The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service has hinted at a major shift in university admission rules as the country moves fully to the Competency-Based Curriculum. The long-standing Grade C+ benchmark may no longer be the sole measure for students seeking higher education.
KUCCPS CEO Agnes Wahome said Kenya’s heavy reliance on exam marks has overlooked other pathways that can also lead to successful careers. She spoke during the first KUCCPS National Career Conference and Exhibition on Tuesday.
Wahome noted that sticking strictly to minimum university grades is becoming increasingly unsustainable, particularly after many students who sat the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams did not meet the Grade C+ requirement.
“Now, this is a conversation that should start fading away as we move fully into CBC, because we have over-emphasised grades and used them as the main measure of success, especially in terms of who gets into university,” she said.
She explained that for years the education system has focused heavily on exam results, often ignoring other options such as certificate and diploma routes, which can eventually lead to university admission.
“What happens is some students may not go straight to university, but they take another route, starting with a certificate, moving to a diploma and still end up in university. But nobody talks about them,” Wahome added.
The KUCCPS chief said the old 8-4-4 system treated Grade C+ as the ultimate standard, a mindset that is expected to change as Kenya embraces Competency-Based Education. Under the new system, more attention will be given to practical skills, talents, and hands-on abilities rather than exam scores alone.
“We have over-glorified Grade C+ and above, and that conversation will definitely change when we fully embrace Competency-Based Education,” Wahome said.
Despite the transition, the Grade C+ requirement remains in force until the shift is fully completed, a process expected to take about two years.
Her remarks came a day after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba clarified that the university entry grade has not changed. He urged the public to ignore reports suggesting otherwise.
“The government has not changed the policy of the cut-off point for admission to the university. This cut-off point remains C+ plus and above,” he said.
