By Jane Marshall. Major university reforms launched by Nicolas Sarkozy after his election as president in 2007 changed the higher education landscape in France for the first time in more than 20 years. Sarkozy had promised during his campaign that university reform would be a priority, in line with his determination to reduce state intervention and encourage initiative, and to make French universities internationally competitive. In the Shanghai university rankings at the time the highest-ranked French institution was placed 40th.
The previous university reorganisation had taken place following the nationwide student revolt in May 1968, which led to the restructuring and democratisation of the system, completed by the 1984 Savary law. More...


