GRE / GMAT Waiver & Requirement Directory
Updated 31 August 2026 · 3 min read
Executive Summary: Is GRE Mandatory in Germany?
Unlike US universities (where GRE was historically mandatory for most STEM applications), 85% of public universities in Germany DO NOT require GRE scores.
GRE REQUIREMENT IN GERMANY AT A GLANCE
| Category | Share of Unis | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| GRE Mandatory | ~10% of Unis | RWTH Aachen (CS), TUM (select) |
| GRE Recommended | ~15% of Unis | TU Darmstadt, TU Dresden |
| GRE Waived | 75% of Unis | FAU Erlangen, Stuttgart, LMU, |
| Bonn, Saarland, Passau, Potsdam |
The Master University GRE Directory (STEM & CS Programs)
Below is the official GRE policy breakdown across major public German universities for Master's programs: | University Name | Degree Program | GRE Requirement Status | Min. Score / Percentile Cutoff | Does GATE Replace GRE? |
| --- | --- | :---: | --- | :---: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TUM Munich | MS Computer Science / AI | 🔴 MANDATORY | Quant: ≥ 164<br>Verbal: ≥ 153<br>Writing: ≥ 4.0 | ❌ No |
| TU Darmstadt | MS Computer Science | 🟡 RECOMMENDED | Quant: ≥ 157 | ❌ No |
| TU Dresden | MS Distributed Systems | 🟡 RECOMMENDED | Quant: ≥ 160 | ❌ No |
| FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg | All MS Engineering / CS | 🟢 WAIVED (Not Required) | — | — |
| University of Stuttgart | MS Automotive / CS | 🟢 WAIVED (Not Required) | — | — |
| LMU Munich | MS Data Science | 🟢 WAIVED (Not Required) | — | — |
| TU Berlin | MS Computer Science | 🟢 WAIVED (Not Required) | — | — |
| Saarland University | MS Computer Science / AI | 🟢 WAIVED (Not Required) | — | — |
| University of Bonn | MS Computer Science | 🟢 WAIVED (Not Required) | — | — |
| University of Passau | MS Computer Science | 🟢 WAIVED (Not Required) | — | — |
| TH Ingolstadt | MS Automotive / Data | 🟢 WAIVED (Not Required) | — | — |
The RWTH Aachen & TUM Strict Cutoff Trap
If you apply to RWTH Aachen (MS Computer Science) or TUM (MS Informatics), GRE is non-negotiable for Indian passport holders:
- RWTH Aachen: If your Quantitative score is in the 74th percentile (short by 1 percentile of the 75th requirement), Uni-Assist will reject your file immediately (Uni Assist Manual).
- TUM Munich: If you do not submit a GRE scorecard meeting 164 Quant / 153 Verbal, your application will lose 20 points in the initial screening phase.
Does a High GATE Score Waive GRE in Germany?
NO. Indian students often ask: "Can I submit my GATE CS or GATE ME scorecard instead of GRE?"
- German universities do NOT have an automated waiver system that replaces GRE with GATE.
- While a top GATE score (e.g. AIR under 1000) can be added to your CV as an academic honor, it will not satisfy a mandatory GRE requirement at RWTH Aachen or TUM.
When Should You Take GRE for Germany?
Take the GRE ONLY if:
- RWTH Aachen MS CS or TUM MS CS is your #1 dream university. 2. Your Indian CGPA is borderline (e.g. 7.2 to 7.8) and you want to submit a GRE Quant score of 165+ to strengthen your application at "GRE Recommended" universities like TU Darmstadt or TU Dresden.
GMAT Requirements for Management & Business Analytics
If you are applying for Master's in Management, MiM, or MBA programs:
- Public Business Schools (WHU, Frankfurt School, ESMT Berlin): Require GMAT (min 600–650) or GRE equivalent.
- Public Universities (Mannheim, Münster, FAU): Usually evaluate past academic credits in Math/Econ rather than GMAT, though GMAT is recommended for competitive business streams.
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Common Questions (FAQs)
Is GRE General or GRE Subject Test required?
German universities strictly require GRE General Test (Revised). GRE Subject Tests (like GRE Computer Science) are not required.
How do I send my GRE score to Uni-Assist or German Universities?
Use the official ETS Electronic Score Reporting system: * For Uni-Assist: Use Uni-Assist’s ETS Institution Code 7396. * For Direct Universities: Check the university's specific 4-digit ETS code on their portal.