Which countries and universities accept the Duolingo English Test for student visa and admission purposes?
The Duolingo English Test is accepted by over 6,000 institutions worldwide. The USA, Canada, Ireland, the UK and New Zealand accept it for both admission and student visas. Australia is the exception, where visa rules are strict and often need IELTS or PTE. Competitive courses usually want higher scores.
The Duolingo English Test has become widely accepted for admissions, but its validity for a student visa depends entirely on each country's immigration policy. That distinction matters, so let me separate university acceptance from visa acceptance clearly for the major destinations, then show you the score bands top universities expect.
Country-By-Country Admission And Visa Acceptance
| Country | Admission Acceptance | Student Visa Validity |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Near-universal, around 95 percent of top 100 | Accepted, the DET supports your I-20 and F-1 visa |
| Canada | High, around 90 percent of top universities | Accepted for standard study permit applications |
| Ireland | Near-universal, 15 of 18 universities | Officially recognised by Irish visa authorities |
| United Kingdom | Strong across many universities | Conditional, valid if a licensed sponsor accepts it |
| New Zealand | Widely accepted by key universities | Accepted for standard fee-paying student visas |
| Australia | Growing, mainly specific universities | Strict, often needs an added IELTS or PTE |
Typical Score Ranges At Top Universities
| University | DET Score |
|---|---|
| Harvard and Stanford (USA) | 120 plus recommended |
| University of Toronto (Canada) | 120 minimum |
| McGill and UBC (Canada) | 125 minimum |
| Trinity College Dublin (Ireland) | 120 to 130 |
| Victoria Univ of Wellington (NZ) | 105 to 130 |
My Advice
Always confirm two things separately, whether your specific program accepts the DET and whether the country's visa authority does too, because a university offer does not automatically clear the visa. Competitive courses usually want 110 to 130, so aim comfortably above the minimum. If Australia is on your list, plan for a backup IELTS or PTE from the start, since the Department of Home Affairs rules are rigid. Check the official Duolingo Accepting Institutions Index for your exact program.
Confused about SOPs, transcripts and documents?
Step-by-step Australian application support from an expert.
More Universities & admissions questions
- Is a loan sanction letter from the government regulated Indian Bank accepted for a UK student visa application?
- How much bank balance is needed for an Italy student visa after failing math in 12th grade?
- Will I be able to pass the English proficiency exam given my concerns about language skills?
- What are some effective online German language classes for Indian students preparing to study in Germany?
- By when should my HEP point be completed, should it be this month to avoid delay in UK?
- If I apply to two courses at the same university, do I need separate letters of recommendation for each course or can I use the same letter for both?
- Is Germany the best first priority country for my course and career scope for a Master's?
- Which universities in the USA offer MS Engineering Management for a B.Tech Automotive Engineering graduate, Duolingo 120 and ₹80 lakhs budget?
More Australia questions
- Other than Canada and Netherlands, are there better countries to study science and technology in Germany/Singapore?
- Can I study in the UK without IELTS, and which universities accept other English tests?
- How do US universities evaluate Indian LLM applicants differently from UK or European law schools?
- What is the fee range for a one-year MBA course compared to a two-year course in UK?
- Is the USA the best country option for my AI or data science master's program, or should I consider other countries in UK/Canada?
- Can you add preferences for good digital marketing and performance marketing courses in New Zealand for a Master's?
- Can I call my husband on a dependent visa after I go on a student visa for my masters abroad in UK/Ireland?
- What scholarships are available for Cybersecurity Master's programs in UK universities?