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Materials Science and Engineering

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Materials Science and Engineering

Program type Initial Training

Degree Master's

Graduate program(s) Engineering (ISAI)

Domain(s) Engineering, Fundamental Sciences

Discipline(s) Chemistry, Mechanics and Materials, Physics, Engineering Science

Teaching language(s) English

Place Paris

PSL host school

Other PSL school(s) contributing to the curriculum

Description

Curriculum

Admissions

Student story

Hosted by PSL’s three engineering schools (MINES Paris - PSL, École nationale supérieure de Chimie de Paris - PSL and ESPCI Paris - PSL), the Master in Materials Science and Engineering also, for some tracks, involves cross-over with École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs (ENSAD), Dauphine - PSL and institutions outside PSL.

This master's degree in part of the graduate program in Engineering (ISAI)

Learning outcomes

Confer the experimental and theoretical knowledge required to conceive and design innovative materials in accordance with detailed specifications, and to improve the performance of existing materials and predict their lifespan.
Establish the link between processes of development, synthesis and layout, (micro)structures, and structural and/or functional properties.

Curriculum and tracks

The program includes an M1 year (60 ECTS) and an M2 year (60 ECTS). Some courses are joint courses with the engineering programs of partner institutions. M1 & M2 are totally taught in English.

M1 with common core + specialization courses at the student’s choice + 1 internship (2-3 months)
M2 with 2 possible tracks to choose from:
- Materials of the future - Design and Engineering (MADI)
- Microfluidics.

Materials of the future - Design and Engineering (MADI) and Microfluidics can be taken in professional training contract (contrat de professionnalisation).

For more information, see the “Curriculum” tab

Who should apply?

Year one (M1) of the Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering is open to students with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Year two (M2) of the Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering is open to students who have completed an M1 year in science and to students who have successfully completed their 2nd year of engineering.

Opportunities

This program is for students interested in a career in academia or the industrial sector, which most often requires a subsequent PhD.

Non-PSL partner institutions involved : Université de Paris et Université Pierre et Marie Curie.

Dual degree: Available (dual curriculum possible for student engineers at École nationale supérieure de Chimie de Paris - PSL and ESPCI Paris - PSL)

Advantages

2 tracks proposed in Master 2: Materials of the future - Design and Engineering (MADI) and Microfluidics.
Cross-disciplinarity: The proposed approach is by nature cross-disciplinary (chemistry, physical chemistry, physics, mechanics), multi-level (from molecules and crystal structures to objects), and applies to different sets of materials (metal alloys, polymers, oxides, ceramics, biomaterials, etc.).
International exposure: the master's degree in fully taught in English.
Training in innovation through research: Over the two-year course of study, students will complete internships with academic or industrial research groups.
Industry partners will lead classes and lecture series, provide site tours, and host internships.

This two-year program (120 ECTS) is divided into an M1 track (60 ECTS) and an M2 track (60 ECTS) chosen from 3 available tracks.

Master year 1

The M1 curriculum provides a common core of theoretical and experimental knowledge in materials required before any specialized study can begin. This includes generalist coursework in chemistry, physics, and mechanics of materials.
Students can begin to specialize by taking electives in any of these three disciplines, depending on which track they intend to follow in their M2 year. Students also complete a two-month internship and a research project.

→ Master's year 1 detailed program

The core modules offered in the first semester are:

Corrosion
Physical-Chemistry of polymers
Crystalline materials
Metallic materials
Introduction to Mechanics
Electrochemistry (optional)
Machine Learning
Experimental methods
Literature review: conducting and writing
Innovation Project in Group (PIG)
Language courses

The core modules offered in the second semester are:

Modeling
Materials processing
Electronic properties of solids
Inorganic assemblies
Surface properties and mechanical strength of materials
Advanced fluid mechanics
From mechanical testing to constitutive law
Language courses
Innovation Project (in group)
Internship

Master year 2

2 different tracks are available at the M2 level:

Materials of the future - Design and Engineering
→ MADI detailed brochure
This track provides an “integrated” perspective of various materials of the future, including synthetic processes, desired structure or architecture, and related physical properties. Students will also learn the physical and chemical properties of all main types of material (metals, ceramics, inorganic materials, polymers, etc.). At the close of this track of study, students should be able to come up with an appropriate and/or innovative material for an application described in specifications drawn up in partnership with additional stakeholders (designers, marketers, etc.).

Microfluidics involves shared courses with Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris and Université Paris Saclay.
→ More information.
This track provides training in the area of microfluidics (the science of flow at the micro scale) and in all areas involving fluids and micro/nanotechnologies. The curriculum therefore touches upon multiple fields, including fluid dynamics, physical chemistry, biology, and biotechnology. Students complete several practicums in micro/nanomanufacturing.

Prerequisites

Master’s Year 1: Students must have a Bachelor’s degree or a Bachelor of Science degree (Chemistry, Physical Chemistry).
Master’s Year 2: Students must have reached the M1 level in science, engineering students with a double major.

Process and submission deadlines 2026

→ Master’s application (year 1 and 2) | Session #1 Fast track [applications closed]

Application period : from October 16 to December 1, 2025 (23h59 CET time)
Application procedure : based on an application file to be submitted online via on PSL portal

This session is intended for international newcomer students for the 2025/26 academic year, and/or applying for an international scholarship (Bourses Eiffel etc.). Applications submitted in this first session but not meeting these criteria will be evaluated in the 2nd session.

Without any specific administrative or financial constraints (visa, scholarships etc.), it is strongly recommended to wait for the 2nd session so that your application is as complete as it can possibly be.

→ Master’s application (year 1 and year 2) | Session #2

Application period : from January 15 to February 24, 2026 (23h59 CET time)
Application procedure : based on an application file to be submitted online via on PSL portal

→ PhD Track Application (Master's year 1) [applications closed]

The Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering is offered as part of the Phd track in engineering, applied sciences & innovation

Admission procedure & application dates

Applications for the PhD tracks have been closed since December 11, 2025. You may still apply to the Master’s Degree in Materials science and engineering (see the application calendar and procedure above).

What is a PSL PhD Track?

A PhD Track is a highly selective, fully funded 5-year program (2 years of Master’s + 3 years of PhD), entirely taught in English. It is intended for high-potential students hoping to become top-level researchers, in France or abroad, in the public or private sector.

→ More information about PSL PhD Tracks

Required documents

→ Master’s application (year 1 and 2)

In preparing your application, please include the following:

Photocopy of both sides of your ID card (passport, residence permit, etc.)
ID photo; Full transcripts available
Certificate of successful completion of Bachelor’s (for students applying to the M2 year)
CV & Cover letter written in English explaining your interest in the program
Contact information for two academic references (mandatory)
Certification of level of proficiency in English B2 on the CEFR scale (mandatory). Any proof accepted, proof recommended: TOEIC or a Toefl iBT with a minimum score of 100.

For more information, please contact the teaching team: contact.master-sgm@psl.eu.

→ PhD Track Application (Master's year 1) : The list of required documents is available on the PSL PhD page in the “Admissions” section.

The application portal will provide a detailed list of attachments required, which can be uploaded directly. Applications are 100% paperless.

Tuition fees 2025/2026

Tuition fees :
- French and EU students : €254 /year (set by ministerial decree)
- Non-EU students not benefiting from an exemption : €3.941 /year
Student Life and Campus Fee (CVEC) : €105 /year - More information about CVEC

Institution for registration: École nationale supérieure de Chimie de Paris - PSL
Degree issued: French Master’s degree delivered by Université PSL

Alexandre, student of the master's program

« I indulge my interest in the air with two passions: airplanes and the saxophone »

Alexandre, who is currently completing an internship at the MINES ParisTech – PSL materials center, describes his experience with the Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering offered by PSL’s three engineering schools (Mines Paris – PSL, Ecole nationale supérieure de Chimie – PSL, and ESPCI Paris – PSL). He discusses his passion for aeronautics and aerospace, his interest in product end-of-life policies, and the role of researchers in society.

Read his portrait