MSc Mechanical Engineering
Energetics and Propulsion (M-ENG EP)

energetics and propulsion
Programme Objectives

This specialism in Mechanical Engineering develops skills for designing and optimizing innovative propulsion systems with a focus on thermofluid processes and energy conversion for research and industry.

The performance and efficiency of energy conversion devices such as internal combustion engines, turbojets or fuel-cells is influenced by various processes including gas flow, compression and expansion through turbomachines or reciprocating piston, fuel injection and combustion, energy conversion and heat transfer. Therefore, the courses offered in this programme will provide an emphasis on all these processes and how they interact. A focus is made on decarbonization with the use of carbon free and carbon neutral fuels. Moreover, integration with other power sources and energy storage (hybridization) is also covered. Applications range from ground and marine propulsion to industrial processes, power generation and HVAC.

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.

See our other Master's programmes in Mechanical Engineering

Contribution to sustainable development goals

 
SDG 7 - AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

SDG 9 - INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

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

30 ECTS Credits per semester.
Language of instruction: English
 

M1 Year - 2024/25
Autumn Semester Courses ECTS Spring Semester Courses ECTS
Continuum Mechanics 5 Energetics  5
Fluid Mechanics 5 Propulsion  5
Algorithmics for Engineering Modelling 4 Hydrodynamics 5
Numerical Methods 5 Fluid Mechanics 2 5
Vibrations and Differential Equations 5 Mechanical Design 5
Conferences and Initiation to Research 4 Business Environment 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 - 2024/25
Autumn Semester Courses ECTS
Turbomachinery 4
Combustion  4
Gas dynamics and heat transfer 4
Internal combustion engines 4
Hybrid Propulsion and Perspectives 4
Practical and simulation 4
Project 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:

  • Exploring oxy combustion operation in a single cylinder research engine
  • Implementation and optimization of a thermal runaway characterization system for Li-ion batteries
  • Dynamic coupling of multi-physics in a hot blast stove battery
  • CFD flow and thermal characterization of curing ovens of hydrogen tanks
  • Engine control: Development, Test and validation of a calibration.
  • Evaluation of new bearing material used in electric actuated valves for high-temperature applications in the exhaust system of internal combustion engines
  • Dual-fuel engine modeling with GT Power
  • Assistant Business Manager in HVAC
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
  • Design energy conversion systems such as engines and their components
  • Build and use simulation models of powertrains and energy systems
  • Develop control strategies and calibrate control units


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 - Energetics and Propulsion

Facilities and Partnerships

Faculty and Research Facilities

This Mechanical Engineering programme relies on the Centrale Nantes’ faculty, staff and research facilities of the Research Laboratory in Hydrodynamics, Energetics & Atmospheric Environment (LHEEA).
Learn more: Decarbonization & depollution of energy systems (D2SE research group)

Partnerships

Renault, Stellantis, Mann+ Hummel, MAN Energy Solutions, Bosch, Total, Forvia, Honeywell Garett, Siemens, CMA-CGM, Bureau Veritas, Zéphir&Borée, GTT, OSE, CWS

Focus on unique resources

Vehicle test bench



This test bench provides the capacity to test a whole 4-wheel drive vehicle in dynamic operation. It can be used to replace road tests with reproducible tests in a controlled environment. It can test vehicles with a power output of 260 kW per axle.
 

Engine and fuel cell test benches

H2 ICE Engine on test bench

The D2SE research group has 7 test cells for up to 400 kW thermal machines such as IC engines or fuel cells. They can run on carbon free or carbon neutral fuels, such as Hydrogen, Methanol, Ethanol or HVO and are equipped with top level measurement devices for detailed performances, efficiency and emission assessment.
 

Admissions
 
  • Apply online on the eCandidat platform
  • 2025/26 intake:
    M1 applications open on 30 October
    M2 applications open on 15 February
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.

Deadlines for the 2025-26 intake

M1 | Round 1 M1 | Round 2 M1 | Round 3 M2 | Round 1 M2 | Round 2
Submit your complete application by 15 Dec 23 Feb 28 Apr 31 Mar 28 Apr
You will be notified of the outcome of your application by 17 Jan 21 Mar 23 May 25 Apr 23 May
Accept your place by 17 Feb 21 Apr 15 Jun 25 May 15 Jun
Pay your first tuition installment by .... to qualify for a reduction in tuition fees (international non-European students) 17 Feb   * 21 Apr ** N/A 25 May *** N/A
Pay your first tuition installment by .... with no reduction in tuition fees 17 Mar 21 May 15 Jun 15 Jun 15 Jun

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.
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 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.


Admission requirements for the second year (M2)

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:
 
  • 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

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
Apply online on the eCandidat platform
 

How to use the eCandidat platform:

 

Your application in 5 easy steps:

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

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


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)

Meet our Mechanical Engineering Graduates


 
Why choose this MSc?

Five reasons why you should choose the MSc in Energetics and Propulsion at Centrale Nantes:

 
  • 1 - Addresses a wide scope of energy related topics
  • 2 - Top class training in propulsion systems
  • 3 - Fully taught in English for a cohort of international students
  • 4 - Centrale Nantes is ranked 125th in the world for Mechanical Engineering in the QS World University 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

Where are they now?

Of the last five MSc Energetics and Propulsion cohorts, 75% of programme graduates currently work in France and 15% pursued their studies with a PhD.

Career Prospects

  • Sectors: Automotive, stationary and marine engines, Aeronautics, Transportation, Power plants, Energy, HVAC for buildings
  • Fields: Engine design & calibration, Modelling and Simulation, Research and Innovation, Thermofluid Engineering, HVAC engineering
  • Positions: Thermofluid Engineer, Design engineer, Calibration Engineer, Modelling Engineer, Business engineer, Research Engineer (post PhD)
  • Companies: Stellantis, Renault, Alpine F1, Ferrari, Alstom, Safran, Airbus, Naval Group, .MAN-ES, Caterpilar, Valéo, Bosch, Phinia, IFPEn, Technip, AVL, FEV, Magnetti Marelli, Sherpa, Akkodis, Expleo, Altran, Vitesco, Vaillant, Arcelor Mittal, Eiffage, Vinci, Engie

PhD Prospects

Recent graduates have pursued their studies after the MSc programme with a PhD in various French research institutes including: LHEEA in Centrale Nantes, CORIA (Rouen), PRISME (Orléans), ESTACA, FEMTO, Université Paris Saclay.
What our students / graduates say

  • Sudnya | MSc Energetics and Propulsion, Class of 2019
    September 2, 2024
    "The crescendo of the program is a six-month internship that allows you to apply what you learned in your coursework, I was really lucky to have the opportunity to validate this learning with Renault's research center in Paris, the offers are often distributed in the career pages of ECN, or by Professors internally to students. The course genuinely prepares you for future career aspirations whether in the automotive domain or thermal / energetics background."
  • Sobhan, PhD student | MSc Energetics and Propulsion, Class of 2022
    March 25, 2024
    "In today's rapidly changing landscape, students often face challenges in selecting their academic paths among evolving trends. My advice to prospective master's students is to prioritize their interests while also considering the future trajectory of their chosen field. It's crucial to ensure that the path they embark upon aligns with their passions and has potential for growth and expansion in the coming years. When it comes to pursuing a PhD, passion is essential. Throughout the journey, one encounters moments of both disappointment and happiness."

Meet the Programme Supervisors

Xavier Tauzia

Xavier Tauzia, M2 Programme Supervisor EP

Xavier Tauzia is a Professor in Applied Thermodynamics and Propulsion at Centrale Nantes. He studies energy conversion systems, such as internal combustion engines, in particular for marine and ground propulsion or power generation. He works on efficiency and emission improvement. His interests range from 0D/1D modeling to experimental investigations.

Laurent Gornet, M1 Programme Supervisor Mechanical Engineering

Laurent GORNET is Professor of Structural Mechanics at the Research Institute in Civil and Mechanical Engineering (GeM), Centrale Nantes.
His research focuses on testing and modeling the mechanical behavior of elastomer and composite materials.

Contact: m1-meng-supervisiorca98248e-d697-4bbe-be1f-79fc6875e5f8@ec-nantes.fr

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 27, 2017 Updated on September 24, 2024