MSc Mechanical Engineering
Computational Mechanics (M-ENG CM)

Programme Objectives

This specialism develops skills in advanced techniques in scientific computing at the interface between scientific disciplines for the modelling of mechanical engineering problems.

The courses cover the modelling and numerical simulation of complex mechanical systems (both fluid and solid) involving a possible coupling of different physics at different scales. The training is based on a global approach towards the issues associated with numerical modelling, from the construction of models and their discretization to the numerical resolution of discrete models, and to the mathematical analysis of models and approximation methods.

The programme of study lasts two academic years - denoted by M1 and M2. Computational Mechanics is one of four specialisms available as part of the MSc Mechanical Engineering programme. The language of instruction is English across the two years.

This MSc programme is fully accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.

 

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Students enrolled in the M1 year are eligible to apply for the Joint Master Programme in Computational Mechanics and spend their M2 year at Universitat Politecnicà de Catalunya (UPC) in Barcelona.
 

Course Content

30 ECTS Credits per semester.
Language of instruction: English
 

M1 Year - 2023/24
 
Autumn Semester Courses ECTS Spring Semester Courses ECTS
Continuum Mechanics 5 Probability and Statistics 5
Fluid Mechanics 5 Numerical Analysis 5
Algorithmics for Engineering Modelling 4 Structural Mechanics 5
Numerical Methods 5 Fluid Mechanics 2 5
Vibrations and Differential Equations 5 Programming and Algorithmics 5
Business Environment 4 Conferences and Initiation to Research 3
Modern Languages * 2 Modern Languages * 2
Conferences 0

* '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 - 2023/24
Autumn Semester Courses ECTS
Computational Configurational Mechanics 3
Computational methods for incompressible flows 3
Domain decomposition and iterative solvers 4
Extended Finite Element Method and level set techniques 4
Model Reduction 3
Numerical methods for simulation of coupled problems 4
Numerical methods for uncertainty quantification  3
Physical modelling of fluids 4
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
 
Spring Semester ECTS
Master thesis / internship                                    30
 

Examples of previous internships in industry:

  • Optimization of mechanical modelling tools (Areva)
  • Numerical modelling of smart composite structures (Ifstarr)
  • Improved workpiece design loop structures in thermoplastics for the automobile industry
 

Examples of previous internships in research labs:

  • Aerodynamic simulation of a wind turbine (LHEEA)
  • Development of optimization algorithms on tensor manifolds exploiting their fiber bundle structures (GeM Institute).
  • Numerical simulation of composite impregnation using reactive resine (Mines Albi)
Skills developed
  • Model solids and fluid flow problems
  • Use advanced numerical and scientific techniques to discretize and solve mechanical problems
  • Master the mathematical analysis of models and approximation methods.
 

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 | M-ENG CM 2022/2023

Facilities and Partnerships

Faculty and Research Facilities

This Master relies on the Centrale Nantes’ faculty, staff and research facilities of the GeM Institute, the Jean Leray laboratory, the LHEEA Laboratory and the LS2N Institute.

Partnerships

Airbus, Renault, Faurecia, Solvay, IFREMER, CETIM
 
Admissions
 
  • Apply online on the eCandidat platform
  • 2023/24 intake: applications closed
  • 2024/25 intake: applications will open in October 2023
 
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.



Important dates for the 2023 intake

M1 | Round 1 M1 | Round 2 M1 | Round 3 M2 | Round 1 M2 | Round 2
Submit your complete application by 14 December 28 February 30 April 30 March 30 April
You will be notified of the outcome of your application by 27 January 24 March 26 May 28 April 26 May
Accept your place by 14 February 10 April 11 June 11 May 10 June
Pay your first tuition installment by 31 March 25 May 15 June 30 May 15 June
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 pass a recognised international test of English*:
    • TOEFL - IBT 80, or ITP 550, paper-delivered test 60,
    • Cambridge B2 First Test - 173 or higher,
    • Cambridge C1 Advanced Test - 160 or higher,
    • IELTS - 6.5 or higher,
    • 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 Master's programme can apply for the second year Master's programme.

Language of instruction

Fully taught in English.
Required documents

When applying for a Centrale Nantes Master's 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
Apply online on the eCandidat platform
 

How to use the eCandidat platform:

 

Your application in 5 easy steps:

Contact and admissions support

Master's Admission Office

master.admission@ec-nantes.fr
Tel: +33.2.40.37.68.36 / 33.2.40.37.68.51

Chinese students: lichunlai@ec-nantes.cn
Indian students: application@galaxy-edu.com

Tuition fees and financing

Fees for non-European students:

  • Master 1 year: €9,000
  • Master 2 year: €6,000

A reduction of €1,500 for the first year of study is granted to non European international students who make their first tuition payment within one month of being offered a place on the programme.


Fees for European students:

€243 per year


Scholarships

Different scholarships are available for students enrolling in a Master's Programme at Centrale Nantes:
 
  • Centrale Nantes Elite Scholarship
  • Government scholarships
  • Inter-government scholarships
  • Industry scholarships
  • Scholarships from organisations
  • European Programmes
After the MSc

Career Prospects

  • Sectors: Aeronautics, Automotive, Transportation, Wind and Marine Energy, Energy, Software, Consulting
  • Fields: Mechanical Engineering, Design, Research and Innovation
  • Positions: Computational Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Research and Innovation Engineer (post PhD)

Where are they now?

► Find out what our recent MSc graduates are doing now
What our students / graduates say

Read what our students and graduates have to say about the programme: coming soon

Meet the Programme Supervisors

Nicolas Chevaugeon, M2 Programme Supervisor M-ENG CM

Christian Burtin, M1 Programme Supervisor M-ENG

Patrick Rozycki, Programme Supervisor M-ENG

Patrick Rozycki is a professor in Rigid Bodies Dynamics, Crash and Impact and Composite Materials at Centrale Nantes. His research mainly involves identifying and modelling composite behaviour from quasi-static to dynamic loading, including environmental effects (temperature and air conditions).

He is the Assistant Dean of Studies for Master Programmes and Programme Supervisor for the Master of Science programmes in Mechanical Engineering
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 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.


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 22, 2023