Kenya’s higher education institutions have announced a combined 1,457,407 spaces for the 2026/2027 placement cycle, marking one of the largest opportunities ever for learners seeking university and college education.
This follows approval from the Commission for University Education (CUE) which granted 322,396 capacities for degree programmes, while middle-level colleges will admit 1,132,531 students into diplomas, certificates, artisan and other TVET courses. Secondary Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) have set aside 2,480 slots.
On Wednesday, the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) confirmed that the online application portal opened on April 7, 2026 and will run until May 6, 2026.
KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Agnes Mercy Wahome, emphasized the guiding principle of fairness: “Placement of students into the institutions will be on merit; considering applicants’ listed priorities, KCSE performance and available capacities.”
The exercise targets the 2025 KCSE class and other Form Four leavers from previous years.
Of the 980,444 candidates who sat the 2025 KCSE, 268,700 attained C+ and above, qualifying them for degree programmes in 43 public and 31 private universities.
The remaining 711,744 candidates, who scored between C plain and E, are eligible for placement in public colleges and TVET institutions.
Applicants for degree programmes will report to universities in September 2026, while those applying for TVET courses can begin in May 2026, since TVET placement is continuous.
KUCCPS has listed 251 public TVET colleges, including 33 university TVET institutes, as available options this year.
Dr. Wahome added that students who sat KCSE between 2000 and 2025 are eligible to apply for TVET programmes regardless of their grade.
Those with C+ and above can also apply for degree programmes at the Open University of Kenya.
To support applicants, KUCCPS officers will be dispatched to universities and TVET institutions across all counties, with additional assistance available at Huduma Centres nationwide.
Details of these outreach activities will be published on the KUCCPS website.
On medical training, Dr. Wahome noted: “Last month, KUCCPS completed placement of students to Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) for the March 2026 intake.”
“Form Four leavers who sat the 2025 KCSE examination and are interested in joining KMTC will have an opportunity to apply for September 2026 intake after completion of placement to universities.”
KUCCPS encouraged all eligible candidates to take advantage of the opportunity to secure their place in universities, colleges, and TVET institutions across Kenya.