This writ is a good guide to Form Four Leavers (KCSE Class of 2025) on how to apply for degree courses on the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) portal.
Actually, KUCCPS School/Centre Application for Degree and TVET Programmes: Principals’ Application Guide, directs students on how to apply for courses in colleges and universities. Form Four leavers can choose courses once KUCCPS opens the portal to okay this exercise.
Largely, students secure placements into degree programmes based on their academic performance in KCSE, preference or choice of course and affirmative action, which digs deep into details of students in relation to gender. Or whether s/he hails from marginalised or arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs); including people living with disabilities (PLWDs). More on degree programmes, applicants have 6 degree options (1a, 1b, 1c, 2, 3 and 4) to make.
Advisedly, students should apply only for programmes they will be passionate to pursue in universities. In case students lack the interest, they should not enter anything in the fields. In lieu, 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 in joining tertiary institutions in Kenya. Or is planning to see beyond the sea – study in universities based abroad.
Additionally, pertaining degree courses, choices 1a to 1c, which is the main degree course for the student, should be applied for in 3 different universities. For instance, Engineering at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) and Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT).
In case the degree programme exists in only 1 or 2 institutions, students should enter only the one available, and skip the other. Then, there will be 1st and 2nd revision of university courses on the KUCCPS portal. Withal, while choosing universities, students should consider a vast array of factors such as cluster requirements, accreditation details, fees or cost of courses, accommodation, location, ranking, market trends, work study programmes, scholarship opportunities, et cetera.
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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 the process is on-going. 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 and above. Cluster weighted points, computed from the student’s academic performance in the 4 relevant subjects, remain the key determining metric. So, students are ranked in the descending order per course, as cluster weight for the last admitted student sets the cut-off point for that placement process.
For instance, for Health Science such as medicine, clinical medicine and nursing, The Essential Career Guide by KUCCPS postulates, apart from nonpareil performance in all subjects to meet minimum mean grade, 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 raft of good 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 e-Citizen, pay bill number is 222222. Enter the account number provided. Pay Ksh 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.
By Victor Ochieng’
Victor Ochieng’ is a career educator. He guides students on how to make informed career choices. vochieng.90@gmail.com. 0704420232
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