Nursing courses top demand as KUCCPS places 310,502 students
Education
By
Sharon Wanga
| Jul 01, 2025
The Ministry of Education has completed the placement of 310,502 students to universities, colleges and tertiary institutions for the 2024 intake, with a sharp rise in demand for nursing programmes.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said on Tuesday, July 1, that the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) placed 194,372 candidates who scored C+ and above in 2024 to various programmes.
Ogamba noted a surge in applications for teacher training after the presidential working group on education reforms revised entry grades.
KUCCPS received 20,786 applications for diplomas in teacher education against a capacity of 13,823, placing 11,636 applicants.
"Out of those placed, 10,800 have been admitted to the diploma in primary teacher education while 836 have joined the diploma in secondary teacher education," said Ogamba.
The CS observed that the introduction of the Kenya School of Law diploma in law on the KUCCPS portal attracted 500 applicants, showing strong interest in the programme.
During the first phase targeting Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, 93,207 applicants were placed in government TVET colleges, while 52,725 qualified students submitted applications for KMTC.
Ogamba said demand for nursing courses surpassed the cumulative capacity of 2,986 slots, with 27,000 applicants showing interest.
"The highest number of applicants at 27,000 is an indication that the demand for nursing programmes continues to grow," noted Ogamba.
Other KMTC programmes attracting large numbers included clinical medicine, surgery, medical emergency technician and community health.
So far, 25,034 students have been placed in KMTC programmes, including 6,750 students who scored C+ and above in the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations.