The Duolingo English Test (DET) is becoming a popular option for students from India who want to study abroad. It is faster, more flexible, and often more affordable than traditional tests like IELTS and TOEFL.
If you’re looking to study abroad, we’ve broken down when and where the Duolingo English Test can be used as part of your application process.
Remember to always check the official government websites for the latest visa information!
What is the Duolingo English Test and why is it growing in popularity?
For an in-depth look at the Duolingo English Test, check out our comprehensive guide here! Otherwise, we’ve broken down the key parts of the green owl’s latest offering.
An online, at-home English proficiency exam, the Duolingo English Test takes 1 hour and the difficulty of some questions changes based on your performance.. Results are available within 48 hours and no booking is required, two of the reasons it’s becoming so popular with international students. You can take it anytime that suits you, which is great if you have work and study deadlines you need to work around.
We’ve broken down the differences between the Duolingo English Test, IELTS and TOEFL, so you can see the pros and cons of all three at a glance:
Duolingo English Test | IELTS | TOEFL |
No advance booking or appointment needed | Date must be booked in advance on dates set by controlling bodies (British Council allows booking as late as 2-3 days before registration closes) | Date must be booked in advance on dates set by controlling bodies. TOEFL iBT allows booking 24 hours after registration. |
Only takes 1 hour | Tests take a minimum 2 hours. Travel time to test centre not included | |
Costs 6,551Rs (1 test) or 11,045Rs (2 tests)* | 18,000Rs (18,250 for IELTS on Computer for UKVI)* | 18,000Rs* |
Results delivered in 48 hours | Results in 1-2 days | Results in 4-8 days after test |
* The tuition fees listed in this table are accurate as of April 2026. Universities may update their fees, so always check the official university website for the latest information.
It might be useful to compare all the at-home English-proficiency test options before choosing which one works best for you, so check out our guide on the available options.
In summary, the Duolingo English Test is growing in popularity with students from India because of its barrier-free access and lower cost. Faster results also mean you can meet application deadlines with more confidence. Still, it’s important to understand where the Duolingo English Test is accepted, as some countries might require a further test anyway.
Where the Duolingo English Test is accepted, and the visa rules for students from India
Many universities are now accepting the Duolingo English Test as part of their admissions process, but students need to be aware that there’s a difference between university acceptance and student visa requirements. A test that works for admission may not be enough for your student visa.
We’ve highlighted university acceptance rates of the Duolingo English Test and visa requirements in popular destinations for Indian students looking to study abroad.
* Information in this section is valid as of April 2026 and subject to change.
United Kingdom
University acceptance: moderate to high (rapidly growing) | Visa requirements for Indian students |
Many universities now accept the Duolingo English Test for admission, with typical acceptance scores ranging from 100 to 130. Acceptance is continuing to grow so check with the individual institute to see if it’s accepted at the moment. Universities accepting the Duolingo English Test include Imperial College London, ranked 8th globally in Studyportals’ Global Metaranking Data for 2026; the University of Southampton, ranked 102nd; the University of Liverpool, ranked 117th; and, the University of York, ranked 169th. | For a student visa to the UK, if you’ve been accepted to a UK university where the language of instruction is English and the Duolingo English Test is accepted, you won’t need further proof of English proficiency for your visa. This means that the Duolingo English Test is sufficient for a student visa to the UK. The Secure English Language Test (SELT) is required in the case of some visas, but not the majority of student visas. To apply for a visa in the UK, you’ll also need an acceptance letter from a recognised UK institution and financial proof showing you can support yourself while studying in the UK. Make sure to check the official government website for the latest visa information. |
United States
University acceptance: high | Visa requirements for Indian students |
| The United States has one of the highest acceptance rates of the Duolingo English Test, with thousands of institutes accepting it. Typical score requirements range between 95 and 120 for most programmes, with more competitive universities asking for higher scores. Graduate programs also largely accept the Duolingo English Test for their admissions process. | For student visas in the USA, there is no fixed requirement for an English-language test. As long as your intended institution has provided you with an acceptance letter, that’s the key to your F-1 visa. Sometimes, visa officers still like to double-check your English, so be prepared for questions at the entry interview stage to demonstrate your ability to communicate. |
Canada
University acceptance: high | Visa requirements for Indian students |
| Canadian universities are increasingly accepting the Duolingo English Test, though it’s not yet universal. Typical required scores range from 105 to 125. 90% of Canada’s top universities accept the Duolingo English Test for undergraduate admission, and nearly half of English-taught graduate programs accept the Duolingo English Test. | Canada now accepts the Duolingo English Test as valid proof of English proficiency for their standard study permit. This means that you can use it for both university admissions and your visa application! |
Australia
University acceptance: limited to moderate | Visa requirements for Indian students |
| Australia has been slower to accept the Duolingo English Test compared to other study abroad destinations popular with students from India. Typical score requirements fall between 100 and 200. Some universities accept it for undergraduate programmes while others it’s only accepted for foundation degrees. | Australia does not accept any at-home delivery English-language tests for visa admissions processes, meaning the Duolingo English Test is not accepted for visa purposes. There are cases where testing is not mandatory if you fall into one of the eligibility categories. |
Ireland
University acceptance: high | Visa requirements for Indian students |
Ireland is becoming a popular alternative to the UK for students from India, with strong acceptance of the Duolingo English Test. 15 of Ireland’s 18 universities accept the Duolingo English Test in their admissions process, defining it as one of the most accepting destinations. Typical scores range from 100 to 200. Ireland is especially attractive for Indian students because of its English-taught degrees and strong job market in areas like tech, business, and pharmaceuticals. | Ireland has relaxed its student visa rules to welcome international students. As part of this, the Duolingo English Test is accepted as valid proof of English proficiency. This means Indian students can often use the same test result for both admission and their visa, making the process simpler. |
Europe (Netherlands, Germany, and others)
University acceptance: varies (growing in some countries) | Visa requirements for Indian students |
| Across Europe, acceptance of Duolingo English Test differs widely. Some universities in the Netherlands and Germany accept it. Typical scores, where accepted, range between 100 and 125. | In many European countries, student visa decisions for students from India rely on proof of admission from a recognised higher education provider. If the university confirms that the student meets English language requirements, embassies may accept this as sufficient. |
Studying in India at foreign universities (TNE)
Transnational Education (TNE) is growing in popularity as it allows you to stay in India while benefitting from global communities and world-class research. As India becomes more and more popular for international students, foreign universities are recognising the shift and beginning to open campuses.
These branch campuses welcome domestic and international students, allowing them to earn joint degrees from both the local and international institutions. In 2025, five more universities declared their intent to open campuses in India, meaning this is a viable option for future domestic studies.
For example, Deakin University and University of Wollongong have established campuses in Gujarat’s GIFT City. This shows that TNE is becoming a real option if you want an international education while staying in India.
GEDU Global Education, an international provider of university degrees, has three campuses in India already and has just opened its biggest in Gujarat.
Do they accept Duolingo English Test?
In most cases, yes. With TNE, the admissions process largely depends on the parent institute’s admissions process. As the majority of TNE providers in India are currently British, the Duolingo English Test is considered an acceptable demonstration of English-proficiency for admissions.
As one of the driving purposes of TNE is to increase global connections and accessibility for domestic students, Duolingo English Test is likely to continue to be accepted because of its barrier-free ethos.
Something to remember though is that, like most university admissions, acceptance at TNE institutions is programme specific so always refer back to the university’s guidelines on admissions for the latest information.
Is the Duolingo English Test accepted by universities in India?
While a small number of universities in India (including the Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management and the Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology) accept the Duolingo English Test for admissions, it’s largely not required for local admissions.
International students looking to study in India will still need to prove English-proficiency through the traditional IELTS and TOEFL routes, unless the medium of instruction at a previous education provider was English.
So, is Duolingo English Test right for you?
The Duolingo English Test offers an affordable and accessible route to demonstrate your English-language proficiency for admissions to study abroad destinations. It can remove some of the early stress of visa and university applications because it’s simpler and cheaper to organise than the traditional IELTS and TOEFL routes.
However, it’s not universally accepted and sometimes governments will still require further English-language tests so it’s essential to check with government websites for required documentation.
