A determined number of additional positions up to 14% destined to Cypriots entering the University is distributed to candidates under “special categories”. The positions are calculated per curriculum. It is understood that the meaning of the term “special categories” is as defined in the 2009 Regulations on additional positions defined as Special Categories in the case of Public Universities in Cyprus.

The right to the process of distribution of positions is granted only to candidates who got through the Pancyprian Examinations of the current year and up to one year ago, regardless of whether they have applied again.

Beneficiaries should have obtained a general mark of at least 80% of the overall mark of the last candidate admitted at the Department and meet the admission requirements for the specific Department. In the event of excessive positions being not filled on first distribution or vacant positions come up, additional distributions may take place on the basis of initial applications.    

The distribution of excessive positions under Special Categories procedure is made in the following categories of candidates, with the respective percentages:

Category A: Candidates from families with special circumstances, up to 5% of Cypriot admissions

1. Children of war invalids, missing, imprisoned, dead in struggles for democracy and freedom of Cyprus or during execution of a state service duty.
2. Candidates whose families receive (up to the date of application) monthly public allowance from the Department of Social Welfare Services (due to health or financial status of parents) or are recipients of minimum guaranteed income.
3. Candidates whose one parent has a serious health problem1  , facing at the same time a second serious problem in the family (economic 2 , social 3 ).
4. Candidates whose both parents have a serious health problem1
5. Orphans from both parents.
6. Orphans from one parent, facing at the same time another serious family problem (health 1 , economic 2 , social 3 ).
7. Candidates who have grown up with a single or no parent (due to divorce or abandonment) , facing at the same time another distinct serious family problem (health1, economic 2 , social 3 ).

Category B: Candidates with serious health problems or other serious cases, up to 6% of Cypriot admissions

1. Candidates with serious health problems such as quadriplegic, paraplegic, handicapped, candidates suffering from thalassemia, who are blind or have severe vision problems   (persons whose acidity of both eyes does not exceed 6/60 in each eye, even with corrective lenses), deaf or severe hearing impairment (a hearing loss of at least 60dB in the best ear) candidates suffering for diabetics, cancer, heart diseases, etc., whose severity of the condition is confirmed by the Medical Board of the University.
2. Candidates with severe psychiatric4 / psychological4   problem / syndrome (e.g., anorexia, clinical depression) or severe learning5   problems (eg dyslexia, lack of attention) whose severity of the condition is confirmed by the Medical Board of the University.
3. Candidates who had a serious incident during the examination period (eg, illness   of candidate, death of 1st grade relative), whose severity of illness and the degree that may have influenced the performance of the candidate is confirmed by the University's Medical Board.
4. Candidates who receive public assistance from the Department of Social Welfare Services (up to the date of the application) or are recipients of minimum guaranteed income.

Category C: Candidates of other special categories up to 3% of Cypriot admissions, as defined below:  

1. Candidates from Armenian, Maronite and Latin religious groups.
2. Candidates who have completed their 30th age on 1st September of the year of admission.
3. Candidates with the highest distinctions in sports according to criteria established by the Cyprus Sports Organization (CSO) and evaluated by the Sports Office of the University or in arts according to criteria of the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture.
4. Candidates who are parents of a minor.
5. Candidates who have completed at least the last three classes (of Senior High School) at the Rizokarpaso High School .
6. Candidates with distinctions in the International Olympiads in various areas of sciences, as defined by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Clarifications:

1. A serious health problem of parents is considered to be the problem rendering the parent unable to work. Incapacity for work is confirmed by a report issued by the Social Insurance Office for receiving a work incapacity pension of at least 75% contribution or disability pension of at least 60% contribution.
2. Serious financial problem is considered applicable when the candidate’s family annual gross income , per capita, does not exceed, for sub-categories A.3, A.6 and A.7 the amount of € 7.000. In order to define the annual gross income per capita, the total gross family income is calculated, including any personal income of the candidate, which is divided by the number of dependent family members.  Dependent members are the family members, i.e. the parents, the candidate and other unmarried, non-working members, who live with their family and who are not older than 18 years, or attend Secondary or Higher education institutions in Cyprus or abroad, or serve their military service.If the candidate is married, then the candidate him/herself, the spouse of the candidate and any dependent children are considered as dependents.
3. A serious social problem is considered as applicable when confirmed by a detailed social report by the Social Welfare Officer of the Department of Social Welfare Services, providing elements of family structure and relationship information among family members.
4. A serious psychological / psychiatric problem / syndrome must be certified by an official report (in a special form provided by the University) by a registered psychiatrist or specialist psychologist.
5. A serious learning problem (e.g. dyslexia, lack of attention) must be certified by a report which has been based on a recognized assessment carried out by a registered specialist and holder of a training certificate in the specific psychometric domain.