International Bachelor Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering.

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

National Institute of Applied Sciences of Lyon INSA

Program Overview

The International Bachelor in Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering (IBMMAE) at INSA Lyon is a dynamic 3-year program taught entirely in English, perfect for ambitious students passionate about designing innovative mechanical systems, advanced materials, and cutting-edge aerospace tech. It suits high school graduates with a strong science background who want hands-on projects, international exposure (including a semester abroad), and mandatory internships to kickstart a global career in engineering.

Curriculum Structure
Year 1 dives into the essentials of engineering, building a rock-solid foundation through courses like Applied Mathematics, Mechanics, and Materials, alongside Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Design, and Thermodynamics. You'll tackle Transversal Projects that sharpen your teamwork and problem-solving skills, plus a one-month company internship in summer to get real-world taste early on. Numerical simulations and communication classes round it out, setting you up for success with 30 ECTS per semester.

Year 2 ramps up with specialized fundamentals like Strength of Materials, Fluid Mechanics, Production, and Kinematics of Mechanical Systems, integrating Applied Mathematics and Numerical Methods for practical analysis. Semester 4 takes you abroad for aerospace-focused modules such as Aero-Design 1 / Conception Aéronautique and Flight and Spaceflight 1 / Théorie du vol, blending machine elements, design projects, and fluids/heat studies to prepare you for complex systems.

Year 3 hones your expertise with advanced topics in Mechanical & Materials Engineering, including Materials (2) / Matériaux (2), Mechanics (2) / Mécanique (2), Flight Mechanics / Mécanique du Vol, and Multi-Physics Analysis applied to Mechatronics. You'll cap it off with the Final Project (2) / Projet de Fin d'Etudes (2) and Industrial Engineering units, plus hands-on manufacturing like machining, CAM, and CNC, culminating in 180 ECTS and group projects that mirror industry challenges.

Focus Areas
Core strengths in mechanical design, materials science, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, aerospace applications, and mechatronics, with real-world projects and partnerships like Safran for aeronautics.

Learning Outcomes
Graduates master creating and improving mechanical/mechatronic systems, applying math/mechanics/heat/flow analyses, and excelling in problem-solving, projects, and professional communication—earning 180 ECTS for direct job entry or master's pathways like INSA's Cycle d’Ingénieur or University of Strathclyde MSc.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
This ECTS-accredited program aligns with EU standards, feeding into accredited French Diplôme d’Ingénieur or international master's, backed by INSA's state-supervised engineering training.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
INSA Lyon ranks as 1st in France for 5-year integrated master's post-high school (Le Figaro Étudiant, 2025) and top 25 worldwide in Mechanical Engineering (Shanghai Ranking by subject, 2025), with interactive pedagogy, expert faculty, and Safran support making grads highly employable in R&D, design, and aerospace.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At INSA Lyon's International Bachelor in Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering (IBMMAE), you'll dive into hands-on learning right from year one, building real-world skills through projects, internships, and industry tools that mirror what engineers do daily. The program emphasizes practical expertise in mechanical design, materials science, and aerospace applications, using tools like computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), computer numerical control (CNC), and numerical simulations to tackle everything from machine elements to flight mechanics. With interactive pedagogy focused on personal and group projects, plus mandatory company training, you'll gain the problem-solving and teamwork edge employers love—backed by partners like SAFRAN, a global aerospace leader.

Here's how experiential learning comes alive in the IBMMAE, preparing you for top careers or master's programs:

- Group and individual projects throughout: Start with Initiation to Professional Communication and Team Projects in year 1, progress to Transversal Projects, Design Projects, Aero-Design, and culminate in a Final Project—fostering collaboration on real mechanical, materials, and aerospace challenges.
- Mandatory internships: A one-month company placement after year 1, plus additional industrial stays abroad, giving direct industry exposure in sectors like aeronautics and energy.
- Semester abroad: Year 2 semester 4 at partners like University of Strathclyde (UK), University of Twente (Netherlands), or Czech Technical University in Prague for immersive aerospace/aeronautics training.
- Specialized software and tools: Hands-on with CAM, CNC for manufacturing, numerical simulations, finite elements analysis, and CAD/CAMD for design and mechatronics.
- Manufacturing and lab experience: Fundamentals in machining operations, machine tools, metrology, instrumentation, and specific processes like mechanism design and multi-physics analysis.

Progression & Future Opportunities

At INSA Lyon's International Bachelor in Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering (IBMMAE), you'll dive into hands-on learning right from year one, building real-world skills through projects, internships, and industry-focused training that make you job-ready. The program emphasizes practical expertise in mechanical design, materials science, and aerospace applications, using tools like computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), computer numerical control (CNC), and numerical simulations to tackle everything from fluid mechanics to flight mechanics. You'll work on individual and group projects—like design projects, transversal projects, aero-design, and a final project—that integrate core subjects such as mechanics, heat analysis, and machine elements, all taught by top experts.

Here's how our experiential learning sets you up for success:
- Group and individual projects throughout: From initiation to professional communication and team projects in year one, to transversal projects, Aero-Design, Flight Mechanics, and a capstone Final Project in later semesters, fostering problem-solving and collaboration.
- Mandatory internships: A one-month company training in year one (July/August), plus additional industrial internships integral to the syllabus, giving direct industry exposure—backed by partners like the SAFRAN group in aerospace.
- Semester abroad: Year two semester four spent at partners like University of Strathclyde (UK), University of Twente (Netherlands), or Czech Technical University in Prague for aeronautics/aerodynamics immersion.
- Specialized software and tools: Hands-on with CAM, CNC for manufacturing, numerical simulations, finite element analysis, and CAD/CAMD for design and mechatronics.
- Manufacturing and lab experience: Training in metrology, machining operations, machine tools, and specific processes like materials implementation, polymers, composites, and tribology.