In today’s globalized world, strong English skills are essential for students and professionals aiming to study or work abroad. Traditionally, exams like TOEFL and IELTS have been the go-to options for proving English proficiency. But in recent years, the Duolingo English Test (DET) has emerged as a more affordable and flexible alternative. Launched in 2016 by the creators of Duolingo, the test offers a fully online format, quick results, and a much lower cost—making it a popular choice among test-takers worldwide. By 2025, over 5,500 institutions across more than 110 countries have started recognizing DET scores, including elite universities like Harvard, MIT, and Yale. This growing recognition places the USA, Canada, the UK, and other study hubs among the top Duolingo accepted countries in the world. This blog will help you know the highest-ranking nations that accept the DET, and the advantages of applying for the test.

What is the Duolingo English Test (DET)?

Duolingo English Test is an online-delivered standardized test that measures English language proficiency. It tests four major skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking, just like any other proficiency tests. DET uses an adaptive algorithm, in which the difficulty level of questions changes in real time depending on your responses or the student.

Key Features:

Duration: About 60 minutes.

Range of scores: 10 to 160.

Validity: 2 years.

Cost: Approximately $70 USD (as of April 2025).

Test Delivery: Online, with access from anywhere with a stable internet connection.

Advantages of Choosing the DET

Affordability: DET is much cheaper than other tests, such as TOEFL and IELTS, which cost over $200. This is affordable for more students, especially those from developing nations.

Convenience: As an internet-based test, the DET may be completed at home at a time of the individual’s choosing, avoiding travel to test locations and providing greater flexibility.

Fast Results: Test-takers receive their results promptly within 48 hours, which enables them to fulfill the application deadlines perfectly.

Unlimited Score Reporting: In contrast to other tests, which charge extra to report scores to more than one institution, the DET allows test-takers to report scores to an unlimited number of institutions without extra cost.

Adaptive Testing: The adaptive quality of the DET provides a tailored test, adjusting the difficulty of questions as a function of test-taker performance, to produce a better measurement of English ability.

Leading Countries That Accept the Duolingo English Test

1. United States

The United States has led the way with the acceptance of the DET, and more than 1,000 colleges now accept the DET for admission. All of the leading universities like Harvard, MIT, Yale, and Columbia accept DET scores. The test is also accepted for use in applying a student visa in the U.S.

List of the top US universities accepting DET

Harvard University – Minimum DET score: 125

University of Pennsylvania – Minimum DET score: 130

New York University (NYU)—Minimum DET score: 125

University of California, Berkeley – Minimum DET score: 115

University of Washington—Minimum DET score: 110

University of Chicago—Minimum DET score: 105

University of The United States has led the way with the acceptance of the DET, and more than 1,000
colleges now accept the DET for admission. All of the leading universities like Harvard,
MIT, Yale, and Columbia accept DET scores. The test is also accepted for use in applying
a student visa in the U.S.

List of the top US universities accepting DET

Harvard University – Minimum DET score: 125

University of Pennsylvania – Minimum DET score: 130

New York University (NYU)—Minimum DET score: 125

University of California, Berkeley – Minimum DET score: 115

University of Washington—Minimum DET score: 110

University of Chicago—Minimum DET score: 105

University of Maryland – Minimum DET score: 120

University of Wisconsin-Madison—Minimum DET score: Not specified

Duke University – Minimum DET score: Not specified

Auburn University – Minimum DET score: Not specified

2. Canada

DET has been openly accepted by Canada’s education system, and Canada’s top
universities such as the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the University of
British Columbia has accepted the DET as admissible. Various colleges and universities
Canada also accepts the DET.

List of the top Canadian universities accepting DET

University of Toronto – Minimum DET score: 120

McGill University – Minimum DET score: 115

University of British Columbia (UBC) – Minimum DET score: 115

University of Alberta – Minimum DET score: 115

University of Waterloo – Minimum DET score: 120

Concordia University – Minimum DET score: 110

Dalhousie University – Minimum DET score: 110

York University – Minimum DET score: 110

Simon Fraser University – Minimum DET score: 115

University of Calgary – Minimum DET score: 110

3. United Kingdom

In the UK, several of the top-ranked institutions accept the DET as a suitable alternative,
such as University of Southampton, University of York, and Imperial College London.
Although not all UK universities accept the DET, its usage is increasing gradually. While the UK is also famously known for giving admission to international students on the basis of MOI (Medium of Instruction), DET is also the second easiest option to choose from. 

Cardiff University  Minimum DET score:  110-140

King’s College London Minimum DET score:  115

University of Aberdeen Minimum DET score:  105

University of Bath Minimum DET score: 120

University of Dundee Minimum DET score: 105

University of Glasgow Minimum DET score:  105

4. Australia 

Australian universities like Monash University, University of Sydney, and the University of Adelaide admit students on the basis of the DET. The test is also accepted for other foundation programs in the country.

Monash University – Minimum DET score: 120

University of Sydney – Minimum DET score: 120

University of Queensland – Minimum DET score: 115

University of Adelaide – Minimum DET score: 115

University of Technology Sydney (UTS) – Minimum DET score: 110

RMIT University – Minimum DET score: 105

University of Wollongong – Minimum DET score: 100

La Trobe University – Minimum DET score: 105

Deakin University – Minimum DET score: 115

Macquarie University – Minimum DET score: 120

Tip: Many Australian institutions accept DET for pathway and foundation programs, even if not for direct undergraduate/postgraduate entry.

5. New Zealand

New Zealand’s universities, such as the University of Auckland and Victoria University of Wellington, accept the DET. This gives students further chances to study in the nation.

University of Auckland – Minimum DET score: 110

Victoria University of Wellington – Minimum DET score: 110

University of Otago – Minimum DET score: 110

Massey University – Minimum DET score: 100

Auckland University of Technology (AUT) – Minimum DET score: 100

University of Waikato – Minimum DET score: 100

Lincoln University – Minimum DET score: 100

Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) – Minimum DET score: 95

Unitec Institute of Technology – Minimum DET score: 95

Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) – Minimum DET score: 95

7. Other Nations

A number of European universities, such as those in Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, have begun to accept the DET. Some of the universities that accept the test include the University of Bologna and the University of Barcelona, creating more opportunities for students in the region. 

In Asia, nations such as Thailand, Japan, and China have institutions that administer the DET. For example, Chinese and Japanese universities have embraced the DET in their admissions process due to the increasing international applicability. 

Conclusion 

Duolingo English Test has completely changed the English language test market by providing an economical, adaptable, and convenient alternative to conventional tests. 

As a student, we understand how overwhelming it is to give so many tests and at top of it, to also prove yourself to be English compatible. Hence, DET can be a game changer for you. It has global acceptance by institutions within a matter of a few years, which is a great perk of its effectiveness and validity. For international professionals and individuals planning to work or study abroad, the DET is an easy solution that is perfectly suited for the modern age. 

Once you are aware of the benefits and the countries that recognize the DET, you can make the best decisions and take firm actions towards fulfilling your global aspirations.

Connect with your nearest visa counselor or study abroad consultant for more information.  

Join Dynamic Education Consultants for top-notch DET coaching, personalized strategies, and practice that delivers results.

Start your journey to global education success today!