on test day. The page says it must show your photo, ID number, date of birth, signature and expiry date.
- Missing documents: if you did not upload your ID and required documents when you registered, you must email a colour scan or photo, without flash, within three days. Check the SQU page for the address to use.
- Test dates: SQU says it emails confirmation of your dates up to a week after you register and pay. Speaking can be on the same day or up to seven days before or after the other sections, and the Speaking time and place are emailed two days before.
- Test day: the page gives a registration time and a start time and says late arrivals cannot sit the test. Read the exact times and the list of what you may bring on the page itself.
- Under 18: candidates under 18 need written consent from a parent or guardian to register.
- Special arrangements: the page asks for notice, around six weeks for arrangements such as extra time and longer for modified formats. Contact the centre early.
The page also shows fees. This page states no fee amounts: read them on the SQU page and the booking confirmation.
How ielts.org lists the venue
The ielts.org test centre finder for Muscat shows the venue under the name "British Council, SQU IELTS Centre - Centre for Preparatory Studies", with the address Al Khoudh PO Box 43 SQU, Muscat, 123. The same name appears on three separate cards. One lists Computer and Computer (Writing on Paper); the other two list Computer and One Skill Retake. None of the three is marked as UKVI approved when I read it.
| Source | What it says about the venue |
|---|---|
| SQU Centre for Preparatory Studies | Open centre, affiliated with the British Council Oman; on campus; register online with ID; dates confirmed by email. |
| ielts.org finder | Listed in Muscat under the name British Council, SQU IELTS Centre; computer-based options on the cards; none marked UKVI approved. |
Where the sources differ
SQU's news article says both paper-based and computer-based tests can be taken, while the ielts.org cards I read list computer-based options. Do not assume a format: check the finder and ask the centre which one applies to your session. The venue also appears under a British Council name on ielts.org, so confirm at booking who you are registering with and whose terms apply.
If you need the test for a UK visa route, read IELTS for UKVI in Oman first, because the cards above are not marked as approved for it. Other towns are covered in test venues in Nizwa, Buraimi, Sur and Ibra.
Check these before you book
- Open the finder and the SQU page on the day you book; they change.
- Decide which format and which skills you need, and ask the centre if the card is unclear.
- Make sure the name on your passport or national ID matches your registration exactly.
- Upload your ID with the form, so you do not need the three-day email.
- Keep the confirmation email and the later Speaking email.
Booking, changing a booking and results are covered on Booking IELTS in Oman.
How lessons with Mike can help with this
Band Booster does not run the test, register you or set test dates. What Mike can do is help you prepare for the four parts. He is based in Hanoi, holds a Cambridge CELTA (July 2017), has 12+ years teaching English and IELTS in Vietnam, Turkey and Iran, and scored 8.5 in Speaking in his own IELTS. Every lesson is one-to-one, 60 minutes, live on Google Meet, in English. He marks Writing Task 1 and Task 2 against the public band descriptors, runs Speaking Parts 1 to 3 in the real format with feedback in the moment, and leaves written progress notes in your account.
The booking calendar shows each slot in your own time zone. Oman is UTC+4 all year and Hanoi is UTC+7, so Oman is three hours behind Hanoi. Rescheduling is at no charge up to 12 hours before the slot. You can see available times and book here, or read about Mike first.
