International Study Programmes

Centrale Nantes offers a wide range of degree programmes taught in English for international students at undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate level.

 

Choose your degree programme or exchange

Bachelor's

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

A three-year programme comprising two years of core curriculum courses and a final year which focuses on a choice of either Mechanical Engineering, Fluids and Energy, Civil Engineering or Signal Control and Robotics. The BSc offers its graduates the opportunity to pursue their studies with a Master's or alternatively to join the workforce upon graduation.
 

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Master's

Master of Science (MSc) Programmes and Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters

Centrale Nantes offers of a wide variety of MSc programmes, which combine high-level theoretical training with valued professional skills. Marine technology, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, control and robotics, ... Centrale Nantes's Master of Science (MSc) Programmes are all fully accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research and give full access to PhD studies in France or abroad.

Five Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees, recognized for their quality and excellence by the European Union, are also available.
 

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Integrated Master-PhD Track

Centrale Nantes offers high-potential students the opportunity to join our 'two plus three'-year Integrated Master-PhD Track. This track draws on the areas of excellence of our research institutes and our existing MSc programmes. It is designed to give students wider exposure to research activities during their two-year Master's programme - ideal preparation for those who wish to pursue their studies for a further three years at PhD level.
 

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Engineering Programme - double degree

Double Degree Programme

International students selected by our partner institutions abroad to follow a double degree programme at Centrale Nantes during their studies spend two years here within the engineering programme. Successful completion of the course leads to the award of the diplôme d'ingénieur - equivalent to a Master's Degree in Science and Engineering - in addition to the degree of the home institution.
 

• Course details
• Apply here

Exchanges

Exchange Year / Semester

International students selected by our partner institutions abroad have the opportunity to spend a semester or a year of their studies at Centrale Nantes.

A selection of English-taught BSc or MSc courses or our final-year French-taught engineering programme courses - are on offer within this framework to obtain ECTS credits.

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Research Internship

Centrale Nantes also welcomes international students from our partner institutions within our research laboratories for 4- to 6-month research projects or internships. Interested students are advised to contact the head of the relevant academic discipline directly.

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PhD

PhD opportunities are available across numerous disciplines in the six different laboratories at Centrale Nantes.

• Why choose a PhD?
• Your contacts

What our students say

Doha, who joined Centrale Nantes from Centrale Casablanca for her final year, shares her experience as an international student in this Campus France video.

Video transcript

In this video, Doha switches between English, French and Arabic
 

[music]
 

[Doha, in English] Welcome to Nantes, one of the most popular cities among students in France.
 

[On-screen text: Centrale Nantes – 8.48 am. Doha is moving around the campus]
 

[Doha, in English] Today I’m taking you with me to Centrale Nantes. It take me only 15 minutes to walk to school. So let’s go!
 

[Doha, in French] Coming to study in France wasn’t a coincidence. My math teacher in Morocco was talking about the Centrale group. For me, it was the prestige of the schools that truly shaped the history of engineering.
 

[On-screen text: Salam !]
 

[Doha, in Arabic] Hello! My name is Doha, I’m 22 years old, and I’m from Casablanca, Morocco.
 

[On-screen text:  Master of Science in Engineering]
 

[Doha, in English] I came here to France to earn my engineering degree here at Centrale Nantes. Ever since high school I have always wanted to be an engineer.
 

[The camera follows a trolley on a research platform; Doha retrieves the item being carried by the trolley]
 

Because it’s a very prestigious field in Morocco, especially for women. So that’s why after high school, I have done ‘les classes préparatoires’. And then, Centrale Casablanca.

I always wanted to do an international experience for my last year, because I always thought that it would be interesting for my final year internship.
 

[Doha walks along the artificial pitch at Centrale Nantes]
 

[Doha, in English] Why Nantes, you may ask. Well, my uncle did his PhD here, especially here at Centrale Nantes and he told me it was an amazing experience. So I followed my heart and I don't regret it.
 

[Doha is now at the Centrale Nantes Fablab, which houses a range of machines]
 

[Doha, in English] What really sets this place apart is how hands on it is. We don't just do theory or math. Today we are printing 3D models in the computer so that we can print them right after that.
 

[Doha, in French] Even though my career path is more focused on management and industry, I think it’s essential to stay in touch with the machines, especially during engineering studies, so that you can understand and lead teams in the future.
 

[On-screen text: Jules Verne Manufacturing Academy – 3.12 pm]
 

[Doha, in French] Saying that you’re a Centralian opens up incredible opportunities. At the school’s career fair, I immediately lined uf interviews form my internship.
 

[Doha, in English] The building is super accessible for students so that we can work whenever we want and under the best conditions.
 

[Doha is in a computer room, chatting with two students]
 

[On-screen text :United States of America, Serbia, Portugal, Japan]
 

[Doha, in French] What’s great about Centrale is the diversity. I have friends from all over the world here. It’s an ongoing exchange. Most importantly, there’s a real sense of solidarity, we help and support each other. Individual grades are less important than moving forward together.
 

[On-screen text: Hangar à bananes – 5.21 pm]
 

[Doha stands facing the Loire]
 

[Doha, in English] One funny thing that really surprised me is how much French people love their pets.  All my friends here have a cat or a dog. Literally. You can meet someone here. The first question is what’s your name? And the second one is what’s your cat’s name?
 

[Doha is strolling past the ',machines de l’ïle'; behind her, you can see a large mechanical elephant]
 

[Doha, in French] At first, I was hesitant. Because Nantes isn’t Paris. But actually, I love this city.  It’s laid-back, less stressful, and perfect for students.
 

[Doha is sitting on the terrace of a café with some friends]
 

[Doha, in French] In fact, in France, overall, there are many benefits for us students: free museum, financial support for students. And what always amazes me is that you can travel freely all over Europe. It lets you enjoy life to 100%.
 

[Doha stands in front of the yellow crane in Nantes, a landmark of the city]
 

[Doha, in English] If I had to give a piece of advice to student who’s hesitant to take the plunge, I tell them not to be afraid. I saw this quote on social media that says: In your twenties, move, you can always move back.
 

[Doha, in French] And honestly, that really speaks to me. Because here in France, you can get high-level engineering education, but you can also have the chance to discover yourself, and it makes all the difference.
 

[On-screen text: Comme and join the 400 000 international students in France. Campus France.]

What our Master's graduates say

Meet Master's graduates Leyun, Jefimija, Cecilia, Souvik, Jack, Nabanko and Harishankar who look back on their time with us and share their advice on graduation day 2025.

Video transcript

Looking to elevate your career? 
Reinvent engineering at Centrale Nantes with a Master of Science in: Marine Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Control and Robotics, Civil Engineering

Open to:
Bachelor holders in a relevant field in Science and Technology, 
Fluent English (e.g. TOEFL IBT 80)
Good level of mathematics

Why did you choose Centrale Nantes?

Jefimija (from Serbia) MSc Control & Robotics: "I chose Centrale Nantes because my supervisor from Serbia finished her PhD here and she recommended me this school."

Nabanko (from India) MSc Mechanical Engineering: "We have a lot of opportunities for jobs regarding any of the companies or organizations, big organizations."

Leyun (from China) MSc Mechanical Engineering: "Centrale Nantes came out with other candidates with the well structured course curriculum. I choose Centrale Nantes."

Harishankar (from India) MSc Marine Technology: "Because this was the program I wanted to follow. The course structure was similar to what I wanted to learn and also the because of the reputation of Centrale across France"

Souvik (from India) MSc Control & Robotics: "Because it's quite international with its reputation across the globe and has lot of connections across industries and good research labs"

Cecilia (from Mexico) MSc Control & Robotics: "I always wanted to come and live in France and study here. When I researched about the school I really liked everything that they offer and I was really happy to join"

Jack (from Ireland) MSc Mechanical Engineering: "I decided to do a Master's in Nantes and that was the first place I decided. I sent my application and I got it."

Access to experimental platforms for practical classes and research projects: ocean tanks, test benches, supercomputer, autonomous vehicles and drones, etc.

Help to finance your studies
- partial tuition fee waivers for the most promising applicants
- early bird tuition fee reductions
- paid internships in the M2 year 

A welcoming and inclusive environment

What helped you feel at home here?

Cecilia: "They had some introduction days and they explained a lot about how is the school here, the exams and just in general who to ask your questions and also the international office. I think they were really helpful with all my questions even if they were very simple."

A rich student life: 2,300 students; 80 nationalities; green campus 15 minutes from the city centre

Best thing about living in Nantes? 

Souvik: "I enjoy the lovely nature around in the campus and around the city. The city is quite a student city and friendly city. There are a lot of monuments, buildings, historical sites that I enjoyed and visiting. So I would say that it welcomes a lot of people around the world and it's quite welcoming."

Jefimija: "Nature like parks and rivers but also the machines in the city center."

Nabanko: "It's close to Atlantic Ocean, so you can generally move to like a sea area to enjoy the view in the weekends."

Harishankar: "Because it was really close to nature and also the people are very nice here. It's very easy to interact with them and make friends."

Leyun: "I do dancing and the local dance team helped me a lot to feel blended in and and I enjoy a lot the life here."

Jack: "Just making friends. I love making friends. I played rugby with the school team and with a different team in Nantes."

Exciting Career opportunities: Over 90% of our Master’s graduates remain in Europe for their first job or PhD.
France offers excellent prospects for non-European students who wish to remain in the country after completing their Master’s degree.

What are you doing now/next?

Leyun: "Currently I'm in my first year of my PhD and after 3 years I will graduate from there and I will jump into the job market."

Cecilia: "I just got a job offer in a lab in the east of France. So hopefully I will be joining that."

Harishankar: "I started a PhD at TU Delft in the civil engineering department. I'm working with floating offshore wind turbines"

Jack: "I'm working as an engineer in at home in Ireland."

What would you tell future applicants? 

Souvik: "Come with an open mind to learn a new culture, integrate with the crowd and also at the same time focus on your academics and go for a holistic environment for development."

Harishankar: "If you have a programme that you like, just go for it and I'm pretty sure it will be very nice."

Cecilia: "Work hard. Don't leave things till the last minute and just enjoy because for many people, this is the last time they're going to be studying."

Jefimija: "Believe in yourself and enjoy Nantes as much as possible."

How would you sum up your experience?

Cecilia: "Enriching."

Harishankar: "Exceptional, multicultural."

Nabanko: "Super! The ways the faculty taught every subject, every core subject in my specialization has given me in-depth knowledge and great confidence to move forward."

Jefimija: "It was hard work and I had to go outside of my comfort zone."

Jack: "Hard. Very difficult. But if I can do it, anyone can do it."

Over 100 years of history as a member of the prestigious Ecoles Centrale Group
Ranked in the top 10 engineering schools in France (L'Etudiant 2026)
102nd in the world for mechanical engineering - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
308th in the world for engineering - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025

Join an active network of over 20 000 alumni!
Learn more: https://www.ec-nantes.fr/english-version/study/masters?l=1

A big thank you to our 2025 graduates: Leyun, Jefimija, Cecilia, Souvik, Jack, Nabanko and Harishankar for their interviews at the graduation ceremony. 

Why choose Centrale Nantes for your degree abroad?