The Duolingo English Test (DET) has grown rapidly since 2020 — accepted at over 5,000 institutions globally, costs just $59, and can be taken at home in under an hour. But can it replace IELTS? For most international students, the answer depends heavily on where you're applying. This guide tells you exactly when Duolingo works and when it doesn't.
Quick Comparison: Duolingo vs IELTS
| Feature | Duolingo English Test | IELTS Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $59 USD | ~$215–$240 USD |
| Duration | ~1 hour | ~2 hours 45 mins |
| Location | At home (computer + webcam) | Test centre |
| Results | 2 business days | 3–5 days (computer) |
| Score scale | 10–160 (DET score) | 0–9 (band) |
| Accepted institutions | 5,000+ | 11,500+ |
| UK visa acceptance | ❌ Not accepted | ✅ Accepted |
| Canada immigration | ❌ Not accepted | ✅ Accepted |
| Australia immigration | ❌ Not accepted | ✅ Accepted |
| Professional registration | ❌ Not accepted | ✅ Accepted |
Duolingo Score to IELTS Conversion
| Duolingo Score | IELTS Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 155–160 | ~9.0 |
| 140–155 | ~8.0–8.5 |
| 130–140 | ~7.5 |
| 120–130 | ~7.0 |
| 110–120 | ~6.5 |
| 100–110 | ~6.0 |
| 90–100 | ~5.5 |
| 80–90 | ~5.0 |
Where Duolingo IS Accepted
US Universities
Many major US universities accept Duolingo, including:
- Yale University (with minimum score 120)
- Columbia University (with minimum score 120)
- Cornell University (some programmes)
- University of Michigan (some programmes)
- New York University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Most US state universities
Important: Even where Duolingo is listed as accepted, individual departments or programmes may still require IELTS/TOEFL. Always check the specific programme's page, not just the university's general admissions page.
Canadian Universities
Many Canadian universities now accept Duolingo:
- University of Toronto (some faculties)
- University of British Columbia (some programmes)
- McGill University (some programmes)
However, Duolingo is NOT accepted by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) for immigration purposes. A student admitted using Duolingo still needs IELTS/TOEFL for their study permit if they cannot qualify for a language exemption.
Where Duolingo Is NOT Accepted
UK
Duolingo is not accepted for:
- UK Student Route visa applications (requires IELTS for UKVI, TOEFL, or other UKVI-approved tests)
- Most UK university admissions (IELTS or TOEFL required)
Australia
Duolingo is not accepted for:
- Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500)
- Most Australian university admissions
- AHPRA, NMBA, or AITSL professional registration
Canada Immigration
Duolingo is not accepted for:
- IRCC study permit (study permit applications require IELTS, TOEFL, CELPIP, or TEF/TCF)
- Express Entry language assessment
Professional Registration (Anywhere)
Duolingo is not accepted by any major professional regulatory body:
- NMC (UK nursing) ❌
- AHPRA (Australia) ❌
- GMC (UK medicine) ❌
- AITSL (Australia teaching) ❌
Duolingo Format — What the Test Looks Like
The DET consists of adaptive questions across four skills, completed in approximately 60 minutes:
| Component | Type |
|---|---|
| Reading | Fill in the blank, identify real vs. fake words |
| Writing | Sentence construction, paragraph writing |
| Listening | Dictation, listen and type |
| Speaking | Read aloud, describe image, spoken response |
Additionally, an interview component (10 minutes) asks you to answer conversational questions on video.
Subscores
The DET reports four subscores:
- Literacy (reading/writing emphasis)
- Comprehension (listening/reading)
- Conversation (speaking/listening)
- Production (speaking/writing)
Should You Take Duolingo or IELTS?
Take ONLY Duolingo if:
- All your target universities are US-based and list Duolingo as accepted
- You are a US citizen or permanent resident who does not need a student visa
- You need results very quickly and cost is a major constraint
- You are applying to Canadian universities without needing IRCC visa documentation
Take IELTS (not Duolingo) if:
- You are applying to UK universities or need a UK visa
- You are applying for Australian student visa or university admission
- You need a Canadian study permit
- You need scores for professional registration (NMC, AHPRA, etc.)
- You want to maximise the range of universities you can apply to
Take Both if:
- Your primary applications are to US universities (Duolingo sufficient)
- But you also want to keep UK, Australia, or Canada options open
- Budget allows for both — $59 for DET + ~$215 for IELTS = $274 total, covering virtually all possible uses
The Strategic Limitation of Duolingo
Duolingo's 5,000+ acceptance figure is impressive — but it includes many US universities where the practical alternative (TOEFL) has been the standard for decades. Duolingo's acceptance is widest in the US context.
For any student who:
- Might want to live and work in an English-speaking country after graduation
- Is considering UK, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand study
- Needs English evidence for professional registration in healthcare or teaching
...IELTS is the more durable investment. A single IELTS score, valid for 2 years, opens the full range of possibilities.
Prepare for IELTS with Gabble — if your goals extend beyond US universities, IELTS remains the most universally useful English test. AI-powered speaking and writing feedback with instant band scores.