Master of Science (MSc) Control and Robotics
Advanced Robotics

The MSc at a glance

  • 2-year fully accredited master’s degree
  • Fully taught in English
  • Open to applicants with a bachelor's degree or equivalent, in a field related to Science and Technology
  • M1 & M2 entry
  • 6-month Master's thesis/internship
  • Next intake: every year in September

Interested in applying?

Find out about eligibility, application deadlines, English-language requirements, tuition fees and funding opportunities for Centrale Nantes MSc programmes.
 
About the programme
 
  • The main objective of the MSc in Advanced Robotics (CORO IMARO) is to master the modelling and control of complex robots evolving in dynamic environments by using proprioceptive and exteroceptive perception.
  • The focus is on advanced robotics, but more generally the specialism deals with modern techniques in systems engineering for the modelling, simulation, optimisation, analysis, and control of a variety of robotics systems.
  • It also takes into account the modelling and perception of the environment.
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 quality of this MSc in Advanced Robotics has been recognized by the European Union through the creation of two Erasmus Mundus programmes: the Japan-Europe Master on Advanced Robotics (JEMARO, Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters) and the European Master on Advanced Robotics (EMARO+ Erasmus Mundus programme).

Our Master of Science (MSc) programmes in Control and Robotics are fully accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space. 

Customise your programme

Students enrolled in the M1 year are eligible to apply for the EMARO Joint MSc Programme and spend their M2 year at the University of Genoa, Italy.
 

Students applying for this MSc programme can also apply to join the Integrated Master-PhD track, which brings together the two years of the Master's degree and three years of PhD studies. The Integrated Master-PhD track is designed to give high-potential students exposure to research activities from the M1 year.

 


Meet the Programme Supervisors

Olivier Kermorgant, M2 Programme Supervisor, Programme Supervisor Control and Robotics

Olivier Kermorgant is a graduate of Centrale Paris, with a PhD from Inria Rennes-Bretagne Atlantique. His career history includes a teaching position at Télécom Physique Strasbourg and a research engineer position at IRT Jules Verne, working on the prototyping of an autonomous mobile robot in the ship industry. Since 2015 he has been an associate professor at Centrale Nantes and a researcher in the LS2N in the ARMEN team.

Elwan Héry, M1 Programme Supervisor Control and Robotics 

 

Elwan Héry is an associate professor at Centrale Nantes and at the LS2N (Laboratory of Digital Sciences of Nantes) in the ARMEN team (Autonomous Robots and Control of Interactions with the Environment). His main research interests are in perception, localization and mapping for autonomous vehicles and mobile robots.

Course Content

30 ECTS Credits per semester.
Language of instruction: English
 

M1 Year
M1 Year 2026/27
Autumn Semester Courses ECTS Spring Semester Courses ECTS
Advanced and Robot Programming 4 Computer Vision 4
Artificial Intelligence 6 Dynamic Model Based Control 4
Classical Linear Control 5 Mobile Robots 5
Mechanical Design Methods in Robotics 4 Optimization Techniques  5
Modelling of Manipulators 4 Software Architecture for Robotics 4
Signal Processing  5 Group Project 6
Modern Languages * 2 Modern Languages * 2

* 'French as 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
M2 Year 2026/27
Autumn Semester Courses ECTS
Advanced modelling of robots 6
Task-based control 6
Research methodology 4
Autonomous vehicle ± 4
Advanced visual geometry ± 4
Optional kinematic design ± 4
Soft robot modelling ± 4
Aerial and maritime drones ± 4
Modern Languages * 2

* 'French as Foreign Language' except for French native speakers who will study 'Cultural and Communicational English' or Spanish (depending on sufficient demand).
± Elective courses (choose 3 out of 5)
NB Course content may be subject to minor changes

 
M2 Year 2026/27
Spring Semester ECTS
Master thesis / internship 30
 

Examples of previous internships:

  • Off-road rover transversability
  • Epileptic seizure detection based on ECG signal processing
  • MPC-based control of a cable suspended load using multiple UAVs
  • Stiffness analysis of a surgical robot designed for otological endoscopic surgery
  • Decision making for autonomous driving in urban environments
  • Intuitive task coordination with a humanoid robot
  • Online trajectory planning to avoid dynamic obstacles for a 7-DoF robot arm
  • Design and test of a TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) Delivery System handle actuation module

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
  • Master the different fields of advanced robotics and intelligent robots (Kinematic and dynamic modeling, Dynamic control, Dedicated computing, Perceptual organs, Mechanical design).
  • Take a global approach to the design and implementation of robotic systems in their environment.
  • Have a frame of reference of application cases in fast-growing sectors (production robotics, autonomous vehicle, humanoid robotics, etc.)

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
Contribution to sustainable development goals
SDG 8 - DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

SDG 9 - INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

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

Download syllabus | Control and Robotics - Advanced Robotics

Facilities and Research

Faculty and Research Facilities

This Master of Science (MSc) programme in Control and Robotics relies on Centrale Nantes faculty and the research facilities of the Laboratory of Digital Sciences of Nantes (LS2N).

Focus on unique resources

The students have access to LS2N research facilities - autonomous vehicles, drones (airborne / underwater), robotic arms, parallel robots, cable robots etc. - typically during their first year project work or second year thesis.

Autonomous Vehicles

 

The "Autonomous Vehicles" research facility allows the LS2N to integrate and evaluate the approaches under development in autonomous mobile robotics around the themes of environment perception, understanding of scenarios and multi-sensor referenced control. The platform includes 3 instrumented vehicles (sensors, computers and man-machine interfaces), 2 of which are fully robotized by the "Drive-by-wire" robotization kit developed by the ARMEN research group in the LS2N.

Cable-driven parallel robots

 

 

This platform consists of five cable robot demonstrators and a set of end-effectors and sensors. The platform is designed to experimentally validate work on the design, modelling, identification and control of cable robots.


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 a total of 13 research platforms, some of which are unique in France, and modern and varied sports facilities, the Kivo incubator and vibrant student life.

► Learn more about the campus

After the MSc

Where are our Control & Robotics graduates now?

Survey conducted in 2024 of our 2022 Master of Science (MSc) Control & Robotics graduates, 47% of whom are currently in employment and 44% pursuing a PhD.  

Image transcript

Job/PhD search duration:

  • 73% find their first job in 3 months or less
  • 87% secured their PhD in less than 6 months

Country of origin

  • France - 26%
  • Asia Pacific - 35%
  • Europe other - 16%
  • Africa - 13%
  • Middle East - 10%

Current country of residence

  • France - 65%
  • Europe other - 26%
  • Asia Pacific - 6%
  • Americas - 3%
 
  • 60% earn a starting salary in excess of €40K
  • 67% joined the company where they interned for their Master's thesis
  • 80% have a permanent work contract
  • 93% recommend the programme

Career Prospects

  • Sectors: Aeronautics, Automotive, Transportation, Wind and Marine Energy, Materials Producers, Consulting
  • Fields: Mechanical Engineering, Robotics engineering, Design, Materials, Advanced Processes, Manufacturing, Research and Innovation

Examples of companies where our 2022 Advanced Robotics graduates are working: And of the positions they hold:
  • Data Scientist
  • Consultant
  • AI Software Engineer
  • Consultant
  • Research Engineer in Robotics

PhD opportunities

Recent graduates have pursued their studies after the MSc with a PhD in various French research institutes including: IRISA, Inria Sophia, Leonardo Labs, I3S, LS2N, LAMIH, Inria Rennes.

Why choose this MSc

Five reasons why you should choose the Master of Science (MSc) in Advanced Robotics at Centrale Nantes:

 
  • State-of-the-art approaches to robotics fields, including modeling, control and perception
  • Strong ties with both industrial and academic ecosystems
  • Fully taught in English for a cohort of international students
  • Centrale Nantes is ranked 355th in the world for Engineering and Technology - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026
  • Accredited Master of Science (MSc) preparing for a PhD in France or abroad or for direct entry into the workplace

What our students / graduates say
Video Transcript

Meet Our Graduates, Maab, Class of 2024

Why did you decide to join the MSc Programme in Advanced Robotics at Centrale Nantes?
I didn’t do robotics in my bachelor’s, but I did my graduation project in robotics. I chose Nantes because I wanted collaboration between control and robotics, and that’s what I found in the programme in Nantes. On top of that, the university has different partnerships with different European countries as well as with other universities here, in France or Europe. The last thing is the international vibes; there are different students, different cultures. I like this and that’s why I applied for the programme.

How was the programme for you?
In general, I would say I enjoyed it. Of course, there were challenges at the beginning because I studied new things that I didn’t study during my bachelor’s. But the professors were helping, in the labs they were helpful to make us understand more. In general, it was very good, my experience in the programme. There were some challenges, but everything has good and bad sides. Finally, as I said, it paid off, all that hard work.

What about student life in Nantes?
Very good, actually. Nantes feels like it’s a student city. Many schools, many universities, the culture, international students … It’s easy, the transport, it’s not very expensive compared to other cities in France. There are also many special offers for students. The living costs are not expensive. In general, the student life is very good.

What are your plans for the future?
Currently I’m searching for opportunities as a researcher or for PhD positions, but I didn’t find anything yet.

Any advice for future applicants?
I would advise you to not just focus on the academics. It’s important, but try to experience Nantes, discover France, especially if you are coming from a different country and this is your first opportunity to come to Europe. Try to enjoy, make new friends, not just all the focus on academics.

Centrale Nantes in three words?
Diversity – experience - challenge
Video Transcript

Meet Our Graduates, Kevin, Class of 2024

Why did you decide to join the MSc Programme in Advanced Robotics at Centrale Nantes?
I chose this programme because I always wanted to study robotics. It was always my dream so when I started researching into schools where I could pursue this Master’s programme, I found Centrale Nantes and I thought it was the perfect opportunity for me.

How was the programme for you?
The programme itself was really challenging. But I like a challenge, I really enjoyed it. The classes were entertaining for me, because that’s what I like. That’s what I enjoy. But working in robotics is not so easy. You really have to like it, as I do.

What about student life in Nantes?
There are many international students on the Master’s programme so it was really interesting to get to know people from different countries in the world. So far, I hadn’t really met people from Europe. I’m from Mexico, so it was my first chance to actually meet people from Europe and get to know them and their cultures. Hanging out in the city, there are a lot of students in this city, so it’s quite beautiful.

What are your plans for the future?
Well right now, I started a PhD last October, so that’s what I’m doing now. After that, I don’t know what I’ll do. I’m doing it at Centrale Nantes as well, in the LS2N lab.

Any advice for future applicants?
Enjoy your classes, have fun, but also study a lot because you never know when you’re gonna need all that you studied.

Centrale Nantes in three words?
High quality education.


Published on March 25, 2017 Updated on September 21, 2026

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