University English requirements

What Duolingo score do you need for Centennial College?

Centennial College lists two Duolingo English Test bands: 105-114 for certificates and diplomas that start at COMM160, and 125+ for fast-track and advanced diplomas starting at COMM170, graduate certificates and degrees. Medical Laboratory Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Practical Nursing and Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion have additional English requirements on their own programme pages.
  • Guide updated · 1 November 2026
  • 3 sections
  • IELTS

Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 1 November 2026

Centennial Duolingo minimums

From Centennial's language proficiency information page.

Level or programmeDuolingo minimumNotes
Certificates and diplomas starting at COMM160105-114As listed on the page
Fast-track and advanced diplomas starting at COMM170125+
Graduate certificates and degrees125+

How Centennial handles Duolingo results

Your programme page tells you whether it starts at COMM 160/161 or the higher COMM 170/171 English level, which decides the band you need. The page gives no Duolingo subscore requirement or validity period, and it notes that some programmes have extra English requirements.

For comparison, the same page sets IELTS Academic at 6.0 with no band below 5.5 for certificates and diplomas, and 6.5 with no band below 6.0 for degrees and graduate certificates.

Know your target? Check where you stand

Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock and see your score per skill before you book the real test. Free account, no card.

Take a free mock →

Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.

If your Duolingo score is below the minimum

Centennial accepts English upgrading as proof: a C (60%) in COMM 162/163 in its Foundations programmes, level 5 of its English Language Learning programme (C for most programmes, A for graduate certificates), or Level 3 of English for Academic Preparation with a C.

Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Centennial programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.

Frequently asked questions

What Duolingo score does Centennial College need?+

105-114 for certificates and diplomas starting at COMM160, and 125+ for degrees, graduate certificates and diplomas starting at COMM170.

What Duolingo score does Centennial need for a postgraduate certificate?+

125+.

Which Centennial programmes have extra English rules?+

Medical Laboratory Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Practical Nursing, Practical Nursing Flex and Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion.

What is Centennial's IELTS equivalent for graduate certificates?+

IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0.

Keep reading

Related

Guide updated on 1 November 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy