German universities accepting the Duolingo English Test instead of TOEFL for selected English-taught programmes

By Zekeria Madadi | September 19, 2026 | 0 Comments

German Universities That Accept Duolingo Instead of TOEFL

Yes. Some universities and degree programmes in Germany accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) as an alternative to TOEFL or IELTS. However, Duolingo acceptance is not a general rule for every German university or every programme.

German universities set their own English-language requirements. The accepted test and minimum score can therefore be different between universities, faculties, and even individual degree programmes. DAAD also advises international applicants to check the requirements of the specific degree programme and institution.

This guide lists German institutions and programmes where an official university source currently confirms Duolingo acceptance.

Quick List: German Universities Accepting Duolingo

University / Institution	Example level or programme	Duolingo score found on official source
Technische Universität Berlin	MSc Information Systems / related programme	135
Constructor University	Bachelor’s programmes	110
Constructor University	Graduate programmes	110
University of Europe for Applied Sciences	Bachelor’s	100
University of Europe for Applied Sciences	Master’s	105
Hertie School	MDS, MIA and MPP	125
Freie Universität Berlin	MA Sociology – European Societies	Duolingo accepted; C1 required
University of Münster	MA Comparative and Global Law	120
SRH University	English-taught programmes	110 in its 2026 international brochure
Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI)	Selected bachelor’s/master’s programmes	95–105 depending on programme

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Important: These scores are not universal German university requirements. A university may accept Duolingo for one programme but not another. Always check the exact programme page before taking the test.

1. Technische Universität Berlin

Technische Universität Berlin accepts the Duolingo English Test for at least some English-taught programmes.

For the MSc Information Management and related programme information page, TU Berlin lists:

TOEFL iBT: C1 / 100
IELTS Academic: 7.0
Duolingo English Test: 135 overall
Minimum 125 in each band

Applicants can submit their Duolingo result and send the result directly through the Duolingo portal to TU Berlin.

This is an important example because TU Berlin is a public German technical university. However, applicants should not assume that the 135 requirement applies to every TU Berlin programme.

TU Berlin official programme language requirements

2. Constructor University Bremen

Constructor University is another German institution that officially accepts Duolingo.

For undergraduate admission, Constructor University currently lists:

TOEFL iBT: 90
IELTS: 6.5
Duolingo English Test: 110
Pearson PTE Academic: 58

The university asks applicants to upload proof of English proficiency as a PDF and notes that screenshots are not accepted.

Constructor University also lists Duolingo 110 for graduate admission.

Constructor University foundation options

Constructor also accepts Duolingo for some pre-degree programmes, but the required score is lower. For example, its International Foundation Year page lists 65 on Duolingo as one of the accepted English qualifications.

This shows why applicants should always check the exact programme, rather than relying only on the university name.

Constructor University undergraduate requirements

Constructor University graduate requirements

3. University of Europe for Applied Sciences

University of Europe for Applied Sciences officially lists Duolingo among its accepted English-language certificates for English-taught programmes.

For bachelor’s admission, the university currently lists:

IELTS: 5.5
TOEFL iBT: 60
PTE Academic: 56
Duolingo: 100

For master’s admission, it lists:

IELTS: 6.0 / B2
TOEFL iBT: 72
PTE Academic: 59
Duolingo: 105

Therefore, a student applying for an English-taught programme at UE Germany may be able to use Duolingo instead of TOEFL, provided the specific programme accepts the listed requirement.

University of Europe for Applied Sciences – Bachelor’s language requirements

University of Europe for Applied Sciences – Master’s language requirements

4. Hertie School in Berlin

Hertie School accepts the Duolingo English Test for several graduate programmes.

Its admissions guidance for the Master of Data Science, Master of International Affairs and Master of Public Policy lists:

TOEFL iBT: 100, with 25 in writing
IELTS: 7.0 overall, with 7.0 in writing
Duolingo English Test: 125
Cambridge qualifications are also accepted.

Hertie School also states that a complete undergraduate degree taught in English can fulfill its language requirement if the applicant provides appropriate official proof.

Hertie School English requirement

5. Freie Universität Berlin

Freie Universität Berlin provides an interesting example of why students should check individual programmes.

For the MA Sociology – European Societies, the programme requires English at C1 level and states that a Duolingo certificate is accepted.

However, this does not mean that all Freie Universität Berlin programmes accept Duolingo.

For example, the MA Global East Asia admissions page specifically says that Duolingo certificates are not accepted for that programme.

What this means

At the same university:

Programme A: Duolingo accepted
Programme B: Duolingo not accepted

Therefore, it is unsafe to search only for “Does FU Berlin accept Duolingo?” The correct question is:

Does my exact FU Berlin degree programme accept Duolingo?

This is one of the most important checks to make before paying for the test.

FU Berlin – MA Sociology English requirements

FU Berlin – MA Global East Asia language requirements

6. University of Münster

University of Münster also provides an official example of programme-specific Duolingo acceptance.

The university’s regulations for the Master’s programme in Comparative and Global Law require English at C1 level.

The official admission regulations list:

TOEFL iBT: 95
IELTS: 7.0
Cambridge CAE: 180
Duolingo: 120

The regulation also specifies minimum TOEFL speaking and writing scores.

This is another case where the Duolingo requirement belongs to a specific programme, not necessarily every programme at the university.

University of Münster – Comparative and Global Law admission regulations

7. SRH University

SRH University also lists Duolingo among the accepted English certificates for English-taught programmes.

Its 2026 international brochure lists the following general English qualifications for its bachelor’s programmes:

IELTS Academic: 6.5
TOEFL iBT: 87
TOEIC: 785
Cambridge CAE/CPE
Password: 6.5
PTE Academic: 59
Duolingo: 110

The same source explains that applicants whose previous education was entirely in English may be eligible for an English-language certificate waiver.

Some individual SRH master’s programmes also list Duolingo. For example, the university’s Information Technology and Business Transformation master’s page accepts Duolingo as one of the English-language options.

SRH University international requirements

8. Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI)

Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI) is another Germany-based institution with programmes that list Duolingo as an accepted English qualification.

For example, its undergraduate Computer Science and Digitisation programme lists:

Foundation: Duolingo 95
Bachelor’s direct entry: Duolingo 105

The corresponding requirements also list IELTS, TOEFL and PTE alternatives.

BSBI’s master’s programmes also have programme-specific Duolingo requirements. For example, its MA Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management lists Duolingo 105.

Because degree-awarding arrangements and admission requirements can vary by programme, applicants should read the exact BSBI programme page before applying.

BSBI Computer Science and Digitisation requirements

Does Germany Accept Duolingo Instead of TOEFL?

Germany does not have one single national rule saying that all universities must accept Duolingo.

English-taught programmes establish their own language requirements. DAAD explains that international or postgraduate programmes taught in English normally require proof of English proficiency, while the specific accepted certificates and minimum level can depend on the programme and institution.

Therefore:

Duolingo accepted by a university/programme → you may be able to use it instead of TOEFL.

Duolingo not listed by the university/programme → do not assume it will be accepted.

The distinction is important.

Duolingo vs TOEFL for Germany

If your target programme accepts both tests, Duolingo can be used as an alternative to TOEFL for that programme.

Point	Duolingo English Test	TOEFL
Test type	Online English proficiency test	English proficiency test
Acceptance in Germany	Programme-dependent	Widely used, but requirements vary
Minimum score	Depends on programme	Depends on programme
Test location	Online, subject to test rules	Test-centre/online options depend on current availability
University acceptance	Must be checked	Must be checked
Can replace TOEFL?	Yes, where the programme explicitly accepts it	—

The important point is not which test is generally “better.” The important point is which test your exact programme accepts and what score it requires.

Important: Duolingo Acceptance Does Not Mean Every Programme Accepts It

This is the biggest mistake students can make.

A university may have:

one programme accepting Duolingo,
another accepting only IELTS and TOEFL,
another requiring a higher Duolingo score,
and another allowing an English-medium degree instead of a test.

The examples from Freie Universität Berlin demonstrate this clearly: one programme explicitly accepts Duolingo, while another explicitly excludes it.

So, never choose a university only because its name appears on a general “Duolingo universities in Germany” list.

Check the exact degree.

What Duolingo Score Do You Need?

There is no single Duolingo score required for all German universities.

The verified examples in this guide range from 65 for a specific Constructor foundation programme to 135 for a specific TU Berlin programme.

For regular bachelor’s and master’s programmes, examples include:

100 — University of Europe for Applied Sciences bachelor’s
105 — University of Europe for Applied Sciences master’s
110 — Constructor University bachelor’s/graduate
110 — SRH University general bachelor’s brochure
120 — University of Münster Comparative and Global Law
125 — Hertie School selected master’s programmes
135 — TU Berlin’s cited MSc programme

These figures should be treated as programme-specific examples, not as a German national standard.

Can Afghan Students Use Duolingo for Germany?

An Afghan applicant may use a Duolingo score if the selected German university and exact degree programme accept the test.

However, English-test acceptance is only one part of a German university application.

You may also need to meet requirements related to:

previous education;
academic grades;
degree equivalence;
subject prerequisites;
required credits;
application documents;
application deadlines;
German or English language requirements;
visa requirements;
financial requirements;
and programme-specific admission rules.

DAAD’s admission information also emphasizes that international applicants should check the requirements of their chosen institution and programme.

How to Check Whether Your German University Accepts Duolingo

Before taking the Duolingo test, follow these steps.

Step 1: Find the exact degree programme

Do not stop at the university homepage.

For example:

MSc Computer Science – University X

is more useful than simply:

University X

Step 2: Open the official admission requirements

Look for sections such as:

English language requirements
Language requirements
Admission requirements
International applicants
Application documents

Step 3: Search for “Duolingo”

Check whether the official page specifically lists:

Duolingo English Test / DET

If it is listed, record the required score.

Step 4: Check the degree level

A university may require different scores for:

Bachelor’s
Master’s
PhD
Foundation programmes

Do not transfer a bachelor’s requirement to a master’s application.

Step 5: Check the individual programme

This is particularly important at large public universities.

As shown by Freie Universität Berlin, one programme can accept Duolingo while another does not.

Step 6: Check the application portal

Make sure the application system allows you to submit your Duolingo result in the required way.

Some institutions may require direct electronic score transmission.

Step 7: Check the current admission cycle

Language requirements can change.

For a 2026/27 application, use the current programme information rather than an old article, social-media post, or previous admission cycle.

Is Duolingo Enough to Study in Germany?

No. A Duolingo score only addresses the English-language requirement when the programme accepts it.

It does not automatically mean that you qualify for admission.

For example, a master’s programme may also require:

a relevant bachelor’s degree;
a specific number of ECTS credits;
certain academic subjects;
a minimum grade;
a CV;
motivation letter;
recommendation letters;
work experience;
or other programme-specific documents.

The University of Münster’s Comparative and Global Law programme, for example, has academic requirements in addition to its C1 English requirement.

Does “Duolingo Accepted” Mean “No IELTS or TOEFL”?

Not necessarily.

If a programme lists:

IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo

this normally means these are alternative forms of English-language evidence.

But the applicant must meet the institution’s stated score or other conditions.

For example, University of Europe for Applied Sciences lists several accepted tests, including Duolingo, with separate minimum scores for bachelor’s and master’s applicants.

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