MSc Control and Robotics
Data Science, Signal and Image Processing (CORO DASSIP)

 
Programme Objectives

The Data Science, Signal and Image Processing* Master's programme focuses on understanding and developing state-of-the-art methodology for data analysis, machine learning and signal and image processing.

The acquired knowledge concerns both theoretical foundations and practical applications of data science and information retrieval, essential for the development of cutting-edge numerical methods. The courses delve into advanced data analysis techniques, encompassing numerical mathematics, computational statistics, information theory, and scientific computing. Practical use is explored across various domains, including biomedical engineering, computational imaging, audio processing, industrial manufacturing, or remote sensing.

A distinguishing feature of the program lies in its emphasis on designing methods and algorithms tailored to the specificity of the data. Both model-based (taking into account physical models and sensing devices) and data-based (relying on statistical and deep learning) approaches are considered, ensuring that the numerical implementation aligns with the specific requirements of the application context, data volume, and available computational resources.

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 programme in Data Science, Signal and Image Processing is fully accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
 
Students applying for this 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.

Learn more about the Integrated Master-PhD track in Data Science, Signal and Image Processing

Contribution to sustainable development goals

SDG 3 - GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

SDG 9 - INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

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

*previously entitled Signal and Image Processing

Course Content

30 ECTS Credits per semester.
Language of instruction: English
 

M1 Year
M1 Year 2025/26
Autumn Semester Courses ECTS Spring Semester Courses ECTS
Signal Processing  5 Group Project 6
Classical Linear Control 5 Optimization Techniques  5
Artificial Intelligence 6 Image Processing 5
Algorithmics and programming 4 Systems Identification and Signal Filtering 4
Mathematical Tools for Signals and Systems 4 Computer Vision 4
Embedded Computing 4 Spectral and Time Frequency Analysis 4
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 2025/26
Autumn Semester Courses ECTS
Stochastic Methods  4
Design of signal and image representations  4
Machine learning, data analysis and information retrieval  4
Signal and image restoration, inversion methods  4
Mathematical tools for signal and image processing  4
Biomedical signals, images and methods  4
Bibliographical research 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

 
M2 Year 2025/26
Spring Semester ECTS
Master Thesis/Internship                                                  30
 

Examples of previous internships:

 
  • Analysis and visualization of physiological signals
  • Inverse problems for lens-free imaging of nanostructured surfaces
  • Survival analysis and graph representations
  • Early fusion of multiple MRI sequences for enhancing pathologic case retrieval systems in radiology
  • Coherence-based denoising for ultrasound small vessels imaging
  • Target detection and segmentation algorithm based on deep learning and application of big data technology in satellite remote sensing
  • Automatic reading recognition for pointer meters based on machine vision
  • Synthetic data generation for privacy purposes
  • Recognition of infrared protocols for AC systems using machine learning
  • 3D and 4D data processing with quaternion tensor decompositions
  • Simulation study of linearized weighted least square estimation for inverse polynomial model
  • Joint sparse decomposition of multivariate signals based on optimal transport
  • Machine vision for the quality Inspection of aircraft surfaces

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
  • Understand the theoretical concepts underlying modern data processing methods (assumptions, limitations) and master their practical implementation
    • Informed user: make the best choice for analyzing a given data set (choose a method, set the parameters, implement)
  • Identify how advanced data processing can achieve new results in science and engineering
    • Research: develop novel methodological tools and make scientific progress
  • Acquire a solid background on real-life applications of signal, image and data processing in research and innovation
  • Be aware of latest trends in AI-based techniques and become an expert in data science
 

In addition to the above specialism-specific skills, students will also develop more general skills:

  • Identify models, perform simulations and analyse results
  • Undertake a literature survey of existing works on a scientific problem
  • Communicate comprehensive results in a meaningful way
  • Manage and supervise research and innovation projects

Download syllabus | Control and Robotics | Data Science, Signal and Image Processing

Facilities and Partnerships

Faculty and Research Facilities

The Data Science, Signal and Image Processing programme relies on Centrale Nantes’ faculty and the research facilities of the Laboratory of Digital Sciences in Nantes (LS2N) and, in particular, of the SIMS (Signal, Image and Sound) research group. The activity of the SIMS group is in the field of statistical signal and image processing. The research work carried out by the team members is based on methodological questions most often inspired by applied problems from a wide variety of fields, such as physics, biology, health, engineering and industrial instrumentation.

Collaboration

  • Examples of companies with whom the programme has internship links: Airbus, Netatmo, Reliev, Octopize Mimethik Data, Changlan Technology Group Co.
  • Examples of laboratories with whom the programme has internship links: Laboratory of Digital Sciences in Nantes (LS2N), Center for Research in Acquisition and Signal Processing for Health (CREATIS), Paris Institute of Earth Physics (IPGP), Centre for Studies on Risks, the Environment, Mobility and Urban Planning (CEREMA), The computer science department, Laboratory of Informatics Paris Descartes (LIPADE), Institute of Research in Astrophysics and PLanetary Science, Toulouse, (IRAP), Nancy Centre for Research in Automatic Control (CRAN)
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

Deadlines
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 - at least one of which must be from an academic professor.
    Letters must be provided on letterhead paper, signed, stamped and with the official contact details of your referees.
  • 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:

 

Contact and admissions support

Master Admission Office

admissionebf89fa9-033d-4866-8b2a-902271fd0adb@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)

Tuition fees
Study year Tuition fees
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

Centrale Nantes Elite Tuition Fee Waivers

 
  • A limited number of excellence-based partial tuition fee waivers are available for the most promising non-European students accepted into the first-year of an MSc programme at Centrale Nantes. The amounts awarded range from €3,000 to €8,000 per year. Conditions apply.
  • Other funding opportunities may be available via government or industry scholarships for example. 

Learn more about Elite tuition fee waivers and scholarships


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 Control and Robotics students and graduates
Video Transcript

Meet Our Students: Armena, from Bosnia, Master Signal and Image Processing

Hello my name is Armena and I come from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here at Centrale Nantes, I'm doing my Master's in Signal and Image Processing. 

Why did you decide to join Centrale Nantes?

I chose Centrale Nantes specifically because of its programme, because I was looking for something in Signal and Image Processing bonus points if there were any subjects dealing with applications in biomedical engineering, which this one does. And I was also looking for a Master's in France, which means that I needed a programme that was taught fully in English. 

How is the programme going so far?

I generally really like how the programme is structured and it is evident that our supervisor and everybody else involved put in a lot of effort into making the programme flow as well as it does. I will also say that I was not very used to having only one final exam at the end, but this did not pose a problem either to myself or any of my colleagues. All of our professors are active researchers and I really enjoyed listening to their lectures. I especially liked all of our laboratory sessions where we could actually see how something we had learned in class can be used in actual applications. 

What about student life on campus?

Either you can hang out in the cafeteria, in the library which is always nice and quiet. If the weather permits you can go outside on the benches and for anybody looking to join a club there is a variety that you can choose from. 

What are your plans for the future? 

I will be doing my internship at the LS2N Laboratory here at Centrale Nantes under the supervision of one of my professors. One thing to note is that actually all of our professors, or at least most of them, are part of the Signal, Image and Sound team in this laboratory. This will be a continuation of my research project that I did in the last semester so I actually did not have to do any interviews at all. I just continued what I left off. As for after that, I'm still leaving that as an open question. I'll either be working in a company or maybe looking for PhD positions, but I'll figure that out by the end of my internship. 

Any advice for new applicants? 

If you have any doubts about whether you will get into your programme, I would say just go for it. And if you have any questions regarding your specific programme, the process, anything at all, you definitely can and should reach out either to admissions team or to your desired programme's supervisor. I can basically guarantee you that you will get a very quick, thoughtful and helpful answer. 

Centrale Nantes in 3 words? 

Engaging - Committed - Notable 
Video Transcript

My PhD Story: by Osimone, Master SIP, PhD LS2n Laboratory

Hello everyone. I'm Osimone. I'm a first-year doctoral student at LS2N in Centrale Nantes. I am Nigerian and I initially did my bachelor's degree in Nigeria in Electronics Engineering at Convenant University. I came here to do my Master's degree in Signal and Image Processing. After that, I was a research engineer for a while at the LS2N also, and then I started my doctoral studies. 

Why did you decide to come to Centrale Nantes? 

I've always been interested in signal processing and artificial intelligence, so I was looking for a course that taught those lines. After seeing some of the courses or programmes provided by Centrale through a scholarship scheme in Nigeria, I decided to apply. For a long while, before even these opportunities were made available, I wanted to come to France. So that's one of the reasons I chose Centrale and I saw that it was one of the best universities in France. 

When and why did you decide to pursue you PhD here? 

So, for a long while I've wanted to do a doctoral degree. After finishing my Master's degree, my supervisor who I worked with during my Master's degree proposed a wonderful subject that towed the lines of artificial intelligence and signal processing, so I decided to do a PhD. Another thing is I love the city of Nantes! 

What are you working on for your PhD? 

For my PhD I'm working on a digital twins. It's basically the virtual replica of a physical system in the virtual domain. The reason we are applying it is for a thermo-hydraulic system for predictive maintenance and supervision and it tows the line of signal processing and artificial intelligence, and that's the reason I chose it. 

How would you rate the research facilities and support?

Here at Centrale, I'd rate the support and resources as top-notch and world-class because there's provision for everything that's necessary and needed: technical resources, the support from even fellow doctoral students, from the professors ... all that's needed is available, and so I rate it highly. 

What are your plans for the future? 

For my future I'm interested in several fields. I'm looking for ways I can apply the studies I'm doing on digital twins in a plethora of fields, like the automobile industry, the aviation industry, and even in music. If I can do it in music, I'll be very happy! 

Any advice for future applicants? 

You should know what you are interested in, know how your interests align and choose a subject - Master's thesis or PhD - in that line. Seek advice from people in the field and that will help you. 

Centrale Nantes in 3 words?

Accommodating - Innovative - Diversity 

After the MSc

Where are our Control & Robotics graduates now?

Survey conducted in 2024 of our 2022 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: health, communication, instrumentation technology, computer science, research and development
  • Fields: biomedical engineering, industrial imaging, medical imaging, telecommunication engineering, audio engineering, data science, applied mathematics

Some examples of companies where our programme graduates are working: And of the positions they hold:
  • Digital signal processing engineer
  • Algorithm engineer


PhD Prospects

Examples of PhD theses pursued after the programme:

What our students / graduates say

Meet the Programme Supervisors

Sébastien Bourguignon, M2 Programme Supervisor SIP

Sébastien Bourguignon is a professor in Signal and Image Processing at Centrale Nantes. His interests concern inverse problems methodology, statistical inference and optimization algorithms, with applications in ultrasonic imaging, nondestructive testing, hyperspectral imaging, and astronomical and planetary data analysis.

Contact: sebastien.bourguignon5c040b4e-7e32-43db-8a3e-4b9caa99cdf1@ec-nantes.fr

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.

Olivier Kermorgant, 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.

Why choose this MSc?

Five reasons why you should choose the MSc in Signal and Image Processing at Centrale Nantes:
 

  • Master advanced data processing techniques used across multiple sectors: health, biology, industrial manufacturing, audio, etc.
  • Become an expert in AI-based techniques and data science 
  • Fully taught in English for a cohort of international students
  • Centrale Nantes is ranked in the top 400 in the world for engineering according to the Times Higher Education world rankings by subject 2025
  • Accredited Master of Science (MSc) preparing for a PhD in France or abroad or for direct entry into the workplace

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 FabLab
  • 1 media library
  • 6 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.

Watch the video for a bird's eye view of campus:
Video transcript

Welcome to one of France’s most prestigious engineering schools.

This is where we prepare the world of tomorrow - a sustainable world where research and teaching inspire each other, where we contribute each and nervy day to meeting the challenges of energy transition, the factory of the future and healthcare.
Welcome to a school which offers more than 400 course combinations, q school where students play an active role in decision making, a diverse school with over 70 nationalities on campus.
Welcome to Centrale Nantes.


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 April 29, 2025