Engineering Programme - Years 2 and 3

In years 2 and 3 respectively the students choose a specialisation, with 464 hours of courses, from the twenty or so proposed. This affords a double advanced technical competence to students completing both years 2 and 3. 

In their third or final year, students choose a professional option which focuses on a particular sector of activity or function. Each option comprises 136 hours of courses including project work within the relevant field.

In addition to the acquisition of technical and scientific expertise, Centrale Nantes places a strong emphasis on personal development and the fostering of soft skills. Students continue to develop their soft skills with a range of soft skills and general culture courses on offer in the second year. Two modern languages (English and a choice of second language) and sport are taught throughout the three years of the engineering programme.

Students also commit to a civic engagement during their first year of studies whereby they make a contribution to society through volunteer work. This is to be completed in years 1 and 2.

Students continue to benefit from invaluable first-hand industrial experience during years 2 and 3 with a 20-week and 25-week - respectively - placement starting in April. These internships are linked to the student's chosen specialisation or professional option (Year 3) and can be undertaken within a company or a research laboratory, in France or abroad.

Learn more: SPECIALISATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL OPTIONS

Overview of curriculum by semester 2024/25

Year 2 Autumn

Year 2 Autumn Semester

Autumn Semester	TEACHING  HOURS	ECTS CREDITS
Specialisation (>20 choices)	288	25
Soft Skills	64	2
Modern Languages 1	16	1
Modern Languages 2*	16	#
Sports and Physical Education	30	#
Civic Engagement		2
TOTAL		30

* 32 hours for Chinese /Japanese
# 1 ECTS credit is awarded upon successful completion of Modern Languages 1 and 2 and Sport.

Year 2 Spring

Year 2 Spring Semester

Spring Semester	TEACHING  HOURS	ECTS CREDITS
Specialisation (>20 choices)	176	14
Modern Languages 1	8	1
Modern Languages 2 *	8	#
Sports and Physical Education	16	#
Civic Engagement		2
Research or Industrial Placement	20 weeks	13
TOTAL		30

* 16 hours for Chinese /Japanese
# 1 ECTS credit is awarded upon successful completion of Modern Languages 1 and 2 and Sport.

Year 3 Autumn

Year 3 Autumn Semester

Autumn Semester	TEACHING  HOURS	ECTS CREDITS
Specialisation (>20 choices)	288	25
Professional Option **	96	4
Modern Languages 1	16	1
Modern Languages 2 *	16	#
Sports and Physical Education	30	#
TOTAL		30

* 32 hours for Chinese /Japanese
** hours may vary according to the choice of option
# 1 ECTS credit is awarded upon successful completion of Modern Languages 1 and 2 and Sport.

Year 3 Spring

Year 3 Spring Semester

Spring Semester	TEACHING  HOURS	ECTS CREDITS
Specialisation (>20  choices)	176	14
Professional Option **	40	1
Modern Languages 1	8	1
Modern Languages 2 *	8	#
Sports and Physical Education	16	#
Research or Industrial Placement	25 weeks	14
TOTAL		30

* 16 hours for Chinese /Japanese
** hours may vary according to the choice of option.
# 1 ECTS credit is awarded upon successful completion of Modern Languages 1 and 2 and Sport.