What is Duolingo and how does it compare to IELTS for university admissions in UK/Germany?

IELTS is the most widely accepted English proficiency test for university admissions and student visas in both the UK and Germany. Duolingo English Test (DET) is accepted by some universities - over 130 in the UK and select institutions in Germany - but is not accepted for UK student visa applications.

- IELTS: Accepted by most universities and required for UK student visas; tests listening, reading, writing, and speaking at authorized centers.
- Duolingo: Online, flexible, and lower cost; accepted by some universities but not valid for UK student visas. Some German universities may accept it, but policies vary.

If you are targeting the UK or Germany, IELTS is the safer and more widely accepted choice, especially for visa purposes.