Only 145,145 candidates who sat the 2021 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam got university entry marks, based on the results announced by Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha on Saturday, April 23.
The candidates scored C+ in the KCSE exam, with nearly 700,000 students missing the mark. However, students who scored D and above still have a second chance at higher education with certificate and diploma courses.
Through the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme, students who scored C and C minus qualify to enrol for diploma courses in either of the 31 institutions across the country.
On the other hand, the 495,686 candidates who scored D+ and below can sign up for certificate programmes – craft certificate courses for those with D and above and artisan certificates for those who scored D plus and below.
“The number of candidates with a minimum TVET Diploma courses qualification of grade C- and above in 2021 was 325,896 (39.27%). We, therefore, need to invest more in TVET institutions where the bulk of our KCSE Examination graduands will study,” stated Prof Magoha while announcing KCSE 2021 results.
Notably, students who scored below C+ can also apply for college and TVET institution placement under the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).
Students who get selected to the colleges and tertiary institutions are eligible for government sponsorship through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
Ahead of the placement into universities which are based on cluster points per subject, candidates can wave their fortunes in their favour by enrolling for bridging courses in subjects required to join particular courses.
The education system in the country allows for students who score as low as D minus to become degree holders and even advance to Masters and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) levels.
Once a student completes their certificate education, they are legible to enrol for a diploma course. In Kenya, a diploma course takes between 2 to 3 years depending on the discipline and the institution.
Upon graduating with top performance, the student can enrol for a degree course in a university and pursue their dream courses.
The Ministry of Education is set to open the university course application process.
How to revise/ apply for Courses
- To apply or change your courses, access the portal via the website kuccps.ac.ke or log in directly through the link students.kuccps.net.
- You can also download the KUCCPS Students App.
Application Guidelines
- To apply, login to the Student’s Portal using your KCSE Index Number and KCSE Year. Use your Birth Certificate Number/KCPE Index Number as the Password.
- All programmes have minimum subject requirements. You will only be able to apply for a course whose minimum requirements you meet, but the selection will be determined by the overall performance and the available capacity. KUCCPS Online Application
- You may view the available programmes and their requirements by clicking the Programmes tab in the portal. You can also search for courses by institution, using the Institutions tab.
- As you select the programmes, you may move the ones that interest you into the Course Basket. This will enable you to work with a shorter list when preparing your final list of courses to apply for.
- Once you have settled on your preferred courses, you will only be required to enter the Programme Codes.
- To apply, use the Application/Revision tab to enter the Programme Codes.
- After confirming that the Programme Codes entered are for the courses you would like to apply for, please submit and follow the application fee payment instructions.
- An application processing fee is charged as follows:
- Students applying for the first time – Ksh 1,500
- Students revising their choices submitted in school – Ksh1,000
- The placement processing fee should be paid after you have selected courses.
- You are advised to keep your transaction code safely. It will be required before you make any subsequent changes to your application
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