If your study plans for 2025 have taken an unexpected turn, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. A growing number of UK universities are extending application deadlines and offering January start dates, giving international students a chance to stay on track without waiting for the next academic cycle.

At the Duolingo English Test (DET), we’re partnering with UK universities that accept the DET and are ready to welcome new international applications—even over the summer. These universities understand that life happens, and they’re making it easier than ever for students to adjust their plans and keep moving forward.

Why study in the UK?

The UK has always been a popular destination for international students, and one reason is flexibility. Many universities have the systems in place to review late applications and can offer fast decisions. Combined with January entry points, streamlined admissions, and excellent visa support, the UK is well-positioned to meet students where they are.

Many UK universities can review late applications and offer fast decisions

How the Duolingo English Test helps

The DET is fast, convenient, and is now accepted by dozens of UK universities. You can take it online, anywhere in the world, and get results in just two days. That means you don’t need to travel to a test center or wait weeks for scores. If you're applying this summer for a fall 2025 start—or planning ahead for January 2026—the DET helps you meet English requirements quickly and affordably.

Universities accepting late applications for September '25 and who have January '26 intakes

We’ve put together a list of UK universities for our test takers. These are institutions that:

  • Accept the Duolingo English Test
  • Are accepting late applications for fall 2025 or have a January 2026 intake
  • Offer responsive, student-friendly support

We’ll keep these lists updated throughout the summer as more universities join.

DET accepting UK universities with late deadlines for September 2025

University & Deadline Details
Cranfield University
14 Jul
Eligibility: ATAS courses: apply by 30 Jun
Contact: study@cranfield.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements
University of Surrey
15 Jul
Eligibility: All courses
Contact: admissions@surrey.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements
Liverpool John Moores University
1 Aug
Eligibility: UG, PG, and PGT;
– 30 June: PGT applications close.
– Sport, Clinical Embryology, and Nursing closed.
Contact: international@ljmu.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements
University of Sussex
1 Aug
Eligibility: Subject to availability
Contact: Contact form
Links: Apply | English language requirement
UWE Bristol
1 Aug
Eligibility: All open courses. Closed programs listed online. Extensions possible.
Contact: international@uwe.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements
University of Portsmouth
11 Aug
Eligibility: All UG/PGT: 11 Aug, except:
– 7 Jul: BD, PK
– 28 Jul: CM, GH, IN, IR, KE, NP, NG, LK
– 9 Jun: PGCE
Contact: global@port.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements
Bangor University
15 Aug
Eligibility: All courses
Contact: internationaladmissions@bangor.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements
Royal Holloway, University of London
20 Aug
Eligibility: All except Occupational Therapy and Social Work
Contact: international@rhul.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements
University of Greenwich
20 Aug
Eligibility: Not specified
Contact: international@gre.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements
University of York
29 Aug
Eligibility: UG: All except Medicine, Nursing, Midwifery, Architecture
PG: Most except Med School, Social Work, PGCE, Nursing, MAPP
Contact: international@york.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements: UG | PG
University of Southampton
29 Aug
Eligibility: All UG/PGT except Medicine. Courses with ATAS or high demand may close early.
Contact: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements
University of Strathclyde
1 Sep
Eligibility: PGDE (teacher education) courses
Contact: international@strath.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements
University of Exeter
12 Sep
Eligibility: All except Medicine
Contact: internationalenquiries@exeter.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements

DET accepting UK universities with January 2026 intakes

University & Deadline Details
UWE Bristol
1 Nov
Eligibility: All open courses. Closed ones listed online.
Contact: international@uwe.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements
Cranfield University
10 Nov
Eligibility: Only MSc Strategic Marketing and MSc Finance
Contact: study@cranfield.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements
Liverpool John Moores University
16 Nov
Eligibility: Only postgraduate Engineering and Law programmes
Contact: international@ljmu.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements
University of Greenwich
8 Dec
Eligibility: Not specified
Contact: international@gre.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements
University of Surrey
10 Dec
Eligibility: All courses
Contact: admissions@surrey.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements
University of Portsmouth
15 Dec
Eligibility: All Jan ’26 courses: 15 Dec deadline
– 1 Dec for BD, PK, CM, GH, IN, IR, KE, NP, NG, LK
Contact: global@port.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements
Bangor University
19 Dec
Eligibility: Only Masters Programmes
Contact: internationaladmissions@bangor.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements
University of Exeter
5 Jan
Eligibility: Only has PGT courses
Contact: internationalenquiries@exeter.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements
Royal Holloway, University of London
TBC
Eligibility: All courses
Contact: international@rhul.ac.uk
Links: Apply | English language requirements
University of Strathclyde
TBC
Eligibility: Not specified
Contact: —
Links: Apply | English language requirements

Don’t hit pause on your dreams

Plans change—but your future doesn’t have to wait. With the Duolingo English Test and a growing network of flexible UK universities, you still have time to start your journey this year.

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