Kenya Revolutionizes University Admissions with Competency-Based Education: More Slots, Fairer Selection, and Specialised Pathways

Kenya is preparing for a major transformation in university admissions as the country transitions to the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system. Speaking on a podcast, KUCCPS CEO Dr. Agnes Mercy Wahome revealed that the new admissions model will introduce a completely new placement criterion aligned with the CBE grading structure.

Under the new system, student placement will consider learner competencies and performance levels, such as “exceeding expectations,” while professional bodies will define specific subject requirements for various career paths. This shift aims to ensure that students are admitted based on their skills and strengths rather than solely on traditional grades.

Dr. Wahome emphasized that accountability in university admissions will be strengthened. Institutions will be required to declare their exact capacities before placement begins, ensuring that all resources—including facilities and lecturers—are available for every admitted student. She explained that highly specialised technical courses will admit fewer students to maintain quality training standards, while only programs approved by the Commission for University Education (CUE) will be uploaded into the system to guarantee accreditation and academic quality.

The government remains committed to fairness and meritocracy in university admissions. Once the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) releases KCSE results, the automated system developed by KUCCPS will rank students from the highest to the lowest grades based on available slots in every programme. Competition will naturally intensify, as students from various capacities compete for limited spaces. The student who occupies the final slot in a program will determine the cut-off point, safeguarding integrity in the selection process.

Dr. Wahome also highlighted that universities have significantly increased student intake capacity, with more than 322,000 available slots compared to about 270,000 students who achieved the minimum university entry grade of C+ and above. This expansion, she noted, is part of ongoing investments in higher education to accommodate more learners without compromising quality.

Furthermore, the CBE pathway is designed to reduce unnecessary competition by allowing students to specialise early in areas such as STEM, arts, sports, and social sciences. This approach creates broader opportunities for every student, ensuring that talents and interests are nurtured from an early stage, paving the way for a more efficient and skills-driven education system in Kenya.