KENYA NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

Kenya Credit Accumulation and Transfer System (KCATs)

GUIDELINES (revised 2018)

1.0 Introduction
2.0 The Kenya Credit Accumulation and Transfer System (KCATS) is designed to
be used by TVET colleges and universities in Kenya to monitor, record and
reward passage through modular certificate, Diploma and degree courses
and to facilitate movement between levels and courses and institutions;
3.0 One credit is equivalent to 10 notional hours of study. For example, a course
of 2400 of estimated study hours would be worth 240 credits, and a university
course of 4800 hours of estimated study hours would be worth 480 credits. A
full academic year is worth 120 credits;
4.0 The KCATs is the national credit transfer system for all levels of qualifications in
Kenya and promotes lifelong learning in the country. Through the KCATs
learners can gain a better understanding of qualifications and plan their future
learning;

5.0 Legal Basis

The Kenya National Qualifications framework act of 2014 and KNQF regulations,
2018, mandate the Kenya National Qualifications Authority to develop and
implement a national credit accumulation and transfer system that works for all
players and levels of our education system.

6.0 What is a credit system?

A credit system is a systematic way of describing an educational programme or

qualification by attaching credits to its components. The definition of credits,
especially in higher education systems is usually based on parameters, such as
student workload, learning outcomes and/or contact hours.

7.0 What is KCATs?

The Kenya Credit Accumulation and Transfer System (KCATs) is a student-centred

system based on the student workload required to achieve the objectives of a
 programme and/or qualification objectives preferably specified in terms
of learning outcomes and competences to be acquired.

8.0 Development of the KCATs system

KCATs was introduced in 2018, within the KNQF, as a way of harmonizing

education and training at different levels in the country; and for improving student
mobility across different levels and institutions of learning. The system is currently
being tested in Kenya; with plans to extend it to the East African region. The system
facilitates the recognition of periods of study abroad and thus enhances the
quality and volume of student mobility in East Africa. The system is designed to
develop into an accumulation system to be implemented at institutional, national
and Regional level.

9.0 Why introduce KCATs?

KCATs makes study programmes easy to read and compare for all students,
lecturers and institutions. KCATs facilitates mobility and academic recognition.
KCATs helps colleges and universities to organize and revise their study
programmes and/or qualifications. KCATs can be used across a variety of
programmes and modes of delivery. KCATs makes Kenyan higher education
more attractive for students from other countries.

10.0 What are the key features of KCATs?

i. KCATs is based on the convention that 120 credits measure the workload of a
full-time student during one academic year. The student workload of a full-
time study programme in Kenya amounts in most cases to 36/40 weeks per
(academic) year and in those cases one credit stands for 10 notional hours.
Workload refers to the notional time an average learner might expect to
complete the required learning outcomes.
ii. Credit is also a way of quantifying the outcomes of learning. Learning
outcomes are sets of competences, expressing what the student will know,
understand or be able to do after completion of a process of learning. Credits
in KCATs can only be obtained after completion of the work required and
appropriate assessment of the learning outcomes achieved.
iii. The allocation of KCATs credits is based on the official length of a study
programme cycle. The total workload necessary to obtain an artisan
certificate is 6 months (or 60 credits), Craft Certificate is one year (120 credits),
Diploma is 2 to 3 years (240 to 360 Credits), Bachelor’s degree lasting officially
four to six years is expressed as 480 to 700 credits; master’s Degree will take 2
years (240 credits), postgraduate diploma (one year or 120 credits); and
doctorate (3 years or 360 credits);
iv. Student workload in KCATs includes the time spent in attending lectures,
seminars, independent study, preparation for, and taking of, examinations,
practical work, field study, field attachment, internship, teaching practice etc.
v. Credits are allocated to all educational components of a study programme
(such as modules, courses, placements, dissertation work, etc.) and reflect the
quantity of work each component requires in relation to the total quantity of
work necessary to complete a full year of study in the programme considered.

vi. The performance of the student is documented by institutional/national

grade. The KCATs grading scale ranks the students on a statistical basis.
Therefore, statistical data on student performance is a prerequisite for applying
the KCATS grading system. Grades are assigned among students with a pass
grade as follows:

Marks Grade GPA

a. 70% and above A 4
b. 60-69% B 3
c. 50-59% C 2
d. 40-49 % D 1
e. Less than 40 Fail

vii. Degrees and Diplomas will be classified as follows;

The degrees and Diplomas shall be classified as follows, using the overall
average mark

Average Mark Degree Classification Diploma/Cert Classification

70% and above First Class Honours Distinction
60% - below 70% Second Class (Upper D) Upper Credit
50% - below 60% Second Class (Lower D) Lower Credit
40% - below 50% Pass Pass
Below 40% Fail

11. 0 Requirements for Credit Transfer;

a. No credit shall be transferred for core courses of a program;
b. No more than 49% of credits shall be transferred from one level to another;
c. Credits shall only be transferred from courses that were taken within the last
four years;
d. Students who get an average of a distinction at certificate level (or took a
certificate program that lasted for two years or more); shall be allowed to join
Diploma programs at year two (if credits transferred are not more than 49% of
the Diploma program); All other students will join Diploma programs at year
one;
e. Students who took a Diploma program that lasted for three years or more shall
be allowed to join Degree programs at year three, if they get a Credit and
above (if credits transferred are not more than 49% of the Degree program
enrolled in); Those getting lower than a credit shall enroll in year 2 of the
Degree program;
f. Students who get an average of a Credit at two-year Diploma programs shall
be allowed to join Degree programs at year two (if credits transferred are not
more than 49% of the Degree program enrolled in); All other two-year Diploma
students will join Degree programs at year one;

g. Students who have taken more than two semesters of study for a Bachelor’s
degree at one university can transfer all credits to a related bachelor’s degree
at another university;

h. Students who have taken more than two semesters of study for a master’s
degree at one university can transfer all credits to a related (see KNQF
organizing fields for guidance) master’s degree at another university; subject
to an acceptable status report from his/her previous supervisors and approval
by the receiving university’s graduate school;
i. Students who have taken more than two semesters of study for a doctoral
degree at one university can transfer all credits to a related (see KNQF
organizing fields for guidance) doctoral degree at another university; subject
to an acceptable status report from his/her previous supervisors and approval
by the receiving university’s graduate school;

15. Program classification

The table below shows the classification table that will be used to equate
related programs at different universities. Stakeholders in each program
discipline will strive to map all the recognized certificates, Diplomas and
Degrees in the discipline and create a suitable detailed CATs, procedures for
application and related matters. The CATs once developed will be Approved
by the KNQA for use by all training institutions that apply to join and use the
program for specified programs/qualifications.

PROGRAMMES GROUPS
1. Law & Related
2. Business & Related
3. Arts & Related
4. GeoScience & Related
5. Special Education
6. Kiswahili & Related
7. Engineering, Technology & Related
8. Architecture, Design, Planning & Related
 9. Computing, IT & Related
10. Agribusiness & Related
11. Science & Related
12. Mathematics, Economics & Related
13. Design, Textiles & Related
14. Sports, Physical Education & Related
15. Medicine, Nursing, Health & Related
16. History & Related
17. Agriculture, Food Science, Environment & Related
18. Geography, Natural Resources Management & Related
19. French & Related
20. German & Related
21. Music & Related
22. Education Science & Education Arts
23. Religious Studies & Related

16.0 Who Can Participate

All Institutions awarding qualifications can apply to use the KCATs and specify
programs that they want to enlist in the system. Institutions will be required to pay
a fee of ksh 10,000 per instution and ksh 5,000 per program to participate in the
system for a 4-year period; that can be renewed on request. KNQA is working with
the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placements services (KUCCPS) to use
programs enlisted in the system to admit students.

17.0 What are the key documents of KCATs?

i. The registered institutions in the system shall produce and distribute a

catalogue of programs registered in the KCATs system and requirements for
enrollment and participation;
ii. Each Institution shall produce a Learning Agreement that contains the list
of courses to be taken; and agreed upon by the student and the institution
concerned. The Learning Agreement must be agreed upon by the student
and the two institutions concerned before the student’s departure and to
be updated immediately when changes occur;
iii. The Transcript of performance of a student which shows the list of courses
taken, the credits gained and possibly KCATs grades awarded. In case of
credit transfer, the Transcript of Records must be issued by the home
institution for outgoing students before departure and by the host institution
for incoming students at the end of their period of study.

18.0 How to obtain the KCATs Label?

 i. An KCATs label will be awarded to institutions, which apply KCATs in the
proper way in all their programmes. The label will raise the profile of the
institution as a transparent and reliable partner in Kenya and the region.
ii. The criteria for the label will be: A Course Catalogue (online or hard copy)
in English (for programmes taught in English), use of KCATs credits, samples
of learning Agreements and Transcripts of Records.
iii. An application form allowing students to participate in KCATs will be
published on the web site of the Kenya National Qualifications Authority
(KNQA).
iv. The label will be valid for four academic years, starting 2019/2020. The list of
institutions in possession of the label will be published on the KNQA web site.

18.0 Where to find more information on KCATs?

More information on KCATs can be found on the KNQA web site

For More details Contact

The Director General/CEO

Kenya National Qualifications Authority
6th Floor, Uchumi Hse
Po Box 72635-00200
Nairobi, Kenya
Email: knqa.go.ke@gmail.com
www.knqa.go.ke