Planning to study in the UK and considering the Duolingo English Test (DET)? The honest answer has two parts that get mixed up constantly: whether your university will accept it, and whether it satisfies your Student visa requirement. They're governed by completely different rules, and getting them confused is the single most common mistake applicants make. This guide separates them clearly and gives you the exact process to verify your specific situation, rather than relying on a list that may be outdated by the time you apply.
Table of Contents
- The Two-Part Reality
- Which UK Universities Accept the DET
- Russell Group Universities and the DET
- Typical Score Requirements
- Does the DET Satisfy the UK Student Visa Requirement?
- How to Confirm Acceptance at Your Target University
- FAQ
1. The Two-Part Reality
A large and growing number of UK universities accept the DET for admissions — meaning you can use your score to apply for a foundation, undergraduate, or postgraduate offer. Separately, the UK Home Office maintains its own list of Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) for visa purposes, and the DET is not on it as a standalone SELT.
That does not automatically mean you need a second test, though — it depends on your course level and what your university records on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). We cover exactly how that works in the visa section below, because it's more favorable than it's often made out to be.
2. Which UK Universities Accept the DET
Acceptance is set at the course or department level far more often than university-wide — one program accepting the DET doesn't mean every program at that university does, even within the same institution. Because individual admissions pages change through the year and third-party lists (including this one) can lag behind real policy changes, the reliable way to confirm your specific course is:
- Duolingo's own official partner search tool: englishtest.duolingo.com/partners
- Your target course's own admissions/English-language-requirements page (search "Duolingo" or "DET" directly on the page)
We're deliberately not publishing a long list of named universities with specific claimed scores here. When we cross-checked several such lists circulating online against current admissions pages, we found real, unresolved contradictions — the same university listed as accepting the DET on one source and not accepting it on another. Rather than repeat a claim we can't verify, we'd rather point you to a source that's actually current for your course.
3. Russell Group Universities and the DET
This is the area with the most conflicting information online, and it's worth being upfront about that rather than pretending there's one clean answer. Russell Group members set their own admissions policy independently — some accept the DET for certain courses, some accept it case-by-case, and some don't list it for standard admissions at all. These policies also change over time, sometimes within the same academic year.
The practical takeaway: treat any Russell Group DET list, including ones you find elsewhere, as a starting point rather than a guarantee. Search your specific course's admissions page directly for "Duolingo," and if it isn't mentioned, assume it isn't accepted for that course unless admissions confirms otherwise in writing.
4. Typical Score Requirements
The DET is scored from 10 to 160. As a general pattern seen across UK admissions pages — not a guarantee for any specific course:
| DET Score Range | Approximate IELTS Equivalent | Commonly Seen For |
|---|---|---|
| 90–105 | 5.0–5.5 | Foundation and pre-sessional English programs |
| 110–120 | 6.0–6.5 | Standard undergraduate admission |
| 120–130 | 6.5–7.0 | Many postgraduate courses and some Russell Group programs |
| 130+ | 7.0+ | Highly competitive courses (e.g., Law, Journalism) at top-ranked universities |
These are patterns, not rules — every course sets its own number, and some ask for minimum sub-scores in specific skills on top of the overall score. Confirm the exact figure on your course's own page before relying on it.
5. Does the DET Satisfy the UK Student Visa Requirement?
Here's the part most guides oversimplify. According to UK Government and UKCISA guidance, your Student sponsor (university) records on your CAS one of two things: that it has already assessed your English language ability itself (in reading, writing, speaking, and listening), or that a specific Secure English Language Test is required from you.
- Degree-level study (CEFR B2): If your CAS confirms your sponsor already assessed your English — which can be based on your DET score, your prior qualifications, or your nationality — no separate SELT is required. If your CAS instead states a SELT is required, you'll need to take one of the Home Office-approved tests below.
- Below degree-level study, including most pre-sessional and foundation programs (CEFR B1): A Home Office-approved SELT is generally required regardless of what other English evidence you have.
The current Home Office-approved SELT providers are:
- IELTS for UKVI (IELTS SELT Consortium)
- PTE Academic UKVI (Pearson)
- LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
- Skills for English (PSI Services)
- Trinity College London (Integrated Skills in English / GESE — available for tests taken from within the UK)
The DET itself is not on this list and cannot be submitted as a standalone SELT. But whether you need one at all depends entirely on what your specific university records on your CAS — always ask your international admissions office directly which applies to you, since this varies by institution and by course level.
For the separate question of employment-route and Skilled Worker visas, see our UK Skilled Worker Visa vs. Student Route guide.
6. How to Confirm Acceptance at Your Target University
Don't rely on any third-party list alone, including this one. Follow this process for certainty:
- Go to the university's official .ac.uk website directly.
- Navigate to the "International" or "Entry Requirements" section for your specific course.
- Find the "English Language Requirements" page and search it (Ctrl+F) for "Duolingo" or "DET."
- If listed, note the exact overall score and any minimum sub-scores required.
- If it isn't mentioned or you're unsure, email international admissions directly: "I'm applying for [Course Name] for [intake]. Can you confirm whether you accept the Duolingo English Test, and if so, the required score, and whether a separate SELT will be needed for my visa?"
That single email answers both the admissions and visa question for your specific situation, which is more reliable than any published list.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Duolingo English Test accepted in UK universities?
Yes, widely for admission purposes, but acceptance is set per course, not university-wide. Confirm on your specific course's admissions page or Duolingo's official partner tool.
Is the DET accepted for a UK Student visa?
Not as a standalone Secure English Language Test. However, if your university's CAS confirms it already assessed your English itself (which can be based on your DET score) and no further evidence is required, you won't need a separate SELT for degree-level study. Below degree-level and pre-sessional courses generally do require a SELT regardless.
Do Russell Group universities accept the Duolingo English Test?
Some do for certain courses, some don't, and this varies and changes over time — there is no single answer across all 24 Russell Group institutions. Check your specific course's page directly.
What DET score do I need for a UK university?
It depends entirely on the course, but 110–130 covers most standard admissions, with competitive courses often asking for more. Confirm the exact figure on your course page.
How long is a DET result valid for UK applications?
Two years from your test date, the same validity period used for Home Office-approved SELTs.
Why do universities accept the DET but the Home Office doesn't accept it as a SELT?
Universities can set their own admissions criteria and assess English ability however they choose. The Home Office's SELT list has stricter identity-verification and security requirements specifically for immigration purposes, and DET is not currently one of the approved providers on that list — though as explained above, that doesn't always mean you need a separate test.
Related Reading
- UK Skilled Worker Visa vs. Student Route: When Is the DET Legally Accepted?
- Duolingo English Test Score to IELTS & TOEFL Conversion
- Duolingo English Test vs IELTS: Which Is Easier?
- Is the Duolingo English Test Accepted in Canada?
Whether you're aiming for a strong DET score for admission or need to prepare for a SELT alongside it, Prepingo offers unlimited practice questions, AI-scored writing and speaking feedback, and full mock tests to help you get there with confidence.