Artisan, Certificate and Diploma in Kenya: Levels 4, 5 and 6 Explained

When you browse KUCCPS programmes, you see levels such as artisan, certificate and diploma. Each level has different entry grades and leads to different jobs. Here is what each means.

The levels

According to K24, KUCCPS lists programmes by level:

• Artisan Certificate (Level 4): short, practical, skills-based programmes
• Craft Certificate (Level 5): more advanced practical training
• Diploma (Level 6): the highest of the three, usually taking longer

Degree programmes are listed separately.

Entry grades

On CourseChecker, we see the following pattern in our course data:

• Artisan: many programmes accept a mean grade as low as E
• Certificate: most programmes ask for around D
• Diploma: most programmes ask for around C-
• Degree: the usual minimum mean grade is C+

These are general patterns. Each course and institution sets its own entry grade, so always confirm.

What each level is good for

• Artisan: getting started in a trade quickly, such as plumbing, welding or electrical work
• Certificate: skills for a job or for self-employment, with a path to a diploma
• Diploma: a stronger qualification for technical, business and health jobs, with a path to a degree in many cases

Moving up

Many students start at one level and move up later. Ask the institution about credit transfer and entry rules for the next level, because they differ between colleges and universities.

Funding

According to K24, government funding covers public universities and TVET institutions under the Ministry of Education, while some other institutions are not government funded. Check funding for your chosen institution and look at HELB options.

See the courses at each level

• Artisan: coursechecker.co.ke/artisan
• Certificate: coursechecker.co.ke/certificate
• Diploma: coursechecker.co.ke/diploma
• All levels by grade: coursechecker.co.ke/courses-by-grade

Sources

• K24, "KUCCPS admission guide: Step-by-step process and required documents for 2026", 13 January 2026
• CourseChecker course data for entry grade patterns; confirm with the institution