KUCCPS Issues New Guidelines To Universities And TVET Institutions For Students

The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has released a new set of directives targeting higher education institutions following the official launch of its online application portal for the 2025 intake cycle.

KUCCPS portal, which opened on March 28 and is set to remain active until April 30, 2025, is now accessible to students seeking placement in public and private universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, as well as teacher training colleges across the country.

In a formal notice published in a local daily, KUCCPS instructed all higher learning institutions, including both public and private universities and TVET colleges, to publish detailed and transparent information about the programs they offer.

According to the placement agency, the aim is to equip prospective applicants with sufficient knowledge about available courses, enabling them to make well-informed choices regarding their education and career paths.

“TVETs and public and private universities are required to provide sufficient information about their programs to enable potential students to make informed choices on their career pathways,” read the statement in part.

Read Also: KUCCPS Extends Deadline For University, TVET, And TTC Applications

This directive underscores KUCCPS’s commitment to ensuring that all students have equal access to critical information as they prepare to select their preferred programs.

It also reflects growing concerns around students choosing courses without a full understanding of their content, career prospects, and academic requirements, a trend that has, in the past, led to widespread misplacement and student dissatisfaction.

The announcement comes amid the ongoing application process through the KUCCPS online platform, which is now open to candidates seeking admission into public and private institutions of higher learning across Kenya.

As part of the eligibility criteria, KUCCPS clarified that only Kenyan citizens can apply for university placements in the country. However, non-Kenyan applicants are permitted to seek placement in certain diploma and certificate programs, specifically the Diploma in Primary Teacher Education, the Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education, and Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) programs.

In addition to citizenship requirements, applicants must have sat for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), an annual national examination administered by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC). Placement is strictly merit-based and depends on the academic qualifications of the applicant.

KUCCPS reiterated the minimum requirements for different levels of academic programs:

To qualify for a degree course, a student must have achieved at least a C+ (plus) grade in the KCSE examination.

For diploma programs, the minimum entry grade is a C- (minus).

Certificate courses require a minimum KCSE grade of D+ (plus), while artisan courses are available to those who score lower.

As the application period progressed, KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Dr. Agnes Wahome addressed growing concerns from students and parents regarding course placement outcomes.

Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, Dr. Wahome acknowledged that several students end up being placed in programs they did not explicitly choose, particularly within the highly competitive medical field.

She explained that this often occurs due to the large number of students applying for a limited number of slots in popular programs such as medicine, pharmacy, and nursing. As a result, applicants who do not secure places in their top choices may be placed in alternative courses that align with their qualifications and cluster points.

“This issue is especially prevalent in medical programs where many students apply for a few competitive slots. When demand exceeds availability, we consider the applicant’s academic performance and match them to other suitable programs based on merit,” Dr. Wahome stated.

She urged students to consider a wider range of course options and to use the information provided by institutions to explore diverse academic and career pathways.

She also emphasized the importance of realistic expectations, strategic planning, and early consultation with academic advisors or career guidance officers.

With just weeks remaining before the application deadline, KUCCPS continues to encourage eligible candidates to take full advantage of the placement service.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating fair, transparent, and efficient placement of students into institutions of higher learning across Kenya.

Read Also: Here’s Why Many Students Are Placed In Courses They Did Not Apply For According To KUCCPS