The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has opened its 2025 online application portal for universities, TVET institutes and teacher training colleges. In a move to improve transparency and guide student decision making, KUCCPS has issued fresh directives to all participating institutions.
As the portal went live on March 28, KUCCPS asked both public and private universities and TVET institutions to publish programme information on platforms accessible to prospective students. This is to empower applicants with the information to make informed academic and career choices before the application deadline on April 30, 2025.
KUCCPS Demands Transparency in Programme Offerings
In a notice published in a local daily, KUCCPS stated that universities and TVETs should provide information on:
- Course content and specializations
- Entry requirements
- Campus locations
- Programme duration
- Career pathways and opportunities
“TVETs and public and private universities should provide enough information about their programmes so that potential students can make informed choices on their career pathways,” the notice said.
This is because many students apply for courses without fully understanding what they entail and end up with mismatches, dissatisfaction and eventually transfers or dropouts.
Who Is Eligible for 2025 KUCCPS Placement?
To apply through KUCCPS, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a Kenyan citizen for university placements.
- Have sat the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) administered by KNEC.
- Meet the minimum academic requirements for each programme level:
- Degree: C+ (plus)
- Diploma: C- (minus)
- Certificate: D+ (plus)
- Artisan: D (plain) and below
Note that non-Kenyan students are not eligible for university placement through KUCCPS. However, they can apply for:
- Diploma in Primary Teacher Education
- Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education
- Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) programmes
Unintended Course Placements
Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, KUCCPS CEO Agnes Wahome addressed the issue of students being placed in programmes they did not choose. She cited medical-related courses as an example where oversubscription leads to alternative placements.
“Students tend to concentrate their choices on a few popular medical courses. Due to the high competition and limited slots, some are placed in similar but less competitive alternatives,” she said.
This is why applicants should diversify their choices and thoroughly explore available programmes—especially those that may offer equivalent professional opportunities with fewer applicants.
What Institutions Must Do By April 30
All institutions must:
- Upload programme information to their websites and designated KUCCPS platforms.
- Respond to applicant queries and offer career guidance during the placement period.
- Align their programmes with labour market demands and student interest trends.
Failure to comply may result in reduced applications and reputational damage among stakeholders who expect transparency and responsiveness in the placement process.