GRE in the Netherlands: Who Needs It, Where It’s Accepted, and Why It Matters
If you study in the Netherlands and you plan a master’s or a research track, the GRE can become a practical asset. However, Dutch universities do not apply one single national GRE rule. Instead, each programme sets its own entry requirements, and those requirements can change by track, intake, and applicant profile.
Because the Netherlands runs many internationally oriented, English-taught degrees, applicants often see GRE policies more frequently than in other European systems. Even so, you should treat the GRE as a programme-specific tool, not a default requirement.
So, rather than asking “Do Dutch universities require the GRE?”, the more useful question is: “Which programme requires it, and what problem does it solve in admissions?”
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🔹 How the GRE Fits into Dutch Graduate Admissions
In the Netherlands, universities typically evaluate applicants through a mix of academic fit and programme-level criteria. Therefore, the GRE usually appears in two situations:
1) The programme needs a standardized benchmark.
Dutch programmes receive candidates from many grading systems. So, when committees compare academic readiness across countries, a standardized score can help.
2) The programme targets quantitative or research-heavy profiles.
In practice, GRE policies show up more often in economics, analytics, and research-oriented tracks.
For example, the University of Amsterdam’s Master’s Economics admission requirements state that applicants need a GRE General Test result, and it even specifies a quantitative benchmark (minimum 155, preferably 158 in Quantitative Reasoning).
Likewise, Maastricht University explains that some applicants to its School of Business and Economics must submit a GMAT or GRE for admission, which signals a selective, applicant-dependent policy rather than a universal one.
Similar evaluation practices appear in other Dutch programs. Tilburg University’s MSc Economics and its Research Master in Economics attract highly international applicant pools and follow competitive selection procedures for international candidates.
In addition, universities such as Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offer graduate programs in economics and related analytical disciplines that evaluate applicants based on academic preparation and quantitative background. Applicants can review the admission criteria for the MSc Economics at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam to understand how international candidates are assessed.
Because policies vary by programme, you should confirm requirements directly on the programme’s admissions page before you register for the exam.
If you want a clean refresher on how admissions teams read your numbers, you can reference GRE score ranges and percentiles while you shortlist programmes.
🔹 What GRE Score Is Competitive for Dutch Universities?
Dutch universities rarely publish universal GRE score requirements across all programs. However, some programs provide guidance for applicants coming from international educational systems.
For example, the MSc Economics program at the University of Amsterdam indicates that applicants who submit a GRE should typically aim for strong quantitative performance, often around 155 or higher in the Quantitative Reasoning section, with competitive applicants frequently scoring closer to 158 or above.
In analytically demanding fields such as economics, econometrics, and data science, admissions committees tend to focus particularly on the quantitative section of the exam.
Because expectations vary by program, applicants should always consult the admissions criteria of the specific master’s degree they plan to apply to.
Dutch universities rarely publish strict GRE score cutoffs across all graduate programs. However, in quantitatively demanding fields such as economics, econometrics, and analytics, competitive applicants typically present strong quantitative scores.
For example, the MSc Economics program at the University of Amsterdam indicates that applicants who submit a GRE should aim for a Quantitative Reasoning score of around 155 or higher, with many successful applicants scoring closer to 158 or above.
At other leading programs in the Netherlands, similar quantitative performance is generally expected from international applicants. Erasmus University Rotterdam’s Admission requirements for the MSc Economics and Business outlines a selective admissions process for international candidates.
Similarly, analytically intensive programs such as the MSc Management of Technology at TU Delft require advanced quantitative and analytical preparation and attract applicants with strong technical backgrounds.
In practical terms, applicants targeting competitive economics, econometrics, or analytics programs in the Netherlands often aim for a GRE Quantitative score in the 155–160+ range, particularly when applying from international educational systems.
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🔹Research Master’s Programs in the Netherlands
One distinctive feature of the Dutch graduate education system is the presence of Research Master’s programs. These degrees differ from standard taught master’s tracks because they focus on academic research and doctoral preparation.
While most Dutch master’s programs last one year, research master’s degrees usually run for two years. During that time, students complete advanced methodological training, intensive seminars, and independent research projects designed to prepare them for PhD study.
Several Dutch universities offer these academically focused tracks.
For example, the University of Amsterdam offers a research-oriented graduate pathway through its Research Master’s in Economics. This program prepares students for doctoral research in areas such as macroeconomics, microeconomics, and econometrics.
Tilburg University also offers research-focused graduate training programs, which provide intensive quantitative preparation for students planning academic careers.
Similarly, Erasmus University Rotterdam runs the Research Master in Business Data Science, a two-year program designed for students who aim to pursue research careers in analytics, machine learning, and quantitative business research.
Programs like these typically attract highly international applicant pools and maintain academically demanding admission standards. Because applicants often come from different educational systems, admissions committees may consider additional indicators of analytical preparation when evaluating candidates.
For that reason, some applicants choose to submit GRE results when applying to research-oriented graduate programs in order to demonstrate quantitative and analytical readiness.
Students who want to understand how admissions committees interpret GRE performance in competitive programs can review Understanding GRE Scores and Percentiles.
🔹 Using the GRE to Apply to Universities Outside the Netherlands
Many students who complete their undergraduate or master’s degrees in the Netherlands eventually consider graduate programs abroad. Dutch universities maintain strong international connections, and graduates frequently continue their studies in other European countries, the United Kingdom, or the United States.
In these cases, standardized tests such as the GRE may play a more explicit role in the admissions process than they do within the Dutch system itself.
For example, universities in the United States often use the GRE as part of graduate admissions across disciplines such as economics, engineering, public policy, and data science. Institutions frequently targeted by Dutch students include universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and the University of Pennsylvania.
Similarly, several highly selective European programs—particularly at institutions such as the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and the London School of Economics—may accept or recommend GRE scores for applicants coming from different academic systems.
Students graduating from Dutch universities who plan to pursue international graduate study may therefore choose to take the GRE even if their current program does not require it.
🔹 GRE vs GMAT in the Netherlands: Which Test Should You Choose?
In the Netherlands, many internationally oriented graduate programs accept more than one standardized test. In particular, business, finance, and analytics degrees often allow applicants to submit either the GRE or the GMAT.
Because both exams evaluate analytical and quantitative reasoning, universities frequently treat them as equivalent indicators of academic preparation. However, the structure of the two tests differs in meaningful ways.
The GMAT traditionally appears more often in business-school admissions, especially for MBA and management programs. By contrast, the GRE spans a broader academic spectrum and appears across disciplines such as economics, data science, psychology, and quantitative social sciences.
For this reason, students applying to analytically oriented master’s programs in the Netherlands often choose between the two exams based on test format rather than institutional preference.
The GMAT tends to emphasize data interpretation and decision-making under strict time pressure. Meanwhile, the GRE distributes its evaluation across verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing.
As a result, two students with similar academic backgrounds may perform very differently depending on the exam structure that best matches their cognitive strengths.
Applicants who want a detailed comparison of both tests can review GMAT vs GRE: Key Differences and How to Choose, where we explain the differences in scoring, question design, and test-day strategy.
Understanding these structural differences can help applicants choose the exam that allows them to demonstrate their abilities most effectively when applying to competitive graduate programs.
🔹 How Much Does the GRE Cost?
For applicants planning graduate study in the Netherlands, the cost of the GRE is the same as in most other regions where the test is offered.
As of recent ETS guidelines, the GRE General Test costs approximately $220 USD worldwide. Additional fees may apply for services such as:
- rescheduling the test date
- changing the test center
- sending additional score reports to universities
Because application budgets can add up quickly, many students choose to plan their GRE attempt carefully and avoid unnecessary retakes.
🔹Where Can You Take the GRE in the Netherlands?
Students planning to take the GRE in the Netherlands can complete the exam at authorized test centers located in several major cities. The Educational Testing Service (ETS), which administers the GRE, operates testing locations across the country.
Some of the most common cities where GRE test centers are available include:
- Amsterdam
- Rotterdam
- Utrecht
- Eindhoven
- The Hague
In addition to test centers, some students may also have the option of taking the GRE General Test at home through the GRE at Home format, depending on availability and local requirements.
Because test dates and locations can change, applicants should always verify the most recent availability through the official GRE test center search tool before scheduling the exam.
🔹 When Should You Take the GRE for Dutch University Applications?
For students considering graduate study in the Netherlands, timing can play an important role in the application process. Many Dutch master’s programs open their admissions rounds several months before the academic year begins, and competitive tracks often operate with rolling or early deadlines.
Because of this timeline, applicants who plan to include standardized test results in their applications should think about the exam schedule well in advance. Preparing early gives students enough time to complete the test, review their scores, and decide whether they want to retake the exam before submitting their final application materials.
In practice, many international applicants choose to take the GRE during the final year of their undergraduate studies or several months before submitting their applications. This approach provides flexibility and reduces the risk of last-minute scheduling conflicts during the admissions cycle.
For students who decide that the GRE fits their academic strategy, structured preparation can make a significant difference in performance. Those who want a guided preparation path can explore GRE Preparation Course to see how targeted preparation can improve test-day results.
Ultimately, the most important step is planning ahead. By understanding both the admissions calendar and the role standardized tests may play in certain programs, applicants can approach the Dutch graduate admissions process with greater clarity and confidence.
We hope this article has answered your questions. If you have any questions about your preparation, please contact us and we will be happy to explain how EPIC Prep can help you achieve your goals.
