I’ve just finished my 12th in India and want to apply for a Bachelor’s in Business in the UK. There are so many English tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and even Duolingo. Which one is better accepted for UK universities, and will Canada accept the same test if I apply later?
Anonymous Changed status to publish August 26, 2025
Most UK universities prefer IELTS because it’s the most widely recognized and also accepted for visa purposes.
That said, many UK universities now also accept but universities website should be checked:
- TOEFL iBT
- PTE Academic
- Duolingo English Test (DET) —If your main target is the UK, IELTS is the safest because it works both for admission and visa.
If thinking about Canada, then it is a little stricter, especially if you apply under the SDS (Student Direct Stream) visa route.
- For SDS, you need IELTS Academic (paper-based or computer-based) with a minimum of 6.0 in each band.
- TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo are accepted by many Canadian universities/colleges for admission, but for visa purposes IELTS is the most reliable.
Since you’re just starting after 12th and want to keep both UK and Canada open, the safest route is:
Take IELTS (preferably IELTS for UKVI)
- It’s widely accepted in the UK.
- Works for Canadian universities and SDS visa.
- Keeps your options open for future countries like Australia or New Zealand too.
DegreeWisdom Answered question August 26, 2025
