University English requirements

What Duolingo score do you need for Conestoga College?

Conestoga College accepts the Duolingo English Test at 110 for most diploma and certificate programmes and 120 for degree and graduate certificate programmes. A named list of diploma programmes, including Journalism and Practical Nursing, sits at the higher level. Duolingo is not eligible for the Pharmacy Technician programme, and some IT and engineering programmes may ask for different scores.
  • Guide updated · 1 November 2026
  • 3 sections
  • IELTS

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

Conestoga Duolingo minimums

From Conestoga's international admission requirements page.

Level or programmeDuolingo minimumNotes
Most diploma and certificate programmes110Not eligible for Pharmacy Technician
Degree programmes and listed diplomas120Includes Journalism, Practical Nursing and Public Relations diplomas, among others
Graduate certificate120Some IT and engineering programmes may vary

How Conestoga handles Duolingo results

The page lists Duolingo as one way to prove English proficiency alongside meeting your programme's admission requirements. It gives no Duolingo subscore requirement and does not state a separate validity period.

The higher level applies to these diplomas: Advertising and Marketing Communications, Business - Insurance, Fitness and Health Promotion, Food Processing Technician, Journalism, Nutrition and Food Service Management, Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant, Practical Nursing and Public Relations, among others named on the page.

For comparison, the same page sets IELTS Academic at 6.0 with no band below 5.5 for 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

Conestoga's General Arts and Science: English Language Studies programme is the route for applicants without the English for direct entry. Its equivalency chart maps Duolingo 110 to direct entry to most diplomas and certificates, and 120 to graduate certificates and degrees.

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

Frequently asked questions

What Duolingo score does Conestoga need?+

110 for most diplomas and certificates and 120 for degrees and graduate certificates.

Does Conestoga accept Duolingo for Pharmacy Technician?+

No. The page says Duolingo is not eligible for that programme.

What if my Duolingo score is too low for Conestoga?+

You can enter the General Arts and Science: English Language Studies programme first.

What is Conestoga's IELTS equivalent for a postgraduate certificate?+

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