The Duolingo English Test is an at-home, computer-based English test that returns results in about 2 business days. It is significantly cheaper than IELTS, PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT. Whether it works for your target university depends on the university’s current admissions policy — and whether the destination country’s student visa authority accepts it.
United States
Widely accepted for admissions. Most large public universities and many private universities publish DET minimums alongside TOEFL and IELTS. Ivy League and top-ranked programmes vary; some accept DET, others do not.
Canada
Broadly accepted for admissions at universities and colleges. IRCC accepts DET for study permit English evidence when required by a specific programme. Confirm the current position for your target province.
United Kingdom
DET is not on the UK Home Office Secure English Language Test (SELT) list. That means UK Student Route visas require IELTS UKVI, PTE Academic UKVI or another SELT. Universities may accept DET for admissions, but you still need a SELT for the visa.
Australia
Home Affairs accepts DET for the Subclass 500 student visa. Many Australian universities accept DET for admissions. Confirm with the specific institution and check the current Home Affairs student visa page.
New Zealand
Immigration New Zealand accepts DET as one of the acceptable English tests for student visas at eligible levels. Universities set their own admissions minimums.
Typical DET score minimums
- Undergraduate: 105 to 115 for most universities; higher-ranked programmes 120 or above.
- Postgraduate taught: 115 to 125 is common.
- Selective programmes and law / MBA: 125 to 135.
When DET is the right choice
- You need a fast admissions test and IELTS or PTE slots are full.
- Your target destination is the US or Canada and your target universities publish DET minimums that match your baseline.
- You need to lower the total test spend.
When DET is not enough
- UK Student Route visa applications — you need a SELT (IELTS UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI).
- Nursing registration in the UK, Australia, Canada or New Zealand — registration boards typically require IELTS Academic 7.0 or OET grade B, not DET.
- Specific top-ranked programmes that continue to require IELTS or TOEFL only.
Key takeaways
- DET is widely accepted for admissions in the US, Canada and increasingly Australia and New Zealand.
- DET is not accepted for UK Student Route visas.
- Confirm the current DET minimum on the specific university’s admissions page.
- Nursing registration boards typically require IELTS Academic 7.0 or OET.
- DET is a useful backup when IELTS or PTE slots are full.
Related resources
See our English tests for study abroad, IELTS preparation, and PTE preparation pages.