Which Countries and Universities Accept the Duolingo English Test?

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is a computer-based English competency test for overseas students. In comparison to other English language competency assessments, it is quick, easy, and inexpensive. It’s a contemporary English proficiency test designed to assist international students and institutions. You may take the exam from the comfort of your own home using a computer and a camera; there is no need to schedule an appointment or drive to a testing center.

The popularity of Duolingo English tests is growing. Many overseas schools accept Duolingo as a prerequisite. Like Monash College in Australia, California State University in the USA, Brandon University in Canada, and Schiller International University in Germany, the Duolingo English exam is approved worldwide. 

Many universities and colleges worldwide need evidence that you have a sufficient command of the English language. An English language exam, such as the SAT, ACT, PTE, IELTS, TOEFL, is frequently used to demonstrate this competency. Unfortunately, owing to the coronavirus pandemic, some of these experiments have been put on hold.

However, you don’t have to worry if you need an English proficiency exam. Several colleges in the United States and the United Kingdom now recognize the Duolingo English Exam, a 60-minute online test with instant results.

Duolingo Scoring Explained

The Duolingo English Test assesses your ability to read, write, talk, and listen. The competence of a test taker is provided as a holistic score on a scale of 160 points, with 5 point increments. The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), an international benchmark of language ability, is used to calculate the results. 

It is a common misconception that Duolingo is simpler than tests like IELTS and TOEFL. In addition, it is also intended to evaluate solid language abilities, as are both of the previous tests. Duolingo scores are compared to IETLS and TOEFL scores to obtain comparable results in terms of percentile ranks. This also includes confirmation of the integrity of Duolingo test scores.

What are the Advantages of Taking Duolingo English Test?

Taking the Duolingo exam has many advantages. Below are the reasons why you should take DET instead:

  • Accessibility – The most significant benefit of the Duolingo English Test is that you can complete it from the comfort of your own home. This may not have been an advantage before the pandemic. Still, with the pandemic now affecting our lives, Duolingo has emerged as the most viable option for conducting English proficiency tests at this time. Although IELTS just developed its online exam called IELTS Indicator, Duolingo has already carved itself a significant market share and has become one of the most convenient solutions for students and institutions.
  • Affordability – Unlike other English proficiency tests, which may cost up to USD 200, Duolingo is just USD 49. This is a huge relief for students who want to study abroad since they have a lot of expenditures to deal with, and anything that may help them save even a little money makes a big difference.
  • Faster Results – Compared to IELTS orTOEFL, which takes roughly 4 to 5 days to announce the results, this exam offers the results within 24 to 48 hours. When compared to other English proficiency tests, Duolingo’s results are quicker.
  • Time Limits – The exam lasts 45 to60 minutes instead of 2 hours and 45 minutes for the IELTS. As a result, in comparison to other standard examinations, the time investment is significantly reduced.
  • Flexibility – Another feature that distinguishes this English exam from others is its flexibility. Duolingo tests may be taken anywhere, at any time, as long as you have access to the internet.
  • Practice Tests – This test also allows students to take many mock tests before taking the real examination, providing them with all the necessary information for the final exam.

Do Countries or Universities Accept Duolingo English Test Scores?

The number of colleges that accept Duolingo examinations is growing, with more putting their faith in the program. As previously stated, the Duolingo test is recognized in numerous countries. As a result, Duolingo is accepted by a variety of colleges.

  1. United States of America
  2. Canada
  3. United Kingdom
  4. Australia
  5. Ireland
  6. New Zealand
  7. China
  8. Singapore
  9. Japan
  10. South Korea
  11. Qatar
  12. Mexico
  13. Thailand
  14. Chile
  15. European countries (Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain)

Over 2,000 schools presently accept the Duolingo English exam. The following are some of the well-known colleges that accept the Duolingo test:


Which US Universities and Colleges Accept Duolingo English Test?

Yale University, NYU Stern School of Business, Cornell University’s Johnson School of Management, and the University of Illinois Urbana Campaign’s College of Business are approximately some of the 300+ institutions that accept the Duolingo English exam in the US. We’ve listed here the top 20 US universities that accept the DET Scores:

Times Higher Education
World Ranking
Name of
Educational Institution
Minimum
DET Score
Requirement
1Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)120 to 125
5Harvard University125
6California Institute of Technology (Caltech)105/120
10University of Chicago105
13University of Pennsylvania120
14Yale University120
19Columbia University120
21Cornell University120
23University of Michigan-Ann Arbor105
25Johns Hopkins University120
30Northwestern University85 to 90
32The University of California, Berkeley (UCB)115
40The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)120
42New York University (NYU)125
48The University of California, San Diego (UCSD)110
50Duke University115
53Carnegie Mellon University120
60Brown University120
75University of Wisconsin-Madison120
82The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign125

Which Canadian Universities and Colleges Accept Duolingo English Test?

Approximately 150 Canadian colleges accept Duolingo for entrance reasons, according to the Duolingo website. Take a look at some of the top 20 institutions in Canada that accept the Duolingo English Test score:

Times Higher Education
World Ranking
Name of
Educational Institution
Minimum
DET Score
Requirement
26University of Toronto120
27McGill University115
46University of British Columbia100
111Université de Montréal90 to 120
126University of Alberta120
149University of Waterloo120
170Western University100 to 115
235University of Calgary95 to 115
240Queen’s University at Kingston95 to 100
272Dalhousie University115
298Simon Fraser University125
458University of Saskatchewan105
Concordia University120
University of Guelph110
University of Manitoba115
University of New Brunswick – Saint John115
University of Windsor120
Memorial University of Newfoundland115
Ryerson University115
Brock University110

Which Colleges and Universities in the UK Accept Duolingo English Test?

As of 2021, 68 universities in the United Kingdom have accepted the Duolingo English Proficiency exam. The following is the list of the top 20 Duolingo accepted universities in the UK with their minimum DET score requirement:

Times Higher Education
World Ranking
Name of
Educational Institution
Minimum
DET Score
Requirement
7Imperial College London110 to 120
8UCL135
35King’s College London115
61The University of Warwick125
73University of Glasgow105
77University of Southampton120
90University of Birmingham100 to 120
95The University of Sheffield110 to 120
149The University of Exeter115 to125
151Cardiff University110 to140
151University of York115
166University of Bath120
202University of Reading105
205University of Aberdeen105
216Queen’s University Belfast95 to 100
226University of Sussex105
272University of Surrey120
302University of Strathclyde90 to 100
322University of Dundee105
330City, University of London105

Which Australian Universities and Colleges Accept Duolingo English Test?

Duolingo is increasingly becoming recognized for entrance reasons by a rising number of colleges in Australia and worldwide. Currently, there are approximately 80 institutions accepting DET scores for the unforeseeable future. The following is the list of the top 20 Duolingo accepted universities in Australia with their minimum DET score requirement:

Times Higher Education
World Ranking
Name of
Educational Institution
Minimum
DET Score
Requirement
27The Australian National University100
43University of New South Wales100
43The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)100
58Monash University75 to 105
194Curtin University120
200Macquarie University120
213Queensland University of Technology (QUT)80 to 100
283Deakin University85 to 95
290Griffith University110
321Swinburne University of Technology95 to 100
362La Trobe University100 to 110
407Flinders University95 to 100
436University of Canberra100
Victoria University85
Edith Cowan University85
Charles Darwin University85 to 110
Southern Cross University120
University of New England Australia100
7778JMC Academy105 to 110
11732Kaplan Business School100

Which Colleges and Universities in New Zealand Accept Duolingo English Test?

As of 2021, approximately 30 universities in New Zealand accept the Duolingo English Proficiency exam. Below is there top 3 Duolingo accepted universities in New Zeland with their minimum DET score requirement:

Times Higher Education
World Ranking
Name of
Educational Institution
Minimum
DET Score
Requirement
184Otago University110
284Massey University110
691Victoria University of Wellington110

Which Other Universities and Countries Accept Duolingo English Test?

The Duolingo English exam is now accepted at over 3,000 institutions worldwide. Below is the list of Duolingo accepted universities in other countries with their minimum DET score requirement:

Asia

Name of
Educational Institution
Minimum
DET Score
Requirement
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) (Japan)120
Temple University Japan Campus (Japan)110
University of Aizu (Japan)100 to 120
The State University of New York, Korea (SUNY Korea)120
The American University of Afghanistan – Kabul (Afghanistan)105


Europe (Outside the UK)

Name of
Educational Institution
Minimum
DET Score
Requirement
European Leadership University (Cyprus)95 to 115
University of Applied Sciences Europe (Germany)95
Central European University – Undergraduate Admissions (Hungary)110
Schiller International University, Paris Campus (France)95

Africa

Name of
Educational Institution
Minimum
DET Score
Requirement
Nelson Mandela University (South Africa)115
African Leadership University (Rwanda)100
Universidad Veritas100 to 120
The University of Hertfordshire – Egypt Branch Hosted by Global Academic Foundation120
Ryerson University Cairo Campus115

South America

Name of
Educational Institution
Minimum
DET Score
Requirement
Universidad de los Llanos110
Universidad del Golfo de México Rectoría Centro90 to 120
Universidad Isaac Newton105
Universidad Católica de Salta110
Universidad Central de Chile115
  • You may visit the DET official website for more information on the list of the universities accepting the Duolingo English Test score.

International students are increasingly choosing to study overseas rather than in their home country. With more courses available, students’ employment options have increased. Among the many courses offered, a handful is particularly popular with students.

  • Engineering: Despite being one of the most challenging degrees and careers globally, engineering courses have long been popular. If you want to study engineering at one of the most outstanding universities globally, Canada is one of the most affordable possibilities. However, the top countries for Engineering courses are Russia, the USA, the UK, Indonesia, and Japan which all accept DET scores.
  • Information Technology: IT is a new industry born by growth and developing technology breakthroughs. The IT industry is booming. This course covers software, databases, and networking, emphasizing the mathematical and theoretical underpinnings of computing. And the best countries for you are the USA, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, China, and Japan. 
  • Business Management: The MBA is one of the world’s most prestigious and sought-after degrees. More than 60% of foreign colleges offer the degree. Typical MBA courses include accounting, Applied Statistics, and Business Communication. If you want to pursue this course, we recommend studying business administration in these countries: the USA, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, and France.
  • Medicine: After completing degree programs, medical students typically span five years or more at the undergraduate level and four years at the graduate level. Medical professionals are well-respected all around the globe, and studying medicine is a noble pursuit. The best countries for this program are Ukraine, Russia, Germany, the USA, and the United Kingdom.
  • Law: Those seeking legal employment often choose law degrees. A legal license is issued following a written test and may be used locally, nationally, or internationally. Law and Economics, Litigation, Maritime Law, Military Law, Patent Law, Real Estate, Social Care Law, Telecommunications Law, and Trade Law are covered in LL.M. programs. The top countries for these programs are the USA, the UK, Singapore, Germany, and Japan.
  • Humanities: Sociology is the study of society and its interactions. Moreover, the social sciences include fields such as Anthropology, Archaeology, Economics, and Psychology. UK, USA, Japan, Italy, Germany, and Spain are the best countries. The top institutions offering these programs that accept Duolingo English Test scores are Yale University, Princeton University, and the University of California, Berkeley
  • Travel and Tourism: A Hospitality Management degree focuses on the hospitality business. A degree in this discipline is granted by a hotel management university, college, or even a business institution. Hospitality management degrees are sometimes known as Hotel and Tourism Management or Hotel Administration. International Tourism Management is a degree program that emphasizes cross-cultural, social, and professional skills.
  • Accounting: Accountants and auditors must have a bachelor’s degree in accounting. A degree in accounting may also be necessary for professional accounting groups. Chartered Accountancy and other professional accounting degrees and certifications are available. The top countries best suitable for this course are the USA, Germany, Sweden, Austria, and the UK.
  • Fashion Design: A Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) is an undergraduate degree in design earned after three or four years of study. More so, this degree is also popular in Canada, Australia, and now the US.

FAQs About Universities Accepting the Duolingo English 

Is Duolingo English Test be Accepted for 2022 intakes?

Yes! Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some institutions accept the Duolingo English Test and the IELTS or TOEFL examinations for admissions in the spring and autumn of 2022. However, you have to further check any updates on your chosen university as some institutions only require the DET scores temporarily.

Why Do Universities Prefer the Duolingo English Test?

Due to its multiple advantages to students and institutions, several colleges and schools are still experimenting with Duolingo as a viable English evaluation method. Other examinations, especially those with limited time windows, require students to travel and be physically present at the testing locations. On the other hand, universities find it simple to maintain track of test grades because of Duolingo’s online services. As a result, institutions may assess an applicant with less time and effort. To register for the English exam, candidates must go to the official Duolingo website. With your scores, video interview, and writing examples, universities that accept the Duolingo test assess your English speaking abilities. As a result, you’re giving them a taste of your English prowess.

Is the Duolingo English Test Score Accepted for Visa application?

There are presently no appropriate online language examinations for immigration purposes. It is not permissible to use Duolingo. However, it is accepted for study permit application in Canada if you are applying via Student Direct Stream (SDS). The Student Direct Stream (SDS) program expedites the processing of study permits for persons who want to study in Canada at a recognized post-secondary designated learning institution (DLI). The SDS is open to legal residents of Antigua & Barbuda, Brazil, and China.

How Valid and Authentic is a Duolingo English Test Certificate?

The validity of the Duolingo English exam is two years. Once you receive the scores, you should submit them immediately from the results website to the educational institutions, and there is no time restriction on sending the score files. You may send the score summary to as many institutions as you desire. However, if you wish to use it for your desired institution, better check their admission policies of intakes as some universities have a restricted timeline of valid DET certificates. The online aspect of the examination raises numerous issues about the legitimacy of the results since students may easily cheat. This was once a serious test constraint, but they have recently devised various workarounds. The applicant must prove their identification during the video interview, which human proctors also verify. These exams utilize sophisticated software that records the candidate’s eye movements and detects unethical exam-passing techniques. Thus, the Duolingo test seeks to reduce exam cheating.

What is Considered a Good Duolingo English Test score for University Applicants?

On a scale of 10 to 160, the Duolingo English Test is graded. Most institutions will need a Duolingo English Test score of about 100, with some top universities requiring 120. Hence, a total score of 120 or above is required of competitive candidates. This score is comparable to grades 7 and higher on the traditional IELTS, according to the Duolingo IELTS score conversion.