A summary of the THIRD Intake for CyberMACS regarding the selection process 

Results for 2025-2026 Student Edition: For the 2025–2026 intake, a total of 3,026 accounts were created on the CyberMACS application platform, resulting in 954 valid applications from 75 different countries that qualified for detailed screening. Following a three-stage evaluation process, 653 applications were thoroughly assessed, and 516 candidates from 54 nationalities successfully passed all stages and received preselection scores. Based on this evaluation, 142 applicants were shortlisted and invited for an interview, reflecting a highly competitive and internationally diverse selection process. For 2025-2026, the third student intake comprises 35 highly talented individuals, representing a diverse array of countries: The largest groups are Bangladesh (6 students) and Pakistan (5 students). Ethiopia and India are each represented by 3 students. Mexico and Nigeria each account for 2 students. The remaining nationalities—Afghan, Algerian, Bolivian, Ecuadorean, Filipino, French, Kazakhstani, Nepalese, Panamanian, Slovenian, Spanish, Syrian, Turkish, and Vietnamese—are each represented by 1 student. The programme embraces gender diversity with a cohort consisting of 9 females and 26 males, highlighting inclusivity in the field of cybersecurity. 14 students have been awarded the prestigious CyberMACS Scholarship, and 21 students are enrolled in self-funded status.

Number of total accounts created on cybermacs.eu (for application): 3026
Applications submitted deserving detailed investigation (screening): 954 (75 nationalities)
# of applications passed screening and checked carefully in 3 stages: 653
# of applicants passed all 3 stages and graded (preselection scoring) (out of 653): 516 (54 nationalities)
# of applicants academically ranked 414
Applicants interviewed: 142
Full scholarship offered: 14 (SRH 8, UKIM 6)
Self-financed with No Fee Option: 21 (SRH 15, UKIM 6)
Self-financed with 5175 Euro Option: 0

The 3-stage processing and selection

The 3-stage processing and selection includes the following criteria and procedures.
  1. Screening phase: Applications are first checked for completeness of the documents (11 different documents are required: Certificate, Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae, Diploma Scan, English Proficiency, High School Diploma, Passport Scan, Publication, Recommendation Letter, Proof of Residence, Transcript). 954 applicants were assessed, and 653 applicants were qualified at this stage.
  2. Administrative, language, and academic validity checks and Preselection: Applications passing the screening phase are subjected to further and detailed checks: Administrative, language and academic processing (a total of 653 applicants from worldwide). At the end of this process, 137 applications were put aside with no further processing, while 516 applicants from 54 nationalities were elevated to the detailed academic merit-based processing and ranking level. Two selection committee members evaluate the 414 applicants’ documents separately and assign a grade. The average of both grades is used for ranking.
  3. Interviews: Depending on the applicant’s ranking, the 10% cap on scholarship holders from a particular country, and the number of students foreseen for admission, the following rules were applied for developing an interview list and conducting the face-to-face (online) interview. A total of 142 applicants out of 414 applicants are interviewed. Every applicant called for an interview by Joint Selection Committee members is first given a 30-minute, 60 multiple-choice computer and math basics test. The formation of the interview has the following rules:
    1. Suppose there are less than six or equal applications from a country. In that case, every applicant passing the administrative, language, and academic merit-based evaluation (those within the 414 applicants) is called for an interview.
    2. Suppose there are seven or more applications from a country. In that case, the top 5 applicants passing the administrative, language, and academic merit-based evaluation (those within the 414 applicants) are called for an interview.
  4. At the interview stage, students are evaluated based on their motivation, experience, and ability to integrate into this international program.
  5. Applicants are then ranked depending on their overall mark, including the mark for merit (34%), mark for the test (33%) and interview (34%). The mark is not changed after the application of the other criteria. Three main ranked lists (full scholarship, non-scholarship, non-scholarship with a 5175-euro programme fee) and one ranked full scholarship reserve list are then drawn up for the second intake.
    1. The consortium determines the numbers in each list (full scholarship, non-scholarship, non-scholarship with a 5175-euro programme fee) every year.
    2. Applicants offered a full scholarship are not allowed to change their mobility path; however, applicants offered a self-financed option are given a chance to petition a change of mobility path. The Executive Board evaluates the petition, and a final decision is made.
  6. In the case of equality with male students, female students are promoted right before male students with the same overall mark.
  7. Geographical limitations apply then.
  8. If a student on the full scholarship list should decline the offer or not reply in due time, the next student on the reserved list is offered a place with a scholarship, except if their nationality quota has been reached. If so, the next student on the main list is considered for a scholarship.