© Victor Ochieng’
Recently, Ministry of Education (MoE) communicated that Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) will open the portal in March 2025 for application of degree courses for September 2025 university intake. Before January 17, 2025, KUCCPS opened its portal for two important applications, which targeted 2023 KCSE candidates: One, application for January 2025 intake in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Two, transfer application for students placed in universities and colleges in the previous years.
As from January 17 to February 14, 2025, KUCCPS, again opened the portal for two important applications targeting 2024 KCSE candidates: One, application into TVET institutions for May 2025 intake. Two, Applications into Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) for March 2025 intake. KUCCPS re-opened the portal for KCSE candidates to apply for 21 KMTC courses that were still available. This ended on March 4, 2025. Meaning, applications for degree courses offered in universities is still pending. KUCCPS has not opened the portal because of the ruling of Justice Chacha Mwita at the High Court concerning unconstitutionality of Variable Scholarship and Loan Funding (VSLF) Model, which should supplant Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) Model. The case is now at the Court of Appeal. Meanwhile, KCSE candidates should prepare for applications for degree courses because MoE communicated that KUCCPS will possibly open the portal in March 2025.
KUCCPS School/Centre Application for Degree and TVET Programmes: Principals’ Application Guide, directs students on how to apply for courses in colleges and universities. Initially, there was a directive from KUCCPS for Principals to create accounts, and apply for students’ placement into universities and colleges. Albeit, in 2023 there was an about-turn on this in line with National Policy Framework for Career Guidance in Kenya, a policy document birthed by Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. KUCCPS dispatched a circular to Principals of secondary schools to end centre application of courses. Meaning, Form Four leavers fill the KUCCPS portal after release of KCSE results.
Largely, students secure placements into degree courses based on their academic performance in KCSE, merit and affirmative action. Focusing on degree programmes, applicants have 6 degree options (1a, 1b, 1c, 2, 3 and 4). Advisedly, students should apply only for programmes they will be comfortable to pursue. In case students will not be applying, they should not enter anything in the fields. Instead, it is okay to leave the choice cells blank, and only fill the contact details. Likewise, failure to fill the portal means either the student is not interested to join tertiary institution in Kenya or is planning to see beyond the sea – study abroad.
In addition, pertaining degree courses, choices 1a to 1c, should be the same programme in three different universities. For instance, Engineering at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) and Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT). Conversely, in case the programme only exists in one or two institutions, students should enter only the one available, and skip the other. There will be first and second revision of courses. While choosing courses in universities, students should consider factors such as cluster requirements, accreditation details, fees or cost, accommodation, location, ranking, marketability, work study programmes, scholarship opportunities, et cetera.
Moreover, matters cut-off points and cluster points must be taken into critical consideration. Some courses have additional subject requirements published on KUCCPS portal when it opens for applications. For degree programmes, cut-off points and applicants’ weighted cluster points will also be a factor. On minimum requirements for admission to various levels, KUCCPS states: Entry into degree courses requires a C+ (plus) of 46 points.
Consequently, on matters cluster points, there are 4 key subjects required for a particular course. For instance, for medical courses such as medicine itself, clinical medicine and nursing, The Essential Career Guide by KUCCPS postulates, apart from peerless performance in all subjects, these key subjects will apply: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics and English or Kiswahili. Ipso facto, students do not matriculate into universities simply because they have met the cut-off point — C+ (plus) of 46 points. Too true, KUCCPS places them in courses of choice, only after meeting cluster requirements.
Finally, these are the guidelines on how to access, and apply for courses on KUCCPS portal. Computer and digital skills are of help here. With sufficient bundles or internet connectivity, the student can apply using a hand-held device like a phone or tablet. It can also be done on a laptop, or desktop at home with sufficient internet connectivity. The student can also visit the cyber café in close range for assistance. It begins with logging to: students.kuccps.net. Enter the index number. Enter the KCSE year. Enter password: Birth certificate number/entry number/KCPE index number. Click programme lists. Select the programme/institution you wish to apply. The document will be downloaded as a PDF file. Check out for the programme codes and note them down. Go back to the menu bar. Click application/revision. Key in the forms for submitting the programme code. Type the codes you had noted. Submit it. Go for payment instructions: For eCitizen, pay bill number is 222222. Enter the account number provided. Pay Sh 1,500. Get a confirmation text. Go back to the application window and enter the account number (Payment REF). Submit it. The application will be successful.
The writer offers advice and guidance to students on how to make informed career choices. vochieng.90@gmail.com. 0704420232.
