If you were wondering, there are many universities around the world accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) as a valid assessment of English language proficiency. Let’s take a look at why students choose this test for university admissions, and a list of universities around the world where it is accepted.

About Duolingo

The DET is a standardized English proficiency test, similar to TOEFL, IELTS, and TOEIC, that can be taken online from home. It measures your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills, and getting qualified with a certain score can act as proof of your language skills. It is gaining recognition and acceptance by an increasing number of educational institutions worldwide.

Here are some reasons you might want to choose this Duolingo Language Test:

1) Language Proficiency Assessment 

If you’re applying to a university where English is the main teaching language, and English is your second or non-native language, you will be asked to demonstrate your English language proficiency. This requires undertaking an approved test that will assess your language skills and ensure you can fully participate in your chosen programs.

2) Accessibility 

The DET provides a convenient and accessible option for international students to demonstrate their English proficiency. As an online test, it can be taken from anywhere with an internet connection. For some, this makes it a much easier option compared to traditional in-person tests such as TOEFL or IELTS.

3) Validity and Reliability 

Universities that accept the DET have reviewed its content, scoring criteria, and methodology to ensure that it accurately measures an applicant’s English language abilities. It is widely trusted by the institutions listed below.

4) Alternative to Traditional Tests

By accepting the DET, universities provide flexibility in accepting applications from a broader range of people. The DET It offers an alternative to other standardized English proficiency tests like TOEFL or IELTS, which may have certain limitations or scheduling challenges.

Most UK universities require you to score between 105-135 on the DET, which is equivalent to an IELTS score of 7-8.

It’s important to note that each university sets its own admission requirements and determines which English language proficiency tests they accept. Therefore, make sure you check the specific requirements of your chosen universities to confirm if they accept this test.

Universities in UK Accepting Duolingo

• Arden University
• Arts University Plymouth
• Anglia Ruskin University
• Aston University
• Bangor University
• Birkbeck, University of London 
• Bournemouth University
• Cardiff Metropolitan University
• Cardiff University
• Coventry University
• Elizabeth School of London (ESL)
• Glasgow Caledonian University
• Goldsmiths, University of London
• Hult International Business School London
• Imperial College London
• International College Portsmouth
• Keele University
• Leeds Beckett University
• London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA)
• London PT College
• London School of Economics and Political Science
• Loughborough University 
• Navitas Pathway Colleges
• Newbold College of Higher Education
• Northumbria University
• Queen Mary University of London
• RED Academy London
• Rochester Independent College
• Royal Agricultural University
• Royal Holloway, University of London
• Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
• SAE Institute – UK
• Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)
• Sheffield Hallam University
• SOAS University of London
• Solent University Southampton
• Swansea University 
• University of Bath
• University of Bolton
• University of East Anglia
• University of Glasgow
• University of Kent
• University of Leeds
• University of Leicester
• University of Lincoln
• University of Liverpool
• University of Plymouth
• University of Reading
• University of Roehampton
• University of Southampton
• University of St Andrews
• University of Surrey
• University of Sussex
• University of The West of England
• University of the West of Scotland 
• University of Warwick
• University of West London
• University of Westminster
• University of York

Can I Use Duolingo for a UK Student Visa?

If you have received a university acceptance letter which took your DET score into account, you should be able to use your test results to meet the English language requirement of your student visa. However, be sure to check this with a visa agent or embassy as your circumstances may be different.

Looking for something different? Our platform has universities all over the world which you can apply to, many of which also accept Duolingo Language Tests for their language proficiency requirements.