MSc Industrial Engineering
Agile Factory Management (I-ENG AFM)
- Programme Objectives
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This specialism in Industrial Engineering develops skills for agile factory management based on operational research methods and production management approaches, such as lean, adaptive and reactive management. Fundamental approaches for factory design and simulation will be introduced as well as performance assessment. At the conclusion of the course, students should be able to model and simulate production systems, to optimize production systems control strategies and to apply new assessment methods based on simulation and optimization approaches, taking into consideration different kinds of indicators (environmental, social, economical) related to agile factories. There is a strong link with the other Industrial Engineering specialism - Smart and Connected Enterprise
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.
Our Master's programmes in Industrial Engineering are fully accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
► See our other Master's programmes in Industrial EngineeringContribution to sustainable development goals
Webinar replayClick here to view the webinar replay. (NB to access the webinar you have to register your details first).
- Course Content
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30 ECTS Credits per semester.
Language of instruction: English
- M1 Year - 2024/25
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Autumn Semester Course ECTS Spring Semester Course ECTS Statistics and Data Analysis 4 Operations Research 4 Enterprise Modelling 4 Innovation Engineering 4 Introduction to Optimization Methods 4 Introduction to Research 4 Production Management 4 Enterprise 4.0 Processes 4 Discrete-event Simulation 4 Project Management 4 Financial and Economic Aspects for Industrial Engineering 4 Introduction to Information Systems 4 Basics of Computer Science and Mathematics 4 Strategic Management of Sustainable Enterprise 4 Modern Languages * 2 Modern Languages * 2
* 'French as a Foreign language' except for French native speakers who will study 'Cultural and Communicational English' or Spanish (depending on sufficient demand).
NB Course content may be subject to minor changes - M2 Year - 2024/25
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Autumn Semester course ECTS Sustainable Manufacturing 4 Multi-criteria decision making and decision support 4 Artificial Intelligence for Decision Making in Industrial Engineering 4 SCM 4 Project and Conferences 4 Shop Floor Scheduling 4 Integrated design and implementation of CPPS 4 Modern languages * 2
* 'French as a Foreign language' except for French native speakers who will study 'Cultural and Communicational English' or Spanish (depending on sufficient demand).
NB Course content may be subject to minor changes
Spring Semester ECTS Master thesis / internship 30
Master thesis / internshipExamples of previous internships in industry:
- Employee experience and engagement - Danone (France)
- Price forecasting - Michelin (France)
- Supply chain management - L’Oréal (France), ArcelorMittal (France), Nike (Belgium), Ariane Groupe (France), New Look Marine Services (Dubaï)
- Lean Manufacturing - Louis Vuitton (Spain), PSA (France), Aribus (Nantes)
- Data Scientist - Georges Renault (France), Amazon (Luxembourg), Tdf (France)
- ERP configuration/migration - Mansa Sugar (Zambia), Imerys (France)
- Project Manager - DXC Technology (France), L’Oréal (France)
- Product innovation – Huawei (France), Assystem (France), Pernod Ricard (France), Thedush Robotics (India)
Examples of previous internships in research labs:
- Reducing mental-load on assembly lines: augmented reality contribution, LS2N, Nantes
- Interoperability between MES and ERP, LS2N, Nantes
- Management of a fleet of AGV, CRAN, Nancy, France
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
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- Master modeling and simulation of production systems
- Master optimisation methods for production system control
- Master the new concepts and performance indicators of the smart and agile factory
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 | Industrial Engineering - Agile Factory Management
- Facilities and Partnerships
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Faculty and Research Facilities
This Industrial Engineering programme relies on the Centrale Nantes’ faculty, staff and research facilities of the LS2N Research Institute and other faculty members from University of Nantes as well as external speakers from industry.
Focus on unique resources
Smart Factory Platform
"This smart platform offers everything that we could expect from a production system: it is modular, reconfigurable, agile and flexible. It demonstrates the modern concepts of the industry of the future, integrating diversity management, total production traceability and detailed quality monitoring". - Emeritus Professor Alain BernardFlexible assembly lines
This experimental platform located on the IUT campus in Carquefou comprises two separate assembly lines and is part of a production unit for research and teaching purposes that includes a Cartesian robot rack and opto-guided conveyors for loading/unloading workstations.
► Learn more (in French)
- Admissions
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- Apply online on the eCandidat platform
- 2025/26 intake: applications open in autumn 2024
- Application process
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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 2024-25 intake
M1 | Round 1 M1 | Round 2 M1 | Round 3 M2 | Round 1 M2 | Round 2 Submit your complete application by ... 13 Dec 20 Feb 28 Apr 31 Mar 28 Apr You will be notified of the outcome of your application by ... 25 Jan 15 Mar 23 May 25 Apr 23 May Accept your place by ... 8 Feb 29 Mar 6 Jun 9 May 6 Jun Pay your first tuition installment by .... to qualify for a reduction in tuition fees (international non-European students) 25 Feb * 15 Apr ** N/A 25 May *** N/A Pay your first tuition installment by .... with no reduction in tuition fees 25 Mar 15 May 15 Jun 15 Jun 15 Jun
Early Bird Applications 2024-25- * 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
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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.
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:
Admission requirements for the second year (M2)
- 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
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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
- 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
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Apply online on the eCandidat platform
How to use the eCandidat platform:
- Download the user guide
- Connect to eCandidat: https://ecandidat.ec-nantes.fr
- Use the flag (page top right) to select your language.
- Start off by creating your account.
- No application fees.
Contact and admissions support
Master Admission Office
master.admission@ec-nantes.fr
Tel: +33.2.40.37.68.36 / 33.2.40.37.68.51 - Tuition fees and financing
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Tuition Fees
International students (non-European)
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
€243 per year
Financing your studies
Different scholarships are available for students enrolling in a MSc Programme at Centrale Nantes:
Scholarships
- Centrale Nantes Elite Scholarship
- Government scholarships
- Inter-government scholarships
- Industry scholarships
- Scholarships from organisations
- European Programmes
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)
Meet our Industrial Engineering Graduates
- Why choose this MSc?
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Five reasons why you should choose the MSc in Industrial Engineering (Agile factory Management) at Centrale Nantes:
- 1 - Strong links with industry: projects and placements and a curriculum designed to meet industry needs
- 2 - Close collaboration with Nantes Université
- 3 - Fully taught in English for a cohort of international students
- 4 - Centrale Nantes is ranked in the top 300 in the world for engineering according to the Times Higher Education world rankings by subject 2024
- 5 - Accredited Master of Science (MSc) preparing for a PhD in France or abroad or for direct entry into the workplace
- After the MSc
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Pursue your studies
- PhD opportunities at Centrale Nantes - the programme is supported by the Laboratory of Digital Sciences of Nantes - UMR CNRS 6597; ED SIS)
- PhD studies possible anywhere in Europe (international recognition of the master's degree)
Examples of job opportunities:
- Continuous improvement manager
- Consultant in manufacturing digitalisation
- Product owner
- Data analyst in manufacturing
Companies that hired our recent graduates:
- Capgemini
- Michelin
- Accenture
- Dassault Systems
- Expeleo
Where are they now?
► Find out what our recent MSc graduates are doing now - What our students / graduates say
- Sowmya | MSc Industrial Engineering (AFM), Class of 2024June 14, 2024"This master's programme has equipped me so well and so deeply to face the real world industry."
- Nomin | MSc Industrial Engineering (AFM), Class of 2025June 7, 2024"This Master's programme offers a perfect blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, which is essential for a successful career in this field. With 2.5 years of experience in the manufacturing sector as a cost engineer, I believe this programme is an ideal fit for my professional development."
- Jiangmin | MSc Industrial Engineering (AFM), Class of 2025May 30, 2024"Centrale Nantes boasts high-quality alumni and state-of-the-art experimental facilities... The program offers a global perspective and comprehensive industry insights, which are invaluable for your future career"
- Mathan Raj | MSc Industrial Engineering (AFM), Class of 2024May 30, 2024"For new applicants, my advice would be to thoroughly research the program and understand how it aligns with your career goals. Exploit the resources offered by the school, such as networking opportunities with industry professionals and involvement in research projects."
- Meet the Programme Supervisors
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Catherine da Cunha, M2 Programme Supervisor AFM, Programme Supervisor Industrial Engineering
Catherine da Cunha is a Professor of Industrial Engineering at Centrale Nantes. She heads up the CPS3 research team (LS2N). Her main interests are in the area of modelling and simulation, in production as well as in the organizational field. She is particularly interested in the potential of partial or immature information for Mass Customization.Farouk Belkadi, M1 Programme Supervisor AFM
Farouk Belkadi (Dr. Eng. HDR) obtained his Ph.D. in automation and industrial engineering from the University of Franche Comte in 2006. He has been a lecturer at Centrale Nantes since 2013. His main scientific interests are data and knowledge management for decision-making, Enterprise X.0, PLM approach, and the new paradigms of socio-economic and environmental sustainability.
International staff make up two thirds of the Industrial Engineering teaching team. - Campus facilities
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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 media library
- 5 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.
Explore the campus with its classrooms, research platforms, student life and sports activities: Take the virtual tour
Virtual Tour
Programme Supervisor
Catherine da Cunha (catherine.da-cunhaca3755c0-74ef-406e-8a5d-d40d1c6f1eb3@ec-nantes.fr)
Admissions Contact
master.admission@ec-nantes.fr
Apply online
- 2025/26 intake: applications open in autumn 2024
- Apply here
Meet us
We regularly attend education fairs around the world to meet with prospective students and provide information about our study programmes.
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