Nicosia: The results of the 2026 Pancyprian Entrance Examinations were announced on Wednesday in Nicosia, with 3,113 places allocated at the country's public universities and Greece's military academies, marking the end of a demanding examination process for nearly 5,000 candidates.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Education, Sport and Youth Minister Athena Michaelidou said the available places include 1,590 at the University of Cyprus, 1,382 at the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), and 141 at Greece's military academies. The total also includes additional places reserved for graduates of technical schools, evening schools, and the Six-Class Gymnasium of Kato Pyrgos.
A total of 5,142 candidates initially applied to sit the examinations, while 4,969 students ultimately participated, completing 21,341 examination papers across 53 subjects. Michaelidou described the announcement of the results as the conclusion of "an important journey" for thousands of young people and the beginning of a new chapter.
"Today wraps up a period of intense effort and anxiety and opens a new page filled with choices and opportunities," she said. Congratulating all candidates, regardless of their results, the Minister stressed that the examinations represent only one milestone in a person's academic and professional journey.
"The Pancyprian examinations are an important stage, but they are not the entire journey," she said, encouraging students who did not secure their preferred place not to define themselves by a single result. "One result cannot and should not become the measure of your worth," she added.
The Ministry also announced the students who achieved a perfect access score of 20 after statistical moderation within their respective access categories. They include candidates admitted to competitive programmes such as Medicine, Law, Computer Science, Architecture, Mathematics and Statistics, Accounting and Finance, and French and European Studies at the University of Cyprus.
Specifically, the Minister announced that the candidates who achieved a perfect access score of 20 in their respective access categories are:
- Nikolas Christou, from Agios Georgios Lyceum in Lakatamia, admitted to the Department of French and European Studies at the University of Cyprus.
- George Lipertis, from Latsia Lyceum, admitted to the Medical School at the University of Cyprus.
- Marina Hadzimichael, from Apostolos Varnavas Lyceum, admitted to the Faculty of Law at the University of Cyprus.
- Marilia Constantinou, from Idalion Lyceum, admitted to the Department of Accounting and Finance at the University of Cyprus.
- Hara Orfanou, from Agia Fylaxeos Lyceum, admitted to the Medical School at the University of Cyprus.
- Semeli Hadzisavva, from Lanitio Lyceum, admitted to the Medical School at the University of Cyprus.
- Maria Christina Chrysanthou Makrylouka, from Polis Chrysochous Lyceum and Technical and Vocational School, admitted to the Department of Architecture (integrated master's degree) at the University of Cyprus.
- Achilleas Papadimitriou, from Makarios III Lyceum in Larnaca, admitted to the Department of Computer Science at the University of Cyprus.
- Christos Kalyvitis, from Apostolos Loukas Regional Lyceum in Kolossi, admitted to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Cyprus.
- Petros Nicolaou, from Empa Lyceum and Technical and Vocational School, admitted to the Medical School at the University of Cyprus.
The Ministry will honour the top-performing students at a special ceremony on Thursday. Michaelidou said this year's examinations were conducted "with complete success," noting that all legal procedures were strictly adhered to safeguard the integrity and credibility of the system.
The examination papers were prepared by specialist committees under strict confidentiality 24 hours before each exam, while 439 markers were involved in the grading process. Every paper was marked independently by two examiners, with a third marker assigned whenever the difference between the first two marks exceeded 10% of the total available marks.
The Ministry said specialised software was used to verify all marks and calculations, eliminating the possibility of administrative errors. Head of the Examinations Service Dr Socrates Mylonas said candidates seeking admission to public universities in Greece will receive their general access scores in the coming days, together with instructions for submitting applications.
Placement at Greek universities will be carried out by Greece's Ministry of Education in August, with candidates able to apply to up to 20 departments within a single academic field. Michaelidou said preliminary analysis indicated improvements in several subjects, including Greek language performance, adding that detailed statistical comparisons with previous years will be published later.
Meanwhile, President Nikos Christodoulides also congratulated successful candidates, saying the government would continue investing in public education to ensure a modern, high-quality, and inclusive education system. Addressing students who achieved high scores, President Christodoulides said their success was "the culmination of your hard work, dedication and the sacrifices you have made throughout this period".
"Today marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter of learning, experiences and personal growth. You should be proud of what you have achieved," he added. The President also had a message for students who did not obtain the results they had hoped for, urging them not to lose heart.
"I want to send you a personal message: do not be discouraged," he said. The Pancyprian Federation of Parents' Associations likewise congratulated successful students, their families and teachers, wishing those entering higher education every success in their academic careers.