Can PTE or Duolingo replace IELTS for a masters application?
Yes, both PTE Academic and the Duolingo English Test can replace IELTS for a masters application, depending on your target university. PTE is widely accepted across UK, Canadian and Australian visas, while Duolingo is strongest in the USA and more restricted for other visas.
Your PTE Academic or Duolingo English Test score can genuinely replace IELTS for many masters applications, but exactly how far it takes you still depends on your target country and specific university policy. Always confirm before you commit to one test over another.
Test Acceptance by Region
| Region | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Widely accepted | Widely integrated into admissions |
| United Kingdom | Fully accepted for visas | Accepted by many, but not all top-tier schools |
| Canada | Accepted for the Student Direct Stream | Varies; often not preferred for visa processing |
| Australia | Standard for admissions and visas | Generally not accepted for the student visa |
How to Verify Your Specific Requirement
- Check your programme's admission requirements page directly for its list of approved English tests.
- Confirm score equivalencies, since an IELTS 6.5 typically equates to a PTE 58 or a Duolingo 115 to 120.
- Verify your destination country's immigration department separately accepts your chosen test for visa issuance.
My Advice
Choose PTE Academic if you are unsure which test to sit, since it carries the broadest acceptance across UK, Canadian and Australian visas alongside university admissions. Reserve Duolingo for US-focused applications, where it is genuinely trusted, rather than a country where it may complicate your visa file.
Can you skip IELTS with your MOI or 12th English marks?
Check your waiver options free with an Australian admissions expert.
More IELTS questions
- Will I be able to pass the English proficiency exam given my concerns about language skills?
- What are the chances of getting a conditional offer letter requiring IELTS even if I have a good 12th standard score?
- Can I study in the UK without IELTS, and which universities accept other English tests?
- Would you suggest me to give IELTS first before starting the application process in Germany/Italy for a Master's?
- Do I need to score well in GRE, GMAT, or IELTS to get good scholarships in top business schools for a MBA?
- Is it possible to get an IELTS exemption if my transcript states that my medium of instruction was English?
- Can I still take IELTS as a paper-based test?
- Will you help with the IELTS application process and provide guidance on the required documents and deposits?
More Australia questions
- Is a loan sanction letter from the government regulated Indian Bank accepted for a UK student visa application?
- What is the lowest undergraduate tuition fee I can expect to pay at a Canadian university for the 2026 academic year?
- Other than Canada and Netherlands, are there better countries to study science and technology in Germany/Singapore?
- By when should my HEP point be completed, should it be this month to avoid delay in UK?
- Is January 2027 intake possible for masters in business analytics in UK/UAE?
- Which universities in the USA offer MS Engineering Management for a B.Tech Automotive Engineering graduate, Duolingo 120 and ₹80 lakhs budget?
- Is it possible to study computer science with specialization in artificial intelligence in UK/New Zealand for a Master's?
- How do US universities evaluate Indian LLM applicants differently from UK or European law schools?