UBC Now Accepts the Duolingo English Test for 2027 Graduate Admissions

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is expanding its acceptance of the Duolingo English Test (DET).

UBC's Graduate School now confirms that the DET will be accepted for May and September 2027 graduate admissions, giving international applicants another option for meeting the university's English-language requirement.

This is especially significant because UBC is one of Canada's largest and most internationally recognized universities, and DET acceptance now extends beyond its undergraduate admissions process.

What DET Score Does UBC Require?

UBC's central Graduate School has confirmed that the Duolingo English Test will be accepted for May and September 2027 admission.

Several individual UBC graduate programs have already published the following minimum DET scores:

That means achieving a 125 overall score alone may not be enough. Applicants also need to pay attention to their individual Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking scores.

UBC also warns that individual graduate programs may set higher English-language requirements, so students should always check the admissions page for their specific program.

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UBC Already Accepts DET for Undergraduate Admission

The change is particularly interesting because UBC already accepts DET for undergraduate applicants.

Its current undergraduate requirement is also 125 overall, with minimum scores of:

Reading: 115
Listening: 115
Writing: 120
Speaking: 120

So the 2027 graduate change brings DET acceptance to a much wider group of prospective UBC students.

When Does Graduate DET Acceptance Begin?

UBC states that DET will be accepted for May and September 2027 graduate admissions.

Students applying for an earlier admission period should therefore not automatically assume that DET is accepted.

Always check the admission term listed by your program before choosing your English test.

This is particularly important when universities introduce a new accepted exam, because requirements can differ between application cycles.

Some UBC Programs Already Confirm the New Scores

Several UBC departments have begun updating their admissions pages.

For example, UBC's Department of Political Science says the Duolingo English Test is accepted for 2027 admissions and lists the same minimum requirements:

125 overall, with at least 115 in Listening and Reading and 120 in Writing and Speaking.

Programs within UBC's Department of Educational Studies are also publishing these DET requirements for May 2027 admissions and beyond.

This gives prospective graduate applicants a clearer idea of how UBC intends to use DET scores.

Why the Individual Scores Matter

Students sometimes focus almost entirely on their DET overall score.

UBC is a good example of why that can be a mistake.

Imagine you receive:

Overall: 125
Reading: 120
Listening: 120
Writing: 115
Speaking: 125

Your overall score reaches 125, but your Writing score is below UBC's published 120 requirement for programs using these thresholds.

In that situation, simply saying "I got a 125 on the DET" doesn't tell the whole story.

When preparing for universities with skill-level requirements, you should monitor your individual DET scores as carefully as your overall score.

How Does DET Compare With UBC's Other English Tests?

UBC continues to accept several English proficiency exams, including TOEFL, IELTS, CAEL, PTE, and Cambridge qualifications. 🌎

For graduate study, the university's general IELTS minimum is 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component. UBC's minimum TOEFL requirement is also listed using both the older and newer TOEFL scoring systems. 📊

The DET therefore becomes another option rather than replacing these exams. For students, the best choice may depend on availability, cost, testing format, university acceptance, and ultimately which exam best suits their individual strengths. 🎯

Does Every UBC Graduate Program Accept DET?

This is where students need to be careful.

UBC's Graduate School says the DET will be accepted for May and September 2027 admissions, but it also clearly states that individual graduate programs may require higher English scores.

A department can therefore have requirements above the university minimum.

Before purchasing a DET attempt, check:

1. Your specific UBC graduate program.
2. Your intended admission term.
3. The required overall DET score.
4. Minimum individual skill scores.
5. How UBC wants the official result submitted.

Never rely solely on a general university requirement when your individual program publishes its own admission criteria.

What About UBC Okanagan?

UBC's current undergraduate admissions pages show DET acceptance for both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, with the same traditional-entry requirement of 125 overall and the specified minimum individual scores.

Graduate applicants should still verify their individual program and campus requirements before applying.

🚫 5 Reasons You Should Never Attempt to Cheat on the Duolingo English Test

Is a DET 125 a Good Target for UBC?

If your program uses UBC's published minimum, 125 is the minimum overall target—not necessarily the ideal target.

You also need:

• at least 115 in Reading;
• at least 115 in Listening;
• at least 120 in Writing;
• at least 120 in Speaking.

For that reason, aiming only for an overall 125 can leave very little room for one weaker skill.

What Should 2027 Applicants Do Now?

If you're considering UBC for graduate study in 2027, start by checking your exact program rather than immediately booking an English exam.

Confirm that DET is accepted for your admission term and whether your department uses UBC's general minimum or a higher requirement.

Then use your DET practice results to identify your weaker skills.

For example, if you're consistently reaching 125–130 overall but your Writing score remains around 110–115, targeted writing preparation may be more useful than repeatedly completing full practice tests.

The Bottom Line

UBC's decision to accept the Duolingo English Test for May and September 2027 graduate admissions gives international students another major English-testing option.

For programs using UBC's published DET thresholds, students should target at least:

125 overall
115 Reading
115 Listening
120 Writing
120 Speaking

Preparing for UBC's DET Requirements

If UBC is one of your target universities, use your preparation to track more than your overall DET score.

DET Study provides practice across DET question types, including targeted Speaking and Writing practice with AI-supported feedback. If one skill is keeping you below a university's minimum requirement, focusing your preparation there can be more useful than simply repeating full tests.

The goal isn't only to reach 125 overall—it's to make sure your individual skills meet the requirements your program actually uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does UBC accept the Duolingo English Test?

Yes. UBC accepts the DET for undergraduate admission, and the Graduate School confirms that it will also accept the test for May and September 2027 graduate admissions.

What DET score does UBC require?

Programs currently publishing UBC's graduate DET requirements list 125 overall, with minimum scores of 115 in Reading and Listening and 120 in Writing and Speaking.

Is a 125 overall DET score enough for UBC?

Not necessarily. Students must also meet any required individual skill scores, and some graduate programs may set requirements above the university minimum.

Does UBC accept DET for 2027 graduate admission?

Yes. UBC's Graduate School specifically states that DET will be accepted for May and September 2027 admissions.

Can individual UBC programs require a higher DET score?

Yes. UBC explicitly warns that individual graduate programs may require higher English-language proficiency scores, so applicants should check their specific program before applying.