Master Aerospace Engineering

The Master of Aerospace Engineering degree is a two-year (M1 and M2) programme operated by École Centrale de Lyon under the aegis of Université de Lyon.

The first year comprises the core subjects while the second year is divided into two tracks: Aerospace Propulsion (PAS) and Aerostructures.

Scientific Fields

Fluid mechanics and Energy

fluid mechanics and Energy, solid and structure mechanics, materials and automation.

The programme is supported by three major Lyon laboratories: the LMFA, the LTDS and the Ampère Laboratory.

Objectives

  • Educate future technology leaders and researchers in the different aspects of the aerospace industry, from large constructors to component suppliers.
  • Develop intercultural/international skills.
  • Train students in the continual optimisation of components, keeping in mind manufacturing and maintenance constraints.
  • Make students aware of the industry’s codes, languages and common practices.

In sync with changes to the aerospace sector

This long-cycle sector is emerging from a ‘design-centric’ phase, associated with large aircraft (A380, A350, A400M, EC 175, LEAP-X, etc.) and entering a new ‘production-based’ phase for the coming decade. The challenge is thus moving from the design of large complex systems to the continual enhancement of components and their production. The use of composite materials, for example, will continue to grow. Accordingly, this programme seeks to follow this development.

Design, construct, maintain

The Aerospace Propulsion (PAS) track is targeted at developing the student’s understanding of an aerospace engine’s design process. This master’s programme expands the student’s abilities in design, construction and maintenance. Those graduating will become the creative force in the development of components, thereby increasing their uses or adapting them to new manufacturing processes.

Installations expérimentales du LMFA (LP3)
Photo of an experiment facility at the LMFA (LP3), used to study noise from rotating machinery. The image shows the air intake, pressure sensors (bright marks on surface) and the rotor.

Programme

The syllabus is organised into four semesters and ends with a six-month research placement. The first semester is the same for the two tracks.

Semester 1

  • Basic scientific courses: solid mechanic, fluid mechanics, experimental techniques in materials and mechanics, numerical methods and signal processing.
  • Production management: management of innovation processes, Lean Manufacturing and Lean Engineering, advanced design project, foreign language (including French).

Semester 2

  • Common courses: advanced research project, foreign language (including French), intercultural studies.
  • Aerospace Propulsion option: optimal design and computational fluid mechanics, conception and simulation, non-destructive testing, adaptive filtering (application to active noise control), turbojet aircraft.
  • Dynamic and Sustainability of Composite Materials option: materials including polymers, observation and analysis, surfaces, adaptive filtering (application to active noise control), plates and shells, intelligent mecatronic systems.

Semester 3

  • Common courses: foreign language (including French), professionalisation courses.
  • Aerospace Propulsion option: aero-thermodynamics of turbomachines, wide range of elective courses (noise, combustion, turbulent flows, acoustics, automatics, modelling and scientific computing, etc.), aircraft pre-design project.
  • Dynamic and Sustainability of Composite Materials option: composite materials and structures, structural health monitoring, advanced numerical methods, dynamics and sustainability of materials and structures, fluid-structure interaction, active noise control and vibration.

Semester 4

  • Aerospace Propulsion option: master thesis research project (6 months).
  • Dynamic and Sustainability of Composite Materials option: process-product-performance, master thesis research project (6 months).

A complete description of the master’s curriculum is available at master-aerospace-engineering.ec-lyon.fr

Career prospects

After graduation, some two-thirds of students find jobs in industrial companies, subcontractors or design firms specialising in the sector. The other third continue with a doctorate at a research laboratory or in partnership with an industrial manufacturer.

Applications for the academic year 2024-2025

Prerequisites

  • Master 1: License or Bachelor in a scientific subject related to the themes of the Master. English level B2.
  • Master 2: M1 passed in a subject related to the subjects of the Master. English level B2.

Fees

Centrale Lyon applies differentiated national rights. The rates and additional costs can be viewed by clicking here.

Students from/from Outside the European Union

See page "International Master"

Documents you must provide

  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Personal statement
  • Copy of your passport or identity document
  • Passport or identity photo
  • An academic reference from one of your professors, from the last year of yourlatest academic programme
  • A reference from your employer if you are not currently registered as a student
  • Transcript of your academic results for the current year (Bachelor or Masters programme) and for all the preceding years of your university programmes.
  • Copy of the last degree certificate that you were awarded
  • English language certificate, level B2 – intermediate/advanced (Minimum levels: IELTS 5.0, TOIEC 400, EFSET 51, TOEFL IBT 72, Cambridge FCE, CECR B2, ILR 2, ACTFL Advanced mid, CLB 7, TOEIC 605) or documentary evidence of a minimum of three years of full time education conducted in the English language.