Thousands of students placed at Kenyatta University (KU) through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) are preparing to begin their academic journey.
Kenyatta University is expected to receive its 2026/2027 first-year students on August 26, and several activities have been scheduled for the final week of August as students complete registration and settle into university life.
The University expects to admit 11,244 students, making it the most preferred public university in the latest KUCCPS placement cycle as freshers prepare to report later this month
KU has since updated its joining instructions, providing new students with details on registration, fees, accommodation, medical examinations, identification documents, learning requirements, and university rules.
Students reporting to KU must present their original admission letter, original and photocopies of their academic certificates or result slips, and their original National Identification Card and a copy of it.
The joining instructions also require students to submit their original SHA card and a copy of their family insurance cover policy number, together with their completed joining instructions. KU warns that students without the required documents will not be registered.
Students should also carry four 1-inch by 1-inch photographs for processing of their university identification card. The photographs should be taken at a good studio, and photos from “photo-Me” kiosks are not accepted.
KU Registration, Fees and Accommodation
Registration of new students will take place at their respective campuses. During the process, students will have their documents verified, their biodata activated in the university database, and their financial obligations processed before receiving their student identification cards.
KU has placed the annual programme costs into different fee clusters. The listed programme costs range from KSh139,636 to KSh447,429 per year, depending on the course cluster. The KUCCPS placement fee is KSh1,000, while the annual CUE Quality Assurance fee is also KSh1,000. Students seeking university accommodation are listed as paying KSh18,000 per year, or KSh9,000 per semester.
The university cautions that admission does not guarantee hostel accommodation because spaces are limited.
Students who want university accommodation must apply through the university’s accommodation system. Those who choose to live off-campus must still register with the Directorate of Accommodation Services.
KU also requires students to make their own travel arrangements to the university.
Medical Examination and Orientation
New students are required to undergo a medical examination through the Directorate of University Health Services. KU says the examination fee is KSh1,000, payable into the university account on arrival.
Students must print and bring the KU/4 Student Entrance Medical Examination Form, duly completed and signed, to the university medical officer for submission during registration.
For orientation, KU’s 2026 joining instructions state that all first-years will undergo orientation between August 21 and August 30, 2026, at their respective campuses.
The university describes orientation as an important part of introducing new students to its officers, systems, expectations, obligations, and available services.
Students should therefore expect the orientation period to introduce them to the university’s academic and administrative systems, student services, and campus environment before they settle fully into their programmes.
Laptop Required for Online Learning
KU states that because some units are offered online, it is mandatory for students to acquire a laptop or another suitable gadget for online learning.
Students should therefore arrange for a reliable device and internet access before the semester fully gets underway.
The university also advises students to carry basic academic stationery, books and equipment relevant to their schools, clothing, pocket money and bedding, including bedcovers, blankets, sheets and a bucket.
Some programmes have additional requirements. Students in areas such as Geography, Botany, Zoology and Physical Education may need specialised equipment, while Nursing and Public Health students have additional requirements including a white coat, name tag, stethoscope and other professional equipment.
Important Rules New Students Should Know
First-years are expected to familiarise themselves with KU’s academic and disciplinary regulations from the beginning.
The university states that attendance at lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals and other scheduled academic activities is compulsory. It also warns that some compulsory university programmes and examinations can be scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays.
Students should also ensure that the names they use on university documents correspond with those used during their examinations. KU says changes to names after registration are subject to specific requirements.
Examination rules are particularly important. KU’s joining instructions state that involvement in an examination irregularity may result in expulsion from the university.
For KUCCPS students who later wish to change their programme or school, the university’s student information guidance states that first-year students may apply for an inter- or intra-school transfer within the first three weeks of the academic year, subject to meeting the requirements. An application, however, does not guarantee approval.
What Happens During KU First-Year Orientation?
During orientation, newcomers are introduced to key university offices and the services available to them, including academic, student welfare, health, accommodation and administrative support. They are also guided on how their programmes work, including course registration, class attendance, examinations, academic requirements and other expectations.
The programme helps first-years familiarise themselves with their respective campuses, including lecture areas and important offices they will need to access throughout their studies. They are also informed about where to seek assistance when they encounter academic, personal or administrative challenges, with the Student Affairs Directorate providing support to help them adjust to university life.
New students are introduced to KU’s rules and regulations covering conduct, examinations, attendance and general behaviour. They also learn about the digital systems used for learning and other university services, with KU requiring access to a laptop or suitable gadget because some learning activities are conducted online.
Orientation also gives first-years an opportunity to meet their classmates and other newcomers, helping them establish social and academic networks as they begin university life.
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