At a glance
Azzan Bin Qais International School opened in 1990 and is the school from which the wider ABQ education group grew, which is why the two names are often used together. It teaches an all through age range from the nursery years to Grade 12 and built its reputation on the Cambridge International pathway rather than the International Baccalaureate. The campus emphasises technology in the classroom, including a one to one device programme, alongside a broad extracurricular offer. Set it within the wider market through our guide to international schools in Muscat.
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | Cambridge International; General Education Diploma pathway |
| Stages | Nursery to Grade 12, ages 1.5 to 18 |
| Languages | English and Arabic |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Group | Founding campus of the ABQ education group |
| Campus | Al Khuwair, Muscat (relocated 2022 to 2023) |
Curriculum and academics
ABQ delivers the Cambridge International curriculum, taking students through the primary and lower secondary stages to Cambridge examinations, with a General Education Diploma pathway also available in the senior years. Teaching is in English with Arabic provided in line with Omani requirements. This is an important point of difference for families researching the city: ABQ is a Cambridge school, not an IB World School, so if you are set on the IB Diploma you should weigh it against the city's dedicated providers. Our overview of the International Baccalaureate and our roundup of the best IB schools in Muscat are the right starting points for that comparison, and the Muscat IB schools hub lists the alternatives in directory form.
For families who prefer the Cambridge route, ABQ offers the familiar IGCSE and post sixteen progression that universities in the United Kingdom and many other countries recognise readily. The school's long history and its position at the head of a multi campus group give it scale and continuity, though as always you should ask admissions for recent examination results and university destinations rather than relying on the group's general reputation.
Azzan Bin Qais fees
ABQ generally sits in the value to mid part of the Muscat market rather than at the premium end occupied by the largest IB and American campuses. The school issues its current fee schedule on request and revises it each year, so the dependable figures come from admissions. We do not publish a fee table here because we have not confirmed the current numbers directly, and we will not invent one. To understand where ABQ is likely to fall against other schools in the city, read our guide to international school fees in Muscat, which sets out how the value, mid and premium tiers compare.
As with every school in the capital, budget beyond tuition for a registration or assessment fee, a refundable deposit and optional charges such as transport, uniform, books and examination entry in the senior years. Comparing the full first year cost is the only reliable way to weigh ABQ against its peers.
Working out what a place really costs?
Use our fee guidance to estimate the full first year cost of a Muscat school across tuition and the usual extras. Free and independent.
Admissions
Admission runs across the academic year, which starts around the beginning of September, with places allocated as they arise. The process is age appropriate, drawing on previous school reports and, for older applicants, a placement check in English and mathematics, and the school asks for prior academic records and the usual identity and residence documents at application. Because ABQ is well known and its year groups are capped, sought after grades fill ahead of the new year, so families relocating to Muscat should apply as soon as a move is confirmed and ask admissions about availability in the relevant stage.
Location and who goes there
ABQ moved to a new campus in the Al Khuwair area of central Muscat in the 2022 to 2023 school year, close to Bareeq Al Shatti and within easy reach of the diplomatic quarter and the main commercial districts. Al Khuwair is one of the busier and better connected parts of the capital, which suits working parents who want a short commute. The school draws a mixed community of Omani and international families, reflecting its long local presence rather than a purely expatriate intake. For the broader picture of where families settle and how the school market is structured, return to the Muscat city hub.
Reviews
No verified reviews yet. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish parent reviews only once they are verified. If your child attends or has attended Azzan Bin Qais International School, you can submit a review to help other relocating families. We never display a star rating without real, checked reviews behind it.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Azzan Bin Qais International School fees?
ABQ generally sits in the value to mid part of the Muscat market. The school issues its current schedule on request and revises fees each year, so confirm the figures directly with admissions rather than relying on third party listings, and budget separately for registration, a deposit and optional transport and examination costs.
What curriculum does Azzan Bin Qais International School follow?
ABQ is a Cambridge international school, teaching Cambridge International programmes alongside a General Education Diploma pathway from the early years to Grade 12. Teaching is in English and Arabic. It is not an IB school, so families set on the IB Diploma should compare it with the city's dedicated IB providers.
Is Azzan Bin Qais International School accredited?
ABQ is accredited by the Council of International Schools and is a member of the Council of British International Schools, and it operates as a Cambridge International School. Ask admissions for the current accreditation status and recent results when you visit.
When do Azzan Bin Qais International School applications open?
Admission runs across the academic year, which starts around the beginning of September, with places allocated as they arise. Popular year groups fill ahead of the new year, so apply as early as a move to Muscat is confirmed.
Where is Azzan Bin Qais International School located?
ABQ moved to a new campus in the Al Khuwair area of central Muscat in the 2022 to 2023 school year, close to Bareeq Al Shatti and well connected to the main residential and commercial districts of the capital.
