TUKENYA Admission Requirements 2026/27

The Technical University of Kenya, TUK, is one of the leading public universities in Nairobi, known for its strong focus on technology, engineering, applied sciences, business and creative arts. If you are planning to join TUK in the 2026 intake, understanding the admission requirements early will give you a huge advantage when choosing subjects, calculating your points and preparing your documents.

General university entry requirements, KCSE and KUCCPS

In Kenya, public university degree admission is guided by national policy through KUCCPS, the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service. For the 2024 KCSE cohort, the government reaffirmed that the minimum university entry requirement remains a mean grade of C plus at KCSE.

This general rule is expected to guide admission in the 2025 and 2026 placement cycles, unless new policy changes are announced. That means, for a standard government-sponsored degree place through KUCCPS, you should aim for at least

• KCSE mean grade, C plus or higher

However, meeting the C-plus threshold alone is not enough. Each university and each programme sets additional subject requirements and cluster combinations. For many technology and engineering programmes at TUK, you must also meet minimum grades in Mathematics, English or Kiswahili, and key sciences such as Physics, Chemistry or Biology, depending on the course.

Technical University of Kenya, Types of programmes and study modes

TUK offers a wide range of programmes grouped roughly into

• Bachelor of Technology and other bachelor’s degrees
• Diplomas, including Diploma in Technology programmes
• Certificates and artisan-level programmes in specific fields
• Postgraduate diplomas, master’s and PhD programmes

Most of these are available in two broad categories of study

• Government-sponsored students placed by KUCCPS
• Self-sponsored students (often referred to as Module II) who apply directly through the TUK online application portal

The basic academic requirements are usually the same, but self-sponsored applicants may have more flexibility in cut-off points if a programme has capacity.

Bachelor’s degree admission requirements, 2026 overview

KCSE entry route

For most Bachelor of Technology and other undergraduate degrees at the Technical University of Kenya, the typical minimum requirement is

• KCSE mean grade, C plus or above
• Specific subject grades in Mathematics, English or Kiswahili and relevant sciences, depending on programme

For example, in many BTech programmes, the general rule stated by the university is that the basic admission requirement is at least an average grade of C plus in KCSE, plus additional subject requirements listed in the programme brochure.

Some competitive programmes may require

• Higher grades in Mathematics and Physics for engineering-related courses
• Strong grades in drawing, design or art subjects for architecture and design programmes
• Better performance in business studies, mathematics and languages for business degrees

Diploma to degree upgrading route

If you already hold a relevant Diploma in Technology or another recognised diploma qualification, TUK often allows

• Credit transfer or advanced standing into a bachelor’s programme
• Direct entry into the second or third year, depending on the curriculum match and your performance

Normally, you should

• Hold a relevant diploma from TUK or another accredited institution
• Have passed with at least a credit or equivalent
• Satisfy any additional school or department criteria

Exact details vary by department, so in 2026, you will need to check the specific programme you are interested in when the new intake advert is published.

Diploma and certificate admission requirements at TUK

Not everyone will join TUK directly into a degree. The university also offers many diploma and certificate options, especially in hospitality, tourism, travel, business and applied sciences. These programmes are excellent pathways, because after completing a diploma, you can upgrade later to a degree.

From recent TUK intake documents, typical requirements include

Diploma programmes

A common pattern for Diploma in Technology programmes is

• KCSE mean grade, C minus or higher, often with specific subject passes
• In some cases, a pass in English, Mathematics and two science subjects is required, particularly in hospitality and hotel management diplomas

Examples taken from TUK School of Hospitality and Tourism Management adverts

• Diploma in Technology, Hotel and Restaurant Management
  • KCSE mean grade, C minus with C minus in English, Mathematics and two science subjects
• Diploma in Technology, Tourism and Travel Management
  • KCSE mean grade, C minus, with C minus in English and Mathematics

Other faculties will have their own combinations, for example

• C minus plus good grades in Mathematics and Physics for technical diplomas
• C minus plus relevant group II and III subjects for business and social science-related diplomas

Certificate programmes

Certificate-level programmes provide a foundation for students whose KCSE grades are below C-. For example, in some TUK adverts for hospitality programmes

• Certificate in Food and Beverage, Production and Service
  • KCSE mean grade, D plus as the minimum requirement

After completing a certificate with good performance, you may qualify to proceed to a related diploma, and eventually to a degree.

Postgraduate admission requirements, Master’s and PhD

If you are planning beyond 2026 and thinking about postgraduate study at the Technical University of Kenya, here is the general pattern of requirements, based on recent TUK adverts.

Masters degrees

For a typical master programme, such as Master of Business Administration, Master of Science, Master of Technology or Master of Arts

• You must hold at least a second-class honours, upper division bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from TUK or another recognised university, or
• A second-class honours, lower division degree with at least two years of relevant work experience or a relevant postgraduate diploma

Some programmes may specify particular undergraduate fields, for example

• A B.Tech. or BSc in a related engineering field for a Master of Technology
• A business or economics-related degree for an MBA

Doctor of Philosophy

For PhD admission, common requirements include

• A relevant master’s degree from TUK or another recognised institution
• Strong research background and a concept paper or proposal in your area of interest
• In some cases, the university may allow upgrading from a master’s to a PhD after at least one year of impressive research progress, following Senate approval

International applicants, 2026 admission requirements

The Technical University of Kenya welcomes regional and international students. If you are not a Kenyan KCSE candidate, you will need

• An equivalent secondary school leaving certificate that can be equated to KCSE, with grades comparable to the minimum Kenyan requirements
• For degree programmes, this is normally equivalent to a KCSE mean grade C plus and relevant subject passes
• For diplomas and certificates, your qualification must match the C minus or D plus levels used locally, according to recognised equivalence scales

In addition, international students usually must

• Provide certified copies of academic certificates and transcripts
• Provide identification documents, such as a passport
• Arrange for a student pass or permit in line with Kenyan immigration laws
• Pay the applicable international student application fee, which is typically quoted in both Kenyan shillings and US dollars

Because immigration rules can change, international applicants for the 2026 intake should confirm requirements with the university and Kenyan immigration authorities closer to the application date.

Specific subject requirements: what you should focus on in high school

Because TUK is a technology-focused university, strong performance in certain subjects will boost your chances of admission in 2026. While exact requirements differ by programme, the following patterns are common

Mathematics

• Almost all engineering, technology, computing, statistics and business programmes require a good Mathematics grade
• For many degree options, aim for at least C plus in Mathematics, and higher if the programme is very competitive

Sciences

• Physics is crucial for engineering, electrical and mechanical-related degrees
• Chemistry and Biology play a big role in environmental science, food science, applied sciences and some hospitality programmes
• For technical diplomas, at least passes in two sciences are often required, especially when combined with Mathematics

Languages

• English and Kiswahili are important for communication-heavy programmes such as journalism, international relations, tourism and hospitality
• Many TUK programmes specify a minimum grade in English or Kiswahili, often C or C minus, depending on the level of the programme

Applied and creative subjects

• For design, architecture, media, music and creative arts, subjects like art and design, music, drawing or related practical skills can be useful
• Even when they are not formally required, they help demonstrate talent and interest in your chosen field

Required documents for TUK admission, 2026 checklist

When you finally secure a place, you will need to present original documents during registration. Typical requirements include

• KCSE result slip and certificate, or equivalent foreign qualification
• National identity card, passport or birth certificate
• Coloured passport-size photographs
• Admission letter from the Technical University of Kenya
• Payment slips or receipts for fees as instructed by the university
• For diploma or postgraduate applicants, transcripts and certificates from previous institutions

Always keep both the original and photocopies, since the university will need to verify authenticity and sometimes keep copies in your student file.

Tips to improve your chances of joining TUK in 2026

If your dream is to study at the Technical University of Kenya, planning early can make the difference between simply meeting the minimum and becoming a strong applicant. Here are practical steps you can take

• Start by choosing your dream programme, for example, Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering, Diploma in Technology in Hotel and Restaurant Management or Bachelor of Business Information Technology
• Look up the current minimum subject requirements for that programme and use them as a guide for your study plan
• Identify your weak subjects early, especially Mathematics and key sciences, and seek extra help from teachers, revision books or group study
• Keep your school choosing process realistic, balancing ambition with backup options in related courses
• If your KCSE grade ends up slightly below C plus, do not give up. Consider a diploma or certificate at TUK or another accredited institution, then upgrade later to a degree once you have built a stronger academic record
• For postgraduate aspirants, focus on finishing your undergraduate degree with at least a second class, upper division and gaining relevant work or research experience