Kenya School of Law (KSL) Entry Requirements for the Advocates

The Kenya School of Law (KSL) is the country’s sole institution offering the Advocates Training Programme (ATP)—a vital stepping stone for law graduates seeking admission to the Kenyan Bar. Located along Karen–Langata South Road in Nairobi, KSL was established under the Kenya School of Law Act No. 26 of 2012 and operates as a government agency mandated with professional legal training.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the entry requirements and application process for the ATP in 2025, along with the updated fee structure and key contact details.

About the Advocates Training Programme (ATP)

Programme Duration: 18 months
- 12 months of academic study at KSL
- 6 months of pupillage (practical training)

Entry Requirements for ATP 2025

1. For Applicants Admitted into the LL.B Programme After 8th December 2014

Kenyan University Graduates must:

Attain a minimum grade of B (plain) in English or Kiswahili and a C+ (plus) mean grade in KCSE or its equivalent; or
Have at least two principal passes and one subsidiary pass, totaling 10 points in the Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE) or its equivalent;
Successfully complete all 16 core subjects as outlined in the Second Schedule of the Legal Education Act, 2012;
Hold, or be eligible for conferment of, an LL.B degree from a university recognized in Kenya.

Note: Applicants with secondary school qualifications outside the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) system must obtain equation from the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA).

Graduates from Foreign Universities must:

Meet the same KCSE or KACE academic standards as local graduates;
Complete all 16 mandatory core law subjects;
Hold or qualify for conferment of an LL.B degree from a recognized foreign institution;
Obtain a clearance letter from the Council of Legal Education (CLE);
Pass the Pre-Bar Examination, as stipulated in Part 1 (b)(iii) of the Second Schedule to the Kenya School of Law Act.

2. For Applicants Admitted into the LL.B Programme Before 8th December 2014

Eligible applicants include those who:

Hold or qualify for the conferment of an LL.B degree from a recognized Kenyan university;
Graduated from a university, university college, or institution recognized by the CLE and:
- Met the minimum entry qualifications for university admission in Kenya at the time of joining;
- Scored at least B (plain) in English and a C+ (plus) average in KCSE or its equivalent.

Alternatively, applicants may qualify if they:

Hold an LL.B degree from a recognized institution and scored at least C+ in English and an overall C (plain) in KCSE;
Hold additional qualifications (e.g., A-levels, IB, a relevant diploma or a postgraduate law degree);
Hold an LL.B degree with at least C– in English and an overall C– in KCSE, and pass the Pre-Bar Examination set by KSL.

Application Procedure for ATP 2025

Applications must be submitted online through the official Kenya School of Law website: www.ksl.ac.ke

Required Documents:

Certified copy of the applicant’s LL.B degree or proof of eligibility for conferment;
Academic transcripts for all four years of study (provisional transcripts must indicate programme completion);
Copy of KCSE or equivalent secondary school certificate(s);
National ID or valid passport;
Two recent passport-size colour photographs;
Proof of payment for the application fee (receipt issued by KSL);
CLE clearance letter (for foreign LL.B degree holders);
KNQA equation letter (for non-KNEC secondary school certificates);
Admission letter to the LL.B programme.

Application Fee:
A non-refundable fee of Ksh 2,000 is payable for processing the application.