Cluster Points For Nursing In Different Universities In Kenya

Cluster points, or cut-off points, are the minimum scores required for admission to specific university courses in Kenya. These points are determined based on the performance of candidates in the KCSE examinations. Each university sets its cluster points for various degree programmes. For example, cluster points for nursing differ from those for law at the same university. Students must meet or exceed these points to be eligible for admission to the respective courses.

If you want to do nursing at any higher institution in Kenya, you require four cluster subjects to be admitted. The four cluster subjects for nursing are Mathematics or Physics, English or Kiswahili, Chemistry, and Biology/Biological Science.

It is from these four cluster subjects that a university will calculate your minimum cluster points. In other words, you may have a mean grade of B- at KCSE but still fail to get the minimum cluster points to do nursing at a specific university.

What are the cluster points at different universities in Kenya?

All universities have their minimum cluster points for nursing. For example, the cluster points for nursing at Dedan Kimathi University differ from those at Chuka University. Here is how different universities' cluster points for nursing compare:

1. Chuka University - 39.937

The cluster points for Nursing at Chuka University are 39.937. You also require a KCSE mean grade of C+ (plus) with a C+ in each cluster subject of English, Mathematics, Biology/Physics/Chemistry, and Biology/Chemistry/Physics.

2. Daystar University - 38.642

A direct applicant at Daystar University must have a Mean Grade of C+ in KCSE or its Equivalent with a C+ in four Cluster Subjects, namely English, Mathematics/Physics, Chemistry and Biology. However, the cluster points needed for nursing at the institution are 38.642.

3. Egerton University - 41.338

The cluster points for nursing at Egerton University are 41.338. However, ensure that you have a KCSE mean grade of C+ (plus) with C+ in each cluster subject of English, Mathematics (or Biology/Physics/Chemistry), and Biology/Chemistry/Physics.

4. Kabarak University - 40.805

The School of Medicine and Health Sciences at Kabarak University offers a four-year Bachelor of Nursing programme at the Main Campus.

A student can enrol if they have a mean grade of at least C+ (plus) in KCSE, with a minimum of C+ in English or Kiswahili, Mathematics or Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. However, the cluster points needed in all the subjects is 40.805.

5. Kenya Methodist University - 39.353

You require 39.353 cluster points to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the Kenya Methodist University. However, a KCSE minimum aggregate of C+ (plus) and C+ in each subject: English/Kiswahili, Mathematics/Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are necessary.

6. Kibabii University - 35.982

The nursing cluster points are 35.982. Students must have a mean grade of C+ at KCSE and at least C+ in Maths or Physics, C+ in Biology, Chemistry and English or Kiswahili, or 2 Principal passes at A-Level in Biology and Chemistry and a Subsidiary Pass in either Physics or Maths.

7. Kirinyaga University - 38.403

The KUCCPS cluster points for nursing at Kirinyaga University are 38.403. But for the cluster subjects, a student must be a holder of KCSE with a minimum aggregate of C+ (plus) with C+ (plus) in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Physics.

8. Kisii University - 40.431

A direct entry for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Kisii University requires a student to possess a mean grade of C+(Plus) at KCSE with a C+(Plus) in Maths/Physics, English/Kiswahili, Biology, and Chemistry. The cluster points for the four cluster subjects are 40.431.

9. Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology - 40.996

The entry requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology include a mean C+ (plus) grade at KCSE.

Also, one must have a C (plain) in English, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics or two principal passes in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics at EACE. The cluster points needed to enrol for the course are 40.996.

10. Meru University of Science and Technology - 38.992

You can enrol for a degree in nursing in Kenya at Meru University if you possess a minimum of C+ in KCSE with a minimum of C+ in each of the following cluster subjects: Maths or Physics, English or Kiswahili, Chemistry, Biology/Biological Science. The cluster points required are 38.992.

11. Pwani University - 38.879

The cluster points for nursing at Pwani University are 38.879, and the cluster subjects are Mathematics/Physics, English/Kiswahili, Chemistry, and Biology. You also require a minimum of C+ (plus) at KCSE with at least C+ (plus) in the cluster subjects.

12. University of Embu - 38.848

A direct entry for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Embu requires a student to possess a mean grade of C+ (Plus) at KCSE or equivalent.

The student must also have a C+(Plus) in Chemistry, Biology, Physics/Mathematics, and English/Kiswahili or Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. The cluster points needed are 38.848.

13. University of Kabianga - 38.931

The cluster points for nursing in Kabianga University are 38.931, and the cluster subjects are Mathematics, English/Kiswahili, Chemistry, and Biology. However, a student must have a minimum mean grade of C+ at KCSE with at least a C+ in all cluster subjects.

14. Uzima University - 37.503

The cluster points for nursing at Uzima University are 37.503, and the cluster subjects are English or Kiswahili, Maths or Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, English or Kiswahili. Students must also possess at least a KCSE mean grade of C+ and C+ in all cluster subjects.

How to calculate cluster points

Universities and colleges in Kenya calculate cluster points based on the performance of candidates in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.

In the case of nursing, calculating cluster points involves a weighted formula that considers the performance in four subjects: Mathematics or Physics, English or Kiswahili, Chemistry, and Biology/Biological Science. KUCCPS then introduces the formula w=√(r/m*api/spi)*48, where:

• W is a Weighted Cluster Point.
• C is Raw Cluster Point.
• A is an Aggregate Cluster Point.
• M is the Maximum performance index per cluster for all students and subjects.
• R is the Raw cluster performance index per cluster for all subjects enrolled.
• API is the Aggregate performance index.
• SPI is the Maximum performance index.

You can then calculate it as follows:

• Take the sum of points in the four subjects considered in nursing.
• Divide the answer by 48 (maximum points in those four subjects.
• Take your total points divided by 84, e.g. 80/84.
• Multiply your answer A by your answer B.
• Get the square root of the answer.
• Multiply the square root you get above by 48 to get the weighted cluster points.

Note that each grade has a point, which starts with A at 12 and goes through to E at 1. Therefore, if you have all A’s in the four subjects, the maximum points is 48.

Wrapping up

Before enrolling for a degree in nursing in Kenya, you must meet or exceed the minimum cluster points for Nursing at the institution of your choice. Universities or KUCCPS calculates nursing cluster points from Mathematics or Physics, English or Kiswahili, Chemistry, and Biology/Biological Science.

Tuko.co.ke shared an article about courses offered at Laikipia University and their cluster points. Before becoming a full-fledged university in 2013, Laikipia University was a constituent University College of Egerton University.

Laikipia University was founded in April 1929 by William Thomas Alfred Levet, a British Colonial farmer and educationist. President Mwai Kibaki granted the institution a charter in 2013.