The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has officially revealed the minimum entry grades for students applying to various post-secondary programs.
The placement body announced on Monday, January 13, that the application process for Artisan (Level 4), Craft (Level 5), Diploma (Level 6), and Degree courses will commence soon.
“The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) is preparing to open the online application portal for the 2024 KCSE students whose results were released. When the application portal opens, the 2024 KCSE students will be able to log in and apply for courses,” KUCCPS stated in the statement shared online.
Prospective candidates have been advised to stay alert for updates and announcements from the placement service regarding course applications.
“KUCCPS will announce the start of the application through the mass media, its website www.kuccps.ac.ke and social media pages,” it added.
KUCCPS CEO Agnes Wahome stated that students with a minimum KCSE mean grade of C+(plus) qualify for admission to degree programs, while those with a grade of C-(minus) and above are eligible for Diploma (Level 6) programs.
For Artisan (Level 4) programs, students need a minimum KCSE mean grade of E, while Craft (Level 5) programs require a grade of D or higher.
“Some courses have additional subject requirements. The information will be published on the KUCCPS portal when it opens for application,” KUCCPS stated.
KUCCPS will provide weighted cluster points and cut-off scores to assist students in selecting courses for degree placements.
The 2024 KCSE, completed on November 22, saw 962,512 students sit for the national examination. Among them, 1,693 achieved grade A, while 246,391 candidates attained the university entry grade of C+ and above, marking an increase from 201,133 in 2023.
This means that over 700,000 students who sat for last year’s Form Four examination will miss out on university placement due to falling short of the required C+(plus) entry grade. These students are left with the option of enrolling in diploma and certificate courses.
However, there is hope for these candidates, as the ministry offers two alternative pathways for them.
The students will, to begin with, be eligible to enroll in colleges and technical institutions for diploma and certificate courses. Additionally, the Ministry of Education has introduced a mid-year KCSE examination, set to take place annually in July, offering candidates a second chance
This initiative, according to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba Migos, is aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the national examination system.
It will offer a chance to those who wish to repeat a class, candidates unable to sit for the exam due to illness, or those who faced other challenges preventing their participation.
