GRE is one of the most important standardized tests for studying abroad. It can significantly increase or decrease your chances of getting admission into top universities around the world. The GRE Exam is owned and administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service) and is accepted by many graduate schools. There are multiple reputed universities in the world that don't even require GRE score to offer admission. However, you need to fulfil other eligibility criteria for this.
Universities waive off the requirements of GRE to open doors for more qualified students around the world. In this article, we are going to discuss the top-ranked universities worldwide which don't require GRE scores for admission in PG programs.
Top Universities Which Don't Require GRE
Here, we have mentioned the list of top universities in the world, which do not accept scores of Graduate Record Examination for offering admission:
| University |
Program |
|---|---|
| Master of Science in Applied Computing |
|
| MSc in Computer Science |
|
| Electrical Engineering and Computer Science |
|
| Master of Engineering – Mechanical |
|
| Master of Applied Science in Biotechnology |
|
| MPhil in Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology |
|
| Master of Science – Civil Engineering |
|
| Master of Engineering |
|
| Master of Advanced Engineering |
Even top universities offer programs without the GRE test. Apart from this, students can apply to various programs where GRE is optional.
Universities in US which don't require GRE for Masters
The table displays a list of universities in the US, with their QS World University Rankings, 2025, where GRE is not mandatory for a master's programme.
| Institute | QS World University Rankings, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | #1 |
| Purdue University | #89 |
| #275 | |
| Northeastern University | =396 |
| =466 | |
| =574 | |
| #791-800 | |
| #761-770 | |
| #1001-1200 | |
| University of North Texas | #1001-1200 |
Universities in UK which don't require GRE for Masters
The table displays a list of universities in the UK, with their QS World University Rankings, 2025, where GRE is not mandatory for a master's programme.
| Institute | QS World University Rankings, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Imperial College London | #2 |
| University of Cambridge | #5 |
| University of Edinburgh | #27 |
| University of Manchester | #34 |
| University of Sheffield | #105 |
| #172 | |
| #721-730 | |
| #951-1000 | |
| Birmingham City University | #1001-1200 |
Universities in Canada Which Don't GRE for Masters
The table displays a list of universities in Canada, with their QS World University Rankings, 2025, where GRE is not mandatory for a master's programme.
| Institute | QS World University Rankings, 2025 |
|---|---|
| =415 | |
| #547 | |
| #661-670 | |
| #681-690 | |
| University of Regina | #951-1000 |
| Brock University | #1201-1400 |
- List of Study Abroad programs where GRE is optional
- Why is GRE Exam Important?
- Study Abroad Without GRE
- Top Master's Courses Which Don't Need GRE
- Criteria for waiving off GRE Scores
List of Study Abroad programs where GRE is optional
| Master of Science in Architecture |
|
| University of California, Berkeley |
PhD in Architecture and Environmental Design |
| Humanities and Social Sciences |
GRE General Test
The GRE general test measures your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills – skills that have been developed over a long period of time and are not related to any particular field of study but have very high significance.
- Verbal Reasoning: The verbal reasoning section measures your ability to analyze, reason from incomplete data, select important points, summarize text, understand the meaning of individual words and understand the relationship among concepts.
- Quantitative Reasoning: The quantitative reasoning section measures your ability to understand and interpret given information, solve problems using mathematical models, and apply basic elementary concepts such as arithmetic, algebra and geometry.
- Analytical Writing: The analytical writing section measures your ability to articulate complex ideas, support ideas with relevant reasons, examine claims, sustain a coherent discussion and control the elements of standard written English.
GRE Subject Test
The GRE subject test measures the student’s knowledge and skills in a particular field of study. This test is for students having an undergraduate degree or extensive background in one of the following subjects:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Psychology
The GRE subject test scores are widely used by universities all over the world for admission or fellowships by respective panels. GRE subject test scores supplement students’ undergraduate records, recommendation letters and other qualifications for graduate-level study.
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Why is GRE Exam Important?
Students from across the world apply for admission for programs, now colleges need to know about the candidates before giving them admission. While giving admission Universities assess students based on their performance in the standardized test. Even if the candidates have scored above average in their previous degrees, universities do not know about the quality of the education provided in different countries. Therefore, a standardized test brings everyone on the same page and assess them on equal parameters. So the scores of the test become important criteria for getting admission. It becomes important for the candidate whether they will be selected or rejected by their dream school.
Study Abroad Without GRE
Studying abroad is a long and often complex process and expensive too. Clearing the GRE exam is not easy for everyone. Students work hard to score well in the GRE exam but still not able to make it to their dream college. Also, for giving this exam an aspirant has to shell US $205 every time registering for it. Apart from this, many students submit their applications at the last moment, so, they focus on the application process and don't go for the GRE Exam. Apart from the GRE/GMAT, students have to give English Language Proficiency Tests like IELTS, TOEFL or PTE. So, they focus their energy on all other aspects of the application. Universities also understand that students did not get high scores in standardized tests like GRE. Therefore, there are various universities offering different programs without GRE/GMAT.
Also, experts argue that this exam is quite expensive and students need to give a great amount of time for preparing for this exam, so, they should have the choice of giving it. As many aspirants possess a sufficient amount of work experience in their domain and a good GPA or an advanced degree in their field, so, they should be exempted from giving the GRE test.
Top Master's Courses Which Don't Need GRE
The following master's programmes can be done without GRE.
| Criminal Justice | Finance |
| Education | Accounting |
| Computer Science | Liberal Arts |
| Psychology | English |
| Sociology | Public Health |
| Marketing | Management |
| Human Resources | Social Work |
| Nursing | Healthcare Management |
| Theology | Public Policy and Administration |
| Communication | Mass Communication |
Criteria for waiving off GRE Scores
- Some universities also waive off the GRE score if the candidate's GPA is above average and has an overall strong profile.
- Various universities waive off the GRE score if the candidate has gained relevant work experience in a similar field he is looking to study further.
- Apart from this, in very few cases, universities waive off the GRE score if the candidate has an excellent undergraduate research project. In these cases, universities assess the candidate's potential from his work.
The application process at the University of Manchester can change depending on course chosen and level of study. The steps to apply for undergraduate and postgraduate courses at the university are given as follows:
UG Application Process:
- Student must apply through the UCAS common application portal.
- They can go to the website and select the course that they are interested in.
- Students are required to meet the eligibility requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
- Once they have decided on the course, the important documents are to be submitted such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
- You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
- Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
- The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
PG application process:
- Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
- Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
- Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
- Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
- If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
The English language test score required at the Univerisyt of South Wales are mentioned in the table below for the international applicants whose first language is not English
Exam | Minimum Scores |
|---|---|
IELTS | 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each band |
TOEFL | 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing |
PTE | a score of 59 overall and 59 in each component. |
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GRE or Graduate Record Examination is a standardized computer based exam conducted by the by Educational Testing Service (ETS). Many top business schools in the world offer admission in Business programs on the basis of GRE Score. This test access the aptitude of a student for abstract thinking. Score equal to 160 or above is a good enough to get admission in various courses. There are two types of GRE tests.
Also, students can take the GRE exam at home.