KUCCPS Explains What Students Can Use to Select Good Universities and Courses

The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has outlined key factors students should consider when selecting universities and courses, especially amid rising competition for limited slots.

Speaking during an interview on NTV’s Fixing the Nation, KUCCPS CEO Dr. Agnes Wahome explained that the placement process has now been improved to give students more control over their choices while reducing cases of being left out.

Dr. Wahome noted that in the past, the placement portal would open before KCSE results were released.

During that time, teachers would sometimes select courses on behalf of students.

“We would open the portal earlier before KCSE and teachers would feed in the students’ choices and where the student would not make a choice, the teacher would think on their behalf,” she said.

She added that top-performing students were the most affected, as teachers and parents often pushed them toward competitive courses such as medicine, even when their interests lay elsewhere.

“Students who got A’s were the most affected as teachers would use their potential to apply courses,” she explained, noting that bright students who preferred communication or engineering could be redirected to medicine based on perceived potential.

Using Previous Cut-Off Points as a Guide

According to Dr. Wahome, KUCCPS now waits until students complete their exams and their results are uploaded to the portal.

Also Read: KUCCPS CEO Explains What Students Should Do to Get the Best Courses

The system also provides data from the previous year’s placement, including minimum entry grades and cut-off points for various programmes and universities.

This information helps students assess their chances realistically.

For instance, if a university admitted a student with a C+ and certain cluster points in a particular BA programme the previous year, a current applicant can compare their performance and determine whether they are likely to secure a slot.

“So when you use that information, chances of being left out are low because clearly you’ll see if the performance we had this year…,” she said, pointing out that competition varies depending on the number of candidates who qualify.

She revealed that about 270,000 candidates scored C+ and above this year, compared to 245,000 last year, meaning competition for degree slots will be stiffer.

Moving Beyond ‘Traditional’ Universities

Dr. Wahome also challenged the mindset among students who insist on joining a few traditional universities, such as the University of Nairobi or Kenyatta University.

“Students still have the mentality that I have to go to the University of Nairobi, the KU, the traditional beliefs, yet there are many other good universities that they are supposed to go to,” she said.

She encouraged learners to consider emerging institutions, describing them as innovative and competitive.

“There are many universities without realizing that the small universities are the babies of those, and sometimes the baby does better than the mother.

Also Read: KUCCPS Explains How Students with D and C Grades Can Gain University Admission

Of course, they have more energy, are very creative, and more innovative,” she added.

She cited Dedan Kimathi University of Technology as an example, noting its strength in specialised programmes such as mechatronics, a combination of mechanical engineering, electronics and ICT.

Encouraging Students to Embrace Placement

Dr. Wahome further highlighted KUCCPS’s role in promoting awareness by organising forums where universities showcase their programmes and talents.

“Another role of Kenya Universities, Colleges Central Placement Service is to get the students and we go around and have all of them showcase their talents, talk about their universities,” she said.

She urged students to embrace the institutions they are placed in rather than rushing to request transfers, noting that many universities offer quality and competitive programmes.

With increased access to placement data and clearer guidance, KUCCPS hopes students will make informed choices that align with both their interests and performance.

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