The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), the official body responsible for placement of students in higher learning institutions, has re-opened its online portal for the 2026 placement cycle, inviting students to submit or re-submit applications for university and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes.
According to the agency, 212,510 candidates who scored a C+ and above in the 2025 KCSE examination have applied for various programmes since the opening of applications.
This represents 79.1 percent of the 268,714 Kenyan citizens who attained a mean grade of C+ and above in the national examination. Hence, KUCCPS has urged 2025 Form Four leavers who qualified for degree programmes but have not yet applied for placement, as well as those who applied without securing a course, to log into the system and reapply. Students can apply for undergraduate programmes across public, private universities, colleges and technical institutions.
KUCCPS degree courses are government-recognised undergraduate programmes offered by accredited Kenyan universities. Placement is centralised and competitive, based on KCSE performance, cluster points, and the choices you submit through the portal.
To apply for degree courses through KUCCPS, you must meet the minimum KCSE requirements. The baseline for degree programmes is a mean grade of C+ or above. That means if you scored C+ or higher in your KCSE exam, you are eligible to apply for university placement.
Applicants must have sat the KCSE exam between 2000 and 2025. That means both recent graduates (2025 KCSE cohort) and candidates from previous years can apply, as long as they scored C+ or above and have not been placed by KUCCPS before.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Applying for KUCCPS degree placement is done entirely online through the KUCCPS Student Portal. Here is how to complete the process:
Step 1: Check your eligibility
Confirm that you meet the minimum KCSE grade requirements (C+ for degree programmes) and that your KCSE details index number, exam year, and birth certificate number are ready. You will need these to create your account and log in.
Step 2: Create an account
Go to students.kuccps.net and create an account by entering your KCSE index number, exam year, and setting a secure password. If you sat KCSE in 2025, your results are automatically linked. If you sat in a previous year, you will need to provide your birth certificate number or KCPE index number to verify your identity.
Step 3: Log in and review your details
Once your account is created, log in using your KCSE index number and password. Review your personal details, KCSE results, and cluster points. KUCCPS automatically calculates your weighted cluster points based on your KCSE performance and the subjects required for each degree programme. Make sure all the information is accurate before proceeding.
Step 4: Browse available courses
Use the portal to browse degree programmes offered by universities across Kenya. You can filter by cluster, institution, or programme type. Download the Degree Cluster Document and the Degree Programmes list from the KUCCPS portal. These documents show minimum subject requirements, cluster point thresholds, and cut-off points from previous years (2023 and 2024). Compare your cluster points against these cut-offs to identify programmes where you have a realistic chance of placement.
Step 5: Select your six programme choices
Choose up to six degree programmes that match your grades, cluster points, interests, and career goals. Consider factors like cost (government-sponsored vs. self-sponsored), location, university reputation, and future job prospects. Use the three-university structure for your first choice (1a, 1b, 1c) to maximise your chances of securing your preferred course.
Step 6: Submit your application
Fill in the application form carefully, double-check your programme selections, and submit your application through the portal. Once submitted, you cannot change your choices unless KUCCPS opens a revision window.
Step 7: Pay the application fee
Complete your application by paying the required KUCCPS application fee via M-Pesa using the Paybill number provided on the portal. Your application is only considered complete after payment is confirmed. Save your payment receipt as proof.
“We call upon all 2025 Form Four leavers who qualified for degree programmes but have not applied for placement, and those who applied but have not secured a course, to log into the system and apply again,” KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Agnes Mercy Wahome said.
KUCCPS stated that the application window will remain open from May 16 to May 22, 2026.
