MSc Marine Technology
Hydrodynamics for Ocean Engineering (M-TECH HOE)

Programme Objectives

This specialism in Marine Technology aims to give students advanced training on typical problems of free-surface hydrodynamics applied to ocean engineering: water waves, ship resistance, wave-structure interactions, moorings, behaviour and performance of marine structures including ships or offshore renewable energy systems ... physical, modelling, numerical and experimental aspects are studied.

Training involves theoretical courses together with physical understanding, modelling and the practical use of software to solve problems through a variety of numerical methods e.g., boundary elements or spectral methods under potential flow theory, finite-volume techniques in solvers for viscous flows, Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH).  

Experimental methods are also taught through lab work using the unique academic large-scale facilities available at Centrale Nantes including a towing tank, a large ocean wave tank equipped with a multiflap wave generator and a circulating water channel.

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 programmes in Marine Technology are fully accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.

Students applying for this specialism 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 Marine Technology
► See our other Master's programmes in Marine Technology

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
Continuum Mechanics	5	Fluid Mechanics 2	5
Fluid Mechanics 1	5	Structural Mechanics	5
Algorithmics for Engineering Modelling	4	Energetics	5
Numerical Methods	5	Propulsion	5
Marine Hydrodynamics 1	5	Marine Hydrodynamics 2	5
Tools and Methods for Research 1	4	Research project (tools and methods for research 2)	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

M2 Year 2024/25

Autumn Semester - Core Courses	ECTS
General concepts of hydrodynamics	4
Water waves and sea states modelling	4
Wave-structure interactions and moorings	5
Numerical hydrodynamics	5
Experimental hydrodynamics	5
Research in Marine Hydrodynamics	5
Modern Languages *	2
Conferences	-

* '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

Master thesis / internship

Examples of previous internships:

 

• Fatigue Methodology of Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Platform & Tower in Composite Materials, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore
• Speeding Up Simulation-Driven Design for a High-Speed Planing Boat, Friendship Systems (Germany)
• Development of methodology for predicting marine vessel turning radius with overset grid technique using CFD Solver, Mauric
• Floating offshore wind turbine model validation and parameter estimation, University of New Hampshire
• Design floating wind turbine alternate mooring system, IDEOL

The Master's internship can be carried out within the framework of an internship in the LHEEA Laboratory, but also in other university laboratories (NTNU in Norway, INSEAN in Italy, DTU in Denmark) or in industry, in France or abroad, on numerical or experimental subjects.

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 models dedicated to hydrodynamics for ocean engineering
• Define and perform experiments for free-surface hydrodynamics problems
• Solve - numerically - free surface problems for ocean engineering applications

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 | Marine Technology - Hydrodynamics for Ocean Engineering

• M1 year
• M2 year

Facilities and Partnerships

Faculty and Research Facilities

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

Focus on unique resources

Hydrodynamic and ocean engineering tank

50 m long by 30 m wide and 5 m deep, the hydrodynamic and ocean engineering tank is equipped with a segmented wave beater composed of 48 independent flaps to generate directional waves. This tank is used for small-scale physical simulation of floating systems, navigating or anchored in open seas (ships, MRE systems or oil platforms). Due to its size and generation capacity, it is currently the largest tank in France for this type of study.
 

• Learn more

Towing tank

The towing tank at Centrale Nantes is 140 m-long, 5 m-wide and 3 m deep. It is equipped with a towing carriage able to move in both directions, at speeds up to 8 m/s. At one end of the tank, a wave maker generates waves with heights up to 0.5 m. It is the second largest towing tank in France, the largest in an academic setting. The tank is used to test the resistance of ships to forward motion, with or without swell, and therefore to optimise hulls, the seaworthiness of ships or floating structures, cable towing, and also marine renewable energy.
 

• Learn more 

Students also have access to the recirculating canal.

Partnerships

Bureau Veritas, Naval Group, Principia, H&T, Innosea, Mauric, CMA CGM, D-ICE, Ideol, Technip, Saipem

Admissions

 

• Apply online on the eCandidat platform
• 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

	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:

 

• 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

admission8e9ba037-5996-4e73-8796-7695ed12abc8@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 | 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)

Find out from Liad Paskin, PhD, what it's like to study on the MSc Hydrodynamics for Ocean Engineering programme

Video transcript

I'm coming from Brazil and I'm doing this hydrodynamics stuff for over ten years, almost all of it in research. It's been some eight years that I'm in Nantes. I came here for my Master's, then followed by a PhD and a post-doc and now I open a company. And for this whole time I've been in Centrale Nantes.
Why did you decide to come to Centrale Nantes?
Once I decided to come to France, Centrale Nantes was a bit of a straightforward choice because it's surely the best, or one of the best, universities in France on the subject of hydrodynamics.
How was the Master's programme?
It's divided into two years. The first one is like a general one; we're studying general engineering and then we specialise in hydrodynamics. What I  did like very much about this programme is all the applied part of it - it's very much applied - we're all the time talking about industry and how we can use our knowledge to bring something to industry, and this was nice.
When and why did you decide to pursue your PhD here?
That was always the objective and I came to Nantes to do my Master's thesis already thinking about my PhD. So, that was not much of a decision once I was already here.
What did you work on for your PhD?
I've been studying wind-waves interaction, notably to know to how the waves can affect the wind - actually how it could affect the energy generation of a wind turbine. I think what makes the hydrodynamics research here so good is that we really do have all the support - like experimental and numerical support - that we need for our research. So, that includes a big and a smaller wave tank besides a real-scale facility in the sea and, of course, our computers since I do so much numerical work.
What are you doing now?
Recently, we just opened our start-up. We've been incubated in the Centrale-Audencia-ensa (incubator) since March. We're offering mathematical services and tools. So, on one side, we're selling services to the wind energy industry to help them achieve competitiveness offshore and, on the other side, we're developing cutting-edge technology for engineering simulation.
Any advice for future applicants for the Integrated Master-PhD track?
I think it's amazing because this is what I came here for, but the track didn't exist at the time. So, I basically had to do my master's thesis and find my PhD and it worked out as I planned, but maybe it wouldn't have. Also, it's really nice if you can have some time during your Master's to already get to know your PhD subject because three years is not that much for a new research field. And that gives you a good transition time as it  
should be for someone who knows it's going to be their PhD.
Centrale Nantes in three words?
Cutting-edge - international - exchange

Why choose this MSc?

Five reasons why you should choose the MSc in Hydrodynamics and Ocean Engineering at Centrale Nantes:

 

• 1 - Well-respected scientific expertise in hydrodynamics research activities
• 2 - Practical lab work in the experimental test facilities
• 3 - Fully taught in English for a cohort of international students
• 4 - Centrale Nantes is ranked 41st in the world with Nantes Université for Marine/Ocean Engineering according to the Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023
• 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

The main prospects for employment after the MSc programme are found in the naval industry, shipping, marine renewable energies, offshore industry, coastal engineering; within R&D departments, design offices, management of offshore operations.

PhD opportunities

At the conclusion of the MSc degree, graduates can pursue a PhD, in particular within the Research Laboratory in Hydrodynamics, Energetics & Atmospheric Environment (LHEEA), which offers experimental and / or numerical studies, often in cooperation with industrial partners on numerous themes: wave-structure interactions, simulation of sea states over large ocean surfaces, improvement of the generation and propagation of swell, hydrodynamic impacts, Wind-Assisted Ship Propulsion, marine renewable energies (offshore wind etc.).

Where are they now?

► Find out what our recent MSc graduates are doing now

What our students / graduates say

Former students / graduates Olaoluwa from Nigeria, Alessandro from Italy and William from the USA give their feedback on the MSc Hydrodynamics for Ocean Engineering
 

 

Meet the Programme Supervisors

Zhe Li, M2 Programme Supervisor HOE

Zhe Li is Associate Professor in numerical methods for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), with special interests in CFD methods such as SPH, LBM and higher-order FVM. His research work focuses on numerical simulation of fluid-structure interaction problems.

Lionel Gentaz, M1 Programme Supervisor HOE and Programme Supervisor Marine Technology

Lionel Gentaz is Assistant Professor and teaches fluid mechanics, mathematical models and numerical methods (Boundary Element, Finite Difference, Finite Volume) used in Hydrodynamics for Ocean Engineering. His research work focuses on numerical simulation of wave-structure interactions based on low-fidelity or high-fidelity models.
 

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.

Virtual Tour