Duolingo Accepted Universities in UK 2026: Verified List

The Duolingo English Test, also called DET, is an online English test that many universities use to check a student’s English proficiency level for admission. If you are looking for Duolingo-accepted universities in the UK, this test is important because some UK universities accept it instead of IELTS or TOEFL for selected courses.

The test checks four skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Your score is given on a 10 to 160 scale, in steps of 5. The test is adaptive so that the questions can become easier or harder based on your answers. Read the guide to know more.

List of Top Universities Accepting Duolingo in the UK

Before you book the Duolingo English Test, check your exact course page. Some UK universities accept Duolingo for many courses, but the score can change from course to course. Some courses also ask for minimum scores in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

University	Duolingo Requirement	What You Should Check
University of Southampton	Southampton accepts the Duolingo English Test as an online English test. Its English bands show different DET scores, such as 120 or 130 overall, depending on the course band.	Check the English band for your course before you book the test.
University of Surrey	Surrey links Duolingo scores to IELTS scores. For example, IELTS 6.0 equals DET 110, IELTS 6.5 equals DET 120, IELTS 7.0 equals DET 130, and IELTS 7.5 equals DET 140.	Match your DET score with the IELTS score required for your course.
University of Sussex	Sussex accepts Duolingo. Its standard level asks for 110 overall with at least 105 in each component. Its advanced level asks for 130 overall with at least 120 in each component.	Your DET should be taken within two years of your course start date.
Loughborough University	Loughborough lists DET 120 overall, with minimum scores in speaking, writing, reading, and listening.	Do not check only the overall score. Check each skill score, too.
University of Westminster	Westminster lists DET 115 for courses that need IELTS 6.0 and DET 125 for courses that need IELTS 6.5.	Your required score depends on the IELTS level of your course.
University of Hertfordshire	Hertfordshire lists DET 105 for IELTS 6.0 level and DET 120 for IELTS 6.5 level.	Check both the overall score and the minimum score in each skill.
Sheffield Hallam University	Sheffield Hallam lists DET 105 for IELTS 6.0, DET 120 for IELTS 6.5, and DET 130 for IELTS 7.0.	Use the course page to find the IELTS level first, then check the matching DET score.
De Montfort University	De Montfort University lists DET 105 for IELTS 6.0 level and DET 120 for IELTS 6.5 level.	A good overall score is not enough if one skill score is too low.
University of Greenwich	Greenwich accepts DET results dated from 1 July 2024 onwards. Its table shows DET 95 for IELTS 5.5, DET 105 for IELTS 6.0, DET 120 for IELTS 6.5, and DET 130 for IELTS 7.0.	Check the test date and the score before you apply.
University of West London	UWL lists Duolingo scores such as 100 overall for Integrated Foundation Year courses and 105 overall for undergraduate courses.	Check the exact course page if you are applying for a postgraduate course.
Solent University	Solent’s India page lists DET 100 overall with at least 90 in each component for undergraduate study. For postgraduate study, it lists DET 110 overall with at least 90 in each component.	Some courses may ask for a higher score, so check the course page too.
University of Portsmouth	Portsmouth says that if you have taken Duolingo, your English condition will be cleared after a successful credibility interview.	Do not treat this as a score-only rule. The interview also matters.

How Much Duolingo Score Do You Need for UK Universities?

There is no single Duolingo score required for all the UK universities. Each university decides its own score. The score also changes by course.

Most universities first mention the IELTS score needed for a course. Then they give the matching Duolingo score. For example, a course that needs IELTS 6.0 may ask for DET 105, 110, or 115. A course that requires IELTS 6.5 may ask for DET 120 or 125. A course that requires IELTS 7.0 may ask for DET 130 or higher.

IELTS Score Needed for the Course	Duolingo Score Examples from Official University Pages
IELTS 6.0	DET 105 at Greenwich, Hertfordshire, Sheffield Hallam, and De Montfort University; DET 110 at Surrey; DET 115 at Westminster
IELTS 6.5	DET 120 at Surrey, Greenwich, Hertfordshire, Sheffield Hallam, and De Montfort University; DET 125 at Westminster
IELTS 7.0	DET 130 at Surrey, Greenwich, and Sheffield Hallam
Higher English requirement	DET 130 to 140 may be needed, depending on the university and course

Note: Always check your exact course page before you book the test. Some universities do not only check your total score. They also check your reading, writing, listening, and speaking scores. For example, Loughborough lists DET 120 overall, but it also asks for minimum scores in each skill.

Duolingo to IELTS Conversion

Duolingo to IELTS conversion is not the same everywhere. Each university can set its own score table.

For example, Surrey accepts DET 120 for IELTS 6.5. Westminster asks for DET 125 for IELTS 6.5. This means the same Duolingo score may work for one university but not for another.

Do not depend only on random conversion charts online. The safest option is to check the official English requirement page for your course.

UK Student Visa Rule: Admission and Visa Are Different

This is the most important rule to understand. A UK university may accept Duolingo for admission, but that does not always mean Duolingo will work for your Student visa. The UK Home Office has its own list of approved Secure English Language Tests, also called SELTs. Duolingo is not on this approved SELT list. For a UK Student visa, you may need to prove your English through an approved route. If you are going for a degree-level course, your university may be able to check your English itself and mention it on your CAS. But this depends on the university and your course. So, before you depend only on Duolingo, ask your university this question: “Will my CAS confirm that I meet the English requirement, or do I need a UKVI-approved English test?”

How to Apply for UK Universities

• Shortlist the UK universities and courses you want to apply for.
• Open the official course page for each university. Do not rely only on the university name.
• Check the English-language requirement section and see if Duolingo is accepted for that course.
• Note the total Duolingo score required for the course.
• Check if the course also asks for minimum scores in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
• Book the Duolingo English Test and take it from home.
• Wait for your certified result. Duolingo usually gives results within two days.
• Send your certified Duolingo score to your selected universities through your Duolingo account.
• After you receive an offer, read the English-language conditions carefully.
• Check whether the university has fully accepted your Duolingo score or still needs another English test.
• Ask the university if your CAS will confirm that you meet the English-language requirement.
• If your CAS confirms English, you may not need a separate SELT for the Student visa.
• If your CAS does not confirm English, you may need a UKVI-approved test such as IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic UKVI, LanguageCert, Trinity, or PSI.

DET vs IELTS for UK Applications

Factor	Duolingo English Test	IELTS Academic / IELTS for UKVI
Cost	Around US$70	Usually higher than DET
Format	Online from home	Test centre or approved format, depending on test type
Duration	About one hour	Longer than DET
Results	Usually within two days	Depends on the IELTS type and test mode
Useful for admission	Yes, where the university or course accepts it	Widely accepted
Useful for a UK visa	Not a Home Office-approved SELT	IELTS for UKVI is an approved SELT route

Note: DET is useful when your selected university accepts it for admission and can confirm your English requirement through the CAS. IELTS for UKVI may be safer if you want one test that can support both admission and visa requirements where a SELT is needed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

•  Do not assume every UK university accepts Duolingo. Always check the official course page.
• Do not assume a university-level list applies to every course. Some departments and regulated courses may have stricter rules.
•  Do not ignore subscores. Many universities require minimum reading, writing, listening, and speaking scores.
• Do not use a third-party IELTS conversion chart as your final proof. Use the university’s own table.
• Do not assume Duolingo will work for the visa. Confirm whether your CAS will show that you meet the English requirement.

Conclusion

The Duolingo English Test can be a good option if you want a quick, online, and low-cost English test for UK university admission. Many UK universities accept it, but the rule is simple: always check your exact course page before booking the test. Also, remember that admission and visa rules are different. A university may accept Duolingo for your offer, but Duolingo is not a UKVI-approved SELT. Before you apply for your visa, confirm whether your university will mention your English requirement on the CAS or whether you need a separate UKVI-approved test. So, use Duolingo smartly. Check the course requirement, check the score, check the skill-wise minimums, and confirm the visa rule with your university.

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