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

Yes, you can use the Duolingo English Test for master's admission at many universities in both the UK and New Zealand, so you have a real alternative to IELTS. You do need to watch a critical catch in the UK though, since your university and your visa authority do not always accept the same test.

Duolingo Acceptance And Score Requirements

The Visa Catch You Need To Know

In the UK, your university may accept Duolingo to clear its own academic English requirement and issue your offer, but the Home Office typically will not treat a Duolingo result as an approved Secure English Language Test for your student visa. Many UK universities hold degree sponsoring status that lets them assess your English internally without a formal SELT, but you should still confirm with your admissions team whether they can issue your CAS on a Duolingo score alone. In New Zealand, immigration policy has historically been broader, though you should always double check current Immigration New Zealand rules alongside your specific faculty requirements, since competitive courses like law or health sciences may still demand IELTS.

My Advice

Ask your UK university directly whether they will issue your CAS based on Duolingo or whether you will need IELTS UKVI for your visa before you rely on Duolingo alone. For New Zealand, check the latest Immigration New Zealand guidance alongside your department's own rules so you are not caught out close to your visa application.