Searching for Duolingo-accepted universities in 2026? Thousands of universities and institutions worldwide accept the Duolingo English Test, but acceptance can still vary by programme, degree level and admission cycle. This guide covers universities accepting Duolingo in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Europe and Germany, along with Duolingo score requirements for universities, country-wise acceptance details and an important visa rule to check before you book the test or submit your application.
The Duolingo English Test (DET) is accepted by roughly 6,500 programmes across more than 100 countries. Acceptance is strongest in the United States and Canada, solid in the UK and Ireland, selective in Australia, and programme-specific across Germany and mainland Europe.
- Duolingo accepted universities in the USA: Acceptance is particularly high, with 95% of the top 100 ranked undergraduate programmes and around 75% of top graduate programmes accepting DET.
- Duolingo accepted universities in Canada: 100% of top English-medium universities accept DET for undergraduate admission, while acceptance is around 60% at graduate level.
- Duolingo accepted universities in the UK & Ireland: 63 of the UK higher-education institutions accept DET for direct degree entry, while 14 of Ireland’s 18 institutions accept the test.
- Australia, Germany & Europe: You can also find universities accepting Duolingo in Australia, Germany and other European countries, but acceptance is more programme-specific, so individual university requirements matter.
- Score requirements: A DET score of 110–120 can meet the English requirement for many universities, while competitive universities and courses may ask for 120–130 or higher.
- Test fees & validity: The Duolingo English Test fee is USD 70 for one test or USD 118 for a two-test bundle. Results are generally available within 2 days, and Duolingo scores are valid for 2 years.
- Duolingo acceptance for visas: A university accepting DET does not automatically mean the test meets every visa-related English requirement. Check both the university admission requirements and visa rules for your destination before booking.
Bottom line: Check the list of Duolingo accepted universities, confirm your programme’s required score and visa rules, and only then book the test.
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Duolingo Accepted Universities by Country: Quick Comparison
Use this table to compare Duolingo English Test acceptance, typical score requirements and student visa rules across popular study-abroad destinations. Exact requirements can vary by university and programme.
| Country | How Widely DET Is Accepted | Typical Score | Visa Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 98 of the top 100 U.S. universities accept DET | 105–125 | No specific English test is mandated for the F-1 visa; follow your university's admission requirements |
| Canada | 450+ programmes accept DET; all Anglophone U15 universities accept it in some capacity for undergraduate admission | 110–125 | IRCC does not generally require an English-language test for a study permit |
| UK | Accepted by many UK universities and programmes | 110–125 | Degree-level Higher Education Providers can assess English themselves; DET is not a UKVI-approved SELT |
| Ireland | Accepted by major Irish universities and programmes | 110–125 | DET is recognised for study-visa English-language requirements |
| Australia | Accepted by selected Australian universities and programmes for admission | 105–120 | DET is not an approved English-language test for Australian visa purposes |
| New Zealand | Accepted by a number of major universities and institutions | 105–120 | Standard student visas do not have a universal DET requirement; university admission requirements still apply |
| Germany | 50+ programmes accept DET; acceptance is programme-specific | 105–120 | Language requirements depend on the university, programme and visa circumstances |
| Rest of Europe | Acceptance varies by country, university and programme, particularly for English-taught degrees | 100–120 | Student visa and language requirements vary by country |
Important: University acceptance and visa recognition are not the same thing. This matters especially in Australia, where a university may accept the Duolingo English Test for admission even though DET is not an approved English-language test for Australian visa purposes.
What "Duolingo Accepted Universities" Actually Means
A place on a Duolingo accepted universities list does not mean every course at that university accepts the test. It only confirms that the institution accepts the DET as proof of English proficiency for at least one programme. Requirements can differ by course and study level, so a university may accept DET for an MSc or undergraduate degree but require IELTS or another test for an LLM, PhD or research programme.
Duolingo publishes the only authoritative directory of accepting institutions, and it updates continuously. As of June 2026, the test is recognised by around 6,500 accepting programmes in more than 100 countries (Source: Duolingo English Test, Featured Accepting Programs, June 2026). Since acceptance changes frequently, use country-wise university lists for shortlisting, but always verify the requirement on your specific programme page before applying.
New to the test itself? Start with our Duolingo English Test guide, which walks through the format, scoring and booking process end to end.
Duolingo Accepted Universities in the UK
Sixty-three of the UK higher-education institutions accept the Duolingo English Test for direct entry to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Acceptance includes several well-known UK universities, though requirements can still vary by course and study level.
Duolingo’s June 2026 booklet lists the following UK universities among those accepting DET across programmes:
UK visa acceptance covers degree-level study only. If your offer is for a foundation year, a pre-sessional English course or any pre-degree programme, the Duolingo English Test will not satisfy the visa requirement, and you will need a Home Office-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS for UKVI.
For the full institution list with course-level score cut-offs, read our detailed guide to Duolingo accepted universities in the UK, which breaks down scores by programme type and explains the CAS route in plain English.
Duolingo Accepted Universities in the USA
The Duolingo English Test is widely accepted by universities in the USA. According to Duolingo’s June 2026 data, DET is accepted by 95% of the top 100 ranked undergraduate programmes and 48 of the top 50. Acceptance is more selective at graduate level and can vary by school or department, so applicants should always check their specific programme requirements.
Some of the leading Duolingo-accepted universities in the USA include:
- Harvard University — accepts DET for undergraduate admission; requirements for graduate applicants vary by school and programme.
- Princeton University — accepts DET for undergraduate applicants who need to demonstrate English proficiency.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) — accepts DET for undergraduate admission, while graduate requirements vary by department.
- Stanford University — accepts DET for undergraduate admission, but Stanford graduate programmes can have different English-test policies.
- Yale University — accepts DET as an English proficiency test for eligible undergraduate applicants.
- Columbia University — accepts DET for undergraduate admission, with programme-specific requirements applying at graduate level.
- Cornell University — accepts DET for undergraduate applicants who must submit proof of English proficiency.
- Brown University — accepts DET as one of its English proficiency options for undergraduate admission.
- University of Chicago — accepts DET for undergraduate admission, subject to its current English-language requirements.
- Carnegie Mellon University — DET acceptance varies by programme; several graduate engineering programmes accept the test.
- Purdue University — accepts DET for eligible programmes, though minimum scores and graduate requirements can vary.
- University of Texas at Austin — accepts DET for undergraduate admission with a minimum overall score of 115.
Important: DET acceptance is high across US universities, but it is still limited at some institutions and graduate programmes. Stanford School of Engineering and UC Berkeley do not accept DET for graduate English proficiency, while some Georgia Tech engineering programmes also exclude it. At undergraduate level, University of Michigan–Ann Arbor and University of Georgia do not currently list DET among their accepted English proficiency tests.
Applying to America? Our ranked breakdown of top US universities accepting Duolingo lists the score each tier expects and flags the programmes that quietly exclude the test.
Duolingo Accepted Universities in Canada
The Duolingo English Test is widely accepted by universities in Canada. According to Duolingo’s June 2026 data, 100% of the top English-medium institutions in its Canadian ranking accept DET for undergraduate admission, while acceptance is around 60% at graduate level. Requirements still differ by university and programme, especially for master’s and research degrees.
Some of the leading Duolingo-accepted universities in Canada include:
- University of Toronto — accepts DET for undergraduate admission, with a minimum overall score of 120 for direct entry.
- McGill University — accepts DET for undergraduate admission; the general minimum is 125, rising to 130 for B.Ed. (TESL) and B.Com.
- University of British Columbia (UBC) — accepts DET for undergraduate admission, with a minimum overall score of 125 and minimum skill scores.
- University of Alberta — accepts DET at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
- University of Waterloo — accepts DET for undergraduate admission.
- Western University — accepts DET for undergraduate and graduate admission; the graduate minimum is generally 115.
- University of Calgary — accepts DET for undergraduate and graduate study; its Graduate Studies minimum is 125, although programmes may require more.
- University of Ottawa — accepts DET for undergraduate admission, although individual programmes can have different policies.
- McMaster University and Queen’s University — accept DET for undergraduate admission.
- Simon Fraser University and York University — accept DET for both undergraduate and graduate admission, subject to programme-specific requirements.
- Dalhousie University and University of Victoria — DET acceptance applies to eligible programmes, so the specific programme should be checked before applying.
Important: Graduate DET acceptance in Canada is more selective. Duolingo’s June 2026 booklet shows that the University of Alberta, Western University, the University of Calgary, Simon Fraser University and York University accept DET at the graduate level, while the University of Toronto, McGill, Waterloo and the University of Ottawa do not.
UBC will begin accepting DET for graduate admissions for May and September 2027. Among colleges, acceptance is much broader, with around 95% of the top 40 colleges by international enrolment accepting DET, including Conestoga, Humber, Seneca, Sheridan, Centennial, George Brown and Fanshawe.
You can use the Duolingo English Test for a Canadian study permit at any institution that accepts the DET. If the institution accepts it, it works for the permit too. For the province-wise list and score cut-offs, see our guide to Duolingo accepted universities in Canada.
Duolingo Accepted Universities in Australia
The Duolingo English Test is accepted by selected universities in Australia, but direct-entry acceptance is more limited than in the USA or Canada. Duolingo’s June 2026 booklet lists a small group of Australian universities under “All Programs”, while several others accept DET only for foundation, English-language or study-abroad programmes.
Some of the main Duolingo-accepted universities in Australia include:
- University of Western Australia (UWA) — listed by Duolingo as accepting DET across programmes; UWA currently requires 125 overall, with minimum skill scores for its standard English requirement.
- Flinders University — listed by Duolingo under universities accepting DET for all programmes.
- University of Newcastle — listed by Duolingo as accepting DET across programmes.
- CQUniversity Australia — accepts DET across programmes according to Duolingo’s June 2026 list.
- Charles Darwin University — included among Duolingo’s all-program DET acceptors.
- Charles Sturt University — listed as accepting DET across programmes.
- La Trobe University — listed under all-program acceptance, but Duolingo specifically states that DET is not accepted for applicants from India or Pakistan.
Important: DET acceptance in Australia is more limited and often programme-specific. Monash, RMIT, Deakin, Edith Cowan, UNSW, Swinburne and Macquarie mainly accept DET for foundation, English-language or study-abroad routes rather than direct degree entry. University of Sydney and University of Melbourne do not currently list DET for standard direct entry, while University of Queensland accepts it through UQ College pathways, not for direct admission.
La Trobe University accepts the Duolingo English Test but not for applicants from India or Pakistan. This is the single most India-specific exclusion on the entire global list, and almost no comparison article mentions it.
Before you commit to an Australian application, read our full list of Duolingo accepted universities in Australia, which separates direct-entry acceptance from pathway-only acceptance.
Duolingo Accepted Universities in New Zealand
New Zealand punches above its weight here. Most of the country's major universities accept the Duolingo English Test across all programmes, and the visa position is clean: if your university accepts the DET for a degree, you do not need a second English test for the student visa.
Confirmed acceptors include the University of Canterbury, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Otago, University of Waikato, Massey University and Lincoln University. Typical requirements sit in the 105–120 band, with postgraduate programmes at the higher end.
Comparing NZ options? See our list of Duolingo accepted universities in New Zealand alongside our complete guide to studying in New Zealand.
Duolingo Accepted Universities in Ireland
The Duolingo English Test is widely accepted by universities in Ireland for undergraduate and postgraduate admission. Duolingo’s official Ireland guidance highlights several major institutions accepting DET, while individual score requirements can vary by course and study level. DET is also officially recognised as an English-language test for Irish study-visa purposes.
Some of the leading Duolingo-accepted universities in Ireland include:
- Trinity College Dublin (TCD) — accepts DET for eligible undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
- University College Dublin (UCD) — accepts DET across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
- University College Cork (UCC) — accepts DET as proof of English proficiency for eligible programmes.
- Dublin City University (DCU) — accepts DET for eligible international applicants.
- University of Limerick — accepts DET across a range of programmes.
- Maynooth University — accepts DET as an English-language qualification for eligible courses.
- Technological University Dublin, Munster Technological University, South East Technological University and Atlantic Technological University — also appear among DET-accepting institutions in Duolingo’s 2026 material.
Important: Duolingo highlights Trinity College Dublin, UCD, UCC, DCU, Maynooth University and the University of Limerick among Irish institutions accepting DET. University of Galway, RCSI and Dundalk Institute of Technology do not appear in Duolingo’s June 2026 featured list, so applicants should check the specific programme page before relying on DET.
Planning an Irish application? Pair this with our guide to the top universities in Ireland and the current intakes in Ireland.
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Duolingo Accepted Universities in Europe
Outside the UK and Ireland, European acceptance of the Duolingo English Test sits at programme level and clusters around English-taught degrees. Duolingo's featured booklet does not currently break out mainland Europe, which means the university's own admissions page is your only reliable source here.
Institutions commonly listed as accepting the DET across Europe include:
- Universität Hamburg (Germany) — selected English-taught programmes.
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Netherlands) — VU Amsterdam accepts DET scores for a range of English-taught degrees.
- Universidad de Navarra (Spain).
- University of Helsinki (Finland).
- University of Warsaw (Poland).
The Netherlands, Italy, Sweden and Denmark all have growing pockets of DET acceptance in English-medium master's programmes. Score expectations across the region run lower than in the UK or USA; 100 to 120 covers most of it, but the programme page always overrides a list.
For the country-by-country European breakdown, see our guide to Duolingo accepted universities in Europe.
Duolingo Accepted Universities in Germany
Germany deserves its own warning label. English-taught master's programmes at German universities increasingly accept the Duolingo English Test, but German public universities also run some of the strictest documentation standards in Europe, and acceptance is set faculty by faculty rather than centrally.
German universities frequently listed as accepting DET scores include Universität Hamburg, Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Mannheim, RWTH Aachen University and the University of Freiburg, alongside Freie Universität Berlin, Heidelberg University, the University of Münster and Technische Universität Berlin. Typical requirements land between 100 and 120.
Germany is the one destination where you should not trust a list including this one without opening the specific programme page. A university can accept the DET for its MSc in Management and refuse it for its MSc in Physics in the same cycle. On the visa side, there is no nationally mandated English test for Germany, so the university's admissions decision generally carries through to your student visa file.
Our dedicated list of Duolingo accepted universities in Germany covers programme-level acceptance and the score each of these universities expects.
Duolingo Score Requirements: What Score Do You Actually Need?
The Duolingo English Test is scored from 10 to 160 in five-point increments. Your overall DET score is calculated from four individual subscores: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. The score report also includes four integrated subscores: Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation and Production. Universities may set both an overall minimum and individual subscore requirements, so the score needed can vary by programme.
Duolingo also provides a concordance with IELTS Academic to help compare score levels. These are approximate comparisons, not direct conversions.
| DET Score | Approx. IELTS Academic | CEFR Level |
|---|---|---|
| 90 | 5.0 | B1 |
| 95 | 5.5 | B1 |
| 100–105 | 5.5 | B2 |
| 110–115 | 6.0 | B2 |
| 120–125 | 6.5 | B2 |
| 130–135 | 7.0 | C1 |
| 140–145 | 7.5 | C1 |
| 150 | 8.0 | C1 |
| 155 | 8.0 | C2 |
| 160 | 8.5 | C2 |
What score should you aim for? There is no single Duolingo score requirement for universities. A score of 120–125 roughly aligns with IELTS 6.5, while 130–135 aligns with IELTS 7.0. Instead of choosing a generic target, check the overall and subscore requirements of every university and programme on your shortlist before deciding the DET score you need.
ETS moved TOEFL iBT to a 1–6 scoring scale in January 2026, replacing the old 0–120 scale. If a university page still quotes TOEFL 90 alongside a DET figure, the page may not have been updated for the current cycle; email admissions rather than guessing.
Admission Acceptance vs Visa Acceptance: The Rule Most Students Miss
A university accepting your DET score for admission and an immigration authority accepting it for a visa are two separate decisions. Getting this wrong costs you a second test fee and several weeks. This table can help you to figure this out:
| Destination | DET Visa Position (2026) |
|---|---|
| USA | The F-1 visa has no separate approved English-test list. Follow the English-language requirements set by your university. |
| Ireland | DET is officially recognised for study-visa English requirements, with minimum scores depending on the type of course. |
| Canada | A standard study permit does not generally require a specific English-language test. Your university or college sets its own DET admission requirements. |
| New Zealand | There is no universal DET requirement for a standard student visa. The education provider must be satisfied that you meet the English requirements for your course. |
| UK | For degree-level study, an eligible Higher Education Provider can assess your English and may accept DET. DET is not a UKVI-approved SELT and cannot replace one where a SELT is specifically required. |
| Australia | DET is not an approved English-language test for Australian visa purposes. If English-test evidence is required, you must use a Home Affairs-approved test. |
How to Check If Your University Accepts the Duolingo English Test
Five minutes of checking beats a wasted test fee. Work through these steps in order:
- Check your programme’s admission page. Do not rely only on the university name. Duolingo confirms that DET acceptance can differ by programme or study level.
- Find the English-language requirements. Look for “Duolingo English Test” or “DET” and the required score. If DET is not listed, do not assume it is accepted.
- Check overall and subscore requirements. Universities can use DET Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking subscores when setting admission cut-offs, so check whether your programme requires minimum subscores as well as an overall score.
- Cross-check Duolingo’s official accepting-institutions directory. Duolingo recommends its complete list to check whether an institution accepts DET.
- Contact admissions if anything is unclear. Ask whether DET is accepted for your exact programme and intake before paying for the test.
- Check visa requirements separately. University admission requirements and immigration English-language rules should be verified independently for your destination.
Duolingo English Test Fees, Format and Results in 2026
The Duolingo English Test fee is USD 70 for one test. Duolingo also offers a discounted two-test bundle for students who expect to take the DET more than once. Certified scores can be sent to up to 40 institutions, with additional score sends available only by request to Duolingo support.
- Duration: About 1 hour. The test is taken online from home using a computer, with a smartphone also required as a secondary camera for security checks.
- Results: Certified results are available within 2 days. Paid Faster Results reduces the turnaround to 12 hours.
- Validity: DET scores remain valid for 2 years.
- Booking window: A test credit is valid for 21 days from purchase. For a two-test bundle, you have 21 days to take the first test and another 21 days after receiving the first result to take the second.
- Format: DET is computer-adaptive, so the difficulty of some questions and the number of questions can change based on your performance.
If you want another certified score after completing a test, you need another test credit. Each credit can produce only one certified result, although Duolingo provides up to three attempts to complete and upload the test when permitted under its test-credit policy.
For the full cost breakdown in rupees, see our guide to Duolingo English Test fees, then walk through the process with our Duolingo English Test booking guide.
Where the Duolingo English Test Falls Short
The Duolingo English Test is widely accepted for university admission, but it is not accepted everywhere. Before choosing DET, keep these limitations in mind:
- Some US graduate programmes: DET acceptance is less consistent at the graduate level. For example, Stanford, UC Berkeley and Georgia Tech do not accept DET to meet their general graduate English-proficiency requirements.
- Australia: DET is accepted by some universities and pathway programmes, but it is not an approved English test for Australian visa purposes where English-test evidence is required.
- Professional registration: University acceptance does not guarantee acceptance by a professional regulator. For example, Australia’s health practitioner boards accept IELTS, OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and Cambridge, but not DET.
Is DET worth taking? It can be a convenient option when every programme on your shortlist accepts it. But if you are targeting a programme, visa route or regulated profession with separate English-language requirements, check those requirements first so you do not need another test later.
Still deciding between tests? Our side-by-side Duolingo vs IELTS comparison covers cost, acceptance and difficulty in detail.
Final Word: Build Your Shortlist Before You Book the Test
The Duolingo English Test is now accepted by thousands of programmes worldwide, but acceptance still varies by university, course, study level and destination. The safest approach is simple: shortlist your programmes first, confirm DET acceptance and score requirements on each course page, and check any separate student visa English-language rules before paying for the test. Do this in the right order, and you can avoid an unnecessary retake while making full use of DET’s lower cost, at-home format and faster results.
