FAQ

Yes. Advance Master programmes welcome general engineers and graduates from various backgrounds, provided their professional project is consistent with the field of the Advance Master.

Yes, many work-study students are involved in industries committed to the transition (logistics, agri-food, energy, materials, etc.).

No.
The program provides the scientific, technical, economic, and territorial foundations needed to work in the field.
Some initial exposure is a plus, but not a prerequisite.

It is not mandatory for Bac+5 degree holders, but highly valued. For Bac+4 degree holders, at least three years of professional experience is required.

Yes.
The programme welcomes diverse profiles: engineers, sustainable development specialists, management, logistics, industry, planning and development professionals, or even human sciences.
What matters is:

• an interest in environmental issues,
• a motivation to transform organizations,
• the ability to address complex and interdisciplinary issues.

Yes, this is indeed one of its strengths.
The program is structured to support individuals:

• undergoing career change,
• upskilling,
• or seeking to enter careers in ecological transition, the circular economy, or CSR strategies.

Yes. Advance Master programs are open to international candidates holding the equivalent of a 5-year or 4-year higher education degree, according to the admission criteria.

Advance Master programs are open to candidates with a Bac+5 degree (engineer, Master 2) or a Bac+4 degree with at least three years of professional experience.

The Advance Master (MS) programme is a post-Master’s level qualification accredited by the Conférence des Grandes Écoles.
It is aimed at Master’s graduates or Bachelor’s graduates with experience, and offers highly specialized training, immediately valuable in the job market.

A good command of French is necessary to follow the courses. International candidates must demonstrate a minimum B2 level.

The training begins every year in October.

The MS-ÉCITE programme is intended for:

• generalist or specialized engineers (e.g., environmental, materials, processes, etc.),
• holders of scientific or technical Master of Science in Engineering degrees,
• professionals holding a Master 1 degree with at least 3 years of experience,
• equivalent international profiles.

Candidates undergoing career change or upskilling are also welcome.

It is not mandatory.
However, specifying areas of interest demonstrates that you have considered your professional project.
The final topic is developed with the school and the company.

No.
The programme includes:

• French and European regulatory frameworks,
• territorial strategies,
• funding mechanisms,
• public policies related to ecological transition.

You are not expected to master these elements before admission.

It includes the following steps:

1. Application Submission
2. Application Review
3. Interview
4. Provisional Admission
5. Company Search (if professional training contract)
6. Funding Validation
7. Final Admission

In the circular economy, hybrid profiles are an asset.
You can highlight:

• project management,
• optimization of processes or resources,
• the coordination of stakeholders,
• awareness of environmental challenges,
• the willingness to integrate societal and territorial dimensions into your profession.

Even experience unrelated to the subject can be relevant if it demonstrates an ability to analyze and transform organizations.

No, but having a general direction or an area of interest is useful.
For example:

• circular economy in industry,
• territorial energy transition,
• reuse and eco-design,
• functional economy,
• CSR strategy.

The professional thesis then helps to refine or confirm your direction.

Yes. Enrollments are intentionally limited to ensure individualized support.

Yes. You may apply again by strengthening your application or professional project.

CV, transcripts, copies of diplomas, proof of experience, and administrative documents requested in the application.

This is a 45-minute interview designed to assess the consistency of your professional project, your motivation, and your suitability for the programme.

• Applications are open from November to the end of August.
• Term begins: October.

Ideally, as soon as applications open, because support for finding a company begins upon eligibility.

Yes, through continuing education or as part of a skill development project supported by your employer.

All three dimensions are represented.
The most common projects:

• material and energy analysis,
• implementation of circular economy approaches,
• change management support,
• regional or industrial projects,
• structuring reuse channels,
• awareness-raising and facilitation of multi-stakeholder workshops.

These projects are foundational and contribute to the professional thesis.

Yes. Eligible candidates receive support:

• assistance with revising CVs and cover letters,
• access to a network of partner companies,
• distribution of offers,
• coaching for company search,
• support until contract signing.

No.
You are first provisionally admitted, then assisted in finding your host company.

Yes.
Local authorities have a high demand for skills in the circular economy, particularly for:

• PCAETs,
• circular economy strategies,
• reuse projects,
• environmental planning,
• citizen engagement.

Yes. The Advance Master is based on a work-study program or a long-term corporate assignment.

Final admission is subject to the signing of an agreement or a contract with a company.

An alternating schedule with extended periods allowing for strong technical immersion, varying depending on the companies but generally 1 to 3 weeks school / 3 to 6 weeks company.

Long-term internship, professionalization contract, or employee contract, depending on profiles and situations.

Work-study students join:

• local and inter-municipal authorities,
• industrial companies committed to impact reduction,
• waste and resource management companies,
• specialized engineering firms,
• social and solidarity economy organizations,
• transition agencies, clusters, joint syndicates, consular chambers.

Specific rules apply, particularly concerning access to the professionalization contract depending on status.

Yes. Personalized support is offered to identify suitable solutions.

Yes, for candidates meeting the legal criteria (age, status, length of stay in France for non-EU citizens).

Depending on your status:

• OPCO (work-study contract or skills development plan),
• company funding,
• Pôle Emploi assistance,
• regional aid (depending on the region),
• individual funding.

• Individual: around 10,000 €
• Company-sponsored: 12,000 € to 12,500 €

Yes.
Each cohort collaborates with:

• local authorities,
• companies,
• non-profit partners,
• regional stakeholders.

These projects enable the application of the programme’s concepts and tools in real-world conditions.

Yes, including:

• functional economy,
• ecodesign,
• reuse,
• second life,
• pooling,
• reverse logistics,
• industrial symbiosis,
• territorial cooperation.

Yes, this is one of the pillars of the programme.
Learners use:

• LCA (Life Cycle Assessment),
• MFA (Material Flow Analysis),
• carbon footprints,
• circular indicators,
• territorial modeling and simulation tools.

Yes. Each training course is regularly updated to keep pace with scientific, technical, and regulatory developments.

Each programme is structured into modules or educational groups, combining instruction, practical application, and a professional project.

Yes. The programme is demanding and requires regular commitment in addition to work placements.

It is a collaborative applied project that leverages acquired skills and prepares for project management.

A corporate assignment addresses an operational company need; a professional thesis formalizes a problem statement and an in-depth analysis, assessed by a jury.

An active pedagogy: case studies, a guiding project, professional speakers, practical workshops, site visits.

Yes. Many candidates use the program to transition into a new field of expertise.

Yes, eco-organizations regularly recruit profiles specialized in circularity.

Yes.
After a few years, graduates can become:

• Head of Circular Economy,
• Head of Ecological Transition,
• Director of CSR / SD,
• Head of Department in Local Authorities,
• Head of Sustainable Innovation.

Yes.
Many graduates work in:

• environmental consulting firms,
• engineering firms,
• regional support organizations,
• specialized consulting firms.

Yes. The training develops technical, methodological and managerial skills that enable progression to leadership positions.

Career opportunities include:

• Industry,
• Local authorities,
• Engineering and consulting firms,
• Eco-organizations,
• Waste management and resource recovery companies,
• Regional planning and development agencies.

Very high. Most graduates find employment within months of completing their training.

Graduates become:

• Circular Economy Officer,
• Environmental Transition Project Manager,
• Circular Economy Consultant,
• CSR Strategy Coordinator,
• Ecodesign / LCA Officer,
• Industrial Ecology Project Manager (EIT),
• Research Officer for Local Authorities.

Yes. Mines Saint-Étienne assists international students with their arrival and integration procedures.

Yes.
The challenges of resource efficiency, circularity, and transition are global.
Graduates can work with:

• international organizations,
• NGOs,
• European projects,
• multinational companies committed to impact reduction.

Yes, provided they have previously completed one year of studies in France (Law of March 7, 2016).

It depends on the programme. Some MS courses include international projects, conferences or theses that can be conducted abroad.

Yes.
Students study the frameworks:

• Green Deal,
• waste directives,
• European taxonomy,
• circular economy in public policies,
• corporate obligations (CSRD, reporting, etc.).

No, but the program regularly hosts international speakers and case studies related to global contexts.

Yes: expert conferences, professional workshops, themed days, workshops, site visits.

Yes, thanks to the alternating schedule and the flexibility provided for working professionals.

Yes.
The program relies on a rich network including:

• local authorities,
• eco-organizations,
• industrial companies,
• re-use companies,
• public agencies,
• specialized consulting firms.

Yes, because the program includes progressive skill development and enhanced support.

Yes. Graduates can join the Mines Saint-Étienne network and its thematic communities.

Libraries, workspaces, technology platforms, catering, student life, sports facilities.

The program offers:

• enhanced tutoring,
• individualized monitoring of the professional project,
• methodological support for the assignment,
• a progressive refresh of key concepts.

Yes. The support includes:

• academic tutoring,
• assistance with company placement,
• company monitoring,
• supervision of the professional thesis,
• support with administrative procedures.