- Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service is preparing a new university admission system under Competency-Based Education (CBE).
- The new model will focus on learner competencies and performance levels instead of only traditional grading.
- Universities will be required to declare exact student capacities before placement begins.
- KUCCPS says over 322,000 university slots are currently available nationwide.
- The reforms aim to improve fairness, transparency, and alignment with career pathways.
Kenya’s university admission process is set for a major overhaul as the country continues implementing the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.
According to Agnes Mercy Wahome, the new placement model being prepared by Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service will introduce fresh criteria designed to align with the CBE structure.
Speaking during a recent podcast interview, Dr. Wahome explained that future admissions will no longer rely solely on the traditional grading approach currently used in the KCSE system.
Instead, the revised model will place more emphasis on competencies, learner abilities, and performance indicators such as “exceeding expectations,” which are part of the new education framework.
She noted that professional bodies and academic regulators will also help determine the subject combinations and requirements needed for different career paths under the CBE structure.
The KUCCPS chief added that the reforms are intended to improve accountability and transparency in student placement across universities and colleges.
Under the new system, institutions will be required to declare the exact number of students they can accommodate for every programme before placement begins.
According to Dr. Wahome, this approach will help ensure universities only admit students based on available facilities, qualified lecturers, and approved learning resources.
She explained that highly specialised technical courses often admit fewer students in order to maintain training quality and professional standards.
In addition, only programmes approved by the Commission for University Education will appear in the KUCCPS placement portal to safeguard academic quality and accreditation standards.
Dr. Wahome also defended the fairness of the current placement system, saying admissions remain merit-based.
She explained that after Kenya National Examinations Council releases KCSE results, KUCCPS uses an automated ranking system that places students according to grades and available slots in each course.
The final student admitted into a programme determines the cut-off point, especially in highly competitive courses with limited spaces.
At the same time, the KUCCPS CEO revealed that universities have significantly expanded their capacity in recent years.
She said institutions currently offer more than 322,000 available university slots compared to about 270,000 students who qualify for direct university entry with grades of C+ and above.
Dr. Wahome further noted that the CBE system is expected to reduce excessive competition by allowing learners to specialise earlier in fields such as STEM, arts, sports, and social sciences.
Education stakeholders believe the transition could reshape Kenya’s higher education landscape by creating more flexible pathways and helping students pursue careers aligned with their strengths and interests.
