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. A basic understanding of the following is recommended:

• analog or digital electronics,
• low-level programming (C, VHDL, or Verilog),
• combinational and sequential logic.

The program quickly reinforces these skills through extensive practical work.

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 MS-CCM program is open to applicants who hold:

• an engineering degree (general or specialized),
• or a Master of Science in Engineering degree in electronics, computer science, telecommunications, applied physics, embedded systems,
• or a Master of Science in Engineering (first year) + 3 years of professional experience,
• or an equivalent foreign degree.

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.

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 key is to demonstrate:

• your motivation for materials science,
• your learning ability,
• your scientific curiosity.

Numerical tools are taught gradually during the program.

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.

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, very frequently.
A significant number of work-study students are hosted within:

• research & innovation departments,
• technology platforms,
• development laboratories,
• or materials innovation hubs.

The MS-CCM programme is particularly well suited to innovation-driven environments.

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.

Apprentices work on:

• analog or digital design,
• RTL design and simulation,
• FPGA / prototyping,
• verification (UVM, SystemVerilog),
• layout / CAD,
• circuit testing and validation,
• ASIC, SoC, or mixed-signal integration.

The content depends on the position and the type of company.

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 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.

The program includes modules in English.
A good command of written and spoken English is required to follow the courses and work with industry-standard tools.

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 in-depth engineering project within a company, typically focusing on:

• the design of an analog/digital block,
• a verification flow,
• the development of an FPGA,
• a microelectronics demonstrator,
• a comparative or methodological study.

It culminates in a report and a defense.

The curriculum covers:

• component physics,
• analog, digital, and logic design,
• simulation and verification,
• microfabrication,
• integrated circuit architectures,
• industrial design methodology.

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

MS-CCM graduates typically become:

• Analog/digital designer,
• ASIC/FPGA design engineer,
• Verification engineer,
• Microelectronics R&D engineer,
• Integrated circuit architect.

The sector is under high demand: opportunities are numerous in France and internationally.

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

Frequent recruiters include:

• CEA-Leti
• STMicroelectronics
• NXP
• Renesas
• Thales
• Safran
• Soitec
• Dolphin Design
• Innovative SMEs / fabless companies / design centers

The microelectronics sector is recruiting extensively.

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.

The pedagogy is based on:

• advanced courses in analog, digital, and mixed-signal design,
• practical work on professional EDA tools,
• cleanroom sessions,
• a capstone project in integrated circuit design,
• expert contributions from CEA-Leti and the microelectronics industry.

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

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

Faculty members provide:

• close supervision,
• introductory sessions at the beginning of the program,
• progressive skill development,
• small group support for complex procedures.

The objective: to ensure each student is fully capable.

Yes. The support includes:

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