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Is Your Dream University a Duolingo English Test Accepted University in 2026? Find Out Now

At Edubase Global, we now receive questions about the Duolingo English Test (DET) from almost every student who comes through our Dhaka office. The key questions are always the same: Which universities accept Duolingo? Is it accepted for visas? And is it as good as IELTS?

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International student receiving university acceptance letter from Duolingo English test accepted university in USA UK or Australia 2026

The Biggest Question: Is the Duolingo English Test Worth Taking in 2026?

For years, Bangladeshi students preparing to study abroad had only two real English proficiency test options — IELTS and TOEFL. Both required months of preparation, expensive exam fees, and trips to physical test centers. Then the Duolingo English Test changed everything.

This guide answers all three — with real, verified information for 2026.

What Is the Duolingo English Test?

The Duolingo English Test is a fully online, proctored English proficiency assessment. Unlike traditional tests, it is taken at home on a personal computer — no test centre visits, no long registration queues, and no weeks-long wait for a slot. At just $65 USD, completable from home in under an hour, and accepted by more than 5,000 universities and programs worldwide, the DET has matured from a niche workaround into a mainstream credential.

The test is adaptive, meaning it adjusts in real time based on how well you perform. It measures literacy, comprehension, production, and conversation — and results are returned within 48 hours.

For Bangladeshi students in smaller cities, students balancing work or family responsibilities, and students who want to avoid the cost and stress of repeated IELTS attempts, the DET is genuinely transformative.

How Many Duolingo Test Accepted Universities Are There in 2026?

By 2026, over 5,000 universities across major destinations including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Germany, and New Zealand recognise the DET for admissions.

As of 2026, there are over 100 countries and more than 5,000 universities which use DET for study abroad, visa, and admission purposes.

This is a dramatic expansion from just a few years ago when DET acceptance was limited to a handful of liberal arts colleges. Today, you can find Duolingo English Test accepted universities at the very top of global rankings.

Universities That Accept Duolingo Test by Country

United States

The Duolingo English Test is almost universally accepted across US universities. Around 95% of U.S. News Top 100 Universities accept the DET for undergraduate admissions. All Ivy League universities — including Harvard, Yale, and Princeton — accept it for undergraduate programmes. Over 75% of US graduate programmes with high international student enrolment now accept the DET.

For Bangladeshi students targeting US universities, the DET is essentially a full IELTS replacement for admissions purposes.

United Kingdom

Many universities in the UK accept the Duolingo English Test, including several Russell Group institutions. Requirements can vary quite a bit depending on your programme, degree level, and how much academic English the course involves.

The UK’s prestigious universities, including Imperial College London and University of Bristol, have adopted Duolingo for international applicants, with average DET scores of 115–130+ typically required.

Notable UK universities accepting DET include the University of Glasgow, Durham University, University of Birmingham, and University of Westminster.

Critical note for UK visa applicants: The UK Home Office (UKVI) requires a Secure English Language Test (SELT) for Student Visa applications as of early 2026. The Duolingo English Test is not currently accepted for UK visa applications. Some UK universities accept DET for admissions and may offer you a conditional place, but you will still need a UKVI-approved test (such as IELTS SELT or LanguageCert) for the visa itself.

This is a critical distinction that many Bangladeshi students miss. At Edubase Global, we guide students to plan for both their university admissions test and their visa test separately.

Australia

Australian universities show growing DET acceptance. Schools like Flinders University and the University of Newcastle accept it for all programmes, while others such as Monash University accept it for foundation courses.

As of 2026, there are 90+ universities in Australia that accept DET for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. However, most Australian universities have a specific score requirement for certain programs.

As with the UK, DET is not currently accepted for the Australian student visa itself. Students still need IELTS Academic or PTE Academic for the Subclass 500 visa application. However, for admissions purposes, DET can save significant preparation time and cost.

Canada

Canada has over 400 universities and colleges that accept the Duolingo English Test to check language proficiency of international students. The Canadian immigration department (IRCC) accepts it as valid proof of English proficiency for certain pathways, though student permit applications still have specific requirements to verify.

DET Score Requirements: What Bangladeshi Students Need to Know

The Duolingo English Test scores on a scale of 10–160. Different universities set their own thresholds. A useful general guide for Bangladeshi students:

For most undergraduate admissions in the US and Canada, a score of 100–110 is the common minimum. For graduate programs and competitive UK universities, 115–130+ is typically required. Australian universities that accept DET generally require 100–120 depending on the institution and program.

The DET score report also includes a video interview and writing sample that universities review alongside your numeric score — making the overall assessment more holistic than a simple band score.

How Does DET Compare to IELTS for Bangladeshi Students?

IELTS remains the gold standard for Australian and UK student visa applications, and for most university admissions in these destinations. PTE Academic is also widely accepted and popular among Bangladeshi students for its computer-based format and faster results.

However, the DET has three clear advantages over IELTS for the right situation. At $65 USD, it costs dramatically less than IELTS, which typically costs $215–$250 USD in Bangladesh. It can be taken entirely from home without visiting a test centre, which is significant for students outside Dhaka. And results are available within 48 hours, compared to the 3–13 day wait for IELTS.

At Edubase Global, we help students make the right test choice based on their target destination, specific universities, and visa requirements. Our in-house IELTS and PTE preparation programs at our Dhaka office ensure students are fully prepared regardless of which path they take.

Plan Your English Test Strategy with Edubase Global

Whether you are targeting the DET, IELTS, or PTE — choosing the right test for the right destination requires proper planning. At Edubase Global, we offer IELTS and PTE preparation courses from our Dhaka office and provide personalised advice on which test best serves each student’s application profile.

Book your free consultation: www.edubaseglobal.com/book-an-appointment/
IELTS and PTE prep: www.edubaseglobal.com/learn-english/
Contact: +880 1601-277636

Test acceptance policies are subject to change. Always verify directly with your target university and the relevant visa authority before taking any English proficiency test.

FAQs

Can I use Duolingo for Australian university admission?

Yes, for universities that accept it. However, you will still need IELTS or PTE for the Subclass 500 student visa application.

No. The UK Home Office requires an approved SELT test. DET may get you a conditional offer from a UK university, but not the visa.

Over 5,000 universities across major destinations now recognise DET for admissions.

Typically 100–115 for undergraduate programs; 115–130+ for graduate and competitive programs.

Both DET and PTE Academic are computer-based tests that deliver faster results than IELTS. PTE Academic is accepted for both university admissions and student visa applications in Australia and the UK, making it more versatile than DET for these specific destinations. DET is significantly cheaper ($65 USD vs approximately $190–210 USD for PTE) and can be taken from home. For Bangladeshi students targeting Australia or the UK, PTE Academic is the more practical choice. For students targeting the USA, Canada, or Germany, DET may be equally effective at a lower cost.

Students register at englishtest.duolingo.com. You need a personal computer with a webcam, microphone, and stable internet connection. After registering and paying the $65 USD fee, you can schedule your test for any time that suits you. The test takes approximately 45–60 minutes, and your results — including a score report, video interview, and writing sample — are available within 48 hours to share with your chosen universities.

Edubase Global’s primary English test preparation focuses on IELTS and PTE Academic, which are required for Australian and UK student visa applications. For students targeting DET-accepting universities in the USA or other destinations, we provide academic guidance and test strategy advice as part of our consultation services. Our in-house English preparation programs are available at our Dhaka office. To learn more, visit www.edubaseglobal.com/learn-english/ or book a consultation at www.edubaseglobal.com/book-an-appointment/.

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