FAQ

It is not mandatory, but an understanding of energy or technical issues is an asset.
The programme covers the fundamentals, then progresses towards advanced approaches (STD, LCA, technical systems…).

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.

No. The training includes fundamental concepts in thermal science, STD, hygrometry, and energy auditing. An aptitude for technical subjects is recommended, but prior expertise is not essential: the programme is designed to gradually bring all learners to the same level.

No, several profiles are eligible:

• Engineers,
• Architects,
• Scientific Master’s degrees (M2 or M1 + experience),
• Equivalent foreign degrees.

No. Recent graduates may join the program. However, prior experience (long internship, work-study program) in construction, energy, or environment is an asset for the application and facilitates company integration.

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. Backgrounds in building sciences, energy, environment, civil engineering, and architecture are highly suitable. The programme is specifically designed to combine these skills and develop a cross-disciplinary approach to energy renovation.

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.

The cohorts are composed of:

• approximately 80% recent graduates (engineers, science master’s graduates, architects),
• and 20% experienced professionals (employees, career changers).

The cohorts are generally around 27 years old, but there is great diversity (from 23 to over 45 years old depending on the year).

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.

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

The jury relies on three main criteria:

1. Your analytical potential (scientific, technical, or regulatory).
2. Your motivation to engage with environmental and territorial challenges.
3. The coherence between your background/experience and the needs of the SSP sector.

It is not about being an expert upon entry, but about demonstrating your capacity to become one.

Highlight:

• the type of building, system, or problem studied,
• your specific role (audit, data collection, simulations, design, analysis),
• the results obtained and what you learned from them,
• transferable skills (analysis, diagnosis, scientific rigor).

Even a simple project demonstrates your interest in building or energy transition.

Clearly describe:

• the site’s context,
• your specific role,
• the methodology employed,
• the results obtained,
• your technical and human lessons learned.

Even a modest project is an excellent indicator of your ability to work on real-world industry challenges.

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.

No. Students are involved in:

• the residential sector (collective and individual housing),
• the public or private tertiary sector,
• industrial buildings,
• complex building portfolios (healthcare, schools, offices, public facilities, etc.).

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.

Students primarily join:

• thermal and energy consulting firms,
• architectural firms,
• construction and renovation companies,
• social housing providers and asset managers,
• energy companies (EDF, ENGIE, Dalkia, etc.),
• local authorities or regional operators,
• real estate developers and AMO énergie.

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.

Examples of common assignments:

• comprehensive energy audits,
• sizing and thermal simulation (DTS),
• multi-lot energy renovation studies,
• support for EPC / GPC / certifications,
• system optimization (heating, ventilation, heat pumps, solar, BMS),
• energy strategy and multi-year work plan for landlords,
• site monitoring and performance verification.

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

These projects cover all the challenges of building energy renovation. They specifically include:

• comprehensive energy audits,
• field surveys and performance diagnostics,
• dynamic thermal simulations (DTS),
• system sizing (heating, ventilation, RES, BMS),
• renovation support (EPC, multi-year plan, energy strategy),
• usage optimization and consumption data analysis,
• preparation or monitoring of renovation worksites,
• feasibility studies and project scenarios.

The projects are primarily operational and directly applicable to real-world projects.

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 €

These two projects are demanding but highly structured.
They are key components of the program, as they enable you to:

• work on a real-world case,
• apply all acquired skills,
• showcase a practical project to recruiters.

Both:

• technical courses (thermodynamics, systems, LCA, regulations),
• simulations and audits,
• real-world case studies,
• site visits,
• interdisciplinary projects,
• collaboration with architects via ENSASE.

Yes. The MS program includes modules dedicated to:

• Dynamic Thermal Simulation (DTS),
• hygrothermal modeling,
• modeling of DHW, ventilation, and HVAC systems,
• renewable energy system sizing.

A BIM module is integrated through collaboration with ENSASE.

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

Yes, numerous. The MS EERB is recognized for its:

• real-world energy audits under professional conditions,
• practical work (air tightness testing, materials, measurements),
• case studies on existing buildings,
• dynamic energy simulations,
• cross-disciplinary projects with architecture students via ENSASE,
• a capstone project fully applied to a real building.

The MS-EERB programme focuses specifically on the renovation of existing buildings, a field more complex than new construction.
Existing buildings involve much richer architectural, technical, social, and regulatory challenges.
👉 If you master renovation, you will know how to approach new builds.
The reverse is not always true.

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.

Always. The capstone project aims to:

• energy audit,
• air quality audit,
• sociological analysis,
• renovation scenario proposals,
• presentation to a professional jury.

It constitutes one of the key components of the MS.

Yes. The MS relies on an extensive network:

• design offices,
• Architects,
• housing providers,
• construction companies,
• energy operators,
• local authorities.

Visits, case studies, audits, and partnerships with ENSASE significantly strengthen the practical approach.

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 MS-EERB program leads to roles related to the energy and environmental transition of buildings, including:

• energy efficiency,
• carbon footprint reduction,
• low-carbon renovation,
• integration of bio-based or high-performance materials,
• LCA and environmental building approach,
• circular economy applied to the building sector,
• transition strategies in public or private organizations.

The MS-EERB program fully addresses national and European energy efficiency challenges.

Yes. It is a key recruitment sector (strategic asset plans, CEE strategies, comprehensive audits…).
Funders are a major opportunity for the programme.

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

Yes. While specializing in renovation, graduates also master the fundamentals of thermal engineering, systems, and regulations, enabling them to work on new construction projects.

Yes, after a few years:

• Energy performance manager,
• Asset manager,
• Energy transition manager,
• Project manager for complex renovations,
• CPE / GPE lead.

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

Key positions:

• Energy Efficiency Engineer,
• Energy Performance Engineer (Design office, company, property owner),
• Energy Renovation Project Manager,
• HVAC / RES Technical Systems Engineer,
• Thermal Design Engineer,
• Energy Renovation Consultant,
• Energy AMO / Renovation AMO,
• Energy Transition Officer (local authorities).

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

Work-study students primarily join:

• materials companies (concrete, cement, polymers, composites),
• specialized engineering firms,
• R&D laboratories,
• construction and public works companies,
• technical centers,
• companies involved in innovative or low-carbon materials.

Career opportunities include:

• engineering consultancies (70% of work-study students),
• major energy or construction groups,
• social housing providers,
• local authorities or asset managers,
• energy services companies.

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).

Yes.
Major industrial groups, materials manufacturers, and construction multinationals seek profiles with solid technical expertise and a keen understanding of materials issues.

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: coworking spaces, specialized rooms, an adjoining green area, quick access to the city center, and proximity to public transport.

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

Yes, regularly.
Experts from:

• the concrete and cement industry,
• composites and polymers,
• independent laboratories,
• consulting firms,
• technical centers (CSTB, CERIB, CTI…)

share their experience and insights, and industry trends.

Yes. Many participants are retraining or upskilling. The programme combines students and professionals, creating highly complementary cohorts.

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

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

Mainly at the Industrial Campus of Mines Saint-Étienne, a site dedicated to work-study programs.

Yes. The support includes:

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