IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo: which English certificate to choose to apply for a scholarship

🔄 Cập nhật lần cuối: 08/10/26

Choosing the wrong certificate can cost you both exam money and valuable time before the application deadline. To choose the right English certificate to apply for a scholarship, you need to compare three required layers: scholarship, university and visa. This article compares IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Duolingo English Test (DET) and PTE Academic to help you decide quickly and accurately.

Principles for choosing an English certificate to apply for a scholarship: 3 required classes

1. Scholarships: some scholarships only accept certain types of certificates and specific scores. For example, according to information published in previous recruitment rounds, the Fulbright program for Vietnamese students requires a minimum of TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS 6.5 or PTE Academic 58.
2. University: each school, even each major, has its own list of certificates and scores for each skill.
3. Visa: some countries regulate the list of certificates used for visa applications, which may be narrower than the list of accepted schools.

The “optimal” certificate is one that satisfies all three classes. If you are applying for multiple scholarships in multiple countries, IELTS Academic and TOEFL iBT are often the safest options because they are widely accepted.

Compare IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, PTE

IELTS

Most popular in Vietnam, many test locations. The Speaking section is a direct conversation with the examiner, suitable for people who like natural communication. Note: when applying for a UK visa with a course below university level, you may need the correct version of “IELTS for UKVI”.

TOEFL iBT

Strong in the US market, all on computers. According to the update notice, from January 2026, TOEFL iBT will add a scale of 1–6 corresponding to the CEFR framework and change the Reading and Listening sections to adaptive format (difficulty varies according to the task); The scoreboard will display both a 1–6 and 0–120 scale in parallel for approximately two years. So, check which school/scholarship sets the threshold according to which scale.

Duolingo English Test

Advantages: online exam at home, lower fees, quick results. Limitations: many government scholarships and some types of visas are not accepted. For example, DET is not on the list of secure English tests (SELTs) approved by the UK Home Office. Only choose DET when you are sure every place you submit will accept it.

PTE Academic

Automatic scoring, fast results, widely accepted in Australia and New Zealand; The PTE Academic UKVI version is on the UK SELT list.

Note when choosing a certificate by country

• English: for university level and above, licensed schools often self-assess English proficiency. For under-university courses, you need a SELT test approved by the Home Office (such as IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic UKVI, LanguageCert SELT...), results within 2 years.
• USA: the government does not regulate specific certificates for F-1 visas; It's important that the school accepts you and that you communicate well during the interview.
• Australia: English requirements for student visas depend on nationality and exemptions; The list of accepted tests is published by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and is subject to change.
• Canada: after the Student Direct Stream program stops, English language requirements are mainly determined by the school.
• Non-English speaking countries: Japan, Korea, Germany, France... may require native language certificates (JLPT, TOPIK, TestDaF, DELF) with programs taught in that language. For example, the GKS scholarship gives priority to candidates with TOPIK.

Visa regulations change frequently; Always check the immigration agency's official page before registering for the exam. See more articles about visas like UK study visa and Australian student visa subclass 500.

When should I take the certification exam?

• Get your scores 2-3 months before the scholarship deadline so you have the opportunity to retake the exam if you don't pass.
• Calculate the 2-year period until the time of application, admission and visa application - the point of expiring halfway is a quite common mistake.
• Practice all skills evenly: many scholarships require a minimum score for each skill, not just the total score.

The exam time frame should be set within 12-month scholarship hunting roadmap and compare with seasonal scholarship application schedule. If your GPA is not outstanding, a high English score is an effective way to compensate – see With what GPA you have, you have the opportunity to hunt for scholarships.

Frequently asked questions

Can IELTS General be used to apply for scholarships?

Usually not. Scholarships and universities require IELTS Academic. IELTS General is mainly used for settlement and employment.

Can Duolingo be used for government scholarships?

Most government scholarships only accept IELTS, TOEFL or PTE. Always check the official list before taking the test.

If you have studied English at university, can you get a certificate exemption?

Some schools exempt you if you study a program taught entirely in English and have school confirmation. Government scholarships often still require certificates.

What IELTS score is enough to apply for a scholarship?

Common is 6.5 total, no skill is below 6.0 for graduate level; Language, law, and medicine majors may need 7.0 or higher. The specific level depends on the scholarship and the school.

Conclusion

Choosing an English certificate to apply for a scholarship is not a matter of "which one is easier to take", but rather taking the one that is accepted everywhere you need it. Planning early and checking the official site will help you avoid unnecessary retakes. When you're ready to go, check it out air tickets to study abroad or contact hotline/Zalo 090.1800.918.

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