GRE Accepting Universities Oxford: Complete Guide 2026 (Eligibility, Deadlines, Scores, Scholarships & Strategy)

GRE Accepting

Oxford is one of the most searched “GRE-friendly” universities in the UK, but here’s the key truth for 2026: the University of Oxford does not require the GRE for most graduate courses, while some specific programmes (especially at Saïd Business School) do accept or require GMAT/GRE. Your job is to confirm the policy programme-by-programme and plan your application timeline around Oxford’s December/January scholarship-aligned deadlines.

This guide explains exactly how GRE fits into Oxford admissions for 2026–27 entry, which Oxford programmes are truly “GRE relevant,” what deadlines to watch, and how to submit scores correctly.

Oxford & GRE in 2026: The Simple Reality

Oxford’s graduate admissions process is course-specific. That means:

• Most departments do not ask for GRE at all.

• A few programmes may accept GRE as one of the test options (often alongside GMAT).

• A small number require a GMAT/GRE score (example: Oxford Saïd’s MSc Financial Economics requires it).

Oxford itself also provides practical GRE submission guidance (including the ETS institution code you can use).

GRE Accepting Universities Oxford: Which Oxford Programmes Actually Use GRE?

Below is a 2026-focused snapshot using official Oxford sources where available.

GRE Policy Table (Oxford examples you can verify fast)

Oxford programme / area	Is GRE accepted?	Is GRE required?	Official note (what to check)
Oxford MBA (Saïd Business School)	✅ Yes	Usually ✅ test required (GMAT or GRE)	Saïd confirms GRE/GMAT acceptance and shares score context.
MSc Financial Economics (Saïd Business School)	✅ Yes	✅ Required (GMAT or GRE)	Oxford Saïd states a valid GMAT/GRE is required and no waivers.
Most other Oxford graduate courses	Often ❌ not needed	❌ not required	Oxford’s graduate guidance is course-led; deadlines commonly Dec/Jan for scholarship consideration.

Important: Always open the specific course page and search for “GMAT,” “GRE,” or “test scores.” If it’s required, Oxford will typically say so directly on that programme page.

2026–27 Entry: Oxford Application Timeline (Real, Useful Dates)

Oxford’s official guidance for the 2026/27 graduate admissions cycle is clear:

• Applications open: September 2025 for 2026/27 entry.

• Most major deadlines: December or January (and these are usually the latest deadlines to be considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships).

• If a course has a March or later deadline, Oxford notes that applications submitted for that later deadline are ineligible for Oxford scholarships (in many cases).

Practical 2026 planning rule

If you want scholarships, aim to submit by the earliest deadline offered (often Nov/Dec), not the last one.

Who Should Submit GRE for Oxford?

Submit GRE for Oxford in 2026 if:

1. Your target programme requires GMAT/GRE (example: MSc Financial Economics).

2. Your programme accepts GRE and you want to strengthen quantitative credibility (common in business/finance contexts).

3. Your GPA/academic profile is good but not standout, and a strong GRE can add confidence.

If your course does not mention GRE/GMAT, don’t waste time: focus on what Oxford cares about most—academic fit, references, research readiness (where applicable), and a strong statement.

What GRE Score Is “Good” for Oxford?

Oxford often avoids publishing strict minimums, especially for competitive programmes.

Oxford MBA (Saïd): “No minimum,” but competitive context matters

Oxford Saïd’s MBA FAQs indicate no minimum score requirement, while still giving applicants expectations context.

MSc Financial Economics (Saïd): test required, no waivers

For MFE, the most important point is you must submit a valid GMAT or GRE score by the deadline—waivers are not offered.

Smart takeaway for 2026: Don’t chase a mythical “cutoff.” Instead:

• Aim for a score that supports your course demands (quant-heavy courses benefit from strong quant),

• And submit early enough to avoid verification or reporting delays.

How to Send GRE Scores to the University of Oxford (Correctly)

Oxford’s graduate guidance confirms you can designate Oxford as a score recipient using ETS institution code 0713 when registering for the GRE.

Best practice for 2026 applicants

• Use the ETS code during registration if possible (smoother, faster).

• Keep PDF score reports ready in case the programme asks for uploads while ETS reports are processing.

• Match your name spelling across ETS and Oxford application documents to avoid delays.

Oxford Admission Requirements That Matter More Than GRE

Even for GRE-relevant programmes, Oxford typically evaluates your application holistically. For most graduate courses, these parts drive decisions:

1) Academic requirements (international equivalency matters)

Oxford provides country-by-country guidance for international qualifications and degree classifications.

2) References (usually 2–3)

Choose referees who can speak to:

• academic performance,

• research potential (for research degrees),

• analytical ability and discipline.

3) Statement of Purpose / Research Proposal

Oxford wants a clear answer to:

• Why this course?

• Why Oxford?

• Why you, now?

• What have you done that proves readiness?

  
  

4) CV + evidence of impact (especially business programmes)

Quantify achievements and leadership outcomes.

Scholarships + Funding: The Deadline Trap Most Students Miss

Oxford’s own guidance is blunt: December/January deadlines are typically the latest to be considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships.

So if your plan is:“I’ll apply in March because the course allows it” — you may be trading away scholarship consideration.

Funding strategy for 2026:

• Apply at the earliest deadline if your course has multiple ones.

• Finalize GRE early only if your programme needs it, so you don’t miss scholarship-aligned deadlines.

Step-by-Step Application Strategy for 2026 (GRE + Oxford)

Step 1: Identify your exact Oxford course

Start from Oxford’s graduate admissions hub, and confirm the course is open for 2026–27 entry.

Step 2: Confirm whether GRE is required/accepted

Search the course page for “GRE/GMAT/test.”

• If it’s like MSc Financial Economics, treat the test as mandatory.

Step 3: Build your timeline backwards from deadlines

Because most deadlines cluster in December/January, plan:

• References locked 4–6 weeks earlier,

• SOP final 2–3 weeks earlier,

• GRE taken with buffer for score reporting (if required).

  
  

Step 4: Submit early (for scholarships + smoother processing)

Oxford explicitly links scholarship consideration to earlier deadlines.

Step 5: Keep proof of score submission

Use ETS code 0713 for Oxford when sending GRE scores.

Common Mistakes Students Make (and how to avoid them)

1. Assuming Oxford requires GRE for all programmes (it doesn’t).

2. Missing December/January deadlines and then wondering why scholarships didn’t work out.

3. Choosing GRE when the programme demands GMAT/GRE but not planning score reporting time.

4. Weak references (generic letters hurt more than a slightly lower GRE).

5. Not tailoring SOP to Oxford’s course structure and faculty strengths.

FAQ: Oxford + GRE (2026)

1) Is Oxford one of the GRE Accepting Universities Oxford applicants should target in 2026?

Yes—for certain programmes, especially at Oxford Saïd (e.g., the MBA accepts GRE, and some courses require GMAT/GRE). But many Oxford graduate courses don’t require GRE, so always confirm on your course page first.

2) Does Oxford require GRE for all master’s programs?

No. Oxford’s graduate requirements are course-specific. Many programmes do not mention GRE/GMAT at all, while some (like specific business/finance programmes) do.

3) What is the GRE institution code for the University of Oxford?

Oxford’s guidance lists the ETS institution code 0713 for designating score recipients.

4) When do applications open for Oxford graduate courses for 2026/27 entry?

Oxford indicates the admissions cycle for 2026/27 entry opens in September 2025.

5) What are the most important deadlines for scholarships?

Oxford notes that December or January deadlines are typically the latest to be considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships (course dependent).

CTA: Apply Smart for Oxford 2026 (Next Steps)

If you’re targeting Oxford for 2026–27:

1. Choose your course and confirm GRE/GMAT policy from Oxford Graduate Admissions.

2. Plan for Dec/Jan deadlines if you want scholarship consideration.

3. If your course needs GRE, send scores using ETS code 0713 and keep proof of submission.

4. For Saïd applicants, review programme-specific requirements carefully (MBA / MSc Financial Economics).