Story perspectives

France to overhaul Parcoursup by 2028, sets 28 cap

By Drooid · Oct 27, 2026, 4:25 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The French government announced a 2027 overhaul of Parcoursup, to be fully replaced by 2028.
Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste said universities must publish selection criteria and explain each rejection in the 2027 round.
The state pledged €4 billion for school renovations, €1 billion for university upgrades, and will cap classes at 28 from 2027.
The ministry recorded 1,435 arrests after the Oct 17 unrest that followed protests over education issues in October 2026.

History

Historical Context

In August 2009 President Nicolas Sarkozy signed the Liberté et Responsabilité des Universités (LRU) law, introduced by Minister Valérie Pécresse, granting French universities managerial autonomy and a lump-sum budget. The reform triggered blockades in November 2009, with up to 42 campuses occupied. Those protests paved the way for the 2027 overhaul announced by Minister Philippe Baptiste, which adds selection criteria and caps class sizes.

1 of 2

Story summary

The French government announced a 2027 overhaul of Parcoursup, to be fully replaced by 2028.
Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste said universities must publish selection criteria and explain each rejection in the 2027 round.
The state pledged €4 billion for school renovations, €1 billion for university upgrades, and will cap classes at 28 from 2027.
The ministry recorded 1,435 arrests after the Oct 17 unrest that followed protests over education issues in October 2026.

1 / 2