Big news for international students: Auckland University of Technology (AUT) accepts the Duolingo English Test (DET) as proof of English proficiency — making AUT one of the New Zealand universities where you can qualify with an affordable, at-home English test. In this guide, we break down the AUT Duolingo score requirements alongside the full AUT English language requirements for 2026, covering both bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees, so you know exactly which test to take and what score you need.
AUT Duolingo English Test Requirements at a Glance
The Duolingo English Test is taken online from home, costs a fraction of IELTS or TOEFL, and delivers certified results within days — which is why it has become one of the most popular English tests among international students. Here’s what you need for AUT:
| Level of Study | Required Duolingo English Test (DET) Score |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degrees | 105 |
| Master’s degrees | 120 |
Who Needs to Meet AUT’s English Language Requirements?
All international students — and some domestic applicants — must demonstrate English proficiency before enrolling at AUT. According to AUT’s official entry requirements pages, there are several ways to do this depending on your situation: an approved English language test, completing the AUT Academic English (AUT AE) course, or evidence of previous study in an English-speaking environment. Students gaining University Entrance through NCEA Level 3, CAIE or IB in New Zealand must instead meet the UE literacy requirements.
AUT English Language Requirements for Bachelor’s Degrees (2026)
These are the required scores for undergraduate entry, as published on AUT’s official page for English language requirements for bachelor’s degrees:
| Accepted Test | Required Score – Bachelor’s Degrees |
|---|---|
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | 105 |
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.0 overall, with all bands 5.5 or higher |
| TOEFL iBT | 80 overall — 15 reading, 15 listening, 18 speaking, 20 writing |
| PTE Academic | 50 overall, with no communicative score below 42 |
| NZCEL | Level 4 (Academic Endorsement) |
| C1 Advanced (Cambridge) | 169 overall, no bands below 162 |
| LanguageCert International ESOL | C1 Expert IESOL (LRWS) — pass overall, no less than a pass in each skill |
| English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment | Level 2 (no skill lower than Level 1) |
| Trinity ISE | ISE II with Distinction in every band |
AUT English Language Requirements for Master’s Degrees (2026)
Postgraduate applicants need higher scores. These are the required scores from AUT’s official page for English language requirements for master’s degrees:
| Accepted Test | Required Score – Master’s Degrees |
|---|---|
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | 120 |
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 overall, with all bands 6.0 or higher |
| TOEFL iBT | 90 overall — 20 reading, 20 listening, 20 speaking, 24 writing |
| PTE Academic | 58 overall, with no communicative score below 50 |
| NZCEL | Level 5 (Academic Endorsement) |
| C1 Advanced (Cambridge) | 176 overall, no bands below 169 |
| LanguageCert International ESOL | C1 Expert IESOL (LRWS) High Pass, or C2 Mastery IESOL (LRWS) Pass — no less than a pass in each skill |
| English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment | Level 3 (no skill lower than Level 2) |
| Trinity ISE | ISE III with Distinction in every band |
Why the Duolingo English Test Is a Game-Changer for AUT Applicants
Compared with traditional tests, the Duolingo English Test offers three big advantages for students applying to AUT. It’s affordable — typically around a third of the cost of IELTS or TOEFL. It’s convenient — you take it online from home in about an hour, with no test-centre booking. And it’s fast — certified results usually arrive within 48 hours, so you can meet application deadlines that would be impossible with slower tests. With a DET score of 105 for bachelor’s entry or 120 for master’s entry, Duolingo is now one of the most accessible routes into AUT for international students.
Key Rules You Must Know Before Booking Your Test
Single sitting required. You must meet the requirements in one sitting of your chosen test — you can’t combine your best scores from different test dates.
IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted. Good news for IELTS candidates: AUT accepts the IELTS One Skill Retake. If one band falls short, you can retake just that one skill within 60 days of your original test instead of sitting the entire exam again.
Online IELTS and PTE are not accepted. AUT does not accept IELTS Academic Online or PTE Academic Online. For those tests, you must sit at an official test centre.
Two-year validity. Your test result is valid for two years from the date on the certificate to the date of your AUT application.
Can You Study at AUT Without IELTS?
Yes — AUT offers several IELTS-free pathways:
1. Duolingo English Test. Score 105 for bachelor’s entry or 120 for master’s entry, from home, at a fraction of the cost of IELTS.
2. AUT Academic English (AUT AE) course. Complete AUT’s own academic English programme and achieve a B overall (all skills C+ or higher) for bachelor’s entry, or a B+ overall (all skills B or higher) for master’s entry. Note that some AUT programmes don’t accept AUT AE for entry.
3. Previous study in English. If you completed an academic qualification in a country where English was the main language of instruction and assessment, you can use those official results — evidence is required, and the qualification must be at an appropriate level.
4. Alternative approved tests. As the tables above show, AUT also accepts PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced, LanguageCert, Trinity ISE, NZCEL and the English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment.
What If You Don’t Meet the Requirements Yet?
Don’t panic. AUT encourages students who fall short to first enrol in an English language course at AUT, then move into their chosen degree once they meet the required level. This pathway is popular with students who are academically strong but need a few extra months of English preparation in New Zealand before starting their degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AUT accept the Duolingo English Test?
Yes. AUT accepts the Duolingo English Test (DET) with a score of 105 for bachelor’s degrees and 120 for master’s degrees. Confirm the requirement for your specific programme and intake with AUT admissions, as some programmes set higher English requirements.
What Duolingo score do I need for AUT?
You need a DET score of 105 for bachelor’s degree entry and 120 for master’s degree entry at AUT.
What IELTS score do I need for a bachelor’s degree at AUT?
You need IELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall with no band lower than 5.5, achieved in a single sitting. Some programmes require higher scores.
What IELTS score do I need for a master’s degree at AUT?
You need IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with all bands 6.0 or higher. Some postgraduate programmes set higher requirements.
Does AUT accept PTE Academic?
Yes. AUT requires PTE 50 (no score below 42) for bachelor’s degrees and PTE 58 (no score below 50) for master’s degrees. PTE Academic Online is not accepted — you must test at a centre.
How long are English test results valid at AUT?
Two years, measured from the date on your test certificate to the date of your application to AUT.
Can I combine scores from two test sittings?
No. AUT requires you to meet the English requirement in a single sitting. However, AUT accepts the IELTS One Skill Retake, which lets you retake one skill within 60 days of your original test.
Ready to start your AUT journey?
ChooseNewZealand helps students find the right New Zealand university, prepare their English test strategy and submit a strong application. Talk to our advisers today or explore more guides in our News section.
Official Sources
This article is based on Auckland University of Technology’s official entry requirements pages, checked on 9 July 2026:
• AUT: English language requirements for bachelor’s degrees
• AUT: English language requirements for master’s degrees
Requirements can change and some programmes set higher scores. Always confirm details on the official AUT pages above or with a licensed education adviser before booking a test or applying.
