Admission and enrolment - Master's degrees

Applying for an international master’s programme (M1-2)

Find all the application procedures for international master's degree on dedicated pages:

Applying for other master’s programmes (M2 only)

Find all the other Masters on the "Master's degree" page:

  • Chemistry and materials science
  • Econometrics, statistics
  • Electronics, electrical energy, automation
  • Civil engineering
  • Industrial engineering
  • Computer science
  • Health engineering
  • Applied mathematics, Statistics
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Risks and the environment
  • Public health

For any administrative enquiries, please contact the offices listed in the right-hand column. For any enquiries about the content of the programme, please contact the person indicated on the Master’s degrees webpage.

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Fees for a Master's degree 

All students must pay for the Student and Campus Life Contribution (CVEC). This should be added to the enrolment fees that apply to the student’s particular situation.

Main enrolment in the master's programme; double course for auditors of the engineering programme

SituationFrench government grant holderNon-grant holder
Rate AFree€243 + CVEC 
Rate BRate A or free, depending on the grant€3,770 + CVEC

Enrolment in a double degree course in engineering (excluding auditors)

SituationFrench government grant holderNon-grant holder
Rate AFree€159
Rate BRate A or free, depending on the grant€2,513

Rate A generally applies to European students or students enrolled in public higher education under the French Ministry of Higher Education without interruption since 2018-19. See the Differentiated Fee Guide for more information.

Rate B covers all other situations.

Students coming under an exchange agreement with a Centrale Master's programme are generally exempt from registration fees and the CVEC. It is advisable to check the terms of the exchange in the admission letter.

Please note! In the case of co-accredited Master's programmes, the fee applied is that of the institution carrying out the administrative registration.

Registration for an Erasmus Mundus Masters course - meta4.0

Registration fees for Erasmus Mundus-labelled Masters courses are generally set independently of the usual rules (differentiated fees). Students who receive a specific Erasmus Mundus grant are also exempt from registration fees.

  • Fees “Program students" fee: for students of nationality from countries participating in the Erasmus programme ("students whose nationality is one of the 27 Member States of the European Union, and additionally, Iceland, Norway, Republic of North Macedonia, Liechtenstein,Turkey, Serbia, countries defined by the European Commission as 'third countries associated to the programme'"): €4,500 / year.
  • Fees “Partner countries students" : ("all other countries defined by the European Commission as 'third countries not associated to the programme'") €9,000 / year

The list of eligible countries is available at the following link: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/programme-guide/part-a/eligible-countries

Additional costs

In addition to tuition fees, the cost of living in France can be quite high. We invite students to consider the following before committing to a course at Centrale:

  • Living expenses are on average €1,000 per month (excluding housing subsidies).
  • The cost of starting the new school year represents an average of €1,200 in additional expenses.
  • Students must have computer equipment.
  • It is specified that student jobs alone cannot finance these studies (demanding schedule and personal work...)

See also Average cost for studying at Centrale Lyon.

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Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

The mechanism for recognising prior learning does not apply to students during their initial education. This section is exclusively for those looking to apply for a degree through the recognition of their prior learning (VAE in French).

The recognition of prior learning is a legal means to obtain a nationally-recognised degree by demonstrating professional skills acquired through various experiences (employment, unpaid activities, trade union offices, volunteer and community work, etc.).

Receipt of a degree through RPL requires a written submission (dossier) and an oral examination (before a board). The applicant must prove proficiency over all benchmark skills expected for a formally educated degree holder.

École Centrale de Lyon is authorised to award its two engineering degrees through RPL:

  • General engineering degree.
  • Engineering degree specialising in energy, facility design.

Also under RPL, École Centrale de Lyon can award the master’s degrees for which it is accredited.

Who might be interested in RPL?

A holder of a two-year college diploma or university bachelor’s degree, who can prove at least one year’s experience in engineering.

(Realistically, it is extremely rare that a single year of engineering experience would lead to proficiency in the required skills. Usually, three years’ practical experience is necessary).

For enquires relating to the recognition of prior learning (RPL), you can contact the institute’s RPL adviser Philippe Thimonier.

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