Diploma, TVET or Degree After KCSE? How to Decide

Many students who qualify for a degree choose a diploma or a TVET course instead. Is that wise? It depends on your goals, your money and your grades. Here is how to think about it.

Why some students choose diploma or TVET

In May 2023, Kenyans.co.ke reported that Education CS Ezekiel Machogu said more students were choosing diploma courses even when they qualified for degrees. Educationist Dr Caroline Kokeyo gave three reasons:

• Funding: government support for TVET made diplomas easier to afford.
• Jobs: diplomas are shorter and more practical, and can lead to self-employment. An electrical engineering diploma can lead to starting a small business.
• Cost: under the new funding model, many students scoring C+ and above would get less government support, so a cheaper diploma looks attractive to parents.

Fees and funding rules change. The 2023 article quoted a flat diploma fee of about Ksh 67,000 a year and degree fees reaching Ksh 612,000. Check current figures with the institution and HELB before deciding.

Entry grades are different at each level

On CourseChecker, we use these entry levels as a guide:

• Degree (KUCCPS): at least mean grade C+, plus the cluster points and subjects each course needs
• Diploma: most programmes ask for around C-, depending on the course
• Certificate: mostly D
• Artisan: as low as E for many courses
• KMTC and TTC: set by the course, often C- to C for KMTC and C+ for TTC

Always confirm on the official KUCCPS portal or with the college. Entry rules can differ between institutions.

When a diploma or TVET course may suit you

• You want practical skills and a quicker route to work
• You want to start a business, for example in electrical work or plumbing
• Your cluster points are below the cut-off for the degree you want
• You need to keep fees low

When a degree may suit you

• The career requires one, such as medicine, law, engineering or teaching at higher levels
• Your points are strong enough for a course you really want
• You can fund the full programme

You can move up later

Many diploma holders later join a degree programme. Ask the university about credit transfer, because rules differ between institutions.

Check what fits your grades

Enter your KCSE grades on coursechecker.co.ke to see the degree, diploma, certificate, KMTC, TTC, Utalii and artisan courses you qualify for, and compare them side by side.

Sources

• Kenyans.co.ke, "3 Reasons Students Are Opting for Diploma Over Degree Courses", 21 May 2023
• KUCCPS (kuccps.net) for official placement and entry rules