List of Top Universities Accepting GRE Scores

Wondering about how many top universities you can aim for with GRE scores? You are not alone! Every year, innumerable aspirants appear for the GRE General Test to offer admissions committees at leading universities a better picture of their academic attributes. But the most critical question that hovers over the aspirants' minds is identifying the GRE-accepting universities worldwide. Here is a guide to several countries' top universities and colleges accepting GRE scores. 

GRE: What Is It

The GRE score is often necessary to apply to top institutions worldwide for master's programs in diverse disciplines. However, knowing a little about the examination is essential before you delve deeper into the top universities that take these scores. 

The GRE comprises the Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing sections. The examination requires 3 hours and 45 minutes, with a ten-minute break. The test scores are reported 10-15 days after the exam date. 

Top Universities Accepting GRE Scores

The GRE scores are accepted by more than 1,300 business schools and 100+ law schools worldwide. Here is a list of top universities accepting GRE scores for MS, MBA, and other programs in the most sought-after study abroad destinations. 

The USA- 

• MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
• Stanford University
• Carnegie Mellon University 
• Northwestern University-Kellogg 
• Clarkson University
• Clark University
• University of California
• University of Chicago
• University of Colorado 
• University of Georgia
• University of Hartford
• University of Mississippi
• University of Miami
• University of Oklahoma
• University of Rhode Island
• University of San Diego
• University of Southern California
• University of Texas
• University of Virginia
• University of West Florida
• William Paterson University
• Western Illinois University
• Yale University
• Youngstown State University
• George Fox University
• Florida State University
• Elon University

The UK- 

• University of Oxford
• University of Cambridge
• London Business School
• University of Cambridge
• University of Manchester
• Imperial College Business School – London
• Hult International Business School London

Canada- 

• University of Toronto
• University of Western Ontario
• University of British Columbia
• York University
• HEC Montreal
• McGill University
• Queen's University School of Business
• Thompson Rivers University
• University of Calgary
• University of Alberta
• Simon Fraser University Beedie School of Business

Australia- 

• University of Melbourne (Melbourne Business School)
• The University of Sydney
• Murdoch University
• Deakin University

Germany-

• Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Berlin
• Hochschule Esslingen
• Hochschule Pforzheim
• Munich Business School
• Reutlingen University ESB Business School
• TU Bergakademie Freiberg

Which Universities Exclusively Accpet GRE Scores and Not Other Entrance Exam Scores?

Many universities around the world consider GRE scores as the primary admission criterion, sometimes in place of other standardized tests like GMAT, SAT, or ACT. This is especially common for programs in science, engineering, technology, and research-focused graduate degrees. By relying on the GRE, these universities aim to assess analytical, quantitative, and verbal reasoning skills, which are crucial for success in postgraduate studies.

Notable Universities Accepting Only GRE Scores

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA: MIT evaluates GRE scores for most of its engineering and science master’s and PhD programs, without requiring GMAT or other test scores.
• Stanford University, USA: Many STEM and research-based programs prioritize GRE scores, allowing candidates to bypass other entrance exams.
• University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada: Certain graduate programs, especially in engineering and computer science, accept GRE exclusively.
• ETH Zurich, Switzerland: Offers GRE-based admissions for selected technical and science-oriented master’s courses.
• National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore: Some STEM and research-focused graduate programs consider only GRE scores.

If your target is a research-intensive or STEM postgraduate program, focusing on universities that accept GRE scores exclusively can streamline your application process and maximize your chances of admission.

GRE Cut-Off for Top Universities

Here are a few leading universities and their approximate GRE cut-offs. 

• University of Oxford- Verbal- 160 and Quantitative- 160 and above. 
• Carnegie Mellon University- Verbal- 153 and Quantitative- 163. 
• University of Toronto- 167 or higher in the Quantitative section. 
• University of British Columbia- 155 GRE score on both the verbal and quantitative sections
• HEC Montreal- Suggested minimum score is 570, and the competitive score is 630 or higher.
• University of Cambridge- No specific score requirement.
• Northwestern-Kellogg- 162 in the Verbal section.
• Columbia University-  No minimum test score requirements, but the average GRE quantitative scores in recent years rank around 91%.

Conclusion

Keep an eye out for the GRE requirements while applying to any university of your choice, as there are several leading universities and colleges accepting GRE scores worldwide. A good GRE score will help you increase your chances of admission into top institutions.