Student Begins Hunger Strike After Master’s Program Rejection at Montpellier University

Since he was refused the master’s degree he was aiming for, Mehdi has been on a hunger strike since Friday. On Monday morning, he was still sitting in front of the rectorate, without an answer.

"I did my first three years at the University of Montpellier," says the 25-year-old student to 20 Minutes. "I was refused in the master’s in business law and in the master’s in criminal law, because, I was told, the intake capacities are limited" (about 20 places open per master’s, indicates the same source).

"They proceed with selections, but on opaque criteria. And it’s not just the University of Montpellier, all the universities in France are in this case. Many students give up. This system doesn’t work, and leaves motivated students on the sidelines," denounces Mehdi.

"Beyond Mehdi’s dramatic situation, the problem is also collective," resumes the Montpellier University Combat Union (Scum), which has been relaying the student’s action since Friday. "This year, many students refused in master’s programs have not received any proposal from the rectorate, even though it is a legal obligation," it concludes.