IELTS, TOEFL and Duolingo Requirements Compared for Indonesian Scholarship Applicants
By Muntasir Minhaz • Published Aug 07, 2026 • Scholarships & Funding, Study in Southeast Asia
LPDP accepts TOEFL ITP, TOEFL iBT, IELTS, and PTE Academic, and added the Duolingo English Test for some overseas tracks starting with the 2026 scholarship cycle. Minimum scores run higher for programs abroad than for programs inside Indonesia, and other scholarships set their own separate rules, so LPDP's numbers do not carry over automatically.
🎓 LPDP Masters abroad: TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.5, PTE 58
🎓 LPDP Doctoral abroad: TOEFL iBT 94, IELTS 7.0, PTE 65
🎓 LPDP Masters/Doctoral in Indonesia: TOEFL iBT 61-70, IELTS 6.0
📩 Duolingo now accepted for some LPDP overseas tracks from the 2026 cycle
An unconditional LoA lets you skip the English certificate for LPDP
What LPDP accepts
LPDP recognizes four main English tests: TOEFL ITP and TOEFL iBT from ETS , IELTS from British Council or IDP, and PTE Academic from Pearson. From the 2026 scholarship cycle, LPDP added the Duolingo English Test as an accepted option for its overseas tracks, giving applicants a faster, cheaper alternative to a full IELTS or TOEFL sitting.
Certificates must be issued no more than two years before your application year. If you already hold an unconditional Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from your target university that meets LPDP's academic requirements, LPDP waives the English certificate for that application entirely.
Minimum score comparison
| Program | TOEFL ITP | TOEFL iBT | IELTS | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masters, Indonesia | 500 | 61 | 6.0 | 50 |
| Masters, abroad | not accepted | 80 | 6.5 | 58 |
| Doctoral, Indonesia | 530 | 70 | 6.0 | 50 |
| Doctoral, abroad | not accepted | 94 | 7.0 | 65 |
These figures apply to LPDP's main STEM and SHARE scholarship tracks for the 2026 cycle. LPDP's special cooperation and religious leadership tracks set lower thresholds, so check the specific scholarship page on lpdp.kemenkeu.go.id that matches your program before you commit to a test.
Speed, cost, and retake differences
| Test | Typical results wait | Retake notes |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | Days, timing varies by paper or computer delivery per IELTS | Book a new sitting anytime; some centers offer a single-skill retake |
| TOEFL iBT | Around a week | MyBest Scores combines your best section results across attempts within two years |
| PTE Academic | Usually within 48 hours | Book a new sitting with no mandatory wait period |
| Duolingo English Test | Usually within 48 hours | Take it from home, book again with no mandatory wait |
Match your test choice to your deadline. If your LPDP or university deadline sits weeks away and you already feel ready, PTE Academic or Duolingo save time on results. If you have months to prepare and want a score recognized widely for both scholarship and visa purposes later, IELTS holds the widest acceptance among UK, Australian, and Canadian visa authorities.
Picking the right test for your goal
IELTS and TOEFL iBT remain the standard choice for destination universities outside Indonesia, since almost every English-taught program abroad names one or both in its admission requirements. PTE Academic and Duolingo cost less and return results faster, useful under a tight application deadline, but confirm your destination university and scholarship both list your chosen test as accepted before you book it. Not every university outside LPDP's list takes Duolingo yet.
Beyond LPDP
Destination-country scholarships such as Chevening, Australia Awards, MEXT, and Fulbright each set separate English test rules and update them from year to year. Do not carry LPDP's score numbers over to another scholarship's application. Check the official page for each scholarship you apply to, since a score that clears LPDP's bar can still sit below what another program asks for.