Paris Students and Lecturers Demand Higher Education Funding

On September 15, 2026, hundreds of students and lecturers marched through Paris’s Latin Quarter from the Jussieu campus to the Ministry of Higher Education. The protesters called for greater investment in universities and research, opposing planned increases in university tuition fees and advocating for student housing support.

They warned that further cuts and rising costs could exacerbate pressures on an already strained higher education system. The demonstration coincided with the French government's preparation of its 2027 budget amid weak economic growth and rising borrowing costs, with the 2026 growth forecast lowered to 0.5%.

The government is seeking major savings, raising concerns about funding for public services, including universities. For the 2026-27 academic year, France introduced differentiated registration fees for non-European students, with annual charges significantly higher than standard rates.

The rising living costs and limited affordable accommodation options in Paris further threaten students from lower-income backgrounds, prompting broader discussions on the accessibility and support of higher education in France.