MSc Mechanical Engineering
Computational Mechanics (M-ENG CM)

NB This specialism is only on offer in the M2 year in from September 2024

Programme Objectives

This specialism in Mechanical Engineering 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 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 Mechanical Engineering are fully accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.

Contribution to sustainable development goals

 

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

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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' or Spanish (depending on sufficient demand).

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' or Spanish (depending on sufficient demand).

NB Course content may be subject to minor changes
 
Spring Semester ECTS
Master thesis / internship                                    30
 

Examples of previous internships

  • Superelement reduction for sequential analysis of offshore wind turbines INNOSEA, Nantes
  • Multiphysics optimisation of fibre reinforced composite material, FAURECIA, St Malo
  • CFD simulation of gas-droplets flow in a spray scrubber, IMT Atlantique Bretagne Pays de la Loire                
  • High-performance computing of fluids with discontinuous Galerkin method, Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur
  • Validation of a lubrication code for rotating machines: Case of tilting pads journal bearing with scratched pads, EDF LAB Paris Saclay


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 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 | Mechanical Engineering Computational Mechanics

Facilities and Partnerships

Faculty and Research Facilities

This Master in Mechanical Engineering 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.


In Computational Mechanics, you need large computing facilities in order to tackle hard and large problems (millions of degrees of freedom). Centrale Nantes hosts a supercomputing facility which is accessible to students of this programme.

Since the end of 2015, Centrale Nantes has been responsible for one of France's most powerful regional computing centers in its category (Tier2 class), which houses the new Nautilus supercomputer installed in 2023. Giving access to unprecedented levels of precision, this state-of-the-art equipment is a real game changer which will release new potential for innovation.
Intensive numerical calculation is an indispensable tool for both research and industry: it reduces the cost of testing, facilitates optimization and promotes creativity and the search for new solutions. The means of calculation are also an indicator of the research and development of a region, or a nation.

High Performance Computing (HPC) consists of using software for acquisition, modeling or analysis on supercomputers of several thousand processors capable of executing several billion operations per second to model complex phenomena, process or characterise large volumes of data. It is also a set of servers designed to run long-term processes to massively and intensively calculate programs. These supercomputers can be seen as a large number of machines (computing servers) linked together by very high-speed networks.


Centrale Nantes is the only higher education establishment in France to have such a powerful supercomputer which is open to different users.

Learn more: Supercomputer

Partnerships

Airbus, Renault, Faurecia, Solvay, IFREMER, CETIM
 
Admissions
   
Application process

NB This specialism is only on offer in the M2 year in from September 2024

Application rounds

  • Applications are reviewed in two 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 M2 2024-25 intake

M2 | Round 1 M2 | Round 2
Submit your complete application by ... 31 Mar 28 Apr
You will be notified of the outcome of your application by ... 25 Apr 23 May
Accept your place by ... 9 May 6 Jun
Pay your first tuition installment by .... to qualify for a reduction in tuition fees (international non-European students) 25 May * N/A
Pay your first tuition installment by .... with no reduction in tuition fees 15 Jun 15 Jun

Early Bird Applications 2024-25
  • * 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 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

Tuition fees

International students (non-European)

M2 Year | 2024 - 2025 €6,000 - (students starting their M2 year in 2024) *

Early Bird Applications
  • * 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

Scholarships

Different scholarships are available for students enrolling in a MSc Programme at Centrale Nantes:
 
  • 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)
Why choose this MSc?

why choose Master M-ENG CM 1

why choose Master M-ENG CM 2



why choose this MSc

After the MSc

Close to 50% of graduates of this MSc programme go on to successfully complete a PhD in this field.

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

Meet the Programme Supervisors

Nicolas Chevaugeon

Nicolas Chevaugeon, M2 Programme Supervisor CM

After obtaining his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Centrale Nantes in 2002, Nicolas Chevaugeon worked at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and then at University of Louvain (UCL), before taking up his current post as Associate Professor at Centrale Nantes in 2006.

He develops innovative numerical methods to solve mechanical problems. Non linear membranes, stability analysis, damage mechanics, fracture mechanics, Euler equations, acoustics and contact mechanics are examples of applications he has worked on in the past, using discontinuous Galerkin, finite element method, Level-set techniques or extended finite element methods.

Christian Burtin, M1 Programme Supervisor Mechanical Engineering

Patrick Rozycki

Patrick Rozycki, Programme Supervisor Mechanical Engineering

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 December 7, 2023