In what might seem like an academic plot twist, a growing number of Kenyan students who qualify for university degrees are choosing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) instead. Yes, you read that right—some students who could be flexing in university lecture halls are rolling up their sleeves and heading to vocational colleges instead.
The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has been tracking this trend for the past two years, and according to CEO Dr. Agnes Mercy Wahome, it’s not just a fluke—it’s a full-blown movement.
Doctors? Lawyers? Nope! Nursing and TVET Are the Hot Picks
Speaking at the 2nd Biennial University Funding Conference in Naivasha on February 26–27, 2025, Dr. Wahome laid out the shifting tides in student preferences.
“We’re seeing students with C+ and above choosing medical courses like nursing and clinical medicine. Teaching is also a major attraction. And just last week, we advertised for Diploma in Law, and guess what? Most applicants had C+ and above,” she revealed.
So, while once upon a time, a top-grade student’s biggest worry was whether to go for Medicine at UoN or Engineering at JKUAT, today’s learners are thinking beyond traditional degree paths. Some are bypassing universities altogether, heading straight for diploma courses in practical fields.
Key Takeaways from KUCCPS: The Trends Shaping Higher Education
- Science is for Boys, Arts is for Girls – Still?
Gender stereotypes in course selection are alive and well. Male students are still dominating the sciences, while their female counterparts lean toward law and other arts programs. But the real headline here? The rising interest in TVET courses, cutting across both genders.
- The ‘Mysterious’ Cut-Off Points – Explained
Ever wondered how KUCCPS determines the cut-off points for university courses? No, it’s not some secret formula hidden deep in a government vault. “We don’t determine the cut-offs,” Dr. Wahome clarified. “It’s all about merit. The system ranks students based on their KCSE results and course choices, and the last admitted student in a given program sets the cut-off.”
So, if you didn’t make the cut for your dream course, don’t blame KUCCPS—blame the thousands of other students who picked the same course and scored higher!
- 400+ Institutions and Counting
KUCCPS is working with over 400 institutions, including 70 universities, 90 Kenya Medical Training Colleges (KMTCs), 35 public teacher training colleges, and over 300 government TVET institutions. And the numbers keep growing. The government wants to expand placement to private TVET institutions and private teacher training colleges as well.
- Kenyan Universities Are Not Running Out of Space—Yet
With 246,000 students scoring C+ and above in last year’s KCSE, university enrollments are on the rise. But here’s the thing: local universities still have more than 100,000 unfilled slots. “Capacity is not the problem,” said Dr. Wahome. “The challenge is attracting students from other curricula like IGCSE to our local universities.”
- Kenya’s Homegrown Tech is Running the Show
Forget imported software—KUCCPS has built its own placement platform, developed by Kenyan experts. “This platform can serve as many institutions as needed, and it helps institutions validate that their admitted students meet the required qualifications,” Dr. Wahome said, giving a nod to local talent.
The Bigger Picture: A Changing Education Landscape
This shift towards TVET is more than just a trend—it’s a reflection of changing mindsets. With Kenya’s job market increasingly valuing hands-on skills, students are making smarter choices. A degree might be prestigious, but a well-paying job as a skilled technician, nurse, or entrepreneur is even better.
As stakeholders at the conference—including vice-chancellors, lawmakers, and private sector representatives—pondered these developments, one thing became clear: higher education in Kenya is evolving. And if this trend continues, the question won’t just be “Which university did you attend?” but “What skills do you have?”