Duolingo English Test: Expanding Your Options for UK Study
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The UK offers a world-renowned education system for Indian students. Many students take the Duolingo English Test (DET) to prove their English language proficiency. Many universities in the UK accept scores of DET test.
The UK continues to stand out as a premier destination for international education for aspiring Indian students. It is home to some of the leading universities offering a wide variety of programmes ranging from engineering, science, art and design, to business and management, law and finance. The UK’s reputation and legacy as a world centre for scientific research also make it a magnet for some of the very best thinkers in the world. There are multiple universities in UK which accept scores of the Duolingo English Test. The DET has emerged as a viable alternative, offering a more accessible and affordable way to demonstrate English language proficiency.
The UK education system also gives students the freedom to combine courses and subjects from different areas of studies, to tailor their degrees with their own needs and interests. Notably, the UK Home Office statistics reveal that there were 110,006 sponsored study visa grants to main applicants who were Indian nationals in the year ending June 2024 (25 per cent of the total). Studying in UK offers a world-renowned education system with qualifications that can make a real difference to one’s future.
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Why Consider Duolingo English Test?
Indian students aspiring to study abroad often encounter challenges with English language proficiency tests like IELTS and TOEFL due to high costs and logistical hurdles.
- Cost Concerns: Registration fees for traditional tests like IELTS and TOEFL typically range from INR 15,500 to ₹18,000, which can be burdensome for lower-income students, especially when considering additional expenses like tuition and living costs abroad.
- Logistical Challenges: These tests are typically offered in major cities, forcing students from rural areas to travel long distances, incurring extra costs for travel and accommodation. Limited testing slots can further complicate the situation, leading to longer wait times and additional travel requirements.
- Preparation Needs: Students from non-English medium backgrounds often require extra coaching to meet the proficiency levels needed for IELTS and TOEFL, increasing both time and financial investment.
However, The Duolingo English Test (DET) is transforming the landscape of English language proficiency assessments by providing a more accessible and cost-effective alternative that is increasingly recognized by top universities in the UK, including 200+ programs at leading institutions such as the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, and University College London.
Why Choose the DET?
- Convenience: Take the test from home anytime, anywhere, with a computer and internet connection.
- Quick Results: Get your scores within 48 hours.
- Affordability: At just INR 5000, the DET is much more affordable than traditional tests.
- Short Duration: The test lasts approximately one hour, making it a time-efficient choice.
Additionally, you can send your score to unlimited universities at no additional costs giving you the chance to explore as many options as you want!
Universities in the UK Accepting the Duolingo English Test
The DET is accepted by 206 programs across the UK across universities such as:
- University of York
- University of Aberdeen
- Buckinghamshire New University
- University of the West of England
- University of Exeter
- University of Leicester
- Bath Spa University
- Devon County Council
- Bangor University
- Northumbria University
- York St John University
- Hult International Business School Inc
- Anglia Ruskin University
- Farnborough College of Technology
- Hertfordshire International College
- Northern College of Acupuncture
These universities represent just a fraction of the options available. To explore more, check the complete list of UK institutions that recognize the DET and broaden your search for a perfect academic fit. This needs to be coloured and explained better. Check out the list of Duolingo-accepting universities in the UK
Why Choose the UK for Higher Education?
Here are some reasons to study in UK for Indian students:
- World-Renowned Universities: 28 UK universities are in the QS World University Rankings 2025’s top 200, including Cambridge College, and Imperial College London.
- Shorter Program Duration: Most undergraduate degrees in the UK are completed in three years, compared to the four-year duration in many other countries, saving time and money.
- Work Opportunities: Students can work part-time up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during breaks, providing financial support and industry experience.
- Post-Study Work Visa: The post-study work visa/permit in the UK (PSW UK) allows international students to stay back to search for work or work on full-time opportunities in the UK for a period of two years after completing their graduate studies. For PhD or doctoral students, this period may extend for 3 years.
While education in the UK is highly regarded, it’s important to consider the costs:
- Tuition Fees: Range from £11,400 to £38,000 per year.
- Cost of Living: Expect to spend between £8,600 and £15,000 per year, depending on your location.
About the Author
The Duolingo English Test is a modern English proficiency assessment for today’s international students and institutions. The test is available online, on demand. You don’t have to make an appointment or travel to a test centre—you can take the test from your home via a computer and webcam. The test is administered using computer adaptive technology, meaning that the question difficulty adapts to each test taker. The test also integrates a video interview and writing sample, which are sent to an institution along with your proficiency score when you send your results. The entire test experience takes just under an hour. Test results
Q: Which countries accept Duolingo English Test?
Q: How many attempts are allowed for Duolingo English Test?
There is no restriction in the number of times a candidate can attempt to take the Duolingo English Test, but one cannot take it more than three times in a period of 30 days. Check details of the previous 30 days and count the number of times you've bought the same within those days in order to see if you can buy another test or not. Even if you fail this test multiple times you can make a re-attempt. But if the test taker is unable to improve or enhance his or her score even after many attempts, it would imply that the test is not helping them with learning. They should then try some other method to improve their language skills.
Q: What are the minimum eligibility criteria for Duolingo English Test?
There aren't any set Duolingo English Test requirements that students need to fulfill to appear in the exam. With any educational qualification, candidates of any age can take the exam to prove their English language proficiency. Note that, Candidates below 13 years of age need parental consent to appear for the test.
Q: How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
Q: What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?
The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:
| Ranking Body | Ranking |
|---|---|
| The Guardian University Guide 2024 | #101 |
| The Complete University Guide 2024 | #117 |
Q: Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Q: Is Hertfordshire University hard to get into?
With a 70% acceptance rate, the University of Hertfordshire is not hard to get into and follows easy selection criteria during admissions. This does not mean the university accepts all the students applying for different programs. The selection is based on academic performance, English language requirements, references, and many more. Some of the programs at Hertfordshire even demand an experience of 4-5 years. Students must fulfill the eligibility criteria to enroll in any programme at Hertfordshire University. In addition, students with average performance can showcase their relevant experience or extracurricular activities participation to increase their selection probability.
Q: Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
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As countries are continuously added to the list of Duolingo accepting nations, it's difficult to say the exact number. However, more than 100 countries are accepting the Duolingo English Test score currently. Countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Germany, Ireland, and all major study destinations are in the list. Note that, even if a country accepts the Duolingo English Test in general, individual universities might have their own English language proficiency requirements. As countries accept score of Duolingo for visa also.