KUCCPS Announces Dates For Opening Of University And College Placement Portal

The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has announced plans to open its university and college placement portal in March, marking a key milestone in preparations for the transition of learners from secondary school to tertiary institutions later in the year.

Speaking during an interview with Inooro TV on Monday, January 26, KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Agnes Wahome said the opening of the portal is a crucial step in ensuring a smooth and well-coordinated placement process ahead of the September intake, when most students are expected to report to universities and colleges.

Wahome explained that once the portal goes live, applicants will be provided with detailed guidance materials to help them understand how the system works and make informed decisions when selecting courses and institutions. The materials will include information on available programmes, minimum entry requirements, career pathways and institutional capacities.

She noted that KUCCPS is currently undertaking an extensive assessment of the capacities submitted by universities and colleges across the country. This exercise, she said, is aimed at ensuring that the number of students placed in each institution aligns with the available facilities, teaching staff and infrastructure.

“There is a lot of work that is going on both on the college and university side as well as on our side so that we may ensure that when I announce the placement, there is no confusion,” Wahome said.

The KUCCPS CEO emphasised that careful planning and coordination with institutions is essential to avoid congestion, misplacement of students or delays in admissions once placements are released.

To enhance accessibility and promote equity, Wahome said the placement service has already established dedicated KUCCPS desks at Huduma Centres across the country. These desks are staffed with trained personnel who will assist students, particularly those from regions with limited or unreliable internet access, to apply for placement.

“My people are in Huduma centres across the country, because the placement service has a desk in all these Huduma centres. And in Huduma centres where there is no specific desk, there is always a cyber, and we have trained all those operating those cybers on how the system works,” she said.

Wahome reassured candidates and parents that all students who sat for the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination will be given an opportunity to select courses and institutions through the KUCCPS portal, depending on their grades and qualifications.

“In our system, there is nothing like failure; we accommodate everyone, even those who got an E,” she said, adding that KUCCPS provides placement opportunities not only in universities but also in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and other post-secondary options.

As part of its outreach and sensitisation efforts, KUCCPS will leverage the upcoming national career guidance conference to engage students and parents on higher education opportunities and career choices. The three-day forum will take place from January 27 to 29, 2026, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.

The event is expected to bring together students, parents, universities, colleges and other key stakeholders in the education sector. According to KUCCPS, more than 100 institutions will participate in the exhibition, including public and private universities, TVET colleges, professional bodies and private sector partners.

The conference will provide a platform for learners to interact directly with institutions, receive career guidance, and gain a better understanding of the courses available and the skills required in the job market.

Meanwhile, data from the Ministry of Education shows that a total of 993,000 candidates sat for the 2025 KCSE examination, comprising 492,019 boys and 501,214 girls.

Of these, 270,715 candidates attained a mean grade of C+ and above, making them eligible for direct entry into university. A further 507,131 candidates scored C- and above, while 634,082 candidates attained a grade of D+ and above, qualifying them for placement in various tertiary institutions, including TVET colleges.

KUCCPS has urged candidates and parents to stay informed and take advantage of the support structures in place to ensure that every learner successfully transitions to the next level of education.

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