Minimum grades to study law in Kenya (LLB, diploma, certificate)
Council of Legal Education · sources read 4 Oct 2026
To study for a law degree (LLB) you need at least a C+ mean grade in KCSE with a B plain in English or Kiswahili. You can also qualify with a degree, a credit pass in a diploma in law, or three KACE principal passes.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- Where
- Apply directly to a CLE-licensed university or college. Check the licensed list at cle.or.ke (Institutional Licensing Status).
Steps
- Compare your KCSE results (or degree, diploma or KACE results) with the minimum for the level you want: certificate, diploma or degree.
- Pick a university or college that CLE has licensed to teach law. CLE publishes the list of licensed providers.
- Apply to that university or college. It can add its own entry requirements on top of the CLE minimum, so read its admission notice.
Watch out
- No KCSE grades but 10+ years working in law? You can apply to CLE for a certificate of experiential learning, which can count for entry to certificate or diploma courses.
- An LLB alone does not make you an advocate. To join the Advocates Training Programme you also need to pass the Pre-Bar Examination.
Who can apply
- Law degree (LLB): KCSE mean grade C+ with at least B plain in English or Kiswahili
- Law degree (LLB): or a degree from a recognised university
- Law degree (LLB): or a credit pass in a diploma in law from an accredited institution
- Law degree (LLB): or at least three KACE principal passes
- Diploma in law: KCSE mean grade C plain with at least C+ in English or Kiswahili
- Diploma in law: or a pass in a certificate in law course from an accredited provider
- Certificate in law: KCSE mean grade C- with at least C plain in English or Kiswahili
Official sources (2)
- Legal Education Act No. 27 of 2012, Subsidiary Legislation: Legal Education (Accreditation and Quality Assurance) Regulations (L.N. 15 and 118 of 2016), Rev. 2022 cle.or.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- FAQs cle.or.ke · read 4 Oct 2026