Scholarships 2025 Without IELTS (Duolingo Accepted)

Last updated: August 18, 2025 • Editor: Chgr Team

Don’t have IELTS? Many scholarships and universities now accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) or other alternatives (TOEFL iBT, PTE, CAEL, Cambridge C1/C2, or MOI letters). This guide highlights fully funded and full‑ride pathways for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD where Duolingo is commonly accepted by host universities—or IELTS is not strictly required. Always verify the exact English policy on your program’s official page (and any visa‑specific requirements).

Quick Comparison Table (2025)

Pathway / Scholarship	Region/Level	Funding	Duolingo Policy (2025)	Deadline Window	Official
US Merit Full Rides (e.g., AU EGL, Miami Stamps, BU Trustee)	USA / Undergraduate	Full COA or Full Tuition	Many US universities accept DET for admission (program‑specific)	Nov–Jan	University pages
UBC International Scholars Program	Canada / Undergraduate	Meets demonstrated need (full coverage possible)	UBC has accepted DET for UG; confirm current policy	Nov–Jan	you.ubc.ca
Erasmus Mundus (EMJM)	EU / Master’s	Tuition + stipend + travel	Program‑specific; many accept DET/TOEFL/MOI	Oct–Feb	EU catalogue
DAAD EPOS (selected master’s)	Germany / Master’s	Stipend + insurance + travel	By host course; some accept DET, many prefer TOEFL/IELTS	Dec–Mar	daad.de
Türkiye Bursları (UG/PG)	Turkey / UG–PhD	Tuition + housing + stipend + insurance	Scholarship app doesn’t require IELTS; host uni may accept DET	Jan–Feb	turkiyeburslari.gov.tr
CSC (Chinese Government) Scholarships	China / Master’s–PhD	Tuition + dorm + stipend + insurance	English‑taught programs: DET accepted by some unis; MOI common	Feb–Apr	campuschina.org
UK University Awards (e.g., UCL Global UG)	UK / UG	Full fees + maintenance (tiered)	Some UK unis accept DET for admission; visa may require UKVI test	Jan–May	University pages
Ireland University Scholarships	Ireland / UG–PG	Varies (fees + stipends)	Many institutions accept DET; confirm program/visa needs	By program	University pages

USA (Undergraduate) — Full Rides & Merit with Duolingo

Many US universities accept Duolingo for international undergraduate admission. Pair that with major merit or full‑need funding to reach a full ride.

• American University Emerging Global Leader (AU EGL): Full tuition + room/board (select costs excluded). Test‑optional admission; check AU English proficiency page for DET acceptance.
• University of Miami Stamps: Full cost of attendance + enrichment; UMiami has accepted DET for UG admission—confirm current cycle.
• Boston University Trustee: Full tuition; BU has been test‑optional; check BU English proficiency for DET.
• Berea College: 100% tuition (work‑study for living). Berea has accepted DET for internationals; verify latest thresholds.

Tip: Typical DET thresholds: 110–120 for competitive UG admits; higher for scholarships may help.

Canada (Undergraduate) — Duolingo + Full‑Need Awards

• UBC International Scholars Program: Meets demonstrated need for exceptional students. UBC has accepted DET for undergrad; check current minimums and whether your faculty allows DET.
• Lester B. Pearson (U of T): Tuition + books + fees + residence (4 years). DET acceptance at U of T varies—confirm current UG English policy for your faculty.

Note: Canada’s study permit doesn’t mandate IELTS for all routes, but SDS stream language criteria don’t include DET; you can apply via the regular stream or present accepted alternatives.

Erasmus Mundus (EU) — Master’s with DET Alternatives

Funding: Full tuition, monthly stipend, travel and installation support across partner universities.

English: Program‑specific. Many EMJM programs accept Duolingo, TOEFL, or MOI. Always verify the exact test list and minimum scores on the program site.

Window: Oct–Feb (varies by consortium).

Germany — DAAD EPOS and University Policies

Funding: DAAD EPOS master’s scholarships offer monthly stipend, insurance, and travel; some programs waive tuition.

English: Set by the host course. Some may accept Duolingo; many prefer TOEFL/IELTS. Check the course’s “Language requirements” and the university admissions page.

Türkiye Bursları — UG/PG Scholarships

Funding: Tuition, stipend, accommodation, health insurance, and language prep where needed.

English: Scholarship application doesn’t require IELTS. For English‑taught programs, universities may accept DET or run internal assessments—verify per university.

China — CSC Scholarships (DET/MOI by University)

Funding: Tuition, housing, monthly stipend, health insurance for master’s/PhD.

English: Many English‑taught programs accept MOI; some institutions accept Duolingo for admission. Department rules vary—check the target school’s graduate admissions page.

UK & Ireland — Duolingo Accepted (Program‑Specific)

Many UK and Irish universities list Duolingo as an accepted alternative for certain courses—especially undergraduate and some postgraduate programs.

• UK: Scholarships like UCL Global Undergraduate or Reach Oxford depend on university admission. Some unis accept DET for admission but UKVI visas may need a Secure English test—check CAS requirements.
• Ireland: Several universities accept DET for UG/PG; confirm score thresholds at the course level.

How to Verify Duolingo Acceptance (2‑Minute Check)

1. Search: “[University] [Program] English requirements international”.
2. Look for “Accepted tests” → confirm Duolingo appears and note the minimum score (UG often 110–120; PG can be higher).
3. If unclear, email the admissions office: attach your transcript + CV and ask if DET is accepted for your specific program/intake.

Visa Notes (UKVI, Canada SDS) + High‑Value Tips

• UKVI: Even if a university accepts DET for admission, UKVI may require a SELT (e.g., IELTS UKVI) for visa/CAS in some cases—check your offer/CAS conditions.
• Canada SDS: SDS language criteria do not include Duolingo. Regular stream doesn’t require a specific English test; follow IRCC guidance.
• Insurance & banking: Confirm student health plan coverage and open a student‑friendly bank account. For Germany, check blocked account rules; for Canada, review GIC if using SDS.

FAQs: Scholarships Without IELTS (Duolingo Accepted)

Is Duolingo enough for admission and visa?

Often enough for admission (program‑specific). For visa, some countries (UKVI, SDS in Canada) may require different evidence. Always check both university and immigration rules.

What Duolingo score do I need?

Typical ranges: UG 110–120+, PG 115–130+. Some programs set subscore minimums—check the official page.

Do major scholarships themselves require IELTS?

Most scholarship bodies (Erasmus, DAAD, Türkiye) defer to the host university for English proof. That’s why many candidates use Duolingo or MOI depending on the program.

If Duolingo isn’t accepted, what’s next best?

TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1/C2, or an MOI waiver where allowed. Pick what your program lists as accepted tests.

In 2025, you can target scholarships without IELTS by selecting programs that explicitly accept Duolingo (or other alternatives) and match them with fully funded pathways like Erasmus, DAAD EPOS, Türkiye Bursları, and CSC. Always check both admission and visa requirements, note minimum DET scores, and apply well before deadlines.