The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has opened applications for the Kenya Utalii College September 2026 intake, giving students another route into hospitality and tourism careers.
Applicants can now apply for diploma and certificate programmes at Ronald Ngala Utalii College in Kilifi County through the KUCCPS Students' Portal.
The application window will remain open until August 23, 2026, giving prospective students less than two weeks to complete their applications.
The move expands access to specialised training in one of Kenya's key employment and tourism sectors.
Students seeking hospitality careers have a limited opportunity to secure placement as KUCCPS applications remain open until August 23, 2026.
KUCCPS Kenya Utalii College Intake Opens for September 2026
KUCCPS announced on Wednesday, August 12, that applications for programmes at Ronald Ngala Utalii College are officially open for the September 2026 intake.
Students interested in hospitality and tourism training must submit their applications through the official KUCCPS Students' Portal before the August 23, 2026 deadline.
The opening gives Form Four leavers and other eligible applicants an opportunity to pursue specialised training in an industry that continues to support thousands of jobs across Kenya.
Applicants can choose from a range of diploma and certificate programmes covering different areas of hospitality, tourism and customer service.
| Programme Area | Level |
|---|---|
| Hospitality Management | Diploma |
| Culinary Arts | Diploma |
| Front Office Operations | Diploma |
| Food and Beverage Management | Diploma |
| Housekeeping and Laundry Management | Diploma |
| Travel and Tourism Management | Diploma |
| Tour Guiding and Administration | Diploma |
| Selected hospitality programmes | Certificate |
The college offers training designed to prepare students for employment in hotels, restaurants, travel companies, airlines, tour firms and other businesses within the tourism value chain.
The KUCCPS Kenya Utalii College intake also marks an important shift in how students access the institution.
KUCCPS Expands Access to Kenya Utalii College Programmes
KUCCPS incorporated Kenya Utalii College programmes into its centralised placement system in 2026, allowing students to apply through the same platform used for other participating institutions.
Before the change, Kenya Utalii College admitted students directly.
The new arrangement allows eligible applicants to seek placement through KUCCPS, potentially making the programmes more accessible to students across the country.
In March 2026, KUCCPS opened applications for 13 diploma and certificate programmes at the college.
The move targeted candidates who sat the 2025 KCSE examination as well as eligible students from previous years.
Kenya Utalii College has operated for about 47 years and has trained more than 60,000 graduates during that period.
Its graduates have entered Kenya's hospitality and tourism industry while others have secured opportunities in international markets.
The institution operates under the Ministry of Tourism and remains one of the country's established centres for hospitality training.
Its inclusion in the KUCCPS system could therefore widen the pool of students accessing professional training in tourism-related fields.
Students Have Until August 23 to Submit Applications
Prospective students should not wait until the final day to submit their applications because the deadline falls on August 23, 2026.
Applicants can access the KUCCPS Students' Portal and follow the instructions provided for the September intake.
Students who encounter difficulties during the application process can also seek assistance at KUCCPS offices at ACK Garden House on 1st Ngong Avenue in Nairobi.
Support is also available at Kenya Utalii College and the 58 Huduma Centres located across the country.
The opening comes at a time when Kenya continues to position tourism as an important source of foreign exchange, employment and business opportunities.
Hospitality training can provide students with skills that apply across hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise companies, travel agencies and tour operations.
However, applicants should carefully review the entry requirements and programme details before submitting their choices.
The KUCCPS Kenya Utalii College intake offers a time-sensitive opportunity for students seeking practical career training, but those interested must complete their applications before the August 23 deadline.
With the September intake approaching quickly, eligible students have only a limited window to secure placement at one of Kenya's most established hospitality training institutions.
