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.

A foundation in electronics is highly recommended, though not necessarily at an engineering level. Candidates must understand the basic principles of circuits, components, and microcontrollers. However, refresher modules enable less specialized profiles to adapt quickly.

No. The program welcomes candidates with little or no cybersecurity experience. Fundamentals are progressively integrated into the curriculum to bring you to an operational level of expertise.

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. 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.

Proficiency in at least one imperative language (Python, C, C++, Java…) is essential. The training particularly utilizes C/C++ for embedded systems and Python for prototyping, IoT, and cybersecurity.

The training begins every year in October.

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.

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

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.

Often both. The MS IoT program trains hybrid engineers who are capable of:

• designing an IoT device,
• and ensuring its security.

This is a rare and highly sought-after skill.

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. 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.

Assignments depend on the company, but often involve:

• development of secure IoT prototypes,
• integration of sensors / gateways / networks,
• IoT pentesting or attack analysis,
• deployment of secure architectures,
• participation in R&D projects on connected objects.
  

The positions cover the entire chain: sensor → gateway → cloud → security.

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

Students join a variety of organizations:

• Industrial companies (Aerospace, Defense, Energy…),
• Digital companies (publishers, integrators, IT service companies),
• IoT and deeptech startups,
• Companies working on smart cities, smart buildings, connected health, mobility, etc.

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. The programme is largely based on:

• electronic laboratories,
• prototyping in IdFab,
• security testing in secure environments,
• working with boards, microcontrollers, and gateways,
• comprehensive projects integrating design + development + security.

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

Yes, the training covers the entire IoT chain: sensors, microcontrollers, gateways, IoT networks, cloud, cryptography, and cybersecurity.

It addresses:

• electronic design,
• embedded systems,
• LAN/WAN/LoRa/MQTT networks,
• cloud, databases, and secure architectures,
• cryptography and protection mechanisms.

👉 Some recent technologies (such as 5G or NB-IoT) may be mentioned but do not constitute the core of the programme, in order to focus learning on essential and immediately operational skills.

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

The programme includes:
📘 404 hours of instruction
🎓 + corporate internship
📝 + professional thesis

Total recognized: 75 ECTS.

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

Learners use these platforms to design, prototype, test, and secure IoT devices in industry-like conditions.

They notably enable:

• to develop and assemble prototypes in IdFab (prototyping, mechatronics, innovation),
• to work with advanced technologies in MicroPacks (microelectronics, RF, packaging, IoT),
• to test the robustness of systems, including against physical or software attacks.

These environments provide a unique practical experience for mastering the entire IoT chain.

The MS-IoT programme trains engineers capable of designing, prototyping, securing, and deploying complete IoT systems, from data capture to the cloud.
The programme covers in particular:

• electronics & microcontrollers
• IoT networks (LAN, WAN, LoRaWAN, MQTT, REST APIs…)
• cybersecurity & cryptography
• physical attacks & disruptions
• cloud integration and secure infrastructures

Objective: to master the entire IoT chain while ensuring data confidentiality, integrity, and authentication.

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. The demand for IoT and cybersecurity skills is rapidly growing in:

• industry
• digital services
• healthcare
• mobility
• smart city infrastructure
• operators and equipment manufacturers

Yes — particularly when corporate projects and assignments are located in industrial environments, smart factories, or critical systems. The dual expertise in IoT + cybersecurity is highly valued.

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

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

Yes. The program prepares students for:

• R&D in embedded systems,
• deep tech projects,
• the creation of advanced prototypes,
• innovation in agile structures.

Graduates hold positions such as:

• IoT Engineer / Connected Objects Engineer,
• IoT Cybersecurity Engineer,
• IoT Pentester,
• IoT Systems Architect,
• Embedded Systems Developer,
• Embedded Security Engineer,
• Secure IoT Solutions Consultant.

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

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

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.

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 campus is located at the heart of the Aix-Marseille innovation hub, with a very dynamic business landscape in embedded systems, digital technology, cybersecurity, and IoT.
Students benefit from partnerships with: Airbus, Naval Group, Thales, ST, Orange, Pole SCS, UIMM, etc.

Yes, it features:

• specialized technical rooms,
• laboratories for embedded systems,
• access to the technological platforms of the Mines Saint-Étienne network,
• collaborative spaces for design and prototyping.

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

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

Yes. The support includes:

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