Are Duolingo English Test Scores Accepted by Universities? The Latest Policy Update for 2025

The Duolingo English Test (DET) has transformed from a pandemic-era stopgap into a permanent fixture in international admissions. As of January 2025, over 5,000 programs across 4,500+ institutions in more than 100 countries now accept DET scores, according to Duolingo’s own admissions portal. This marks a 40% increase in acceptance since 2022. However, the landscape is not uniform. A 2024 survey by the Institute of International Education (IIE) found that while 68% of U.S. universities accept the DET, only 41% of UK Russell Group institutions do. The key shift in 2025 is not whether universities accept the test, but how they set score thresholds and whether they require supplementary proof of English proficiency. If you are planning to study abroad this year, understanding these granular policy updates—not just the headline acceptance rate—is the difference between a conditional offer and a rejection.

Why Universities Are Recalibrating DET Score Requirements in 2025

The primary driver of 2025 policy changes is score inflation. As the DET has grown in popularity, average scores have crept upward. Data from the Duolingo English Test 2024 Score Report indicates that the global average score for test-takers rose from 105 in 2020 to 115 in 2024. Universities, particularly competitive ones, are responding by raising their minimum thresholds.

University of Oxford now requires a minimum DET score of 130 for most postgraduate programs, up from 125 in 2023. Similarly, New York University (NYU) increased its recommended score for the College of Arts and Science from 125 to 135. This recalibration is not arbitrary; institutions are correlating DET scores with first-year GPA data. A 2023 internal study from Arizona State University found that students with DET scores below 115 had a 22% higher rate of academic probation in their first semester. Consequently, many schools are now publishing “competitive” versus “minimum” score ranges, a nuance that applicants often miss.

The Full Acceptance List: Which Countries Are In and Out

Acceptance is not binary. While the DET is widely accepted in North America, other regions have stricter policies.

United States: The most open market. Over 1,200 U.S. institutions accept the DET, including all Ivy League schools. However, note that Harvard Medical School and Yale School of Medicine do not accept DET for their graduate health programs.

United Kingdom: A mixed picture. The UK Home Office still does not accept the DET for Student Visa (Tier 4) applications. This is a critical distinction. While universities like Imperial College London and University College London accept DET for academic admission, you will still need an IELTS or PTE for the visa itself. The 2024 UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) Approved Test List explicitly excludes Duolingo.

Canada: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) accepts DET for the Student Direct Stream (SDS) as of August 2023, but only for certain institutions. As of 2025, the minimum score for SDS eligibility is 120, compared to IELTS 6.0.

Australia: Limited acceptance. The Department of Home Affairs (Australia) does not accept DET for student visas. Only a handful of private colleges accept it for direct entry.

Europe & Asia: Growing but fragmented. Germany’s DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) lists 45 universities accepting DET, while Japan’s Waseda University and South Korea’s Yonsei University accept it for English-taught programs.

How DET Scores Compare to IELTS and TOEFL in 2025 Admissions

Universities use conversion tables, but these are not standardized. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) provides a rough guide: DET 120-140 maps to CEFR B2/C1. However, admissions officers are increasingly skeptical of direct conversions.

A 2024 study published by ETS (Educational Testing Service) compared DET and TOEFL iBT scores for 1,500 test-takers. The correlation was strong (r=0.82), but ETS noted that DET scores tended to be 5-7 points higher than the equivalent TOEFL score for the same candidate in the 100-120 range. This discrepancy is why some universities now require a DET score that is 10-15 points higher than what the official conversion chart suggests.

For example, if a university requires TOEFL 100 (IELTS 7.0), the official Duolingo conversion table says DET 120 is equivalent. But in practice, University of California, Berkeley and University of Michigan now ask for DET 130 for programs that previously required TOEFL 100. The rule of thumb: add 10-15 points to the official conversion when applying to top-50 U.S. schools.

The 2025 Policy Change: Sub-Score Requirements Are Now Critical

The most overlooked update in 2025 is the introduction of sub-score minimums. The DET provides four sub-scores: Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, and Production. Many universities previously only looked at the overall score.

University of Toronto now requires a minimum Literacy sub-score of 120 for humanities programs, even if the overall score is 130. University of British Columbia mandates a Conversation sub-score of 125 for business programs. This is a direct response to feedback from faculty that students with high overall DET scores sometimes struggled with academic writing or in-class discussion.

If you are a test-taker with an unbalanced profile (e.g., strong reading but weak speaking), you may need to retake the test to meet sub-score requirements. The DET allows unlimited retakes (with a 30-day waiting period after the first attempt), but each attempt costs $59 USD.

How to Verify If Your Specific Program Accepts DET

Do not rely on university-wide acceptance lists. Program-level acceptance varies significantly.

Engineering programs are often more restrictive than liberal arts programs. For instance, MIT accepts DET for undergraduate admissions but not for its graduate engineering programs. Stanford Law School accepts DET, but Stanford School of Medicine does not.

The most reliable method is to check the Duolingo English Test University Portal (englishtest.duolingo.com/institutions). As of February 2025, this portal lists 5,024 programs with specific score requirements. You should also cross-reference with the university’s official international admissions page. A 2024 audit by Unilink Education found that 18% of university websites contained outdated DET information (e.g., still listing pandemic-era temporary acceptance policies).

If you cannot find your program on either source, email the admissions office directly with the subject line “Duolingo English Test Inquiry – [Program Name].” Ask for the minimum overall score, sub-score requirements, and whether DET is accepted for the visa process.

The “Conditional Acceptance” Trap: What You Need to Know

A growing trend in 2025 is conditional acceptance based on DET scores. Some universities, particularly in the UK and Australia, will issue an offer contingent on you achieving a higher DET score or completing a pre-sessional English course.

University of Leeds offers conditional acceptance for programs requiring DET 130 if you score between 120-129. The condition is completion of a 6-week pre-sessional course costing £3,200. University of Sydney has a similar policy for DET scores 5-10 points below the threshold.

This is not necessarily a bad option. However, you must factor in the additional cost and time. A pre-sessional course can delay your start date by one semester. Always ask if the conditional offer can be waived if you retake the DET and achieve the required score within 30 days.

FAQ

Q1: What is the minimum Duolingo English Test score for U.S. universities in 2025?

There is no single minimum. For undergraduate programs at top-50 U.S. universities, the typical range is 120-135. For example, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) requires 130, while University of Texas at Austin requires 120. For graduate programs, the range is often higher, with Columbia University requiring 135 for its School of Engineering. Always check the specific program, not just the university.

Q2: Can I use Duolingo for a UK student visa?

No. The UK Home Office does not include the Duolingo English Test on its approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) list as of 2025. You must take IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic UKVI, or Trinity ISE to satisfy visa requirements. Some UK universities accept DET for academic admission, but you will still need a separate SELT for the visa application.

Q3: How long are Duolingo English Test scores valid?

DET scores are valid for 2 years from the test date. This aligns with IELTS and TOEFL policies. However, some universities may request scores taken within 18 months if you have a gap in your education. For example, University of Melbourne requires scores to be no older than 18 months at the time of application, not enrollment. Always check the specific validity window for your target institution.

参考资料

• Duolingo English Test 2024 Score Report
• Institute of International Education (IIE) 2024 Survey on Test Acceptance
• UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Approved Test List 2024
• ETS (Educational Testing Service) 2024 Comparative Study of DET and TOEFL iBT
• Unilink Education 2024 Audit of University Website DET Policy Accuracy