GRE Scores for Masters (MS) in UK

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Mrunmayai Bobade
Updated on May 01, 2023 04:41 PM IST

An MS program from a UK university is known to have a career-oriented focus, and the GRE exam allows individuals to demonstrate their readiness. Scroll through the article to know the GRE cutoff scores for top UK universities.

GRE Scores for Masters (MS) in UK

Students applying for a masters programme in UK universities often heavily rely on their GRE scores for admission chances. However, for the admissions committee (AdCom) it is only one of the important factors for admission consideration.

The AdCom will evaluate applications based on a candidate's entire profile. This includes a resume or CV, undergraduate GPA, statement of purpose (SOP), letters of recommendation (LORs), and so on. Among these, candidates are also required to present GRE scores for MS in UK, since it is one of the commonly accepted entrance tests in the country.

However, the importance of a good GRE score cannot be ruled out completely. It is true that a person with a 311 can enrol in a UK university where a 324 average GRE score is required for admission. Similarly to this, a candidate with 330 might not succeed in getting accepted to the same university in the same intake.

A GRE score of 320 or higher will almost surely boost your chances of admission to prestigious schools. It is not the end of civilisation if you end up with a poor or mediocre GRE score. If you choose your institution wisely and all the other aspects of your application are strong enough, you can still have a chance to get into one of the top 100 UK universities even if your score is below 310 or 320.

Conventionally, students are led to believe that they cannot enrol in their desired university until they receive a GRE score of 320 or more, which is erroneous, a misconception, or whatever you name it. Let us first start by discussing what a high GRE score or a GRE score of 330+ means.

Planning to Study Masters in UK?

What Does a GRE Score of 330+ Actually Mean?

Every student must know the answer to this crucial question before attempting to reach the elusive score of 330. What does a score of 330 or above actually mean? In order to respond, you must be aware that a score of 330 or higher is typically in the 98th percentile of all GRE scores, meaning that just 2% of GRE exam candidates worldwide receive a score of 330 or higher. That is how challenging it is.

You must first comprehend the distinction between a 320 and a 330 in order to fully comprehend what a 330 actually signifies. A 320 on the GRE is typically regarded as an excellent score. However, the truth is that getting from 320 to 330 is just as challenging as getting there in the first place. It is incorrect to claim that moving from 320 to 330 is as simple as moving from 300 to 310 because the difficulty of the questions you will face on test day exponentially increases from 320 to 330.

This indicates that if you have a GRE score of 330 or above, you must have worked extremely hard to achieve it, especially since such a high score is not common. Additionally, it signifies that you performed better than 98% of the test-takers, which is impressive enough for many prestigious colleges to think about admitting you to their incoming class.

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How Important are GRE Cutoff Scores for Universities in UK?

Discovering the average scores for your intended UK university is a good start, but you should also be aware of your university's cutoff scores. If your score falls short of a university's cutoff, the graduate school's admission committee will immediately dismiss your application, no questions asked.

Universities in UK use GRE cutoff scores as an easy approach to eliminating unqualified applicants that they would probably not admit otherwise. Some top UK schools also accept GRE over GMAT scores for admission to marketing and business-related programmes. These threshold values are typically very low.

However, you should still do some research to learn the lowest GRE score that your institution will accept just to be safe. Ideally, those cutoff scores will be listed in the admissions requirements and accessible on the website of your preferred institution. Your best course of action might be to give the admissions office a direct call if they do not make this score publicly available.

List of UK Universities Accepting GRE Scores

Universities in UK accept GRE scores in the range of 130 to 170 which is applicable for both the quant and verbal sections. The GRE score required for a master's degree varies by programme, institution, and even field of study. However, candidates should be aware that all universities in UK do not require GRE scores and mainly rely on the undergraduate GPA score. Check out our article on GPA vs GRE scores to know more about what colleges prefer.

Here is a list of UK universities accepting GRE scores for both MS and MBA programmes:

List of UK Universities Accepting GRE Scores

Imperial College London

University of Liverpool

King's College, London

University of Kent

Goldsmiths University of London

University of Exeter

Kingston University, London

University of Glasgow

Lancaster University

University College London

Cranfield University

University of Bristol

Manchester University

University of Birmingham

The table given above does not represent an exhaustive list UK universities accepting GRE scores for admissions. There are more universities in UK and around the world that accept GRE for most of their MS programmes. Check out the complete list of GRE Participating Universities to know more.

UK Universities Waiving Off GRE

Numerous testing facilities, including those that offer the GRE and GMAT, have been forced to close due to this pandemic. As a result, many UK universities have decided to exempt prospective students from the GRE exam or GMAT exam requirement. For the Fall 2023 and Spring 2023 terms, the following universities in the UK have waived off this criterion for graduate school admissions with exceptions for some programmes:

  • Imperial College Business School

  • Edinburgh Napier University

  • University of Cambridge

  • University of London

  • London School of Economics and Political Science

  • Lancaster University (for PhD programmes)

Here is a detailed list of universities waiving off GRE/GMAT for admission in Masters Programmes in 2023.

Get Expert Advice to Ace a Perfect GRE Score!

Programme-Wise Average GRE Cutoff for UK Universities

The GRE cutoff for top UK institutions varies based on the quantity and calibre of applications. Finding out how well-qualified applicants at your target school performed on the GRE should not be too difficult. Graduate schools publically post the average GRE scores of their incoming class each year. You may also search online graduate student forums to know the average GRE scores for a certain UK university. Several typical GRE total scores for UK colleges are listed below, along with the mean for several graduate fields:

Intended Graduate Major

Verbal Score (Mean)

Quantitative Score (Mean)

Analytical Writing (Mean)

Behavioral/Social Sciences

153

151

3.9

Physical Sciences

151

160

3.5

Life sciences

151

151

3.8

Law

155

153

4.0

Humanities and Arts

156

150

4.1

Engineering

150

160

3.4

Education

151

148

3.7

Business

151

155

3.6

The minimum GRE score requirements for master’s in UK, as outlined in the table above, are subject to change at the discretion of the university offering the course. Therefore, be sure to check the minimum score requirements before sending in your applications to the university.

GRE Cutoff Scores for Top UK Universities

Top institutions in the United Kingdom frequently require a high GRE score on both the verbal and quantitative sections. In order to stand out from the crowd, your scores will most likely need to be higher than average or 300+.

You should also keep in mind that having an outstanding (or even excellent) GRE score is no guarantee of admission to a particular programme. Graduate admissions committees typically consider a student's entire application and may place much weight on their Letters of Recommendation (LOR), Grade Point Average (GPA), and Personal Statement. If you scored between 300 and 310, you have a good chance of getting into the following UK universities:

University Name

GRE Cutoff Score

Durham University

319

Lancaster University

302

Manchester University

320

University College London

324

University of Birmingham

316

University of Bristol

328

Note: GRE Cutoff scores are not an indication of what a good GRE score is; rather, they represent the lowest number that the programme will accept.

Why Should You Take Expert Guidance for Achieving a Good GRE Score?

You can still increase your chances of admission even if you were not able to raise your GRE score or did not have enough time to retake the exam. As was mentioned at the outset, the GRE score is merely one element of your application package. In actuality, getting into a university is not always a certainty with a high GRE score.

AdCom considers many factors before making a decision, including your motivation, potential, publications, relevant work experience, etc. They want to determine if you have a genuine interest in their programme and whether you have what it takes to succeed in and beyond the classroom. Ad-coms will also examine your research interests and if you have made any additional efforts.

Anyone seeking a consultant should be aware that the procedure is not a magical thing. An average candidate cannot be admitted to an Ivy League or elite institution by consultants. Obviously, they would not write your Statement of Purpose (SOP), Curriculum Vitae (CV), or LOR for you. First of all, it is unethical. Second, neither in the short nor long run will that work for you.

However, they are capable of providing exceptional suggestions that can transcend a normal application to an above-average or great application. That is the reason behind taking expert guidance to achieve a good GRE score.

GRE Preparation Tips for Master’s in UK

If you are planning to pursue masters in UK, then one of the requirements, as outlined several times throughout the post, will be to present valid GRE scores. However, to enrol in one of the top universities in the world, it is important to score high on the test as well. Among the proven methodologies that have helped test-takers get a good GRE score previously is to adopt strong preparation strategies. Here are some of the steps you can adopt to improve your chances of scoring high in the GRE exam this year.

Good Preparation Strategy: Regardless of how much time you spend, a good preparation strategy and schedule will help you effectively and efficiently use your time and energy to prepare for the test. A good preparation strategy would often schedule time periods for studying, rest and testing, among other important tasks.

Mock Tests: When preparing for the test this year, it is crucial to test your grasp of the different topics and sections of the test. By attempting mock and sample tests, candidates will be able to gauge their preparation for the test. Attempting several timed mock tests will allow students to also improve their speed and accuracy in answering the different questions.

Seeking Expert Counselling: While candidates can prepare well for the test on their own, seeking expert counselling will only be beneficial. With experience helping hundreds of students previously, candidates will be able to gain valuable tips and tricks that can help them ace the tests easily.

Regardless, it is only through dedication, time and effort that any candidate will be able to get high GRE scores this year. Therefore, a good preparation strategy and dedication will help students ace the tests and enrol in their dream universities abroad.

If there is one thing we want you to take away from this post, we hope it is that the GRE cutoff scores are rewarding. Remember, the ball is in your court if your entire application is strong enough to impress the ad-com. The GRE cutoff is typically fairly high for UK universities. Therefore, if you earned a GRE score of 300310 or even lower, do not give up because many prestigious universities in the UK accept these scores for master's admissions.

Feeling this information is insufficient? If yes then, contact us at abroad@collegedekho.com and resolve your queries right from our experts!

Know the Right MS Specialisation to Study in UK!

FAQs

How much usage and weighting is allocated to GRE scores by UK universities?

The usage and weighting allocated to GRE scores by UK universities depend on the admission criteria set by each university. It varies greatly from university to university and from department to department. It is essential to note that a variety of factors play a role in graduate school acceptance. The GRE is one of the requirements for admission.

What is a good GRE score for engineering?

A good GRE score for engineering is above 300. However, if you want to apply in a variety of engineering fields like computer science, a GRE score of a minimum of 320 is good enough. A good GRE score for engineering also depends on the university you choose, your field of study, and the number of additional applicants that received high scores.

Is GRE compulsory for pursuing an MS in UK?

No, GRE is not compulsory for pursuing an MS in UK. Though GRE or GMAT scores are required as part of your application for studying in the UK, there are institutions that offer MS programmes without these standardised tests. On the other hand, UK universities also waive off GRE score requirements if the student has an excellent GPA, extracurricular activities, work experience certificates, etc.

Can a GRE score of 330+ get me into any university I want?

No, it cannot be guaranteed that a GRE score of 330+ can get you into any university you want. If your desired university is among the top 10 then 330+ will not be enough, however, the answer is emphatical yes if it ranks among the top 100. Remember that the GRE is only one component of the admissions process and that institutions will take into account all other factors of your profile as well and not just your GRE score.

Could I still score 330+ on the GRE if I am not a topper?

Definitely, you can score 330+ on the GRE even if you are not a topper. The GRE is not an assessment of your intelligence or your capacity for recalling the information you read in the weeks leading up to the test. You can achieve a high GRE score if you know how to ace the exam, whether it is through strategies or special GRE preparation techniques. If you can execute practical plans, you can easily get a GRE score of 330+.

Can a good GRE score get me a scholarship?

Yes, it can be said that a good GRE score can get you a scholarship. If a student has a GPA of between 60% to 70% in their undergraduate programme and a high GRE score, the majority of organisations will award grants. You can increase your chances of being selected for several scholarship possibilities by getting GRE verbal and quantitative scores higher than 160.

Is GRE mandatory to pursue MS in US?

Yes, GRE is mandatory to pursue MS in US though along with certain exceptions. The GRE is accepted by the vast majority of MS programmes in the US. However, to be eligible for MS, one must additionally pass English proficiency exams such as the IELTS exam or TOEFL exam. For more information, read GRE Scores for Masters (MS) in USA.

Is GRE accepted in Canada?

Yes, GRE is accepted in Canada. For master's level admission, the GRE exam is necessary for Canada. However, some Canadian universities and programmes could also demand a high GRE score. This exam helps institutions or colleges in assessing applicants' readiness for higher education. For more information, check out our article on GRE Requirements for Canada.

What are the benefits of taking the GRE exam for admission to UK universities?

There are manifold benefits of taking the GRE exam for admission to UK universities. Some of them are listed below:

  • Many universities that offer MIM, MBA, and other similar programmes accept GRE scores.

  • Scholarships are available to students to cover full or partial expenses.

  • GRE offers a perspective of candidates’ ability to universities before granting admission.

How does the GRE exam benefit Indian students?

There are various benefits of taking the GRE exam for Indian students like a wider acceptance rate in master's programmes. Also, numerous universities, government and commercial organisations, financial institutions, and other organisations provide full or partial scholarships to Indian students based on an above-average score on the GRE.

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