MUST Admission Requirements 2026-27

This guide walks you through the typical entry requirements for degree, diploma and certificate programmes at MUST, explains how KUCCPS placement and cluster points work, and outlines the documents and qualifications you need to prepare. While exact cut-off points and minor details may change from year to year, the core structure of requirements is usually quite stable, so this article will give you a reliable roadmap as you plan.

Overview of Meru University of Science and Technology admissions in 2026

MUST offers a wide range of programmes across several schools, including agriculture and food science, computing and informatics, business, health sciences, engineering, education and pure and applied sciences. The university admits students through two main routes, government sponsored placement through KUCCPS and direct or self-sponsored admission through the university’s own online application system.

For most undergraduate degree programmes, the general minimum requirement is a KCSE mean grade of C plus or higher, along with specific subject grades that match the course you want to take. Many diploma programmes require at least a C minus or C plain in KCSE, while certificate programmes and TVET courses may accept applicants with lower grades, often around D plain or D plus, depending on the programme.

When you apply in 2026, the exact cut-off points for KUCCPS placement will depend on national performance and competition for each course, but the minimum entry grades set by MUST and national regulations will still apply.

General entry requirements for degree programmes at MUST

Although each programme at Meru University has its own detailed subject requirements, there are common rules that apply to most bachelor’s degrees.

In general, to join a degree course at MUST in 2026, you should expect to need

• A minimum KCSE mean grade of C plus, or an equivalent qualification that the Kenyan National Qualifications Authority recognizes.
• A minimum grade in key cluster subjects that match your course, for example, Mathematics, English, Kiswahili, sciences or business subjects.

For example, a typical science or computing degree at MUST often requires

• KCSE mean grade of C plus,
• At least a C in Mathematics,
• At least a C in English or Kiswahili,
• A pass in relevant sciences such as Physics, Physical Science or Chemistry.

Some programmes in business, education and arts still require the C plus mean grade, but their emphasis may shift more toward humanities, languages or business subjects, for instance, having C plus in two teaching subjects for education degrees or reasonable passes in business-related subjects for commerce and entrepreneurship.

If you already hold a diploma in a related field, you may also be admitted into a degree programme, sometimes with the possibility of credit transfer, as long as your diploma is from a recognised institution and meets the university’s standards.

Programme-specific subject requirements

Beyond the basic C plus mean grade, every degree has its own cluster of subjects, meaning a set of four main subjects that matter most for that course. These subjects affect both minimum entry and KUCCPS cluster points.

Here are some common patterns you are likely to see across MUST programmes

• Computing and IT programmes, such as Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology or Computer Science, usually require C plus in KCSE, with at least a C in Mathematics, English and a science subject like Physics or Physical Science.
• Engineering and technology programmes tend to demand stronger passes in Mathematics and Physics, often expecting at least C plus or above in these subjects, plus reasonable passes in Chemistry or related sciences.
• Health and life science programmes, such as those in agriculture, food science and health sciences, typically require solid grades in Biology and Chemistry, sometimes also Mathematics or Physics, together with the overall C plus mean grade.
• Business and economics programmes normally ask for C plus overall, with decent grades in Mathematics and English or Kiswahili, and good performance in business-related subjects like Business Studies, Commerce or Economics, where applicable.
• Education degrees, especially Bachelor of Education Science or Arts, require a C plus mean grade and at least C plus in two teaching subjects that match the combinations you want to study, for example, Mathematics and Physics, or English and Literature.

Because specific subject combinations can change as programmes are updated, always cross-check the exact requirements for your chosen course with the latest programme list for the 2025 or 2026 intake, then compare them with your KCSE results.

Diploma admission requirements at Meru University

If your KCSE mean grade is below C plus, Meru University still offers many opportunities through diploma programmes. These are available in areas like agriculture, engineering, business, IT, health and social sciences.

Typical features of diploma admission requirements at MUST include

• KCSE mean grade of C minus or C plain, depending on the programme,
• Minimum subject grades in key areas like Mathematics, English, Kiswahili, Biology, Chemistry or technical subjects.

For instance, many TVET diplomas in agriculture and technical fields at MUST require

• At least C plain or C minus overall,
• C plain in Biology or Agricultural Science,
• C plain in another relevant science or related subject.

Some engineering-related diplomas accept applicants with a C minus mean grade, along with passes in Mathematics, English and Physics or Physical Science.

Diploma programmes are a powerful route if you plan to later upgrade to a degree. After completing a relevant diploma with good performance, you can apply for credit transfer into a related bachelor’s degree at MUST, which can shorten your study time.

Certificate and TVET admission requirements

For students whose KCSE grades are lower, Meru University’s TVET wing offers certificate and artisan programmes. These programmes focus on hands-on skills in areas such as agriculture, community development, business, ICT, and technical trades.

In many cases, certificate programmes at MUST require

• A mean grade of around D plus or D plain in KCSE,
• Passes in a few related subjects, for example, Biology for health-related certificates or Mathematics and English for business and technical courses.

Artisan-level courses may admit learners with even lower grades, often E, in line with national TVET admission rules, giving a crucial second chance to build skills and later move up to higher levels of training.

This flexible structure means that almost every KCSE candidate can find a starting point at or through MUST, as long as they choose a programme that matches their actual grades.

KUCCPS cluster points and government-sponsored admission at MUST

For government-sponsored students, admission to MUST in 2026 will be handled through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service, usually after KCSE results are released. KUCCPS uses cluster points to rank applicants into specific courses in public universities.

Cluster points are calculated from your performance in four subjects that are most important for the course, compared against the best possible performance in that year’s KCSE. The better your grades in those four subjects and overall, the higher your cluster points, and the more competitive programmes you can qualify for.

For example, degree programmes like Actuarial Science, Engineering or Nursing across Kenyan universities tend to have higher cluster points due to strong demand and the need for strong Mathematics and science skills. Meru University’s competitive programmes will also show higher cluster point requirements in KUCCPS documents for the relevant academic year.

When planning for 2026

• Use the recent KUCCPS degree programme and cut-off documents as a guide to see past cluster trends for MUST.
• Aim to score well above the bare minimum C plus, especially in cluster subjects,
• Remember that meeting the minimum grade does not always guarantee a government-sponsored slot, since placement is competitive and depends on available capacity.

Direct or self-sponsored admission requirements

Besides KUCCPS, Meru University also admits self-sponsored students who apply directly to the university. The academic admission requirements are usually the same or very similar to those of government-sponsored students, since quality standards must be maintained, but you are responsible for your own tuition fees.

To apply directly, you use the university’s online admission portal and upload scanned copies of your required documents. The portal typically asks for

• A clear passport-size photo,
• National ID or birth certificate for Kenyan students above 18 years,
• Passport for non-Kenyan applicants,
• Academic certificates such as KCSE and KCPE results, and any diploma or degree certificates you may have,
• Disability certificate for applicants with disabilities, where applicable.

For self-sponsored applicants, there is normally a non-refundable application fee, and you may submit your application for the January, May or September intakes, depending on how MUST structures its academic calendar for that year.

Alternative qualifications and credit transfers

Meru University of Science and Technology does not only consider KCSE. If you hold other qualifications, you may still be eligible for admission in 2026, provided your certificates are recognised and meet university standards. Common alternative pathways include

• Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education, with enough principal passes in relevant subjects,
• Ordinary or higher diplomas in a related area, from recognised institutions,
• Recognised international qualifications that the university and KNQA equate to Kenyan standards.

Applicants with relevant diplomas may join degree programmes in the same or closely related fields, often with credit transfer. For example, a diploma holder in computer studies with credit level performance from a recognised institution may be allowed to progress into a computing degree at MUST, sometimes with exemptions from some first-year units.

If you are using foreign or less common qualifications, expect to be asked for an equation or recognition letter from the relevant Kenyan authority, so the university can fairly compare your grades to KCSE standards.

Key documents you should prepare for 2026 admission

To avoid last-minute stress when Meru University opens its 2026 intakes, put your documents in order early. You will typically need

• KCSE result slip and KCSE certificate,
• KCPE certificate, where requested,
• National ID card, waiting card or birth certificate for Kenyan citizens,
• Passport for international students,
• Recent passport-size photographs,
• Any diploma, certificate or degree transcripts and certificates if you are applying as a continuing learner,
• Disability related documents if you are seeking support based on a disability.

Keep both original documents and clear photocopies or scanned versions ready, since admissions teams will often need to verify authenticity before confirming your place.

How to make sure you meet MUST admission requirements in 2026

If you are still in secondary school or waiting to sit your KCSE exams, you can use the Meru University of Science and Technology admission requirements for 2026 as a target to guide your study plan. Here are practical tips

Focus on cluster subjects
Find out which four subjects matter most for your dream programme, for example, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and English for engineering or computing, then put extra effort into these subjects, using past papers and targeted revision.

Aim above the minimum
Treat the C plus mean grade as the bare minimum, not the goal. Because cluster points and competition are high for popular courses, scoring higher grades gives you more room to qualify for your preferred programme, especially under KUCCPS.

Keep your options flexible
If you are unsure whether you will hit C plus, research diploma and certificate options at MUST that match your interests. A strong diploma followed by a degree can still lead you to your career goals, and sometimes gives you more practical experience along the way.

Stay updated with official announcements
Universities adjust programme lists, intakes and minor rules from time to time. As 2026 approaches, keep checking official MUST and KUCCPS announcements about new programmes, revised entry requirements and intake dates, so you are working with the latest information.