International Master

MSc Eco-design and Advanced Composite Structures

What are composite materials?

 

This programme focuses on a specific class of materials resulting from the association of a fibrous material with a polymeric resin. Have you heard of the carbon frame bike, windmill blades, or lightweight aircraft? They are all composites!  The composite market is still growing with an average of 3 to 8% per year, with an increase in the use of sustainable materials. Thanks to their high strength, lightweight, and corrosion resistance, they can replace traditional materials like steel and aluminum in many applications, driving innovation in various industries:

  • Aerospace and Aviation: A350 fuselage, wings, satellites and propellers
  • Automotive: bumpers, dashboard structures, battery covers, Formula One car
  • Energy: wind turbine blades, gas and hydrogen tanks, …
  • Construction and Infrastructure: panels, bridges, profiles, structures repair,
  • Sports and Recreation: golf clubs, bicycles, oars, fishing rods, skis, …
  • Marine: hulls, decks, …

Expert engineers are expected to join those industries. Be part of it! Become a design engineer, a project leader, or a researcher… and build your professional success story.

 

Skills

  • Design optimization
  • Structural analysis
  • Innovative, high-performance structures
  • Project management

Perspectives and professions

  • Composite materials engineer
  • Composite materials design engineer
  • Quality control engineer
  • Project Manager
  • Design Manager
  • Development project Manager/Director

Why join this elite programme ?

By joining this elite programme, you are not only investing in an academic career but positioning yourself as a leader in designing and managing advanced and innovative sustainable composite structures. This programme offers the following opportunities and educational experiences:

1- Engage with an Elite Curriculum for Innovative Composite parts and structures.

This master’s degree programme is designed to equip scientists and engineers with the expertise to excel in designing and using innovative composite materials in sustainable design.

2- Thrive in an Excellent Engineering and Scientific Environment

Students will be immersed in the dynamic scientific and professional ecosystem of IMT Nord Europe, recognized for its commitment to innovation and academic excellence in eco-composite design and manufacturing.

3- Access to Advanced Research Facilities

Access to the latest scientific equipment and engage in cutting-edge research in composite materials manufacturing and design for advanced and smart structures, sustainability and bio-based material solutions, valorization and circular economy.

4- Benefit from a Comprehensive Educational Approach

The curriculum offers an in-depth exploration of the advanced physicochemical characterization of composite materials, mechanical dimensioning tools, alongside modeling and processing of composite structures, ensuring a holistic understanding of the field.

5- Immerse in a Rich Cultural Tapestry

The academic journey will be enriched by the cultural, artistic, and sporting life of historic cities such as Lille, Paris, London, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Aachen, offering a full immersion in diverse cultural environments.

6- Receive Comprehensive Support Services

Benefit from a wide range of support services designed to ensure a smooth transition and integration into the community, including assistance with accommodation (IMT Nord Europe student residences), dining, and engaging in social activities.

 

Admissions

Prerequisites

Hold a Bachelor’s degree (BSc, BEng, BTech) or equivalent, ideally in the fields of material science, mechanical engineering, process engineering, aeronautical engineering or chemical engineering.

Proof of a B2 level of English (TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS, etc.).

Admissions process

Application and interview:
Once we have received the complete application file, the candidate is informed by email whether his or her application has been accepted. If this is the case, an interview is organized with the head of training to assess the candidate’s technical knowledge and career plans. The language used for this interview is English.
Candidates will be notified as soon as possible of their selection for the program.

Candidate

Applications for the 2026 session will open in October.

Contact our team for more information : master-of-science@imt-nord-europe.fr

⚠ Candidature file ⚠

To complete the 2025-2026 candidature file, click here

Calendar

The 2026 session is scheduled to start on Wednesday, October 01.

Program

The international master’s degree “Eco-Design and Advanced Composite Structures” lasts 2 years and is structured as follows:

  • Year 1 – Semester 1: Engineering programme at IMT Nord Europe, Douai campus
  • Year 1 – Semester 2: Business and Management studies at IMT-BS, Evry-Courcouronnes campus
  • Year 2 – Semester 1: Engineering programme at IMT Nord Europe, Douai campus
  • Year 2 – Semester 2: End-of-study project, 6-month internship in a company or research laboratory

French lessons are also included in the programme, to maximize your chances of pursuing a career in France.

Syllabuses are subject to change in accordance with IMT Nord Europe's scientific and educational advances
  • By selecting fibrous reinforcements and resin matrices according to mechanical and sustainability criteria.
  • By optimizing the geometry and layup of composite parts using CAD and FEA tools.
  • By integrating weight, cost, and performance constraints into eco-design strategies.
  • By applying design-for-manufacture and life-cycle thinking throughout the design process.
  • By performing finite element modeling (FEM) of composite structures under mechanical, thermal, or fatigue loads.
  • By validating structural performance against specifications and international standards.
  • By interpreting test results from mechanical trials (tensile, flexural, impact) to confirm simulation accuracy.
  • By identifying failure modes and proposing design improvements.
  • By coordinating multi-disciplinary teams across design, manufacturing, and quality functions.
  • By planning development phases, from specification to qualification and production ramp-up.
  • By ensuring the alignment of product development with technical, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
  • By monitoring project progress, risks, costs, and reporting to stakeholders.
  • By defining inspection protocols for raw materials, in-process controls, and finished parts.
  • By analyzing process deviations and implementing corrective actions.
  • By ensuring compliance with aerospace, automotive, or energy sector standards (e.g., ISO, AS9100).
  • By documenting quality records and supporting audits.
  • By exploring bio-based or recyclable matrix/fiber solutions in composite formulations.
  • By evaluating environmental impacts using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools.
  • By integrating sustainable design choices in line with circular economy principles.
  • By contributing to R&D projects focused on emerging applications (e.g., hydrogen storage, structural health monitoring, etc.).
Head teacher
Ing. PhD. Mylène LAGARDERE

Further information

The language of instruction is English.

Fees

Programme fees are :

  • 4,500€ per year for European Union students, i.e. 9,000€ for 2 years;
  • 9,000€ per year for international students (outside the European Union), i.e. 18,000€ for 2 years.

An application fee of €60 is payable at the time of application. This fee is non-refundable and can be paid by bank transfer.

Scholarships

Depending on several criteria, such as your country of residence or origin and your academic results, you may be eligible for certain scholarship programs. Here are a few examples:

The IMT Nord Europe team would be delighted to discuss with you the financing opportunities available for this program. Contact us for more information.

Application

If you are not a citizen of the European Union, we invite you to consult the conditions for continuing your studies in France and to register at  la plateforme « études en France ». Please note that you must comply with the application deadline indicated by CampusFrance in your country. No application will be accepted after the deadline indicated in each country.

We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible. This will give you the time you need to complete all your consular formalities before the summer, which is a busy time for consulates every year.

Training location

764 Boulevard Lahure, 59500 Douai

Contact

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