KUCCPS issues final reminder as 2026 application deadline nears
By Aloys Michael, May 4, 2026The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has issued a final reminder to students to submit their applications ahead of the May 6, 2026, deadline, warning that the online portal will close at midnight, effectively locking out late applicants seeking placement in universities and colleges.
In a post on Monday, May 4, 2026, KUCCPS urged urgency among eligible candidates,
“2 Days to Go! KUCCPS application deadline is approaching! Apply now for Degree, KMTC, TVET, Kenya Utalii College and TTC Diploma in Secondary Education programmes. The deadline is May 6, 2026. Don’t be caught up!” it wrote on X.
The message comes with less than 36 hours remaining before the system shuts down. The application portal, which opened on April 8, 2026, targets placement into degree, diploma and certificate programmes across public and private universities.
KUCCPS has emphasised that all submissions must be made online within the stipulated timeline.
The current application window caters to Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) holders from the 2000 to 2025 cohorts.
Students who sat the 2025 KCSE and scored a minimum grade of C+ qualify for degree programmes, while candidates from earlier years, with grades ranging from A to E, are eligible to apply for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses.
Additionally, applicants who attained a C+ or higher between 2000 and 2024 can seek placement into degree programmes at the Open University of Kenya.
KUCCPS also noted that KMTC diploma and certificate programmes are available for immediate intake, expanding opportunities for students interested in medical training.
Applicants have been advised to carefully retain their payment reference numbers after paying the application fee, as these are necessary for any subsequent revisions to their course selections.
The placement body clarified that the reference number is found in the M-Pesa payment message, urging students to use the account number rather than the M-Pesa confirmation code.
For the ongoing March intake at KMTC, KUCCPS highlighted that 31 courses are on offer, including eight certificate and 23 diploma programmes, providing diverse pathways for learners.
Throughout the application period, KUCCPS has conducted nationwide mobilisation drives aimed at guiding Form Four leavers on available academic and career options.
These engagements have involved key stakeholders such as the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and the Universities Fund, helping broaden access to critical information.
KUCCPS has also clarified that 2025 cut-off points for degree programmes are not yet available.
“This is because placement must occur first before cut-off points for all programmes are determined. The cluster weight of the last applicant admitted into a programme becomes the cut-off point for that programme, as placement is conducted on merit,” KUCCPS said.
The commission advised applicants to rely on the 2024 cut-off points available on the portal as a guide, noting that these benchmarks help students gauge their chances of securing placement in their preferred programmes.