Abstract. We show that K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy can be used as a sensitive probe of electron correlations in V₂O₃. This is possible thanks to a detailed study of the V K pre-edge region while changing the thermodynamic parameters of the system. LDA+DMFT provides an interpretation of the changes in the electronic structure, in particular in the upper Hubbard band, at the Mott transition. The possibility of modifying the Coulomb interaction and observing the metal-insulator transition by applying an external pressure is also demonstrated, which is of particular interest for the study of many strongly correlated materials.