UIC Now Accepts the Duolingo English Test for Fall 2027: Do You Need 120 or 130?
The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is adding the Duolingo English Test (DET) as an accepted English proficiency exam beginning with Fall 2027 admission.
But there's an important detail for international students: UIC doesn't have one DET requirement for everyone.
Undergraduate applicants need a minimum overall DET score of 120, while graduate applicants need 130.
Here's what you need to know before setting your target score.
UIC DET Requirements for Fall 2027
UIC's requirements depend on whether you're applying for undergraduate or graduate study.
| Applicant | Overall DET | Reading | Listening | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 120 | 115 | 115 | 115 | 115 |
| Graduate | 130 | 125 | 125 | 125 | 125 |
These are UIC's general minimums. Individual colleges and graduate departments may require higher scores.
This is why searching for “UIC Duolingo English Test score” might give you two different numbers. Both 120 and 130 are correct—they simply apply to different applicants.
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Undergraduate Applicants Need DET 120
For international undergraduate applicants, UIC lists a minimum DET overall score of 120, along with at least 115 in Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking.
UIC says DET will only be accepted beginning with Fall 2027 admission.
That last point is important. If you're applying for an earlier admission term, don't assume you can submit DET simply because the university now lists it as an accepted test.
UIC also notes that individual colleges may set higher English proficiency requirements.
Graduate Applicants Need DET 130
Graduate applicants face a higher requirement.
Beginning with Fall 2027, UIC's Graduate College lists:
130 overall
125 Reading
125 Listening
125 Writing
125 Speaking
UIC also specifically warns graduate applicants that individual departments can set minimums above these Graduate College requirements.
For example, UIC's Biomedical Engineering graduate admissions page already lists DET 130 overall with at least 125 in all four skills for Fall 2027 and later.
So before booking your test, check the requirements for your exact graduate program.
What If Your DET Overall Score Is High Enough but One Skill Is Too Low?
This is where students need to pay attention to more than the overall DET score. 🎯 Suppose you're an undergraduate applicant with these results:
Overall: 120
Reading: 120
Listening: 120
Writing: 110
Speaking: 120
You've reached the 120 overall requirement, but your Writing score is below the published 115 minimum.
The same issue applies to graduate students. A 130 overall score doesn't automatically mean you've reached the required 125 in every individual skill.
When a university publishes subscore requirements, your preparation needs to focus on both your overall performance and your weaker skills.
How Does DET Compare With UIC's Other English Tests?
DET isn't replacing UIC's existing English proficiency options. 🌎
UIC also accepts TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, and PTE Academic. For undergraduate applicants, the general IELTS minimum is 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each skill, while UIC also publishes requirements for both the older and newer TOEFL scoring systems.
DET simply gives Fall 2027 applicants another way to demonstrate their English proficiency.
How Long Are DET Scores Valid at UIC?
UIC considers English proficiency test scores valid for two years from the test date, and your score must still be valid when you submit your application.
That means students planning far ahead for Fall 2027 should pay attention to when they take their test.
UIC also requires DET results to be sent officially through Duolingo, rather than simply uploading your own score report.
Undergraduate applicants should select University of Illinois Chicago when sending their scores. Graduate applicants should select University of Illinois Chicago – Graduate Admission.
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Can You Get an English Proficiency Exemption?
Some applicants may qualify for an exemption instead of submitting an English test.
For undergraduate admission, UIC lists several possible exemption routes, including qualifying study in the United States or another country where English is the only official language. Certain SAT, ACT, AP, IB, IGCSE and O-level results may also qualify.
Graduate exemption rules are somewhat different and can include qualifying education or employment.
One important warning: UIC says that simply attending an institution where the medium of instruction was English does not automatically qualify you for an exemption if that institution is located in a country where UIC requires English proficiency testing.
Check UIC's current admissions rules carefully rather than assuming you qualify.
What If Your DET Score Is Below the Minimum?
Interestingly, UIC states that undergraduate applications below the published English proficiency minimum are not automatically denied and can still receive consideration from the college.
For graduate applicants, UIC similarly says that applicants below the published minimum aren't necessarily automatically rejected. If a graduate program recommends admission, the case can be referred to the Graduate College for additional approval.
However, students shouldn't interpret this as a reason to intentionally apply with a low DET score.
What DET Score Should You Target for UIC?
For undergraduate applicants, the published minimum is:
120 overall + at least 115 in every skill.
For graduate applicants, it's:
130 overall + at least 125 in every skill.
If your practice scores are sitting right on those minimums, giving yourself a little extra margin can make sense.
For example, a graduate student consistently scoring 130 overall but only 120–125 in Writing may benefit more from targeted writing practice than repeatedly completing full practice tests.
The goal isn't simply to increase your overall DET score. It's to make sure every required skill clears UIC's threshold.
Preparing for UIC's DET Requirements
If UIC is one of your target universities, use your DET preparation to identify which individual skills are keeping you from the required score.
DET Study provides practice across DET question types, including targeted Speaking and Writing practice with AI-supported feedback. Instead of focusing only on your overall score, you can spend more preparation time on the specific skills that need improvement.
For UIC applicants, that's particularly useful because every individual DET skill matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does UIC accept the Duolingo English Test?
Yes. UIC's current admissions pages state that the Duolingo English Test will be accepted beginning with Fall 2027 admission.
What DET score does UIC require for undergraduate admission?
UIC lists a minimum of 120 overall, with at least 115 in Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking.
What DET score does UIC require for graduate admission?
UIC's Fall 2027+ Graduate College requirement is 130 overall, with at least 125 in each of the four individual skills.
Is DET 120 enough for UIC?
It can meet UIC's general undergraduate minimum if all four individual scores are at least 115. A 120 is not the general Fall 2027 graduate minimum.
How long is a DET score valid at UIC?
UIC considers English proficiency scores valid for two years from the test date, and the score must still be valid when you apply.
UIC's undergraduate admissions page confirms the Fall 2027 start date, 120 overall score and 115 minimum in all four skills, along with the two-year validity rule and official score-submission instructions. (UIC Admissions) UIC's graduate admissions page separately confirms 130 overall and 125 in each skill, as well as the warning that departments may impose higher minimums. (UIC Admissions) Biomedical Engineering already reflects those Fall 2027 graduate requirements on its program page. (UIC Biomedical Engineering)