After KCSE, the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) places students into government-sponsored programmes at universities, colleges and TVET institutions. Placement is by merit: for each programme, the places go to the qualified applicants with the strongest results. Here's how it works.
Step 1: The minimum grade for each level
Your KCSE mean grade decides which levels you can apply for. The usual minimums are:
| Level | Usual minimum mean grade |
|---|---|
| Degree | C+ |
| Diploma | C- |
| Certificate | D |
| Artisan | E |
Some programmes ask for more than the minimum. Always check the programme itself.
Step 2: Each programme's subject requirements
Every programme lists its own requirements on the KUCCPS portal:
- Minimum grades in particular subjects, e.g. a set grade in Mathematics or Biology. Missing one of these rules you out, even with a high mean grade.
- Four cluster subjects for degree programmes: the subjects that matter most for that course. Some are fixed (e.g. Biology), and some give a choice (e.g. "Physics or Mathematics").
Programmes are grouped into clusters of related courses, such as Law; Medicine and health sciences; Engineering; Computing and IT; Business; Education; Agriculture; and so on. Courses in the same cluster usually use similar cluster subjects, but the exact subjects and grades are set per programme, so read them on the portal for each course you want.
Note: Requirements are reviewed from time to time. Use the current list on the KUCCPS student portal, not a list shared on social media or from a past year.
Step 3: Your cluster points
For degree programmes, KUCCPS ranks applicants by weighted cluster points, which combine your 4 cluster subjects with your overall performance:
Tip: Cluster points = √( (r ÷ 48) × (t ÷ 84) ) × 48, where r is your points in the 4 cluster subjects and t is your aggregate points in 7 subjects. Work yours out for each course with the free KUCCPS cluster points calculator.
Because each course has different cluster subjects, you have different cluster points for different courses. A student strong in sciences may have high points for Medicine and lower points for Law.
Step 4: Cut-off points
Each programme at each institution has a fixed number of government-sponsored places. KUCCPS ranks everyone who chose it and qualifies, from the highest cluster points down, and fills the places in that order. The cut-off point is the cluster points of the last student who got a place.
- Cut-offs are different for the same course at different institutions. Popular courses at popular universities fill with higher points.
- Cut-offs change every year, depending on how many students apply and how well they did.
- The portal shows past cut-offs. Use them as a guide, not a promise.
Step 5: Your choices, in order
You list your choices in order of preference. KUCCPS considers your first choice first. If your points are below that programme's cut-off, or it's full, you're considered for your next choice, and so on. That's why the order matters and why your list should not be made only of very competitive courses.
How to choose well
- Check you meet every subject requirement for each programme. The portal flags programmes you don't qualify for.
- Work out your cluster points for each course and compare them with last year's cut-offs.
- Mix your choices: one or two ambitious ones, some where your points are comfortably above the cut-off, and a safe option.
- Think about the institution, its location, costs and how you'll be funded, not just the course name.
- Submit before the deadline, and use the revision window if you're not placed.
Diplomas, certificates and TVET
For diploma, certificate and artisan programmes, placement depends mainly on your mean grade and the programme's subject requirements. Read each programme's entry on the portal.
After placement
Placement results appear on the KUCCPS portal. The institution then sends admission details and reporting dates. If you're not happy with your placement, KUCCPS sometimes opens an inter-institution transfer window. Follow the announcements on its website.
See also: how to apply for courses on KUCCPS and how to check KCSE results.