Why this matters for Nigerian applicants in 2025
• Currency crunch: IELTS Academic UKVI fee spiked to ₦212 000 in April 2025.
• Faster deadlines: Many fully funded scholarships close in 30–45 days (see list 🔗).
• Visa leniency: Australia and Canada still mandate IELTS/PTE/TOEFL for the actual visa, but most UK universities, German tuition-free programmes (guide 🔗), and US grad schools now accept DET for admission.
• Side-gig overlap: Saving ₦140 000 on test fees lets you invest in USD-earning certs (see cert list).
IELTS vs Duolingo — 2025 Head-to-Head
| Category | IELTS Academic / UKVI | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|
| Fee (Nigeria 2025) | ₦212 000 (UKVI) / ₦195 000 (standard) | ₦68 000 ($45) |
| Test Mode | Paper/Computer at Lagos, Abuja centres | Online at home (AI proctored) |
| Duration | 2 h 45 m | 45 m |
| Results Time | 13 calendar days (5 days fast-track ₦71 k) | 24 hours (48 max) |
| Sending Scores | First 5 free, £15 each extra | Unlimited free reports |
| Acceptance (2025) | All universities & visas | 4 200+ universities; no visas yet |
| Visa Use | UK, Canada, Australia, US, etc. | Not accepted for visa filing* |
| Prep Materials Cost | ₦20 k–₦35 k for books/mocks | ₦0–₦10 k (free official practice) |
*UK student visa may waive test if university issues CAS under WAEC criteria (see list 🔗).
Who accepts Duolingo in 2025? (Quick List)
- UK: University of Portsmouth, Brunel, Teesside, Coventry, Ulster London, Heriot-Watt, etc.
- Canada: 70 % of colleges; most SDS colleges exclude, but AIP Atlantic universities accept.
- US: 800+ schools including Columbia SIPA, Yale SOM (DET 120+), NYU Tandon.
- Germany: RWTH, KIT, TUM’s M.Sc. Robotics (DET 115+).
- Australia & NZ: DET not accepted for visa; some universities use DET for conditional offer.
Tip: Use DET for the admission offer, then sit IELTS General if visa still demands a secure test—saves re-paying tuition deposit on deadline crunch.
Score Conversion Table (IELTS ⇄ Duolingo)
| IELTS Overall | DET Equivalent | Common Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 5.5 | 85–90 | Foundation / Pre-Master |
| 6.0 | 95–100 | Undergrad Direct Entry |
| 6.5 | 105–110 | Post-grad Taught Master’s |
| 7.0 | 115–120 | Research degrees / High-ranked unis |
| 7.5+ | 125–130 | Competitive scholarships (e.g., Chevening) |
Cost & Time Calculator
- IELTS route: ₦212 000 test + ₦35 000 prep + 13 days wait = ₦247 k, 2 weeks.
- DET route: ₦68 000 test + ₦5 000 prep + 1 day wait = ₦73 k, 1 day.
Saving: ₦174 000 + cut 12 days—crucial when scholarship deadline is in two weeks.
Decision Tree: Which Test Should You Take?
- Need UK, Canada, or Australia visa right away? ➜ IELTS UKVI/General.
- University accepts DET and you’ll file visa later? ➜ DET first; IELTS later only if required.
- Applying for Chevening, DAAD EPOS, or Australia Awards? ➜ IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (scholarship panels still prefer).
- Cash-strapped, facing 30-day deadline? ➜ DET to secure offer, then raise funds for IELTS after admission.
14-Day DET Prep Plan (Score 105+)
- Days 1–3: Complete official Duolingo free practice pack; note weak sections.
- Days 4–8: Use Test Glider premium mocks (₦9 000) — aim 120/160.
- Days 9–12: Record 2-minute video responses; critique accent clarity.
- Day 13: Full graded mock in exam conditions; adjust lighting + ID check.
- Day 14: Sit real test 7 pm WAT (power grid stable + neighbour’s gen off).
Band hack: High DET speaking score (video + audio) often compensates for a weaker reading section.
30-Day IELTS Prep Outline (Band 7+)
- Cambridge IELTS 17–20 past papers: 1/day.
- Listening: Play BBC World News 30 min daily.
- Writing: 10 Task-1 graphs + 10 Task-2 essays; get marked via IELTS Liz correction (₦25 k).
- Speaking: Buddy up with Chevening hopefuls in our Telegram group (guide 🔗).
Success Stories: Nigerians Who Swapped IELTS for DET
Folake T. — DET 115 secured Coventry MSc Cyber-Sec offer in 48 hrs; wrote IELTS only after CAS.
Chigozie M. — DET 125 gained TU Munich conditional admission; saved €250 and met Germany blocked-account deadline.
Salihu K. — Used DET for Teesside MBA; visa office waived IELTS due to WAEC C6 in CAS letter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is DET easier than IELTS?
- Scoring scale differs; average Nigerian first-attempt DET = 105 (~IELTS 6.5). Ease depends on typing speed and home-test discipline.
- Will UKVI ever accept DET for visas?
- No sign yet. UKVI insists on Secure English Language Test (SELT) centre-based exams.
- Can I combine WAEC English + DET?
- Yes—if WAEC C6 fails at a school, DET ≥ 110 usually passes.
- Is Chevening okay with DET?
- Chevening requires your university to confirm language; if they accept DET, Chevening is fine, but many short-list reviewers still favour IELTS 7.
- How many retakes for DET?
- Two retakes in 30 days. IELTS allows unlimited retakes but at ₦212 k each.
Related Reads to Finish Your Application Stack
Final Thoughts: 30-Day English-Test Sprint
Days 1–5: Check university & visa language list; pick IELTS or DET.
Days 6–20: Follow respective prep plan; schedule exam slot.
Days 21–25: Sit test; receive scores (24 h for DET / 13 days IELTS).
Days 26–30: Dispatch scores; finalise scholarship or CAS documents.
Share this cheat-sheet: Know friends burning cash on the wrong English test? Send them this 2025 comparison and save them ₦174 000 + 12 days.