The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has officially opened applications for the 2026 placement cycle to universities, colleges, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
The online portal, launched on April 7, 2026, will remain active until May 6, 2026.
This year’s application targets the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) class as well as previous Form Four leavers.
Students who sat the 2025 KCSE can apply for both degree and TVET programmes, while candidates from earlier years may apply for TVET courses, which operate on a continuous placement system.
Successful degree applicants are expected to join universities in September 2026, whereas those admitted to TVET institutions can report from May 2026.
KUCCPS reported that out of 980,444 candidates who sat the 2025 KCSE, 268,700 attained a mean grade of C+ and above, meeting the minimum requirement for university degree programmes.
The remaining 711,744 candidates, scoring between C plain and E, qualify for placement to public colleges and other TVET institutions.
This year, students can choose from 251 public TVET colleges, including 33 university-affiliated TVET institutes, in addition to 43 public and 31 private universities.
Applicants to degree programmes must meet a minimum grade of C+, while TVET courses accept candidates with any KCSE grade from A to E, covering examinations taken between 2000 and 2025.
Notably, candidates with C+ and above may also apply for degree programmes at the Open University of Kenya.
Placement will be conducted on merit, taking into account candidates’ KCSE performance, submitted preferences, and institutional capacities, as stipulated in the Universities Act, 2012.
Last year, KUCCPS collected course lists and capacities from universities and colleges, ensuring that all programmes submitted were approved by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA).
CUE approved 322,396 university degree placements, while middle-level colleges have a combined capacity of 1,132,531 for diplomas, certificates, and artisan programmes. Teacher Training Colleges have an additional 2,480 slots.
During the application period, KUCCPS officers will visit universities and TVET institutions across all counties to provide guidance, with details available on the KUCCPS website, kuccps.ac.ke.
Applicants may also seek support at Huduma Centres nationwide.
KUCCPS recently completed placement of students to Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) for the March 2026 intake.
Form Four leavers interested in KMTC programmes for September 2026, including candidates who repeated specific subjects to qualify, will submit applications online via the KUCCPS portal following completion of university placements.
The opening of the KUCCPS portal marks a key step for thousands of Kenyan students aiming to advance their education, with institutions and government bodies ensuring a smooth and transparent placement process.