MSc Marine Technology
Atlantic Master on Ship Operation & Naval Engineering (M-TECH AMASONE)

Programme Objectives

Through this specialism in Marine Technology students will develop skills in naval engineering to become engineers experienced in ship operations.

Two of the top French Technical Universities (Ecole Navale in Lanvéoc-Poulmic and Centrale Nantes) have teamed up to offer you a unique programme in Marine Technology. The outstanding strength of this MSc programme is that you will have on-board training sessions on French Navy vessels. The insight gained into on-board practices, use of complex equipment and immersion into rapidly evolving knowledge and techniques is highly valuable for a naval engineer, and of course, highly regarded by industrial employers.

The programme of study lasts two academic years - denoted by M1 and M2 and is taught in English. It comprises three study semesters followed by a paid Master's thesis / internship in the final semester. The M1 year is taught wholly on the Centrale Nantes campus. Students will move to the Ecole Navale site in Lanvéoc-Poulmic near Brest for the first semester of the M2 year.

Our Master's programmes in Marine Technology are fully accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
 

See our other Master's programmes in Marine Technology

Contribution to sustainable development goals

 
SDG 7 - AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

SDG 9 - INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Learn more about Centrale Nantes' commitment to the 17 sustainable development goals

Course Content

30 ECTS Credits per semester.
Language of instruction: English
 

M1 Year
 
M1 Year 2025/26
Autumn Semester Courses ECTS Spring Semester Courses ECTS
Fluid Mechanics 1 5 Fluid Mechanics 2 5
Algorithmics for Engineering Modelling 4 Energetics 5
Maritime and Navigation Knowledge 5 Marine Hydrodynamics 2 5
Numerical Methods 5 Propulsion 5
Marine Hydrodynamics 1 5 Labs in Propulsion Systems 3
Tools and Methods for Research 1 4 Thermal Machines 5
Modern Languages * 2 Conferences 0
Modern Languages * 2


* 'French as Foreign Language' except for French native speakers who will study 'Cultural and Communicational English'.

NB Course content may be subject to minor changes

M2 Year
M2 Year 2025/26
Autumn Semester Courses ECTS
 Training on Ship  4
 Maritime Initiation and Leadership  4
 Knowledge of Marine Environment  4
 Acoustics  3
 Hydrodynamics (basics)  3
 Hydrodynamics (advanced)  4
 Labs in Hydrodynamics #  4
 Electrical Propulsion  2
 Modern Languages *  2
 Project  0
 Conferences  0


* 'French as Foreign Language' except for French native speakers who will study English.
# Course taught on the Centrale Nantes campus over one full week in December (accommodation and transport provided)

NB Course content may be subject to minor changes

 
M2 Year 2025/26
Spring Semester ECTS
Master thesis / internship                                    30
 

Examples of previous internships:

  • CMA CGM: Container maintenance and repair assistant
  • Naval Group: Dynamic analysis of shaft lines
  • Saipem SA: Installation methods in Subsea Engineering Team
  • Chantiers de l'atlantique (shipyard): Contingency management in an offshore substation production workshop

NB Internships undertaken in France are strictly regulated and are only open to current full-time students of an accredited educational institution. Interns are entitled to all the rights guaranteed to regular employees (such as social protection and redress mechanisms). For internships that exceed two months in duration a minimum level of remuneration is set by the government, at approximately €600 per month. In some professional branches, this amount may be higher.

Skills developed
  • Model and understand the concepts of naval hydrodynamics
  • Master the energetic and propulsion systems on ships
  • Integrate the human and technical constraints of operational maritime implementation
 

In addition to the above specialism-specific skills, students will also develop more general skills:
 

  • Identify models, perform simulation and analyse results
  • Communicate comprehensive results in a meaningful way
  • Undertake bibliographic surveys of international research and professional literature
  • Manage or be part of a project

Download syllabus | Marine Technology - Atlantic Master on Ship Operation & Naval Engineering

Facilities and Partnerships

Faculty and Research Facilities

This Marine Technology programme relies on the faculties of Centrale Nantes and the Ecole Navale and of the research platforms at the Research Laboratory in Hydrodynamics, Energetics & Atmospheric Environment (LHEEA) Laboratory and the IRENav Institute.

Focus on unique resources

Hydrodynamic and ocean engineering tank

50 m long by 30 m wide and 5 m deep, the hydrodynamic and ocean engineering tank is equipped with a segmented wave beater composed of 48 independent flaps to generate directional waves. This tank is used for small-scale physical simulation of floating systems, navigating or anchored in open seas (ships, MRE systems or oil platforms). Due to its size and generation capacity, it is currently the largest tank in France for this type of study.

 

Towing tank

The towing tank at Centrale Nantes is 140 m-long, 5 m-wide and 3 m deep. It is equipped with a towing carriage able to move in both directions, at speeds up to 8 m/s. At one end of the tank, a wave maker generates waves with heights up to 0.5 m. It is the second largest towing tank in France, the largest in an academic setting. The tank is used to test the resistance of ships to forward motion, with or without swell, and therefore to optimise hulls, the seaworthiness of ships or floating structures, cable towing, and also marine renewable energy.

 

At Centrale Nantes students also have access to the recirculating canal and the engine test benches.

At Ecole Navale students have access to the IRENav Cavitation Tunnel (pictured below)

External Partners

  • MAN Energy Solution France (external lecturer)
  • ENSM (external lecturers)
Admissions
 
  • Apply online on the eCandidat platform
  • 2025/26 intake:
    M1 applications open on 30 October
    M2 applications open on 15 February
Application process

Application rounds

  • Applications are reviewed in rounds. M1 applicants may apply in any of the three M1 rounds, and M2 applicants in either of the two M2 rounds. Applications should be submitted on the eCandidat platform as early as possible, but before the deadlines below;
  • Applications are not considered 'complete' until all required elements are submitted. Only complete applications received by the round's deadline will be considered in that round;
  • The admissions board reviews applications at the conclusion of each round and notifies each applicant of the outcome of their application;

Accepting your place

  • Successful applicants must accept their place on the eCandidat platform by the deadlines below;
  • The first installment of tuition fees must be paid by the deadlines below to definitively secure the applicant's place on the programme.
Deadlines for the 2025-26 intake
M1 | Round 1 M1 | Round 2 M1 | Round 3 M2 | Round 1 M2 | Round 2
Submit your complete application by 15 Dec 23 Feb 28 Apr 31 Mar 28 Apr
You will be notified of the outcome of your application by 17 Jan 21 Mar 23 May 25 Apr 23 May
Accept your place by 17 Feb 21 Apr 15 Jun 25 May 15 Jun
Pay your first tuition installment by .... to qualify for a reduction in tuition fees (international non-European students) 17 Feb   * 21 Apr ** N/A 25 May *** N/A
Pay your first tuition installment by .... with no reduction in tuition fees 17 Mar 21 May 15 Jun 15 Jun 15 Jun


Early Bird Applications
 

  • * A reduction of €1,500 for the M1 study year is granted to non European international students who apply during the first admissions round and make their first tuition payment within one month of being offered a place on the programme.
  • ** A reduction of €500 for the M1 study year is granted to non European international students who apply during the second admissions round and make their first tuition payment within one month of being offered a place on the programme.
  • *** A reduction of €1,500 for the M2 study year is granted to non European international students who apply during the first admissions round and make their first tuition payment within one month of being offered a place on the programme.
Admission requirements

Admission requirements for the first year (M1)

  • International students with a bachelor's degree (Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Technology) or equivalent, in a field related to Science and Technology
  • French and European students with a 'license' qualification or equivalent.
  • Students must have graduated from the above before the end of August in order to enrol in a Master's Programme at Centrale Nantes in September.
  • Applicants must have a good level in Mathematics and be fluent in English - written and spoken. An applicant whose native language is not English is required to submit a certificate, which is no older than three years, for a recognised international test of English:
    • TOEFL - IBT 80, or ITP 550, paper-delivered test 60, TOEFL Home edition is accepted,
    • Cambridge B2 First Test - 173 or higher,
    • Cambridge C1 Advanced Test - 160 or higher,
    • IELTS - 6.5 or higher, IELTS Online test is accepted
    • TOEIC - 800 or higher.
  • Applicants who carried out their studies in English (you must provide an official confirmation letter from your university) are eligible without passing such a test, but providing the results of a recognized international test can add value to the application.
  • Students who completed their studies in the countries listed below are exempted from submitting a language certificate: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, English-speaking Canada, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Jamaica, Kiribati, Liberia, Mauritius, Micronesia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zambia or Zimbabwe.

*no other test is recognised.

Language of instruction

Fully taught in English.


Admission requirements for the second year (M2)

Students who have successfully completed a first year MSc programme can apply for the second year MSc programme. Applicants must be fluent in English - written and spoken:

 
  • An applicant whose native language is not English is required to submit a certificate, which is no older than three years, for a recognised international test of English*:
    • TOEFL - IBT 80, or ITP 550, paper-delivered test 60, TOEFL Home edition is accepted,
    • Cambridge B2 First Test - 173 or higher,
    • Cambridge C1 Advanced Test - 160 or higher,
    • IELTS - 6.5 or higher, IELTS Online test is accepted
    • TOEIC - 800 or higher.
  • Applicants who carried out their studies in English (you must provide an official confirmation letter from your university) are eligible without passing such a test, but providing the results of a recognized international test can add value to the application.
  • Students who completed their studies in the countries listed below are exempted from submitting a language certificate: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, English-speaking Canada, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Jamaica, Kiribati, Liberia, Mauritius, Micronesia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zambia or Zimbabwe.

*no other test is recognised.

Language of instruction

Fully taught in English.

Required documents

When applying for a Centrale Nantes MSc Programme you will be asked to provide the following documents:
 

  • Your official transcripts
  • A CV/Resume and cover letter
  • Your diploma
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Two letters of recommendation - at least one of which must be from an academic professor.
    Letters must be provided on letterhead paper, signed, stamped and with the official contact details of your referees.
  • Your passport or other form of official identification

Your documents must be uploaded in English or French. If the original version of your documents is not in one of these two languages, a certified translation by a sworn translator is required.

Apply online

Apply online on the eCandidat platform

How to use the eCandidat platform:

Contact and admissions support

Master Admission Office

admissionb2c54c5f-c85d-46e0-90a6-63afd6abd1d0@ec-nantes.fr
Tel: +33.2.40.37.68.36 / 33.2.40.37.68.51

Tuition fees and financing

Tuition Fees

International students (non-European)

Tuition fees
Study year Tuition fees
M1 Year | 2025 - 2026   €12,000 - (students starting their M1 year in 2025) *            
M2 Year | 2025 - 2026 €8,000 - (students starting their M2 year in 2025) **
M2 Year | 2026 - 2027 €12,000 - (students starting their M2 year in 2026) **


Early Bird Applications:

  • * A reduction of €1,500 for the M1 study year is granted to non European international students who apply during the first admissions round and make their first tuition payment within one month of being offered a place on the programme.
  • * A reduction of €500 for the M1 study year is granted to non European international students who apply during the second admissions round and make their first tuition payment within one month of being offered a place on the programme.
  • ** A reduction of €1,500 for the M2 study year is granted to non European international students who apply during the first admissions round and make their first tuition payment within one month of being offered a place on the programme.

European students

€254 per year
 

Financing your studies

Centrale Nantes Elite Tuition Fee Waivers

 
  • A limited number of excellence-based partial tuition fee waivers are available for the most promising non-European students accepted into the first-year of an MSc programme at Centrale Nantes. The amounts awarded range from €3,000 to €8,000 per year. Conditions apply.
  • Other funding opportunities may be available via government or industry scholarships for example. 

Learn more about Elite tuition fee waivers and scholarships

Other ways to help you finance your way through your studies:

 
  • Paid 6-month internship
    You will be paid for your 6-month Master's thesis / internship in France. For internships undertaken in France that exceed two months in duration a minimum level of remuneration is set by the government, at approximately €600 per month. In some professional branches, this amount may be higher.
  • Work alongside your studies
    You are entitled to work part-time alongside your studies, to earn some extra money. This option is available for both European and non-European students, but different rules apply. Learn more
  • Help with your rent
    French and international students are eligible to receive financial support (known as APL in French) from the CAF (Caisses d'Allocations Familiales). The CAF is a French government organism that covers part of the monthly cost of rent paid for student accommodation – the allocated amount depends on the type of accommodation and on your income. Learn more (in French)
After the MSc

Where are our Marine Technology graduates now?

Survey conducted in 2024 of our 2022 MSc Marine Technology graduates, 74% of whom are currently in employment and 13% pursuing a PhD. 


 

Image transcript

Job/PhD search duration:

  • 100% find their first job in 3 months or less
  • 33% secured their PhD in less than 3 months

Country of origin

  • France - 40%
  • Asia Pacific - 30%
  • Europe other - 25%
  • Americas - 5%

Current country of residence

  • France - 55%
  • Europe other - 45%
 
  • 80% earn a starting salary in excess of €40K
  • 50% joined the company where they interned for their Master's thesis
  • 88% have a permanent work contract
  • 94% recommend the programme


Career Prospects

The main prospects for employment after the MSc programme lie in ship building and naval architecture, naval engineering, offshore engineering.

Examples of companies where our 2022 AMASONE graduates are working:

And of the positions they hold:
  • Technical superintendent
  • Offshore Installation Methods Manager
  • Subsystem Manager
  • Head of sales
What our students / graduates say

  • Haden | MSc Marine Technology (AMASONE), Class of 2021
    September 30, 2024
    "Project-based courses in my masters helped prepare me for real world projects. The masters program opened many doors and helped me to integrate the naval industry in France."
  • Jacques | MSc Marine Technology (AMASONE), Class of 2022
    August 28, 2024
    "The AMASONE program provided me with comprehensive knowledge of the maritime world, allowing me to specialize in areas that are crucial to my current role."
  • Christian | MSc Marine Technology (AMASONE), Class of 2023
    July 5, 2024
    "I decided to join the Masters program as I was greatly interested in the relation between engineering and marine operations, plus it opened a wide range of job opportunities after graduation... I am currently a Shipmanager at CMA CGM Head Office, Marseille."
  • Spha | MSc Marine Technology (AMASONE), Class of 2025
    March 21, 2024
    "The comprehensive curriculum, cutting-edge research facilities, and strong industry connections offered by Centrale Nantes were pivotal factors in my decision [to join Centrale Nantes]. Additionally, the collaboration with the French Naval Academy adds a unique dimension to the program, providing unparalleled expertise and resources in naval engineering and maritime operations."

Meet the Programme Supervisors

Antoine Ducoin, M1/M2 Programme Supervisor AMASONE

Antoine Ducoin is an associate professor in fluid mechanics. His research focuses on hydrodynamics of lifting profiles and fluid structure interaction. He is involved is various research projects, leading experiments and Navier Stokes simulations (Direct Numerical Simulations) in order to improve the performance of marine propulsors and tidal turbines.

Lionel Gentaz, Programme Supervisor Marine Technology

Lionel Gentaz is Assistant Professor and teaches fluid mechanics, mathematical models and numerical methods (Boundary Element, Finite Difference, Finite Volume) used in Hydrodynamics for Ocean Engineering. His research work focuses on numerical simulation of wave-structure interactions based on low-fidelity or high-fidelity models.

Why choose this MSc?

Five reasons why you should choose the MSc in Atlantic Master on Ship Operation & Naval Engineering at Centrale Nantes:

 
  • Advanced naval engineering training: navigation training in a simulator and marine operations onboard ship
  • Unique research level lab work in the experimental test tank facilities
  • Fully taught in English for a cohort of international students
  • Centrale Nantes is ranked 41st in the world with Nantes Université for Marine/Ocean Engineering according to the Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023
  • Accredited Master of Science (MSc) preparing for a PhD in France or abroad or for direct entry into the workplace

Campus facilities

Centrale Nantes houses 17 buildings on a 40-acre green campus. In addition to the standard facilities of a university campus (classrooms, media library, computer rooms, etc.), it is home to 13 research platforms, some of which are unique in France, and modern and varied sports facilities, the Centrale-Audencia-Ensa incubator and vibrant student life. Facilities on the Centrale Nantes campus:

  • 45 classrooms
  • 6 lecture theatres 
  • 13 computer rooms (with nearly 180 fully equipped PCs and extended opening hours)
  • 1 FabLab
  • 1 media library
  • 6 research institutes
  • Sports and cultural facilities: 1 gymnasium, 1 multisport/dojo hall, squash courts, 1 piano room
  • 1 student house
  • Student halls of residence and accommodation support
  • 1 online platform for students, Onboard, with timetables, grades, attendance management, distance learning and teaching resources,
  • 1 Moodle platform (Hippocampus) with collaborative functionality available to faculty and students (additional resources, working groups, forum, online assessments, etc.).
  • Students also have access to meeting rooms / learning innovation / videoboxes equipped with video projectors, cameras, interactive whiteboards, etc., for their classes, presentation preparation, project work, etc.
  • 1 lifelong email address and an individual digital workspace and storage space, with remote 24H access.

Watch the video for a bird's eye view of campus:
Video transcript

Welcome to one of France’s most prestigious engineering schools.

This is where we prepare the world of tomorrow - a sustainable world where research and teaching inspire each other, where we contribute each and nervy day to meeting the challenges of energy transition, the factory of the future and healthcare.
Welcome to a school which offers more than 400 course combinations, q school where students play an active role in decision making, a diverse school with over 70 nationalities on campus.
Welcome to Centrale Nantes.

Virtual Tour

Explore the campus with its classrooms, research platforms, student life and sports activities: Take the virtual tour

Published on March 25, 2017 Updated on May 14, 2025