Universities That Accept the Duolingo English Test: Complete 2026 Guide by Continent

You've decided to take the DET. Good choice — it's faster, cheaper, and you can take it from home. But now comes the real question: will your target university actually accept it?

The short answer: probably yes. Over 5,500 institutions in 110+ countries now accept the DET, including 98 of the top 100 US universities. But "accept" doesn't mean the same thing everywhere. Some universities want 105. Some want 130. Some accept it for admission but not for visas.

This guide gives you the full picture — organized by continent so you can find your target schools quickly and know exactly what score you need.

The basics:

• Score requirements typically range from 100-130 depending on institution and program
• Results come within 48 hours
• Test fee: $65 USD

One important caveat: requirements change constantly. We update this page regularly, but always verify directly with your university's admissions office before you commit.

North America

If you're aiming for the US or Canada, you're in luck — these countries have the widest DET acceptance anywhere.

United States

Over 3,100 US institutions accept the DET, including every Ivy League school. If you're targeting a US university, chances are they'll take your score.

Ivy League Universities (All Accept DET)

Top Private Universities

Top Public Universities

US Visa: The US government doesn't require a specific English test for the F-1 student visa. If your university accepts DET, you're covered.

Canada

Canada has over 400 universities and colleges accepting DET. Even better: Canadian immigration (IRCC) accepts it for study permits, so you won't need a separate test for your visa.

Top Canadian Universities

Canada Visa: Since Canada discontinued the Student Direct Stream (SDS) in November 2024, there's no advantage to IELTS over DET anymore. If your university accepts DET, use it.

Europe

Europe is catching up. Over 489 universities now accept the DET — but acceptance varies widely by country, and visa rules are more complicated than North America.

United Kingdom

Over 150 UK universities accept DET, including many Russell Group schools. The big exceptions: Oxford and Cambridge still want IELTS or TOEFL.

Top UK Universities Accepting DET

UK Visa — here's where it gets tricky: The UK Home Office doesn't officially accept DET for student visas. However, if your university accepts DET and issues you a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) based on your score, you can still get your visa. The workaround exists, but it's worth confirming with your specific university before relying on it.

Other European Countries

DET acceptance is growing across Europe, especially for English-taught programs. But it's patchy — you'll need to verify with each university.

Germany

Note: Most German universities still prefer IELTS/TOEFL. DET acceptance is growing for English-taught master's programs, but don't assume — check first.

France

Italy

Spain

Netherlands, Switzerland, and Nordic Countries

Multiple universities in these regions accept DET for English-taught programs. Always verify with specific institutions as requirements vary by program.

Oceania

Australia

Over 90 Australian universities accept DET for admission. But there's a catch you need to know about.

Top Australian Universities

Australia Visa — the bad news: DET is NOT accepted for student visa (subclass 500) applications. You can use it to get admitted, but you'll need IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE for your visa. This means potentially taking two tests. Some universities offer pathways around this — ask admissions directly.

New Zealand

New Zealand is simpler. Universities accept DET, and you don't need an English test for the visa at all.

New Zealand Visa: No English test required for the fee-paying student visa. Get accepted by a university, and you're set.

Asia

Asia is mixed. Some countries have strong DET acceptance for English-taught programs. Others barely recognize it. Here's what we know.

Japan

South Korea

Singapore

China

Hong Kong

India

Malaysia & Thailand

Multiple universities in Malaysia (including University of Malaya) and Thailand accept DET for English-taught programs. Requirements vary by institution.

South America

DET acceptance is growing here, especially in Brazil and Mexico. If you're looking at Latin America, these are your best options.

Brazil

Good to know: CAPES, Brazil's federal agency for graduate education, recognizes DET for scholarship applications. That's a big deal if you're applying for funding.

Mexico

Other Latin American Countries

Universities in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Peru are increasingly accepting DET, particularly for MBA programs and English-taught courses at private institutions.

Africa

DET acceptance is still limited in Africa. A few institutions accept it — mostly private universities and US-affiliated schools — but you'll need to verify case by case.

Middle East

US-affiliated universities in the Gulf accept DET. If you're targeting these schools, you're covered.

United Arab Emirates

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Select institutions and programs accept DET, particularly those with US partnerships.

What Score Do You Actually Need?

Here's a realistic breakdown by region. These are typical ranges — your specific program may differ.

How to Verify (Don't Skip This)

Before you take the test, confirm acceptance:

1. Duolingo's official database: Search accepting institutions
2. University website: Look for "English proficiency requirements" or "international admissions"
3. Email admissions directly: If it's unclear, ask. Don't assume.
4. Check program-specific requirements: Some departments have different rules than the university-wide policy

We've seen students get surprised because the business school had different requirements than the engineering school at the same university. Five minutes of verification saves months of frustration.

Next Steps

Now you know where your score will be accepted. The next question is: what score do you actually need to hit?

Aim 10-15 points above the minimum. Universities list minimums, but competitive applicants score higher — especially for popular programs.

If you're preparing for the DET and want structured practice with teachers who actually understand the test, we run group courses for DET preparation. We focus on the thinking patterns behind each question type, not just test tricks.