With A-level results day fast approaching (results are out on 14 August), students will be eager to find out whether they have secured their first (or second) choice of university.

Sponsored content: created in partnership with the Duolingo English Test.

For international students, one of the most common questions during the application process is: Do schools actually prefer TOEFL, IELTS or the Duolingo English Test (DET)?

The short answer: No, they don’t.

Sponsored content: created in partnership with the Duolingo English Test.

The Duolingo English Test (DET) has rapidly grown in popularity over the past few years, but misconceptions still surround it. Whether you’re applying to a university or a visa programme, it’s important to separate fact from fiction. We debunk four of the most common myths about the DET and set the record straight.

Sponsored content: created in partnership with Ho Chi Minh City Open University

The Rhodes Scholarship opens for applications in June 2025 for applicants who will begin their postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford in October 2026. 

The Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The rankings, which started in 2019, have seen growing numbers of universities across the globe participating. Their evaluation criteria explore the research, stewardship, outreach and teaching universities are conducting to support the SDGs.

As a former admissions counsellor who reviewed applications at the university level and as a university and careers counsellor guiding students internationally, I’ve seen firsthand what makes an applicant stand out. 

In today’s admissions landscape, students need to find ways to distinguish themselves outside of GPA and standardised test scores.

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