News by Levels · Level 3 · Student worksheet

France Sets Out Admissions and Class-Size Proposals Amid Protests

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Read the story

France's government outlined education proposals on October 26 after weeks of student-led protests that also drew attention to living costs. A central pledge concerns Parcoursup, the national platform for higher-education applications, which critics say does not make selection sufficiently clear.

Ministers propose changes for the 2027 admissions cycle before replacing the platform in 2028. They also intend to cap some first-year high school classes at 28 pupils, initially in disadvantaged schools from 2027.

Neither the replacement system nor the later class-size changes are already in place. The Associated Press reports that the new platform still has to be designed and that legal changes may be needed. Student representatives welcomed some measures but said their demands had not all been met.

Source: Associated Press, 2026-10-26. https://apnews.com/article/france-high-schools-protests-macron-66403512e943e3aee4cdca64ecccfe33

Read and practise

1. Which criticism of Parcoursup is mentioned in the article?

   1. Its selection is not clear enough
   2. Its selection criteria are too detailed
   3. Its replacement system is already running

2. What remains unresolved about replacing the platform?

   1. The new system must still be designed and legal changes may be needed
   2. All legal changes have passed and the platform is running
   3. The government has cancelled the proposal

Your turn

Explain the proposed sequence for Parcoursup and why the replacement is not a completed reform.

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/france-student-protests-university-admissions-reform-october-2026/level-3/