The Duolingo English Test (DET) has become one of the most popular English proficiency tests for Indian students planning to study abroad. At just ₹5,300, it can be taken from home, delivers results in 48 hours, and is accepted by over 5,500 universities worldwide, including top names like Harvard, Imperial College London, University of Toronto, NUS, and Trinity College Dublin.
This article covers which countries and universities accept DET, the exact minimum scores required, visa rules for Indian students, and the most popular courses Indian students are targeting with this test. If you’re applying for the 2026 intake, here’s everything you need to know in one place.
Click Here to Register for Duolingo English Test
- Duolingo English Test Key Highlights
- DET Global Acceptance Overview
- DET Acceptance in Key Study Destinations for Indian Students
- US
- UK
- Canada
- Australia
- Ireland
- Germany
- Singapore
- Italy
- France
- Visa Implications for Indian Students
- How to Prepare For and Take DET?
- DET Pros & Cons for Indian Students
- FAQs
Duolingo English Test Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Accepted Countries in 2026 | 110+ |
| Test Format | Online (at home) |
| Duration | 1 hour |
| Fee | $59 (₹5,300) |
| Results | Within 48 hours |
| Score Range | 10-160 |
| Top Duolingo Accepted Countries in 2026 | USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Singapore |
| Top Duolingo Accepted Universities in 2026 | Harvard University, University of Toronto, Imperial College London, Australian National University, LMU Munich |
Also Read
DET Global Acceptance
DET is recognised by universities across continents for undergraduate, graduate, and pathway programs. Here's a region-wise breakdown of Duolingo acceptance:
| Region | Number of Accepting Institutions | Acceptance Rate in Top Universities | Notes for Indian Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| North America | 4000+ (mostly US & Canada) | 95% of US News Top 10090% of Canada's top universities by international enrollment |
High acceptance for STEM and business programs IRCC (Canada) accepts visas. |
| Europe | 630+ | Strong in UK (130+ universities), Germany, Ireland |
Not UKVI-approved for student visas Popular for affordable EU options like Germany. |
| Oceania | 150+ (Australia & New Zealand) | 90+ in Australia | Growing for foundation courses.Accepted for Australian student visas. |
| Asia | 490+ | Singapore (NUS) | Useful for intra-Asia exchanges or returning to India post-study. |
| Africa & South America | 140+ combined | Emerging | Popular for specialised programs. |
Must Read: Top Universities Abroad Accepting Duolingo in 2026
DET Acceptance in Key Study Destinations for Indian Students
Indian students form a major part in these countries (e.g., 300,000+ in Canada alone). DET is widely accepted, but always verify program-specific requirements on university websites, as some may request additional proof for competitive courses.
US
Over 3,100 US universities accept DET, including 95% of the top 100 (US News 2025). It's valid for F-1 student visas if the institution accepts it for admission. Aim for 120+ for elite schools.
| University | Minimum DET Score | Popular Programs for Indian Students | Annual Tuition Fee (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | 125 | MS Computer Science, MBA | 66 Lakhs |
| Yale University | 120 | Undergraduate Liberal Arts | 76 Lakhs |
| MIT | 120 | MS Engineering | 75 Lakhs |
| Stanford University | 120 | MS Data Science | 74 Lakhs |
| UC Berkeley | 115 | MS Business Analytics | 70 Lakhs |
| Northeastern University | 110 | MS CS (co-op programs) | 51 Lakhs |
| Arizona State University | 95 | Undergraduate Engineering | 35 Lakhs |
Check: Duolingo Accepted Universities in USA in 2026
UK
130+ universities accept DET, including Russell Group institutions. However, it is not approved for a visa, which requires an SELT like IELTS UKVI or PTE UKVI.
| University | Minimum DET Score | Popular Programs for Indian Students | Annual Tuition Fee (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial College London | 125 | MS Engineering, MBA | 60-90 Lakhs |
| University of Bristol | 115 | MS Data Science | 39-43 Lakhs |
| University of Glasgow | 110 | Undergraduate Business | 33-46 Lakhs |
| King's College London | 115 | LLM, MBBS | 45-53 Lakhs |
| Anglia Ruskin University | 95 | MS AI, MBA, MS Cyber Security | 22-23 Lakhs |
Check: Duolingo Accepted Universities in UK 2026
Canada
400+ institutions accept DET, with 90% of top universities (by international enrollment) on board. IRCC recognises it for study permits, making it visa-friendly.
| University | Minimum DET Score | Popular Programs for Indian Students | Annual Tuition Fee (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | 120 | MS CS, MBA | 30-44 Lakhs |
| McGill University | 115 | MS CS, MBA | 19-66 Lakhs |
| University of British Columbia | 115 | MS CS, MBA, MS Data Science | 36-49 Lakhs |
| University of Alberta | 110 | MBA, MS CS | 20-30 Lakhs |
| York University | 100 | MBA, MA Psychology, MS CS | 23-78 Lakhs |
Check: Duolingo Accepted Universities in Canada 2026
Australia
90+ universities accept DET for undergrad and postgrad. It's valid for student visas (Subclass 500), though some programs prefer IELTS.
| University | Minimum DET Score | Popular Programs for Indian Students | Annual Tuition Fee (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian National University | 110 | MBA, MS Data Analytics, Finance | 29-32 Lakhs |
| University of New South Wales | 115 | MS IT, MBA, MS Finance | 33-50 Lakhs |
| Monash University | 110 | MBA Business Analytics | 28-34 Lakhs |
| University of Newcastle | 100 | BS Nursing, BS Medical Science, MS IT | 24-50 Lakhs |
| Charles Darwin University | 95 | MS Data Science, MS Nursing | 18-22 Lakhs |
Check: Duolingo Accepted Universities in Australia 2026
Ireland
Ireland is a top pick for Indian Students (25,000+ students), with 1-year master's and tech hubs like Dublin. All 15 out of 18 universities accept DET, and it's officially recognised by INIS for Stamp 2 visas (no separate proof if admitted).
| University | Minimum DET Score | Popular Programs for Indian Students | Annual Tuition Fee (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity College Dublin | 120 | MS Finance, MBA | 28-37 Lakhs |
| University College Dublin | 120 (110 subscores) | MS Business Analytics, MBA | 27-40 Lakhs |
| University College Cork | 120 | MS CS, MS Data Science | 21-28 Lakhs |
| Dublin City University | 120 | MS Electronic Engineering, MS Digital Marketing | 20-26 Lakhs |
| University of Limerick | 110 | MS Business Analytics, MS Project Management | 18-21 Lakhs |
Check: Duolingo Accepted Universities in Ireland 2026
Germany
Germany draws 50,000+ Indian students with tuition-free public universities and an engineering focus. DET is accepted by 50+ institutions (mostly private and international), but public ones like TUM often require IELTS or TOEFL. For visas (Type D), a blocked account and admission suffice; no English test is mandated.
| University | Minimum DET Score | Popular Programs for Indian Students | Annual Tuition Fee (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich | 100 | MS CS, MBA | 62,000 |
| Heidelberg University | 105 | MS Applied CS, MS Computer Engineering | 3 Lakhs |
| University of Cologne | 105 | MS Environmental Science | 69,000 |
| Technical University of Munich | 110 | MS CS, MS Data Analytics | 12 Lakhs |
Check: Duolingo Accepted Universities in Germany 2026
Singapore
Singapore's universities are hubs for business, tech, and engineering, attracting 20,000+ Indian students annually. DET is accepted by key institutions, especially foreign campuses, for UG and PG studies. It's valid for Student Pass visas if the school uses it for admissions.
| University | Minimum DET Score | Popular Programs for Indian Students | Annual Tuition Fee (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| National University of Singapore | 120 | MS Data Science, MBA | 40-68 Lakhs |
| James Cook University | 105 | MBA, BCom | 22-24 Lakhs |
| Singapore Institute of Management | 100 | BS Data Science, MS International Business | 12-30 Lakhs |
Italy
Italy offers affordable public universities and English programs in design, engineering, and humanities. DET is accepted by most private and international universities, but public ones like Bologna prefer IELTS/TOEFL. For the Type D visa, university admission is enough if the program is in English.
| University | Minimum DET Score | Popular Programs for Indian Students | Annual Tuition Fee (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Bologna | 100 | MBA, BA Economics | 17,000 - 1.6 Lakhs |
| Politecnico di Milano | 105 | BS Architecture, MS Mechanical Engineering | 91 Lakhs |
| Sapienza University of Rome | 100 | MBA, MS Data Science | 3-4 Lakhs |
France
France has over 10,000 Indian students, with low tuition at public universities and strong STEM/business programs. DET is accepted by 100+ institutions, including top business schools, and Campus France accepts it if the university does, with no extra proof required.
| University | Minimum DET Score | Popular Programs for Indian Students | Annual Tuition Fee (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sorbonne University | 110 | MS Quantum Information, MS CS | 22,000 |
| HEC Paris | 135 | MS International Finance, MS Management | 25-45 Lakhs |
| Audencia Business School | 100 | MBA | 23 Lakhs |
Visa Implications for Indian Students
DET supports admissions everywhere listed, but visa rules vary:
| Country | DET Role in Visa Process | Key Notes for Indian Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| USA | Used for university admission. I-20 based on DET is enough for F-1 visa. | Widely accepted by universities. No issues reported in visa interviews. |
| UK | Accepted by universities; CAS confirms English level. | Degree-level courses accept DET through CAS. Below degree may need SELT. |
| Canada | Accepted for regular study permit. | Fully valid after SDS ended. DLI offer + DET works for visa. |
| Australia | Used for admission; visa office may ask for IELTS or PTE. | Not an approved visa test. Safe only if CoE covers English proof. |
| Ireland | Offer letter with DET accepted for visa. | Simple and clear acceptance. No extra test needed. |
| Singapore | Visa depends on university acceptance. | No extra English test. Student Pass issued based on admission. |
| Germany | DET only for admission; visa does not require English test. | APS, blocked account, and admission are key. |
| France | Accepted if university uses DET for admission. | No extra English proof needed for English-taught programs. |
| Italy | Visa does not require English test if admitted. | University pre-enrollment + offer letter is enough. |
| New Zealand | Visa relies on offer from approved provider. | DET accepted by major universities; offer letter is sufficient. |
How to Prepare For and Take DET?
1. Registration: Sign up on the official Duolingo site; available year-round.
Check: DET Test Booking
2. Format: Adaptive (difficulty adjusts based on performance); includes video interview and writing sample.
3. Scoring Equivalents (approximate):
- 120+ = IELTS 7.0 / TOEFL 100
- 110 = IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 90
- 100 = IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 80
4. Tips for Indian Students:
- Practice with free Duolingo app mocks or platforms like DETPractice (300+ questions).
- Focus on accents (US and UK) via podcasts.
- Retake if needed, unlimited attempts.
- Join online batches (e.g., 4-week courses for ₹5,000-10,000).
Also Read: DET Exam Fee
DET Pros & Cons for Indian Students
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Also Read
For your study abroad plans, DET is a strong, low-risk option, especially if you're targeting 2026 intakes. Use the official search tool (englishtest.duolingo.com/institutions) to filter by country or program. Consult education agents for personalised guidance, and start practising now to hit 110-120. If your dream school is not listed, email their admissions office; acceptance is growing rapidly.
FAQs
Ques. Is Duolingo accepted for PhD applications in 2026?
Ans. Yes, many universities in the US, Canada, Europe, and Singapore accept DET for PhD programs, especially in STEM and business. However, some research-intensive programs may prefer TOEFL or IELTS, so applicants should confirm with their department.
Ques. How many times can I take the Duolingo test for 2026 admissions?
Ans. You can take the test as many times as you want, but only two attempts are allowed within a 30-day period. Universities receive only the scores you choose to send.
Ques. Do universities verify DET scores during the admission process?
Ans. Yes. Colleges receive scores directly from Duolingo’s secure portal, which includes your video interview and writing sample. This reduces the chance of score fraud and speeds up application review.
Ques. Is Duolingo accepted for STEM programs like Data Science, AI, and Engineering?
Ans. Most universities accepting DET allow it for high-demand STEM programs. Competitive courses may set higher minimums (usually 115-125), so early preparation is recommended.
Ques. Can I use the same Duolingo score for multiple country applications?
Ans. Yes. DET allows unlimited free score sends, so one test attempt can be used to apply to universities across the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Asia without extra cost.
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