Duolingo English Test accepted universities in Canada: 2026–27 scores and how to check
Aman Batth · 5 min read · · Updated
The Duolingo score six Canadian universities and five colleges ask for in 2026–27, taken from each school's own admissions page, plus why the subscores and the programme matter more than the overall number, and why IRCC does not accept the DET for PR.
The Duolingo English Test is accepted by thousands of universities and colleges, costs a fraction of IELTS or PTE, and returns a result in about two days. That combination is why so many students — especially those already inside Canada needing an offer quickly — take it.
But "accepted" is a slipperier word than it looks, and getting it wrong means sitting the wrong test.
Acceptance is set per programme, not per university
This is the single most common mistake. A university appearing on an acceptance list does not mean every programme in it accepts the DET, or accepts it at the same score.
It is normal for one institution to:
- accept DET for undergraduate admission but not for a postgraduate programme
- accept it for most faculties but not for nursing, law, education or medicine
- accept it at 115 for one course and 125 for another
- accept it for admission but require a different test for a professional licence later
Check the specific programme page, not the university's general admissions page. If the programme lists only IELTS and TOEFL, that is not proof the DET is refused — it often means the page has not been updated. Email the admissions office and get the answer in writing.
The Canada trap: admission is not immigration
The Duolingo English Test is widely accepted by Canadian universities and colleges for admission.
IRCC does not accept it for permanent residence. For Express Entry and other economic immigration programmes you need CELPIP, IELTS or PTE Core in English, or TEF or TCF in French. (IRCC's approved language tests) The DET is not on that list, at any score.
This catches people who are already in Canada on a study permit and assume the test that got them their offer will also serve their PR application. It will not. The normal path is DET for the offer, then CELPIP later for PR — two different tests doing two different jobs.
What score do you need?
There is no universal answer, but the pattern is consistent:
- 120 is the practical benchmark at competitive universities
- 105–115 covers a great many colleges and undergraduate programmes
- Below 100 narrows your options quickly
Our Duolingo English Test score chart shows how those bands line up against IELTS, TOEFL and CEFR, so you can translate a requirement written in IELTS bands into a DET target.
Duolingo scores at Canadian universities (2026–27)
These are the minimums for direct entry to undergraduate programmes, taken from each university's own admissions page on 23 October 2026. Programmes can ask for more, so check yours.
| University | Overall | Subscores |
|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | 120 | 120 in Production (tests on or after 1 July 2024) |
| University of British Columbia | 125 | Reading 115, Listening 115, Writing 120, Speaking 120 |
| University of Waterloo | 120 | Literacy 125, Production 125; only tests taken on or after 1 May 2025 |
| McMaster University | 120 | Reading 115, Writing 125, Listening 110, Speaking 115 |
| York University | 120 | 130 for Nursing and the Schulich School of Business |
| University of Alberta | 120 | No integrated subscore below 100 |
Look at the subscore column before the overall. Two of the six set a subscore higher than the overall: Waterloo wants 125 in Literacy and Production, and McMaster 125 in Writing. Toronto wants the full 120 in Production too. A 120 overall with a 115 in Production meets the headline number and still misses the requirement at all three. Our Duolingo score converter shows what each score means in IELTS and TOEFL, and the DET scoring guide explains how the subscores are built.
Duolingo scores at Canadian colleges (2026–27)
Colleges set the score by credential, and a graduate certificate (often called a PG diploma) usually asks for more than a diploma, and sometimes more than a degree.
| College | Certificate / diploma | Bachelor's degree | Graduate certificate / master's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humber Polytechnic | 105 | 115 | 125 |
| Seneca Polytechnic | 105 to 110 | 115 to 120 | 120 to 125 |
| Conestoga College | 110 | 120 | 120 |
| George Brown Polytechnic | 110 (Production 90) | 120 (Production 100) | 120 (Production 100) |
| Sheridan College | 105 (no integrated subscore below 85) | 115 (no integrated subscore below 95) | 115 (no integrated subscore below 95) |
Three exceptions worth knowing before you pay for the test:
- Pharmacy Technician at Humber and Conestoga does not accept the Duolingo English Test at all.
- Humber's Bachelor of Science – Nursing has no Duolingo route.
- Seneca publishes a range for each credential because the score varies by programme. The programme's own admission page decides.
If you are applying for a graduate certificate, plan for 120 to 125, not the 105 to 110 you see quoted for colleges in general.
How to check properly, in order
- Find the programme page, not the university homepage
- Look for a DET score, not just "English language requirements"
- If DET is not listed, email admissions and ask directly — include the programme name and intake
- Confirm whether the score must be received by the deadline or merely sat by then
- If immigration is also your goal, check separately whether that test is accepted for it
Before you book
The DET is adaptive, which means it finds your ceiling fast. A practice run tells you whether 120 is realistic for you before you pay for the real thing — and if it is not, you have time to fix the subscore holding you down rather than discovering it afterwards.
Take a free Duolingo English Test practice test and get an AI score per task.
Frequently asked questions
What Duolingo score does the University of Toronto require?
120 overall with 120 in Production, for tests completed on or after 1 July 2024, for undergraduate admission. Some programmes ask for more, so check the programme page.
Does UBC accept the Duolingo English Test?
Yes. UBC's undergraduate minimum is 125 overall, with 115 in reading and listening and 120 in writing and speaking.
What Duolingo score do I need for a graduate certificate in Canada?
At the colleges above, 115 (Sheridan) to 125 (Humber), with Conestoga and George Brown at 120 and Seneca at 120 to 125. That is often higher than the same college asks for a diploma.
Can I use my Duolingo score for Canada PR?
No. IRCC does not accept the Duolingo English Test for permanent residence or Express Entry. You need CELPIP General, IELTS General Training or PTE Core in English, or TEF Canada or TCF Canada in French.
How recent must my Duolingo result be?
It depends on the school. Most accept results up to two years old, but Waterloo accepts only tests taken on or after 1 May 2025. Check the date rule on your programme's page before you rely on an older result.