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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
Consult the brochure

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 2025 session will open in September.

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

⚠ Candidature file ⚠

To download the 2025-2026 candidature file, click here

Calendar

The start of the 2025 session is scheduled for early September 2025.

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

The programme is organized into three synergistic blocks that provide a comprehensive educational experience:

 

Bloc 1: Advanced Composite Technology

This block lays the foundation for understanding and innovating within the field of composite materials:

  • In-Depth Material Analysis:

Delve into the advanced physicochemical characterization of polymers and composites, gaining insights into their intrinsic properties and behaviors.

  • Structural Modeling Excellence:

Master the advanced modeling and characterization of composite structures to predict performance and optimize design.

  • Composite Process Innovation:

Explore the cutting-edge modeling of composite processes, enabling the development of efficient and sustainable manufacturing techniques.

 

Bloc 2: Sustainability and Environmental Engineering

Focusing on the integration of sustainability within the composite industry, this block covers:

  • Circular Economy Principles:

Embrace the principles of circular economy to drive innovation in resource efficiency and waste reduction within the composites sector.

  • Environmental Impact Assessment:

Learn to conduct comprehensive environmental assessments, ensuring eco-design principles are at the forefront of new composite structures.

 

Bloc 3: Project Management

This block equips students with the essential skills to lead and manage projects effectively:

  • Production Management:

Gain expertise in managing production processes, focusing on efficiency, quality, and sustainability.

  • Organizational Leadership:

Develop skills in organization and management to lead teams and projects towards successful outcomes.

  • Personal and Societal Development:

Understand the societal impact of composite materials and foster self-development to become a responsible leader in the field.

 

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
  • Materials classification and applications
  • Polymers and polymers structures
  • Composite materials
  • Rheology
  • Composite Manufacturing (with lab sessions)
  • Linear Elasticity
  • Finite Elements
  • Design Project on CAD and FEA tools.
  • Regulations and outcomes
  • Pre-treatment for recycling
  • Literature review project
  • Recycling of polymeric materials
  • Recycling of composites
  • Company visits
  • Ecodesign project
  • Smart and advanced polymeric and composites materials
  • Plastics and composites recycling
  • labtime
  • Finance Analytics (2 ECTS)
  • Digital Intelligence and organization transformation (6 ECTS)
  • Personal Development and communication skills (1 ECTS)
  • Business plan challenge (5 ECTS)
  • International business (3 ECTS)
  • Supply Chain Management Tactics and Operations (1 ECTS)
  • Global Logistics and Operations (1 ECTS)
  • Management of Innovation and change (2 ECTS)
  • Global HR Management (3 ECTS)
  • Global information and international marketing (3 ECTS)
  • French as a foreign language (2 ECTS)
  • Extra firm visit – under completion (1 ECTS)
  • Material behavior modeling
  • Abaqus Project
  • Modeling of thermoplastic injection process
  • Composites modeling project
  • Additive manufacturing, prototyping
  • Laser processes

A research project directly linked to the industrial current needs concerning at least one of the following :
o material characterization
o Process development and/or optimization
o Part development

  • Evaluation of unidirectional and multilayered Composites mechanical properties
  • Advanced finite elements
  • Study case

During this 6-month internship, students will apply the theoretical and technical concepts and methods to real projects in the industry. This semester can also be the opportunity to carry out a master thesis in a research lab.

Head teacher
Ing. PhD. Mylène LAGARDERE

Further information

The language of instruction is English.

Fees

Programme fees are :

  • 7,000€ per year for European Union students, i.e. 14,000€ 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.

For example, our partner Postgrad Solutions offers 20 scholarships to students from all over the world. For more information, click here:

How to apply for a Postgrad Solutions Study Bursary | Postgrad.com

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 ».

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.

Depending on a number of criteria, such as your country of residence or origin and your academic results, you may be eligible for certain scholarship programs (government, inter-governmental, industrial, corporate, etc.). Contact us for more information.

Training location

764 Boulevard Lahure, 59500 Douai

Programme presentation video

Contact

+33 3 27 71 20 91 / +33 6 16 30 60 50

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