Brown University GRE requirements (2026)
Brown's Graduate School allows every program to choose whether to require the GRE. In practice most doctoral programs (Computer Science, Engineering, English) have made it optional or dropped it, while a few School of Public Health PhD programs still require it and Physics keeps a subject-test requirement.
About Brown University
Brown University is a private Ivy League research university in Providence whose doctoral and master's programs are administered through the Graduate School. Brown lets each program decide whether to require the GRE rather than setting a single university-wide rule.
GRE requirement by program
Brown University sets its GRE policy by program, so there is rarely a single university-wide answer. Below is each program we have checked, with its status, a link to the program's own admissions page, and the date we last confirmed it.
| Program | Status | Official source | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|
The Graduate School / central policy PhD and masters | Varies by program Brown states: "Each program at Brown University may choose to require applicants to submit their official results from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or not." Applicants are directed to individual program pages. Brown's GRE code is 3094. | graduateschool.brown.edu | Jun 2026 |
Computer Science, PhD PhD | Optional The doctoral FAQ lists "General GRE scores (optional)" and states the test "is no longer required for admission but you may opt to send your scores." | cs.brown.edu | Jun 2026 |
School of Engineering (all doctoral and master's) PhD and masters | Optional The engineering admissions FAQ states: "For all engineering doctoral and master's degree programs, GRE scores are optional." | engineering.brown.edu | Jun 2026 |
School of Public Health (Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Health Services Research PhDs) PhD | Required The school states: "GRE scores are required for the Ph.D. in Biostatistics, Ph.D. in Epidemiology, and Ph.D. in Health Services Research programs. GRE scores are not required for any other Brown University School of Public Health programs." | sph.brown.edu | Jun 2026 |
Physics (PhD and ScM) PhD and masters | Required For the PhD the Physics Subject GRE is required (waived for applicants holding a master's in physics or a related field) and the General GRE is optional; for the ScM, submitting General and Physics GRE scores is recommended but not required. | physics.brown.edu | Jun 2026 |
English, PhD PhD | Optional The graduate admission FAQ states: "The GRE general and subject tests are not required." The department emphasizes the personal statement and writing sample instead, and does not state that submitted scores are rejected. | english.brown.edu | Jun 2026 |
Each status was read from the program's own admissions page (last checked 20 06 2026). Policies change between cycles; always confirm on the linked official page before you apply.
Not the program you need? The status is set department by department. Use the three-step check on the is the GRE required page to confirm any program in a couple of minutes.
Should you submit a GRE score?
Where Brown University marks a program Optional, a score comfortably above the program's admitted-student median can strengthen a borderline application, especially for funded or international applicants. Below that median, your effort is usually better spent on the required parts of the file. Where a program is Not accepted, do not send a score, it will not be reviewed.
Unsure where you would land? Sit a free full-length mock and convert your scaled score to its exact official percentile before you decide.