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Are some universities accepting Duolingo instead of IELTS in UK/New Zealand for a Master's?

18 Jun 2026 · Answered by Soorya Sudheer · 1 min read
Soorya Sudheer
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It depends. Some universities accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) instead of IELTS, but this varies by country and university.

- UK: A growing number of universities accept DET for admission, but a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) is required for the UK student visa. DET alone is not sufficient for visa purposes.
- New Zealand: DET is not widely accepted; most universities require IELTS or other recognized tests.

If you plan to study in the UK or New Zealand for your Master's, check each university's English language requirements and remember the visa rules are subject to change. For personalized guidance, connect with your LeapScholar counsellor.

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