UK Universities That Accept the Duolingo English Test
In 2026, over 150 UK universities will accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) and give chances to faster and more affordable exam options to international students. It is conducted online, available at an affordable price than IELTS or PTE and allows you to prove your English proficiency from home. You will get results only within 48 hours. It fits your tight admission deadlines or limited budgets.
The Indian students who want to study in the UK in the 2026 intake must know about the DET and simplify their study visa and admission process. Here we will look at the UK universities that accept the Duolingo score, universities accept Duolingo score for master's, universities accept the Duolingo score for bachelors and help you to submit your strong application with confidence.
What Is the Duolingo English Test (DET)?
The Duolingo English test is an assessment of English language competency used to determine the skills of non native English speakers. The students who want to study in the UK have many options of Duolingo accepted universities and get admission easily. This test evaluates your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills through computer-based exam mode at home, and assesses your proficiency to study abroad.
How Does the Duolingo English Test Work?
When you take the DET test, there are three phases. To take this test, you must sit in a quiet, well-lit and internet-connected room with a microphone, webcam and speaker. You don't need to visit the test center for this. Here's how it works
Highlights
Introduction -5 Mins : Test your space and equipment as per the rules
Computer-graded questions- 45 mins: A series of adaptive questions was asked
Ungraded video and writing session- 10 mins: You select a question in every section and have 3 minutes for a spoken answer and 5 minutes for a written response.
So you can book and take this test anytime. There is no need to book earlier and wait for specific test takes. Once you finish this test, you will get results within 48 hours and be ready to select your dream university in the UK.
Why Do Students Prefer Duolingo Over IELTS and PTE?
Students prefer the Duolingo test over IELTS and PTE because of affordability, convenience, and speed. Let us look at the given table to understand it better.
| Feature | IELTS | PTE Academic | Duolingo (DET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Target | UK, Canada, Australia | Australia, UK, NZ | Affordable Admissions |
| Test Mode | Paper or Computer | Computer Only | Online (At home) |
| Speaking | Human Interviewer | Machine Recorded | Machine Recorded |
| Duration | 2 hours 45 mins | 2 hours and 15 minutes | 1 hour |
| Score Range | 0 – 9 Bands | 10 – 90 Points | 10 – 160 Points |
Which UK Universities Accept Duolingo for Master’s Programs in 2026?
Most UK universities accept the Duolingo for technology, business and social sciences programs. There are over 60 universities in the UK that accept Duolingo for master's degrees as part of the admission process. Here are the university and course-wise lists accepted the DET
| Sr. No | Name of University | Popular courses |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Imperial College London | MSc Environmental Technology Executive MBA |
| 2 | King’s College London | MA Ancient History MSc Artificial Intelligence |
| 3 | University of Bristol | MSc Data Science MSc Bioinformatics |
| 4 | University of Southampton | MSc Aerodynamics and Computation MA English Literary Studies |
| 5 | University of Glasgow | MSc in Data Analytics MSc in Aerospace Engineering |
| 6 | University of Birmingham | Masters in Financial Management MSc in Computer Science |
| 7 | Cardiff University | MSc Structural Engineering MSc Civil Engineering |
| 8 | University College London | March Architectural Design MA Digital Humanities |
| 9 | University of Bath | MSc Accounting & Finance MSc Data Science and Statistics |
| 10 | University of Bangor | MA Education MSc Marine Biology |
The students who want to get admission in UK master's programs must aim for the 120–130 DET score to get admission on priority in 2026.
Which UK Universities Accept Duolingo for Undergraduate Programs in 2026?
There are various UK universities that accept the Duolingo test for UG programs. It makes it easier for the students to meet the English language requirements without the need for TOEFL or IELTS. Here is the list of universities accepts DET for specific UG courses
| University Name | Minimum Duolingo Score |
|---|---|
| University of Southampton | 120 |
| University of Bath | 120 |
| Loughborough University | 120 |
| University of York | 120 |
| University of Sussex | 120 |
| University of Westminster | 100 |
| University of Portsmouth | 105 |
| University of East Anglia | 115 |
| Anglia Ruskin University | 100-110 |
| Imperial College London | 115 |
The candidates aiming for admission in high-demand UG courses in the UK, like engineering, computer science or business analytics, are recommended to score above 120 in Duolingo to get hassle-free admissions.
Which UK Universities Accept Duolingo for All Programs?
Here is the list of the best UK universities that accept duolingo scores.
| University | Duolingo Score Requirement | Popular Programs Offered |
|---|---|---|
| University of Southampton | 120 | MSc Data Science, MEng Aeronautics and Astronautics, MSc International Management |
| University of Bath | 120 | MSc Management, MEng Mechanical Engineering, MSc Computer Science |
| Loughborough University | 120 | MSc Sport Business and Innovation, MEng Mechanical Engineering, BSc Economics |
| University of York | 120 | MSc Global Marketing, MSc Computer Science, BA Politics |
| University of Sussex | 120 | MSc International Management, LLM International Commercial Law, BSc Psychology |
| University of Westminster | 100 | MA International Relations, MSc Construction Project Management, BA Business Management |
| University of Portsmouth | 105 | MSc Cyber Security and Forensic IT, MA Illustration, BSc Psychology |
| University of East Anglia | 115 | MSc Climate Change, MA Creative Writing, BSc Biological Sciences |
| Anglia Ruskin University | 100-110 | MBA, MSc Project Management, BSc Computer Science |
| Imperial College London | 115 | MSc Computing, MEng Chemical Engineering, MSc Finance |
| University of Leeds | 115-120 | MSc International Business, MEng Civil Engineering, MA Advertising and Marketing |
| London School of Economics | 125-130 | MSc Economics, MSc International Relations, LLM Master of Laws |
| Sheffield Hallam University | 100-110 | MSc Sport Business Management, MA Design, BSc Nursing |
| University of Reading | 110-120 | MSc Food Science, MA English Literature, BSc Meteorology |
| City University of London | 115-120 | MSc Business Analytics, LLM International Commercial Law, BSc Computer Science |
| Glasgow Caledonian University | 105-110 | MSc International Fashion Marketing, MSc Big Data Technologies, BSc Optometry |
| Oxford Brookes University | 100-110 | MBA, MSc Conservation Ecology, BA Architecture |
| University of Warwick | 125 | MSc Business Analytics, LLM International Commercial Law, BSc Mathematics |
| University of Surrey | 115-120 | MSc Space Engineering, MSc Psychology, BSc Business Management |
| University of Bolton | 100-110 | MBA, MSc Supply Chain Management, BSc Motorsport Technology |
| University of Lincoln | 115 | March Architecture, MSc Biotechnology, BA Advertising and Marketing |
| University of Huddersfield | 105-110 | MSc Automotive and Motorsport Engineering, MA Digital Media, BSc Pharmacy |
| University of Roehampton | 110-115 | MA Creative Writing, MSc Psychology of Sport and Exercise, BSc Zoology |
| St Mary's University London | 100-110 | MSc Sports Journalism, MA Catholic School Leadership, BSc Nutrition |
| Solent University Southampton | 100-110 | MA Visual Communication, MSc Computer Engineering, BA Fashion Management |
| SOAS University of London | 120-125 | MA International Studies and Diplomacy, LLM |
Is Duolingo Accepted for UK Student Visa Applications in 2026?
The UK student visa process depends on the country you are applying from. Some applicants may need to show proof of English proficiency. However, if you've been accepted to a UK university with a program taught in English, that acceptance usually counts as proof. You won't need to provide additional test results.
In cases where proof is required, the UK government uses Secure English Language Tests (SELTs). Since Duolingo isn't an SELT provider, you may need to take a different exam if asked. Still, the Duolingo English Test (DET) can help you gain admission to many UK universities. Once accepted, most degree-level students don’t have to show a separate SELT for their visa.
Which English Language Tests Are Approved for UK Student Visas?
Applying for a visa to the UK involves many requirements and procedures. One key component is proving your proficiency in English. For non-native speakers, this often means passing a specific English language test for the UK. The two accepted English language tests for a UK student visa are the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Pearson Test of English (PTE).
Highlights
IELTS: IELTS is one of the most popular English language tests worldwide. The UK government widely accepts it for visa and immigration purposes. It assesses your listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills. The test offers two formats.
PTE: The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic is becoming a popular alternative to IELTS for UK visa applicants. Like IELTS, PTE Academic measures your speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. It is entirely computer-based and offers faster results, often within 48 hours. Thousands of academic programs worldwide recognize PTE Academic, including prestigious institutions in the UK, for various visa and immigration purposes.
Conclusion
Most UK universities accept Duolingo as proof of English proficiency. This provides international students with another way to demonstrate their English language skills. Students have many options among Duolingo-accepting universities. Opportunities are expected to grow as more UK universities begin to see Duolingo as a credible measure of English language ability.
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