Last updated on April 10th, 2024 at 07:51 am
If you’re looking for guidelines about KNEC bridging courses, then you have come to the right place.
First, what are KNEC bridging courses?
Bridging courses meaning
KNEC bridging courses are short courses in which you re-sit subject/subjects you had failed at the KCSE, hoping to improve your grade.
The purpose of KNEC bridging courses is to help you meet the minimum entry requirements for your dream course.
For this reason, the bridging course acceptability might be limited to the college/university that is offering the course.
For example, to take some Diploma courses in Kenya, you need at least a C- (Certificate) in some subjects.
Subsequently, you will want to take a bridging course in Kenya to boost your grade, if you had a D+, for instance in such subjects.
Entry requirements for KNEC bridging courses
There’s no minimum grade for KNEC bridging courses (of course, apart from your KCSE certificate)- indeed, you can even ‘bridge’ a subject which you had previously score an E grade.
So what is important is to research what grades are required to take the course of your dreams then work hard – while bridging at the college you choose- since the primary purpose of the ‘bridging’ is to earn the minimum entry grade for the course.
How long do KNEC bridging courses take?
It takes just 6-9 months on average (depending on the institution you join out of the colleges offering bridging courses in Kenya) to bridge a KNEC subject.
You can attend studies fulltime, part-time (evening and mornings), or weekends- and even some colleges offering bridging courses online.
What subjects can you bridge in?
For the most part, you can bridge in sciences (chemistry, physics, and Biology) and maths.
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Are KNEC bridging courses recognized?
As mentioned, the goal of the program is to allow you reach the grade for the course so they’ll allow you to join your chosen course if you achieve that grade during your bridging exams.
So the main recognition awarded to these courses is by Universities -.
Otherwise, in some cases, the bridging may not be helpful when seeking employment if you don’t meet the stringent requirements set by employers.
Let’s take nursing for example:
To get admission for a nursing course (diploma) at KMTC, you must have a KCSE mean grade of C plain (at least) and the same grade subjects such as Biology and Chemistry.
Now, even if you bridge, KMTC won’t guarantee you admission with your bridging certificate at the moment- because of competition (there are more applicants than the available slots) and your efforts to join the nursing profession via bridging might fail.
That’s why we advise people to resit the KCSE (the whole exam) if you’re looking at getting KCSE grades that will get universal recognition even for courses in prestigious institutions such as KMTC.
But if you must take a bridging certificate, then first research if the university or institute that you are aiming to join (and the course you want to get admitted into) accepts bridging courses in the required/compulsory subjects before enrolling for a bridging course.
Note: In 2023, the Cabinet passed a resolution recognizing KNEC bridging courses as a way of enhancing access to University Education so they are now widely accepted and you could use them to join a degree program if you had not passed well in your KCSE.
Just make sure the institution you join is properly registered by KNEC to offer bridging courses in Kenya.
That said, bridging courses in Kenya may not be accepted by international bodies/institutions..
Intakes for bridging courses in Kenya
Colleges have their KNEC bridging courses intakes mostly at the beginning of the year (enquire in January) though some have continuous intakes.
Keep in mind that there aren’t so many colleges offering the program so it’s important to start your college search shortly immediately after getting your KCSE results, if you choose to pursue that path.
Institutions offering KNEC bridging courses in Kenya
You can enroll for bridging courses in these institutions for specific courses:
1. Bridge College-Nairobi
Bridge college is one of the most popular when it comes to bridging courses in Kenya.
You’ll be asked to provide clear copies of these documents:
- Copy of your KCSE results
- Copy of your KCPE Certificate
- Copy of your Birth Certificate
- 4 coloured of your passport photo
Apply before 3 years (in January) from the date you did your KCSE examination- KNEC rules needs you to upgrade (if you want to do that) before the expiry of 3 years.
Again please apply early January- because once KNEC registration dates close, you may not get an opportunity.
2. Cooperative University – Nairobi
Course: CERTIFICATE IN BRIDGING MATHEMATICS
Contacts;
Location: Karen
Cellphone: 0724311606, 020 2430127,020 2679456
Website: https://www.cuk.ac.ke/admissions/bridging-certificate-diploma-courses/
3. Catholic University
Course: Bridging Courses in both Mathematics and English
Contacts;
Location: Lang’ata, Nairobi
Cellphone: 0709-691111 /0709-691000
Website: http://www.cuea.edu/
4. Mt. Kenya University
Course: Bridging Courses in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and English
Contacts;
Location: Thika, General Kago Rd
Cellphone: 0709 153 000
Website: https://www.mku.ac.ke/index.php/academic-programmes/118-programmes/536-certificate-in-bridging-mathematics
Does KMTC offer bridging courses?
No, KMTC doesn’t offer KNEC bridging courses through there was a time the college was offering internally-examined bridging courses in Chemistry, Math, Biology, and Physics.
These KMTC bridging courses aimed at helping applicants who didn’t achieve the minimum entry grades qualify for their favorite courses at KMTC.
The college stopped the bridging courses immediately the government started tightening the controls around admissions into KMTC and other higher education programs in Kenya.
Final word
A bridging course can help you stand a better chance of gaining direct entry into your dream course.
But unlike in the past days, it might not be beneficial outside gaining entry into your course (Diploma or Degree) as the government is very strict when it comes to some programmes.
Our advice is for you to repeat the whole KCSE exam -even if you have to do it as a private candidate- if you’re looking at getting grades that can help you in the long run.
ALSO READ:
KNEC registration private candidates [Step-by-step guide]
KCSE private tuition in Nairobi [The best centers]
KNEC grading system for colleges [All you need to know]
Does mku and kemu offer knec bridging courses
Bridging is not offered in most places nowadays.
I had a B- but cannot meet the cluster points for the course I wanted to pursue
Would bridging one subject that I performed poorly enable me get to the course I wanted to pursue?
In the light that I had already achieved the minimum grade to university?
Not sure about that. No guarantees
I want to pursue bachelor of education but I scored a c- minus in English in kcse exam . Can I get it or not
Are there any colleges in Machakos and Kitui which offer bridging couses accredited by NECK
Not that we are familiar with
I got D+ in biology may I able to do diploma in nursing
Contact KMTC direct for clarification
I did kcse in 2008,biology I got c-. where can I bridge biology in msa to qualify doing diploma nursing at kmtc.
We have no institution we can recommend in Mombasa
I sat my kcse in 2010.. Had some health problem for sometime prior to exam.. Wanted to upgrade my physics and mathematics.. Is there anything I can do since its now more than 2years
Please visit the nearest county education office for guidance
Can a 2010 kcse candidate do anything now to upgraded 2 of his/her subject grades
Please contact the education office near you for clarification.
Do mount Kenya university offer bridging courses…..[especially sciences]?
Kindly visit the institution for enquiries.
Why are you not offering bridging subjects in the previous years?
Government policy
can a candidate bridge biology that she previously got a c plain inorder to get direct entry of BSN
We doubt if that would be helpful. Talk to the institution you have in mind for clarification
can i bridge physics since i want to pursue a physics course thou i dint do it in high school
Not sure about that.
I got a D in biology where can I bridge it for a certificate course in nursing?
You need to confirm from KMTC first if they’ll accept a bridging certificate to avoid wasting time and money
I did may kcse in 2016 end got a D- can i bridge mah grade to B+ to try a police recruitment
I did may kcse in 2016 end got a D- end i want to bridge may grade to B+ so that i can try police recruitment can it work out
No guarantees you’ll be recruited. Consider all options well
where can i bridge maths,English,biology,chemistry
Can i
?
DOES BRIDGING ADD ANY WEIGHT TO THE OVERAL GRADE, FOR INSTANCES I GOT A C- WILL THESE BOOST IT.
I did my KCSE in 2019 and I got B plain I want to bridge my grade to A- in order to do medicine related course is that possible
Hi Eugene did you succeed in bridging
What can I do to passue diploma in clinical medicine since I qualified everything but only English is letting me down
Even me
Ask the question again to enable us advise you properly
I had a D plain and I want 2 do aviation is that possible for mih
Well, not sure about that. Enquire from the college you have in mind
hello,
what does it mean to resit kcse as a private candidate?
is it a requirement to do a bridging course before joining university or you can still do one even after you are done with university studies?
I can’t see why you would bridge KCSE grades after graduating from campus
Helloo,am Ann I did my form four 2015 with a grade of D plain but I want nursing,I need help please
Contact KMTC before bridging. They will advise about bridging
I did my KCSE in 2015 Am requesting whether I can bridge my grades so that I can do nursing
can i register for 3 subjects in kcse exams as a private candidate to enable me boost my overall mean grade.
Well, contact your nearest KNEC office for guidance
can you bridge a subject you didn’t sit during KCSE?
can you bridge a subject you didn’t sit during kcse
How now?
Can I bridge maths and chemistry I got D in both to do certificate in nursing
Kindly contact KMTC directly for relevant advise
I sat my KCSE exam at 2018…..I needed a career as a secondary school teacher but English has failed me I had a C- in English……can bridging help me upgrade my Engling to C plain in order to pursue education science ……since I passed well in my sciences……and TSC recognize me after completion of the course???????
Hey I have the same issue…did you get any help? Or what did you do?
I sat my KCSE exam in 2018…..I needed to pursue education science but where the problem is in English where I had a C- can I bridge in English in order to get a entry requirements to join my course???? Also will TSC recognize me after my college?????
Hello,I’m Ismail I did my KCSE 2019 and got Mean grade C+ with Maths A- and Chemistry C,Can I do bridging to Do Teaching in Maths and Chemisrty in the University and if Yes, Do TSC allow me that profession
Hello,I’m Ismail I sat my KCSE 2019 nd attained C+ and I have got A- mathematics and C Chemisrty can I Bridge in Chemisrty to do teaching in the University
Hello I had mean grade C+ with Maths A- and Chemistry C can I Bridge to do teaching course
I did kcse this year and got a mean grade of C plain with D plain in biology and D+ In mathematics and I want to purse a diploma in nursing advise me please
The full qualifications for nursing are exactly as indicated in the article.
I did my KCSE last year and attained C+ overall but D+ in biology. How can I bridge biology to enable me to undertake diploma in nursing?
Is bridging change my whole grade or i get a separate certificate
I want to get 4 subject to the certificate
So I borrowed my County plz allowad
Hello i did my ksce this year i got B i have passed all subject expect chem which i haveD+ and i want to do nursing how can you help
I would like to bridge Maths,English,Biology and Chemistry ,how would i be assistated
Can I have a a chance to boost my Mark to become a good teacher in mathematics and English
Hey I have the same issue…did you get any help? Or what did you do?
will i brige both chemistry and maths at the same time
when you say to resit the kcse privately do you mean all the subjects or some of them will I get a certificate?
I would like to bridge mathematics and chemistry
do kisii university offers bridge of courses
Am a student looking forward to do bridging in mathematics and sciences, but due to my KCSE examination year(2020) am convinced that I can’t do bridging according to the KNEC rules, unless I contact the KNEC offices for guidelines. Please help
I did my KCSE in 2017 and I got D+and I wanted to be a P1 teacher will I bridge?