Can students from Timor-Leste use the Duolingo English Test for New Zealand?

DET acceptance depends on the New Zealand university, not your nationality. This page pairs New Zealand's requirements with practical notes for applicants from Timor-Leste.

Your corridor

🇳🇿 Duolingo English Test for New Zealand — from Timor-Leste

New Zealand's universities recognise the DET for many undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

What New Zealand asks for

Scores run on the 10–160 scale; recognition is program-dependent, generally 105–125.

Admission is not the same as the visa

For New Zealand's fee-paying student visa (up to four years), separate English proof is generally not required if your institution has accepted you — including on a DET score. Confirm with the institution and current Immigration NZ rules.

From Timor-Leste — the essentials

Costs in: United States Dollar (US$)
Credentials: Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture
Funding to search: Australia Awards Timor-Leste, Bolsas do governo português / Camões, Chevening, Erasmus+
Where students go: Australia, Portugal, Indonesia, New Zealand, United States
Apply from: Dili, Baucau, Maliana

Timor-Leste is Portuguese- and Tetum-speaking; Portugal and Indonesia are common destinations, and Australia Awards funds English-medium study (Duolingo English Test/IELTS for those). At about $70 the DET is taken online from Timor-Leste — no test-centre travel, and far cheaper than IELTS.

Plan the rest of your move for New Zealand

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Practice the DET

Try AlmiDET practice tasks on the real 10–160 scale with honest AI feedback.

Practice on the real 10–160 scale

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The Shamool pledge

AlmiDET is part of the AlmiWorld family. 25% of our sales go to the Shamool Foundation to support students who cannot afford fees and tests — so the work you do here helps fund a place for someone else.

AlmiDET is independent and not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Duolingo. All practice material is original and never copied from the Duolingo English Test. Acceptance figures and score bands change — always confirm the current requirement on the official university or government page before you rely on it.