France’s government has announced plans to replace its national university admissions platform by 2028, responding to weeks of student protests over university access, school funding and rising living costs. The government has promised immediate improvements to the existing system in 2027, alongside additional higher-education places and financial support for students.
Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste announced the proposed changes on October 26, as the government sought to address growing dissatisfaction among young people. The demonstrations have expanded beyond admissions concerns to include overcrowded classrooms, inadequate educational resources and the rising cost of living.
The unrest has also raised pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s government ahead of France’s 2027 presidential election.
Parcoursup to Undergo Major Changes Before Replacement
The existing platform, Parcoursup, allows students to apply for university degrees and other higher-education programmes. It received a record 1.05 million applicants in 2026, according to the Higher Education Ministry.
Students have criticised the system for unclear selection criteria and unequal access to preferred courses. Concerns have also been raised about how institutions assess applications and communicate rejection decisions.
Under the government’s plan, universities and other institutions will have to publish more detailed selection criteria for the 2027 admissions cycle. Applicants will receive explanatory information with rejection decisions, and institutions will be required to provide reasons for their decisions when requested.
A committee involving students and teachers is expected to submit initial recommendations for the replacement system by the end of November. Legislative changes may be necessary, meaning the final design and implementation timetable remain subject to further decisions.
The proposed 2028 replacement would take place after Macron leaves office, leaving the next administration responsible for delivering the overhaul.
Government Promises 15,000 Additional Higher-Education Places
Alongside admissions reform, the government has pledged to create 15,000 additional places in higher education across 2027 and 2028. Most are expected to be in vocational and technical programmes, which officials see as important routes into employment.
The plan includes approximately 10,000 additional places in advanced vocational diploma programmes and 4,000 places in technical bachelor’s degrees. The expansion is intended to ease pressure on institutions and improve access for students whose educational pathways have historically resulted in fewer admissions offers.
The government has also promised to increase student grants in line with inflation from the start of the 2027 academic year. The measure is intended to help students manage rising expenses, although the proposed expansion falls short of the much larger increase in university places demanded by protest groups.
Student organisations have called for as many as 250,000 additional places and argue that transparency alone will not resolve structural inequalities in higher education.
School Conditions and Funding Also Feature in Reform Package
The government’s response extends beyond universities. Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced plans to limit class sizes to 28 students in some first-year high-school classes, beginning with more disadvantaged schools in 2027 and extending further in 2028.
The government also plans to add 500 teaching positions and support school renovations through up to €4 billion in low-interest loans for regional authorities. A separate €1 billion investment programme is planned for university buildings through 2029.
Officials are also considering changes to continuous assessment and the combination of specialist subjects available to high-school students. These issues have featured in protests over academic pressure and the organisation of school education.
However, several commitments depend on budget approval, and questions remain about how the government will fund the package amid pressure to control public debt.
Protests Continue Despite Government Concessions
Demonstrations escalated on October 17, when protests over education funding and living costs turned violent in several locations. Some groups looted shops, set fires and clashed with police, while public buildings were damaged. Authorities reported approximately 2,400 arrests connected to the unrest.
Although the violence subsequently declined, student organisations and teachers’ unions have criticised the government’s proposals as insufficient. Protest groups have pledged to continue demonstrations and are seeking more university places, better-funded schools and broader changes to education policy.
The movement has also attracted workers concerned about living costs and the quality of public services, making it more difficult for the government to resolve the unrest through admissions reform alone.
Implementation Remains the Key Challenge
France’s proposed reforms mark a significant commitment to changing how students access higher education. More transparent selection procedures could help applicants understand admissions decisions, while additional places and grants could address some practical barriers.
Nevertheless, the replacement platform still needs to be designed, funding must be secured and the next government will inherit responsibility for major elements of the plan.
Whether the measures satisfy students will depend on their implementation and their impact on access to education. For now, the government faces continued pressure to demonstrate that its promises can translate into tangible improvements in schools, universities and student finances.
