KUCCPS: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS): Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

What is the main function of KUCCPS?

The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) primarily oversees the selection and placement of secondary school graduates into universities and colleges under government sponsorship.

It also develops career guidance programs to assist students, collects and maintains data on student placements, and provides advice to the government on matters concerning student placement.

What is the difference between KUCCPS and HELB?

While KUCCPS serves as the government’s student placement agency, the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) is responsible for funding students.

KUCCPS focuses on selecting applicants for admission to universities and colleges under government sponsorship, whereas HELB offers loans and bursaries to students who have already been enrolled.

Does KUCCPS provide services at Huduma Centres?

KUCCPS provides its services at specific Huduma Centres across the country. These include locations in Nairobi (GPO and Makadara), Eldoret, Meru, Nyeri, Kisumu, Kakamega, Nakuru, Kitui, Garissa, and Mombasa.

How can I contact KUCCPS?

The KUCCPS offices are situated at ACK Garden House, 1st Ngong Avenue, in the Community Area of Nairobi. For inquiries, you can contact them through telephone at 020 5137400, 0734879662, or 0723954927.

Alternatively, you can send an email to [email protected]. For updates and interactions, you can follow their social media handles: @KUCCPS_Official on Twitter and @The.Placement.Service on Facebook.

PLACEMENT PROCESS

How do I log in to my student portal?

To access the KUCCPS Student Portal, open your browser and type students.kuccps.net, which will direct you to the login page. Click the “Login” tab and enter your KCSE index number, the KCSE examination year, and your password.

The password can either be your KCPE index number or birth certificate number. Alternatively, you can log in through the KUCCPS Mobile App, available for free download on Google Play Store, using the same credentials.

What is the difference between cut-off points and weighted cluster points?

Weighted cluster points reflect a KCSE graduate’s calculated performance in the four key subjects required for admission into a specific degree program. This score is benchmarked against the top candidates in that particular KCSE year.

These points are computed to three decimal places to minimize ties. On the other hand, cut-off points refer to the weighted cluster points of the last competitively placed student in a particular program.

Where can I find the list of the institutions under the Government sponsorship programme?

The full list of universities and colleges participating in the government sponsorship program is available on the Student Portal, accessible through the Placement Service website (www.kuccps.ac.ke).

When does the course application cycle begin for current KCSE candidates?

For current KCSE candidates, the course application cycle begins during the third term, at which point students select their courses with assistance from teachers. This stage is known as the Centre/School Application.

Can non-Kenyan citizens apply for placement?

Only Kenyan citizens are eligible for placement under the government sponsorship program, as per government policy.

What is the meaning of “revision of choices”?

Revision of choices allows applicants to modify the courses they initially submitted for consideration.

After receiving their KCSE results, students can revise their choices to align with their academic performance and updated career preferences. Students who did not participate in the school application can also apply during this revision period.

How many courses can I apply for?

Applicants can submit up to six choices for degree programs and four for diploma, certificate, or artisan programs.

How will I get to know when the application is open?

The Placement Service notifies the public about application openings through mainstream media and its official digital channels. The official communication platforms are:

Facebook: @The.Placement.Service
Twitter: @KUCCPS_Official
YouTube: Placement Service

How much is the application fee?

The placement application fee ranges between Ksh500 and Ksh1,500, depending on the stage. The school application fee is Ksh500, while the revision of choices costs Ksh1,000. For revisions, the payment is made once, and the transaction code from the first revision can be reused in subsequent revisions.

I paid to the wrong account. How can I get my money back?

If payment is made to the wrong account, applicants are advised to provide the relevant transaction details to KUCCPS. A reversal process will be initiated, which typically takes between three and seven days to complete.

How can I know the institution where I have been placed?

Applicants can check their placement details through their Student Portals once the Placement Service publishes the results. Additionally, students who provided mobile phone contacts may receive placement updates via SMS.

Are previous years’ KCSE candidates eligible for placement if they did not benefit during their time?

KCSE candidates from previous years who did not secure placement during their time are eligible to apply for TVET courses only.

How many subjects do you considerfor cluster point calculation?

The weighted cluster points for university and college placement are computed based on the seven subjects examined by KNEC.

Where can I get the subject requirements for various courses?

Applicants can find detailed subject requirements for various courses on the Student Portal, under the “Programmes” and “Downloads” sections.

Can IGCSE graduates apply for Government sponsorship placement to universities and colleges?

Government sponsorship placement is exclusively available to students who have completed the KCSE system of education and obtained KCSE results. Graduates from IGCSE or other systems are not eligible.

Does satisfying minimum requirements for a programme guarantee one to get that programme?

Satisfying the minimum academic requirements for a course does not guarantee placement in that program. Admission depends on an applicant’s competitiveness relative to others applying for the same course and the available capacity for the program.

When will KUCCPS announce the placement outcome/results?

KUCCPS will announce the placement results after processing all applications. The exact release date will be communicated through mainstream media.

Where do placed students obtain their admission letters?

Admission letters and related joining instructions are issued by the respective institutions where students have been placed.

Does KUCCPS place students to private universities?

KUCCPS places government-sponsored students in both public and most private universities. The full list of eligible institutions is accessible on the Student Portal.

What happens if one misses the School Application?

Applicants who did not participate in the school application stage can still submit their course choices during the revision of choices period.

I did the KCSE examination many years ago but I have never gone to college. Can KUCCPS place me in a degree programme?

Only fresh secondary school graduates who sat for KCSE in the immediate year preceding the selection are eligible for placement in degree programs. However, applicants who completed KCSE years ago can apply for TVET courses

INTER-INSTITUTIONAL TRANSFER

What is an Inter-Institutional Transfer?

An inter-institutional transfer allows students to apply for a transfer from the institution they were placed in to another, provided they meet the required conditions. There is a processing fee of Ksh 1,000 for this transfer application.

How Many Times Can a Student Apply for an Inter-Institutional Transfer?

Applicants are allowed to request an inter-institutional transfer only once.

When is the System Open for Inter-Institutional Transfer Applications?

The application system opens for a specified period after the release of the placement results. Applicants are encouraged to regularly check the Placement Service website and official digital platforms for updates.

How Long Does the Inter-Institutional Transfer Process Take?

Once a completed transfer application is submitted and endorsed by both the current and the receiving institutions, the final processing of the transfer will take up to 14 working days.

Requirements for Inter-Institutional Transfer

To be eligible for a transfer, applicants must meet the minimum requirements for the program they wish to transfer to. They must also satisfy the cut-off points for the desired program in the new institution. Additionally, the applicant needs to provide reasons for the transfer request, and the transfer must be endorsed by the heads of both institutions involved.

CAREER GUIDANCE

How can an institution invite KUCCPS for career events?

To invite KUCCPS to participate in a career event at your institution, an official invitation should be sent at least three weeks before the event. KUCCPS offers career guidance in schools free of charge.

GOVERNMENT SPONSORSHIP/FUNDING

Does KUCCPS Sponsor Students in TVET Institutions?

KUCCPS does not directly sponsor students in TVET institutions. Instead, it selects students for government sponsorship to universities and colleges. The government then sends funding (capitation) to the respective TVET institutions to support students admitted through the KUCCPS process.

Will I Receive Government Sponsorship if Placed in a Private University?

Yes, students placed in private universities through KUCCPS are considered government-sponsored. They will receive the same tuition subsidies as students placed in public universities.

What is the difference between Government sponsorship and HELB loan?

Government sponsorship involves direct funding from the government to universities or colleges, covering part of the students’ fees. In contrast, HELB provides loans to students, which must be repaid after the completion of studies.

How Will Government Funding Reach Me Once I Join College?

Government funding will be provided as subsidized tuition, with the funds (capitation) sent directly to your institution. Additionally, students can apply for loans and bursaries through HELB to support their studies.