GRE in Italy: Who Needs It, Where It's Accepted, and Why It Matters
In Italy, the GRE is not universally required across all master’s programs. Its importance instead depends on the field of study, the competitiveness of the program, and whether you intend to stay in Italy or pursue opportunities abroad. For some applicants, it functions as a complementary credential. For others — especially those applying to international universities — it becomes a central admissions element.
Understanding when and why the GRE is necessary is therefore more important than simply knowing what the exam tests. For applicants who decide the exam fits their academic strategy, a structured GRE prep course can turn that decision into a competitive score. The value of the GRE in Italy lies not in tradition, but in positioning: it’s a tool that can expand academic mobility, strengthen international applications, and open paths beyond a single national system.
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How Does the GRE Fit into Graduate Admissions in Italy?
The GRE fits into Italian graduate admissions selectively rather than universally: individual programs decide whether to require, recommend, or ignore it, since there is no single national policy governing its use. Rather than being part of a standardized national admissions framework, the GRE operates within specific academic contexts and program structures.
In Italy, individual programs generally manage their own graduate admissions. This means that whether the GRE is accepted, recommended, or irrelevant depends entirely on the specific master’s or PhD program. Public universities often prioritize academic transcripts and degree results as the main criteria. However, when programs attract international applicants or follow a more globally aligned admissions model, standardized tests like the GRE can enter the evaluation process.
You’re more likely to encounter GRE policies in:
- English-taught master’s programs with international applicant pools
- Quantitatively oriented degrees in economics and social sciences
- Research-focused tracks
- PhD admissions processes
In these contexts, the GRE doesn’t replace academic evaluation. Instead, it serves as a comparative academic signal, allowing admissions committees to evaluate candidates coming from different grading systems and educational traditions.
For this reason, understanding GRE policies in Italy requires going beyond general assumptions. There is no single national rule. Instead, each program defines how — or whether — standardized tests contribute to its selection process.
For applicants, the practical implication is clear: before deciding to take the GRE, it’s essential to verify the specific admissions criteria of your target program rather than relying on national-level generalizations.
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Which Italian Programs Accept the GRE?
Selective, English-taught, and internationally oriented Italian graduate programs — including Bocconi University, POLIMI Graduate School of Management, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, the University of Bologna, and LUISS Guido Carli — accept or recommend the GRE, particularly for competitive master’s tracks with international applicant pools. While the GRE is not universally required across all Italian graduate programs, there are specific academic contexts in which submitting a strong GRE score can significantly strengthen an application.
This is particularly relevant for programs that:
- Attract a high percentage of international applicants.
- Are taught entirely in English.
- Maintain partnerships with foreign universities.
- Operate within a competitive selection framework.
Programs in Italy that accept the GRE
Bocconi University (Milan) indicates across various graduate admissions tracks that standardized tests such as the GMAT or GRE may be required or strongly recommended, depending on the specific program and the candidate’s profile. In highly competitive master’s programs, standardized tests serve as a comparative academic benchmark.
Similarly, the internationally oriented programs at POLIMI Graduate School of Management reference standardized tests such as the GMAT or GRE within their admissions process, particularly to evaluate candidates coming from different academic systems.
At Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, each program defines its own admissions requirements, particularly for international master’s programs delivered in English. While the GRE is not a universal requirement across all graduate programs, some internationally oriented or competitive tracks may accept standardized test scores such as the GRE or GMAT as part of the evaluation process.
The University of Bologna, for some English-taught master’s programs and certain economics-related tracks, allows candidates to submit GMAT or GRE scores where applicable, depending on the program’s specific requirements.
At LUISS Guido Carli – Graduate Admissions, admissions criteria are defined at the program level, and some graduate tracks — particularly those with an international orientation — specify when standardized tests such as the GRE or GMAT may be taken into account as part of the evaluation process.
It’s important to note that these policies vary by program, admissions cycle, and applicant category. Accepting the GRE doesn’t imply a universal requirement. Rather, it indicates that standardized tests can be used strategically within competitive or internationally structured programs.
For applicants targeting selective master’s programs or PhD studies in Italy, checking whether the GRE is accepted — and how it’s weighted — can provide a strategic advantage during preparation.
GRE for PhD Programs and Research-Oriented Tracks in Italy
Universities often use the GRE for master’s admissions, and students see its relevance most clearly when pursuing research-focused academic paths.
Italian universities structure PhD admissions differently from master’s programs. Selection typically involves evaluating academic records, research proposals, written exams, and interviews. However, in programs with strong international exposure or competitive applicant pools, standardized tests such as the GRE may be accepted or considered as supplementary evidence of academic preparedness.
This is particularly relevant for candidates in fields such as:
- Economics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Quantitative Social Sciences
- Data Science
- Mathematics and Engineering (particularly when applying abroad or to joint programs)
For students planning to pursue a PhD in Italy but aiming for a competitive academic profile at the international level, a strong GRE score can strengthen their application when competing against candidates from other European systems or from the United States.
Furthermore, for Italian students planning a PhD abroad — particularly in the United States or at internationally ranked European research universities — the GRE often plays a more explicit role in admissions decisions. In these cases, taking the exam early in the academic planning process can help avoid delays and increase application flexibility. Those pursuing research-intensive graduate paths may also benefit from a detailed look at how GRE scoring works in Understanding GRE Scores and Percentiles.
The key distinction is this: unlike the GMAT, which is closely tied to business education, the GRE spans across disciplines and research paths. For academically oriented candidates — particularly those planning a research-intensive career — the GRE can be a versatile credential that extends beyond a single professional field.
Does the GRE Matter for Admission to Top International Programs?
Yes: for admission to prestigious international graduate programs, GRE performance can shift from an optional credential to a competitive differentiator, particularly at institutions in the UK, France, Spain, and the United States that explicitly reference GRE scores in their admissions process.
Many of the institutions Italian applicants most frequently target operate within highly selective admissions contexts, where universities play a significant evaluative role when requiring or recommending standardized tests. In these environments, the question isn’t simply whether the GRE is accepted, but how your score positions you within an exceptionally competitive applicant pool.
In the United Kingdom, major institutions such as London Business School, the London School of Economics (LSE), Imperial College London, the University of Oxford, and the University of Cambridge may require or recommend standardized tests for specific graduate tracks, particularly in economics, finance, management, and research-oriented disciplines.
Schools such as INSEAD, HEC Paris, and ESSEC Business School in France explicitly reference GRE or GMAT scores in their admissions processes, especially for internationally competitive programs.
Spanish institutions, including IESE Business School, IE Business School, and ESADE Business School, accept GRE scores alongside the GMAT for various master’s programs and MBAs.
In the United States, where the GRE originated, universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, NYU, and the University of Pennsylvania continue to include the GRE in their graduate admissions programs across various disciplines, particularly in competitive or research-intensive programs.
In these contexts, a strong GRE score doesn’t guarantee admission. However, in highly selective environments, it often functions as a measurable academic benchmark that helps admissions committees compare candidates from different educational systems on a common scale. Candidates who want to understand how standardized test scores are interpreted in admissions may also want to review GMAT and GRE Compared: Structure, Scoring, and Strategy.
Because admissions policies, score expectations, and testing options evolve over time — and can vary by department, program, and admissions year — candidates should always verify the most current requirements directly through their target universities’ official admissions pages before making strategic decisions.
For Italian applicants targeting top-tier global institutions, the strategic implication is clear: when the GRE is part of the admissions equation, performance matters. In competitive international contexts, an excellent result can significantly strengthen an otherwise solid academic profile.
If, after evaluating the format and strategic implications, you decide the GRE aligns with your academic goals, structured preparation becomes an essential next step. You can explore EPIC Prep’s dedicated GRE training options through the GRE Prep Course to understand how targeted preparation can translate into competitive performance.
Which Academic Profiles Benefit Most from the GRE?
Students from law, the humanities, political science, philosophy, and international relations backgrounds tend to benefit most from the GRE, because its verbal reasoning and analytical writing sections let them demonstrate critical thinking skills that a national grading system may not fully capture.
The GRE isn’t geared toward a single career path. Instead, it’s designed to assess analytical reasoning, quantitative ability, and advanced verbal comprehension across disciplines. For this reason, some academic profiles in Italy may find the GRE aligns more naturally with their background and long-term goals.
Similarly, candidates from economics or quantitatively oriented social sciences can use the GRE to reinforce their analytical preparation when applying to competitive master’s or PhD programs, especially abroad. In these cases, the quantitative section serves as additional academic evidence rather than a professional filter.
For STEM candidates — including those in engineering, mathematics, physics, and data-intensive disciplines — the choice between the GRE and the GMAT shouldn’t be framed as a matter of institutional preference. In many cases, graduate programs accept both exams without favoring one over the other.
What ultimately differentiates the two tests is their structure and cognitive style. The GMAT places strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making under time pressure, while the GRE distributes weight differently across verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. As a result, two students with similar academic backgrounds can achieve very different results depending on the test format.
For Italian candidates, the practical question, then, isn’t which exam is “more prestigious” or more quantitative, but which structure allows them to demonstrate their strengths most effectively. Comfort with pacing, familiarity with question structure, and personal response to time pressure often play a more decisive role than field of study alone. If you want a structured comparison of how the two exams differ in format, scoring logic, and test-day strategy, see GMAT vs GRE: Key Differences and How to Choose, where we break down the decision framework in detail.
Is the GRE the Right Strategic Step for Students in Italy?
For most Italian students, the GRE is neither a universal requirement nor an automatic necessity — its value depends on academic direction, application strategy, and individual performance.
When a program explicitly requires the GRE, the decision is straightforward. In other cases, the choice becomes strategic. Submitting a strong GRE score can strengthen an application in competitive contexts, while the choice between the GRE and the GMAT often comes down to which exam format allows the candidate to perform at their best.
The most effective approach, then, is proactive rather than reactive. Instead of registering for the GRE simply because it appears on an admissions page, candidates should evaluate how the exam aligns with their intended field, their geographic goals, and their cognitive strengths.
Used strategically, the GRE is not just a test — it’s a positioning tool. It can expand academic mobility, strengthen analytical credibility, and support applications across a wide range of graduate paths, both in Italy and internationally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GRE mandatory for graduate school in Italy?
No. There is no single national requirement — each Italian program decides independently whether to accept, recommend, or ignore the GRE. It appears most often in English-taught master’s programs, research-focused tracks, and PhD admissions with international applicant pools. Always check your specific target program’s admissions page.
Which Italian universities accept the GRE?
Several Italian universities reference the GRE within specific programs, including Bocconi, POLIMI Graduate School of Management, Ca’ Foscari, the University of Bologna, and LUISS Guido Carli — typically in internationally oriented or English-taught tracks. Acceptance and weighting vary by program and admissions cycle, so confirm directly with each university.
Where can I take the GRE in Italy?
The GRE is offered at test centers in multiple Italian cities, including Milan and Rome, as well as through the GRE at-home option. EPIC Prep maintains a presence in Milan as part of its network of offices across Europe, supporting GRE preparation for students throughout Italy. Use our guide to register for the GRE.
What GRE Score Do I Need for Bocconi University?
To be competitive for Bocconi University’s graduate programs, aim for a total GRE score of at least 320, with a highly competitive Quantitative score of 160 or higher. This benchmark applies to programs that reference the GRE as part of a broader admissions evaluation alongside academic transcripts and personal statements. Specific requirements vary by master’s track, so confirm current thresholds directly with Bocconi’s admissions office.
Does LUISS Accept the GRE?
Yes, in some cases. LUISS Guido Carli sets admissions criteria at the program level, and certain graduate tracks — particularly those with an international orientation — may take standardized test scores such as the GRE or GMAT into account as part of the evaluation process. LUISS has not published a specific minimum GRE score, so applicants should confirm current requirements directly with their target program before applying.
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.
