French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu Announces 5,000 New University Places Amid Student Protests

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has officially announced the creation of 5,000 additional places in French universities to address ongoing demands from student organizations regarding increased access to higher education. This announcement, formalized in a letter dated November 10 to university presidents, was made public on November 11 and comes amid escalating student mobilizations demanding significantly more university spots.

Lecornu's letter emphasizes the government’s commitment to supporting universities, including the provision of additional resources to ensure adequate conditions for the incoming students. The prime minister underscored his personal support and that of his government, emphasizing the importance of directing funding towards quality training serving the public interest.

However, this new measure represents only a partial response to student demands. Student organizations have been requesting the creation of 250,000 additional places in universities, far exceeding the government’s provision. Previously, 15,000 additional spots had already been announced to address regional access difficulties, including 4,000 specifically designated for Instituts Universitaires de Technologie (IUTs).

Lecornu also highlighted upcoming legislation aimed at regulating private higher education institutions, responding to recent scandals involving for-profit schools. This bill, which proposes new validation requirements for private institutions to access the Parcoursup post-baccalaureate orientation platform, was approved by the Senate in June and is scheduled for examination by the National Assembly during the week of December 14.

The government’s efforts are part of a broader education strategy heavily focused on reforming Parcoursup, France's university admissions platform, which has faced criticism from many young people. Lecornu's letter to university heads signals his administration's intention to balance expanding access while maintaining educational quality and public interest priorities.