The Duolingo English Test (DET) costs USD $65, takes 60 minutes, and delivers results within 48 hours. Compared to IELTS ($385 AUD) and PTE ($395 AUD), the appeal is obvious — especially for students who need to apply to multiple institutions.
But acceptance is the critical question. Here is the current 2026 status for Australia, the UK, and Canada.
Australia: Limited University Acceptance, No Visa Acceptance
Student visa (Subclass 500): Duolingo English Test is NOT accepted by the Australian Department of Home Affairs for student visa applications. You must provide IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), or OET scores.
University admissions: Acceptance varies significantly by institution. As of 2026, approximately 40–50 Australian universities and colleges accept Duolingo for admissions purposes — but this does not solve the visa problem. Even if your university accepts DET for admission, you will still need a UKVI/DET-approved test for your visa application.
Warning: Do not confuse university admissions acceptance with visa requirement acceptance. In Australia, satisfying the university is necessary but not sufficient — you must also satisfy the visa requirement with an approved test. If you only have a Duolingo score, you cannot get an Australian student visa regardless of what the university accepts.
Institutions that accept DET for Australian admissions (as of 2026) include some smaller universities and TAFE NSW — but always verify directly with the institution as policies change frequently.
United Kingdom: Not on UKVI Approved List
UK Student visa: Duolingo English Test is NOT on the UK Home Office's list of Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) approved for immigration purposes. You cannot use DET for a UK student visa application.
University admissions: Some UK universities accept Duolingo for direct university admissions — particularly at foundation and pre-sessional level — but this does not bypass the visa requirement. Like Australia, any DET acceptance for admissions purposes is separate from the visa English test requirement.
Universities including the University of Edinburgh, King's College London, and others have accepted DET for certain admissions decisions, but this situation changes and requires direct verification with individual admissions offices.
Canada: Stronger Acceptance Than AU/UK
Canada has the most developed Duolingo acceptance among major English-speaking study destinations:
Study permit: Canada's IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) does NOT list Duolingo English Test as an accepted language test for study permit applications. You need IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or CELPIP for most study permit applications.
University admissions: Canadian university acceptance is notably stronger than Australia or the UK. Over 250 Canadian institutions accept DET for admissions, including universities in the U15 group (Canada's research-intensive universities). McGill University, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, and many others accept DET for some programs.
As with other countries, check whether the specific program and level you are applying to accepts DET — acceptance policies sometimes vary by faculty or degree level within the same university.
USA: Strongest Acceptance
For context, the USA has the strongest DET acceptance globally, with over 5,000 institutions accepting it. This does not directly help students applying to AU, UK, or Canada — but if you are considering USA study, DET is a legitimate option for many US universities alongside the F-1 visa process.
The DET Test Format
The Duolingo English Test is taken on your computer at home (with webcam monitoring). It includes:
- Literacy: reading and writing tasks
- Comprehension: listening and reading
- Production: speaking and writing
- Conversation: speaking and writing
Results are on a scale of 10–160. Score interpretation varies by institution — most require 100–120 DET for the equivalent of IELTS 6.5, and 115–130 for IELTS 7.0 equivalence.
Should You Take Duolingo?
Take Duolingo if:
- You are applying to US or Canadian universities that accept it AND the study permit requirement is met separately
- You need a fast, low-cost supplementary score for institutions that accept it
- You are applying to multiple institutions across different countries and want a quick baseline
Do not rely solely on Duolingo if:
- You need an Australian or UK student visa (it will not be accepted)
- You are applying to Australian or most UK universities as your primary option
- Your target program specifies IELTS or PTE Academic specifically
The safest strategy for students targeting Australia or the UK is to sit IELTS Academic or PTE Academic, and optionally add a DET if you are also considering North American institutions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Duolingo English Test for an Australian student visa?
No. The Australian Department of Home Affairs does not accept the Duolingo English Test for student visa (subclass 500) applications. You must provide IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced, or OET scores. Some universities may accept DET for admissions, but this does not satisfy the visa English requirement.
Is Duolingo English Test accepted at UK universities?
A small number of UK universities accept DET for certain admissions purposes, but DET is not on the UK Home Office's approved Secure English Language Test list for visa applications. You cannot use DET for a UK student visa regardless of what any university accepts for admissions.
How much does the Duolingo English Test cost compared to IELTS?
The Duolingo English Test costs USD $65 (approximately AUD $100 / GBP £52). This compares to approximately AUD $385–$395 (GBP £195–200) for IELTS Academic or PTE Academic. The significant cost difference makes DET attractive as a supplementary test for institutions that accept it, particularly for students applying to multiple countries.
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