France to Replace University Admissions Platform After Mass Student Protests

France plans to replace its national university admissions platform by 2028 after weeks of student protests over education, school funding and rising living costs

The government will also revise the existing system in 2027, expand university places, increase student grants and invest billions of euros in school and university renovations

Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste announced the measures on Monday, October 26, 2026, as the government sought to ease public anger and prevent further unrest

The existing platform, Parcoursup, will undergo major changes for the 2027 admissions round before a new system is introduced in 2028

As part of its education reforms, France plans to add 15,000 higher education places by 2028, adjust student grants to keep pace with inflation, reduce class sizes in some high schools and create 500 teaching positions

The funding package also includes up to €4 billion ($4.5 billion) in low-interest loans for school improvements and another €1 billion ($1.1 billion) for university building repairs

However, student representatives say the measures do not go far enough. Student groups are seeking a much larger expansion of university access, calling for 250,000 additional places compared with the 15,000 promised by the government

Protest organizers plan to continue demonstrations, as rising living costs have added economic concerns to the movement’s original demands for education reform

France Plans Parcoursup Overhaul

Parcoursup is France’s national online platform for applications to universities and other higher education courses. It allows students to submit applications and receive decisions about where they may continue their studies after high school

The platform has become a major r access to university courses

Critics have questioned how schools and universities select applicants, why some students are rejected and whether applicants have an equal chance of entering their preferred programs

According to the Higher Education Ministry, a record 1.05 million people applied through Parcoursup in 2026, AP News reported. The high number of applicants has added pressure on the government to explain how admissions decisions are made and whether the system gives students enough information

For the 2027 admissions cycle, French higher education institutions will be expected to explain their applicant selection rules more clearly, giving students better insight into how admission decisions are made

Students who receive rejection notices will also get explanations through the platform. They will be able to ask institutions for more details about the reasons behind their decisions. These changes are intended to make the admissions process easier to understand while the government prepares a replacement system

A committee made up of students and teachers is expected to present its first recommendations for the new platform by the end of November. Officials will then need to decide how the replacement will work and whether new laws are required to put the changes into effect

The government has not yet provided a complete design for the replacement platform. Important questions about how applications will be assessed, how universities will select students and how applicants will gain access to courses remain open

The timetable also creates a political challenge. The new system is due in 2028, after President Emmanuel Macron’s current time in office is expected to end

The next administration will be responsible for completing and introducing the new admissions system. In the meantime, students applying in 2027 are expected to receive clearer explanations of how universities assess their applications

However, the long-term effect will depend on how institutions apply the rules and whether the new platform addresses the concerns that led to the protests

France Expands University Places and Grants

Alongside the planned admissions reform, the government has promised to expand higher education access and provide more financial support to students

According to CTV, Ministers plan to add 15,000 places in higher education across 2027 and 2028. Most of these places are expected to be in vocational and technical courses, which prepare students for specific jobs and industries. The plan falls well short of the 250,000 additional places demanded by some student groups

Clément Vieillot of the Mouvement Cachan 94 student group criticized the difference between the government’s offer and the protesters’ demands

“We have received crumbs compared to what we are asking for,” he said

The government has also promised to increase student grants in line with inflation from the beginning of the 2027 academic year. The aim is to help students whose financial support has lost buying power as prices rise

For many students and families, the cost of education is part of a wider financial struggle. Housing, food and transport costs can make it harder for young people to continue their studies, even when they qualify for university admission

The protests have therefore grown beyond complaints about Parcoursup. Workers have also joined the wider movement, demanding relief from rising living costs

This broader focus makes the government’s response more difficult. Changes to university admissions may address some student concerns, but they will not solve every financial problem affecting households across France

Smaller Classes, More Teachers

The government’s promises also include changes to secondary schools, where students and teachers have raised concerns about class sizes, staffing and unequal access to re

Starting in 2027, France will reduce class sizes to a maximum of 28 students in selected first-year high school classes, prioritizing schools in less affluent communities to improve access to better learning conditions

Ministers have also agreed to cancel planned cuts to secondary-school teaching positions and create 500 additional jobs. These steps are intended to reduce pressure on schools and give teachers more support. Smaller classes may also allow teachers to spend more time helping individual students, although the impact will depend on how the changes are put into practice

The government has presented these commitments as part of a wider effort to improve education and respond to calls for better-funded schools

However, student groups have not agreed to end their demonstrations. Their continued opposition shows that the government’s commitments have not yet met all of their demands

The education package includes funding to improve school buildings and university facilities over several years

The French government plans to provide up to €4 billion ($4.5 billion) in low-interest loans to help local authorities repair and upgrade schools by 2030. It has also set aside €1 billion ($1.1 billion) for university renovation projects through 2029. The money is intended to support repairs and improvements at educational institutions

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TopicsFrance

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Source: www.universityherald.com