MSc Mechanical Engineering
Atmospheric Dynamics for Environment and Energy (M-ENG ADEE)

New for 2025/26

Programme Objectives

This specialism in Mechanical Engineering aims to provide students with advanced training on the physics, observation and modelling of atmospheric flows. It addresses research and engineering issues in which the dynamics of the atmospheric boundary layer plays a key role: wind energy, wind propulsion, urban climate, air quality, etc.

In the field of fluid mechanics, flows in the lower atmosphere, turbulent by nature, are distinctive because they result from large-scale meteorology forcing, and dynamic and thermodynamic interactions with the Earth's surface. Numerical modeling approaches for these turbulent flows differ depending on the scale considered and the intended application. The experimental characterization of atmospheric flows, despite recent technological progress, is often complex or incomplete and its limits should be known. Therefore, the courses offered in this programme will provide an emphasis on the physical processes involved in the dynamics of the lower atmosphere, as well as on observation and modelling methods. Courses more specific to applications in the field of energy and urban atmosphere are also offered. The training involves theoretical courses as well as practical applications using numerical software and experimental devices. 

The MSc in Atmospheric Dynamics for Environment and Energy (M-ENG ADEE) 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.

Contribution to sustainable development goals

 

► 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

M1 Year 2025/26

Autumn Semester Courses	ECTS	Spring Semester Courses	ECTS
Fluid mechanics 1	5	Energetics	5
Algorithmics for Engineering Modelling	4	Fluid Mechanics 2	5
Tools and Methods for Research 1	4	Business Environment	3
Vibrations	5	Marine Hydrodynamics 2	5
Continuum Mechanics	5	Introduction to Geographic Information Sciences	5
Numerical Methods	5	Meteorological Processes	5
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

M1 Year 2026/27

Autumn Semester Courses	ECTS
Atmospheric Boundary Layer	4
Numerical Modelling of Atmospheric Flows	4
Observation of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer	4
Project	4
Turbulent Flows	4
Urban Climate	4
Atmosphere and Wind Energy	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 in industry / research labs:

• Dispersion of industrial pollutants: impact of the altitude of the release point
• Reliability of methods to estimate thermal stability on complex terrain
• Study of the turbulence structure in the lower urban atmosphere using LIDAR measurements
• Preliminary studies for the implementation of an experimental campaign of flux measurements by dual-wave scintillometry in an urban environment.
• Modelling of air quality and ultrafine particles over Barcelona
• Analysis of urban heat island during heat waves by in-situ measurements

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

• Build and use numerical models dedicated to atmospheric flows
• Design and perform experiments for characterizing the atmospheric boundary layer
• Solve engineering problems linked to atmospheric dynamics

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 - Atmospheric Dynamics for Environment and Energy (M-ENG ADEE)

• M1 Year - coming soon
• M2 Year - coming soon

Facilities and Partnerships

Faculty

This Mechanical Engineering programme relies on the Centrale Nantes’ faculty, staff and research facilities of the Research Laboratory in Hydrodynamics, Energetics & Atmospheric Environment (LHEEA).

Partnerships

Engineering and consulting companies : SOLENEOS, ENERCON, POUJOULAT, METEODYN, ENGIE, NATURAL POWER
Public establishments: CSTB, CEREMA, IRSN, EDF R&D, INERIS
Research laboratories: LHEEA, IRSTV, CEREA

Focus on unique resources

Atmospheric Wind Tunnel

The results obtained from experiments relating to quality of life issues, (comfort, air quality and climatology or local meteorology) contribute to the decisions that are being made for sustainable urban development in the context of both climate change and the development of coastal and continental cities.

► Learn more

LiDAR

In 2019, the LHEEA Laboratory acquired a scanning LiDAR - Light Detection and Ranging - an innovative measuring device to characterize wind and atmosphere. It will be used for marine renewable energy (MRE), urban atmosphere and air quality applications.

► Learn more

ONEVU

The Nantes Observatory for Urban Environments (ONEVU) has been operational since 2008 for the long-term study of the hydrology, micro-meteorology, climatology, water, air and soils quality of the urban environments.

► Learn more

Admissions

 

• Apply online on the eCandidat platform
• 2025/26 intake:
  M1 applications open on 30 October
  M2 no intake in 2025/26

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
Submit your complete application by	15 Dec	23 Feb	28 Apr
You will be notified of the outcome of your application by	17 Jan	21 Mar	23 May
Accept your place by	17 Feb	21 Apr	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
Pay your first tuition installment by .... with no reduction in tuition fees	17 Mar	21 May	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.

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.

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:

 

• Download the user guide
• Connect to eCandidat: https://ecandidat.ec-nantes.fr
• Use the flag (page top right) to select your language.
• Start off by creating your account.
• No application fees.

Your application in 5 easy steps:

Contact and admissions support

Master Admission Office

admission3bf01dd0-763d-4f0a-b4cd-e8757dba1ae7@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 | 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.

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)

Why choose this MSc?

Five reasons why you should choose the MSc in Atmospheric Sciences for Energy & Environment at Centrale Nantes:

 

• 1 - Wide scope of applications linked to atmospheric flows
• 2 - Recognised scientific expertise in atmospheric flow research
• 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

Career Prospects

• Sectors: Wind Energy, Wind Propulsion, Wind Engineering, Air quality, Urban environment
• Fields: Fluid Mechanics Engineering, Environmental Fluid Mechanics, Research and Innovation
• Positions: Wind analyst engineer, Field test engineer, Project developer in wind energy, Engineer in Consulting office or in design office, or in Research and Innovation departments (Post PhD)

PhD Opportunities

Graduates will have the opportunity to pursue their studies after the MSc programme with a PhD in various French or international research institutes including: LHEEA (Centrale Nantes), INRAE-Bordeaux (Bordeaux University), Ecole des Ponts ParisTech, etc.

Where are they now?

► Find out what our recent MSc graduates are doing now

What our students / graduates say

Coming soon
 

Meet the Programme Supervisors

Isabelle Calmet, M2 Programme Supervisor ASEE,

Isabelle Calmet is a professor in the Department of Fluid Mechanics and Energetics. Her research in the LHEEA focuses on the multi-scale modeling of atmospheric boundary layer flows, the study of urban microclimate and the characterization of dynamic and thermodynamic interactions between urban or coastal surfaces and the atmosphere.

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-supervisior5db73e07-8181-4535-a6ab-27ae926d0910@ec-nantes.fr

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:

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.

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