Countries That Accept GRE in 2026: Where GRE Scores Are Used for MS, MBA & PhD (Plus How to Check Each University)

Countries That Accept GRE in 2026

If you’re planning to study abroad in 2026, you’ve probably asked: which countries that accept GRE scores can I apply to? The real answer is slightly different from what most blogs say:

✅ The GRE is not “country-approved”—it’s program- and university-specific.

A country may have hundreds of universities, and only certain programs within those universities may require, recommend, or accept GRE scores.

So instead of a random list, this guide gives you:

• A 2026-ready overview of the major countries that accept gre

• Real examples from official university pages (so you can trust it)

• The fastest way to verify GRE acceptance for any university (official ETS recipient list + program pages)

• Practical tips + a mini practice set (Quant/Verbal-style) so your post stays useful for readers

The Most Important Truth About “Countries That Accept GRE” (2026 Reality)

ETS positions the GRE as a test accepted across a broad range of graduate and professional programs, including business and law. But acceptance is decided by each program.

How to verify GRE acceptance (the right way)

Use these two checks:

1. University/program website (most accurate)Example: London School of Economics (UK) clearly states some programs require GRE/GMAT and that the requirement is shown on each program page.

2. ETS approved score recipients list (official recipient database)ETS provides a searchable list of institutions approved to receive GRE scores.

This is the safest 2026 approach: country lists can become outdated, but program pages + ETS recipients list stays reliable.

Countries That Accept GRE in 2026 (Top Destinations + What “Accept” Usually Means)

Below are the most common study destinations where GRE is used for MS, MBA, and PhD admissions. In each country, you’ll find programs that:

• Require GRE (mandatory)

• Recommend GRE (optional but helpful)

• Do not consider GRE (not needed)

1) United States (USA)

The USA is the GRE’s most established market—many graduate programs have used GRE historically, and many still accept it in 2026 (though some are test-optional). ETS promotes GRE for graduate/professional programs broadly.

Best fit: MS/PhD STEM, Economics, some Public Policy, some Business.

2) Canada

Canada has many GRE-accepting programs, and several major universities publish clear GRE rules.

Official example (Canada): University of British Columbia (UBC)UBC states GRE requirements depend on the program and provides a dedicated page listing GRE requirements by program.

Best fit: Research master’s, PhD, some business programs, some STEM departments.

3) United Kingdom (UK)

In the UK, GRE is not universally required, but it’s used for select competitive programs—especially in economics, finance, and some specialized master’s tracks.

Official example (UK): London School of Economics (LSE)LSE states several programs require GRE/GMAT and the requirement is indicated on each program page; it also notes the GRE/GMAT must contain all elements of the test.

Best fit: Economics/Finance/Management analytics, selective programs that explicitly request it.

4) Germany

Germany is often “GRE optional,” but important exceptions exist, especially for technical programs and certain applicant categories.

Official example (Germany): Technical University of Munich (TUM)TUM program pages for multiple master’s programs mention GRE or GATE score requirements for applicants with bachelor’s degrees from specific countries (including India).

Official example (Germany): RWTH Aachen UniversityRWTH has published GRE requirements for various programs (including a PDF listing minimum section scores) and program pages that reference GRE conditions for non-EU applicants.

Best fit: Tech universities, engineering, computational programs, some programs with applicant-region criteria.

5) Ireland

Ireland is a popular option where GRE may appear for selective programs, especially where applicant pools are highly international. (Always check the specific program page; policies vary.)

Best fit: Certain competitive MS/MSc and specialized programs.

6) Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland (Europe)

Across parts of Europe, GRE is used mainly in:

• Highly competitive STEM programs

• Economics/quant-heavy programs

• Some business schools

What “accept” often means here: GRE can strengthen your profile even when optional.

7) Nordic countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway)

GRE acceptance varies widely:

• Some programs do not need it at all

• Some specialized programs (especially quant-heavy) accept or recommend it

Best fit: Specific STEM research programs and quant-heavy tracks (program-level decision).

8) Australia & New Zealand

GRE may be accepted for certain graduate programs, especially where applicants come from diverse academic systems. Many programs focus more on GPA + research background, so check program pages.

Best fit: Some master’s, some PhD pathways, some competitive departments.

9) Singapore & Hong Kong

In Asia-Pacific, several top universities accept or recommend GRE for selected programs.

Official examples (Singapore): National University of Singapore (NUS)

• NUS Graduate School admissions references standardized test scores such as GRE in admissions context.

• Some NUS departments explicitly mention how to submit GRE scores to NUS via ETS and provide institution codes.

• Certain NUS programs list minimum GRE expectations (program-specific).

Best fit: Competitive MS, CS specializations, some research programs.

10) Japan, South Korea, China

GRE acceptance exists in parts of East Asia, often for:

• English-taught programs

• Quant-heavy programs

• Programs that attract large international cohorts

2026 note: Requirements here change quickly by program—always verify on the program page.

A Smarter “Countries That Accept GRE” Checklist (For 2026 Applicants)

Instead of guessing, do this every time:

Step 1: Search your university + program page

Look for: “GRE required,” “GRE recommended,” “GRE optional,” “ScoreSelect,” “institution code,” “department code.”

Step 2: Confirm the institution is an ETS score recipient

Use ETS’s approved GRE score recipients database.

Step 3: If it’s an MBA, use ETS’s global MBA list

ETS states more than 1,300 business schools worldwide welcome GRE General Test scores for MBA programs (some or all).

This is huge for 2026 because many applicants still think “MBA = GMAT only.”

What GRE Question Types You Should Practice (Quick Reminder)

Since your earlier content focused on practice question formats, here’s a quick 2026-aligned reminder of common GRE styles students must master:

Quant

• Quantitative Comparison (QC)

• Multiple Choice (single answer & multiple answers)

• Numeric Entry

• Data interpretation sets

Verbal

• Reading Comprehension

• Text Completion

• Sentence Equivalence

  
  

FAQ: Countries That Accept GRE (2026)

1) Which countries that accept GRE are best for MS in 2026?

The most common countries that accept GRE for MS include the USA, Canada, the UK (select programs), Germany (select programs), and parts of Europe and Asia-Pacific—but acceptance is program-specific, so always confirm on the program website and the ETS score recipient list.

2) Is GRE accepted for MBA outside the USA?

Yes. ETS states more than 1,300 business schools worldwide welcome GRE General Test scores for admission to some or all of their MBA programs.

3) How do I confirm a university will receive my GRE scores?

Use ETS’s official approved recipient search list to confirm the institution/fellowship sponsor is an approved GRE score recipient.

4) Do top universities in the UK and Germany accept GRE?

Yes—select programs do. For example, LSE lists GRE/GMAT requirements on program pages, and TUM/RWTH have programs that request GRE (sometimes depending on applicant background/program).

CTA: Check GRE Acceptance + Apply With Confidence (Official Links)

Use these official sources to confirm your shortlist fast:

• ETS Approved GRE Score Recipients (search institutions & codes) 

• ETS MBA Programs That Accept GRE (global list) 

• UBC GRE requirement guidance (Canada example) 

• LSE GRE/GMAT policy (UK example) 

• TUM program pages showing GRE/GATE requirement for some applicants 

If you share your top 5 target countries + course (MS CS / Data Science / MBA etc.), I’ll create a country-wise shortlist checklist (GRE required vs optional vs not needed) with the exact pages you should verify for each university in 2026.