Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
UT Knoxville Duolingo minimums by level
From UT's international undergraduate page and the Graduate School's testing requirements.
| Level or programme | Duolingo minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 110 | Used for admission, not placement; take ELI 110 or the English Placement Exam |
| Graduate | 120 overall | Must be submitted within two years of the test date |
Placement, validity and the IELTS comparison
Undergraduates admitted with a Duolingo score still need ELI 110 or the English Placement Exam (EPE) for placement. The undergraduate page notes that minimum subscores may be considered in the future but sets none now.
Graduate scores should be reported electronically by the testing agency and are valid if submitted with the application within two years of the test date.
On the same pages, undergraduate IELTS is 6.5 beside DET 110, and graduate IELTS is 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 beside DET 120.
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.
Conditional admission
If an undergraduate applicant meets all academic and general requirements except English, UT could offer conditional admission and refer them to the English Language Institute's ESL programme, joining the degree when ready. Graduate applicants may be exempt if English is an official language in their country of citizenship under Graduate School standards.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your UT Knoxville programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
What Duolingo score does UT Knoxville need?+
110 for undergraduate admission and 120 overall for graduate admission.
Does UT Knoxville use Duolingo for English placement?+
No. The DET counts for admission only; placement is through ELI 110 or the English Placement Exam.
How long is Duolingo valid for UT graduate school?+
Scores are valid if submitted within two years of the test date.
Does UT Knoxville offer conditional admission?+
Yes for undergraduates who meet every requirement except English, through the English Language Institute.
Keep reading
Related
- University of Tennessee IELTS requirement
- University of South Carolina Duolingo requirement
- Duolingo English Test score chart
- IELTS for the USA: scores by university
- All 3605 guides
Guide updated on 31 October 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