The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) is preparing to open the application portal for the 2025/2026 placement cohort.
This will allow the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates and Form Four leavers from earlier years to apply for university and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes.
According to KUCCPS, the portal will open for applications in the coming days, after which eligible candidates will be able to submit their preferred degree, diploma, craft, and artisan course choices.
Students who scored C+ and above in the 2024 KCSE will qualify to apply for degree programmes once the portal opens. Those who were previously placed in diploma programmes but now qualify for university admission will also be allowed to upgrade to degree level.
KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Agnes Wahome said in a media interview that the placement agency has improved transparency by ensuring students first receive their KCSE results, after which KUCCPS publishes the previous year’s minimum entry grades and cut-off points on its portal.
She explained that this information helps candidates make informed decisions when selecting courses during the placement process.
“We decided two years ago that we would let the students get their results. Then we put on our portal… so what were the minimum entry grades and the cutoffs for various universities in that last year. That helps you to know which course to take,” Agnes Wahome said.
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Form Four leavers who sat KCSE between 2000 and 2024 and scored grades between C and E will be eligible to apply for TVET courses when the window opens. TVET admission requirements will remain structured as follows:
- Grade E: Artisan Certificate (Level 4)
- Grade D: Craft Certificate (Level 5)
- Grade C–: Diploma (Level 6)
KUCCPS has also confirmed that candidates who scored C qualify for the Diploma in Primary Teacher Education, while those with C+ qualify for the Diploma in Secondary Teacher Education.
How Students Will Choose Their Six KUCCPS Degree Choices
Once the portal is activated, degree applicants will be required to select six choices, arranged in the official KUCCPS format:
1(a), 1(b) and 1(c)
The first three choices must be the same degree programme placed across three different universities if the course is offered in multiple institutions. This arrangement increases a candidate’s chance of securing their top preferred course.
For example, students targeting a Bachelor of Public Health can follow this format for the first three choices:
- 1(a): Public Health – Kenyatta University
- 1(b): Public Health – Rongo University
- 1(c): Public Health – Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology
Choices 2, 3, and 4
There must be different programmes, serving as alternatives in case a student does not secure the first three positions.
Also Read: KUCCPS Opens Portal for Students who Want to Pursue Diploma in Law
Examples:
- 2: BSc. Nutrition and Dietetics – Egerton University
- 3: BSc. Community Health – Meru University of Science and Technology
- 4: BSc. Biology – Kisii University
Application Structure by KCSE Grade
| Category | Minimum Grade | Choices Allowed |
| Degree | C+ and above | 1(a,b,c), 2, 3, 4 |
| Diploma (Level 6) | C– | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Craft Certificate (Level 5) | D | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Artisan (Level 4) | E | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
Candidates who qualify for multiple levels may apply across categories but must opt in to multiple-category processing.
How the Application Will Work Once the Portal Opens
When KUCCPS activates the 2025/2026 application portal, students will be required to:
- Log in at students.kuccps.net
- Download programme lists and cluster subject requirements
- Compare their cluster weight with previous cut-off points
- Search and pick courses they qualify for
- Enter programme codes in the correct 1(a)–4 order
- Submit the application
- Pay the KSh 1,500 processing fee through eCitizen
Dos and Don’ts for the Upcoming KUCCPS Application
DO’S
- Research course requirements early
- Use 1(a)–1(c) strategically
- Apply early when the window opens
- Double-check programme codes
- Choose realistic alternatives
- Keep all confirmations and receipts
- Follow only official KUCCPS channels
DON’TS
- Don’t list the same course in all six slots
- Don’t ignore cut-off points
- Don’t rely on only one university
- Don’t wait for the last day
- Don’t use agents or unofficial sites
- Don’t choose courses you don’t genuinely want
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