At the start of the 2026 academic year, French universities will offer approximately 5,700 fewer places in the first year of the license (excluding Pass-LAS and LPE) compared to 2025, according to Parcoursup data. A drop of 2% which adds to the elimination of more than 3,000 places recorded the previous year. Behind these figures, a reality that the government is careful not to name: the budgetary austerity imposed on establishments.
The universities contacted unanimously cite the financial context and a lack of visibility on the future.
By the numbers
PLACES IN SUPPRESSED LICENSE
Evolution 2025 – 2026 – most affected universities
Rouen
−716 places (−10.6 %)
Montpellier Paul-Valéry
−457 places (−7,2 %)
Rennes-II
−345 places (−4,8 %)
Paris-Saclay (up)
+415 places (+12 %)
Source: Parcoursup / MESR – 2026
Read also: Austerity in Higher Education: the crisis continues
The inequalities between establishments are striking. The University of Rouen cuts 716 places (−10.6%), Montpellier Paul-Valéry 457 (−7.2%), Rennes-II 345 (−4.8%). The human and social sciences (SHS) are particularly affected, with a drop in reception capacity of 3.7% on average. In reverse, Paris-Saclay is opening 415 additional places (+12%), illustrating a logic of concentration of resources for the benefit of centers of excellence, to the detriment of local universities.
Focus
A UNIVERSITY MAP THAT IS RECOMPOSED
Concentration of resources vs. local universities
−5 700
places suppressed in 2026
−2 %
of national reception capacity
Points clés
- The SHS concentrate the largest declines: −3.7% capacity on average.
- Overseas universities are among the most vulnerable: Mayotte – 16.7%, Guyana – 4.9%.
- Paris-Saclay (+415) and Versailles Saint-Quentin (+139) are exceptions, benefiting from a logic of centers of excellence.
Source: Parcoursup / MESR – 2026
Read also: Who still finances the university?
This new wave of closures comes as Cneser warns about the budgetary situation of higher education and as the University Funding Conference is being held, the conclusions of which are still awaited. For tens of thousands of high school students, the question is more immediate: will there be a place for them at university next school year?
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