Academic Programme

Human Movement Sciences and Engineering (U-MOVE) – Master’s Level

Specialisations: Human Mouvement Sciences
Diplôme national de master contrôlé par l'État

Résumé

Human Movement Sciences and Engineering aims to train future experts in biomechanics, physiology, neurophysiology, psychology, and engineering of human movement, who will contribute to addressing tomorrow’s challenges in health and sports performance. Read more

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Details

General information

- Entry: 2026/2027
- Duration: 2 years
- Place: Nantes
- Langue: English
- Tuition fees : 254€/year
 
Version française

Laboratory

Introduction

The Graduate Programme Human Movement Sciences and Engineering aims to train future experts in biomechanics, physiology, neurophysiology, psychology, and engineering of human movement, who will contribute to addressing tomorrow’s challenges in health and sports performance.
Integrated into the school of sport sciences (UFR STAPS) of Nantes University and the Graduate School Biology & Health, the programme is supported by the internationally recognised research unit Movement, Interactions, Performance (MIP – UR 4334)

A Unique Interdisciplinary Experience

This interdisciplinary training programme offers degrees at both Master’s and Doctorate levels. It focuses on the analysis, control and optimisation of human movement through a multidisciplinary approach combining human biomechanics, physiology, psychological sciences, and data science Students will acquire high-level scientific, methodological and technological skills and develop innovative research projects on physical and sports performance, rehabilitation, and movement-related disorders.

Research internships and projects can be conducted within our laboratory or through collaborations with national and international academic and industrial partners.

Two entry tracks are offered at the Master's level:

  1. Apply to the EOPS Master programme and the track Human Movement Sciences and Engineering for Sports Performance if you want to specialise in highperformance sport through an interdisciplinary scientific approach combining biomechanics, neurophysiology, psychology and data science.
  2. Apply to the APAS Master programme and the track Human Movement Sciences and Engineering for Health if you want to specialise in health, rehabilitation and adapted physical activity using advanced scientific and technological methods to assess and optimise human movement.
Regardless of the track, students benefit from a shared scientific core curriculum, transversal skills training, and full integration into the research activities of the MIP research unit.
 

Why would you choose the graduate programme Human Movement Sciences and Engineering ?

  • Interdisciplinary approach combining physiology, biomechanics, psychology, and data science
  • Training driven by research, closely connected with national and international academic and industrial partners
  • Strong collaborations with elite sports organisations and clinical institutions for research, training, and internships
  • Dual Master/PhD training track with mentoring, international mobility, and immersive lab integration
  • An intensive training pathway designed to make Master students highly competitive for PhD positions, with the objective that one third of our graduates will pursue a PhD
  • 1st French University in Sport Sciences (Shanghai ranking, 2024), global top 100
  • Access to cutting-edge experimental platforms (PEPSE, SFR Bonamy)

International Mobility

International mobility of at least 2 months is strongly encouraged during the Master or PhD track. The programme has established collaborations with institutions such as:
  • Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (Norway)
  • University of Montreal (Canada)
  • Edith Cowan University (Australia)
  • Queensland University (Australia)
  • KU Leuven (Belgium)

Admission

Entry requirement

Academic requirement

Students must have completed a bachelor degree preferentially in: sport sciences (STAPS), medicine, physiotherapy, biology, neuroscience, psychology or engineering.

Language requirement

    English  : the applicants must fulfill one of the following conditions:

  •     B2 score or equivalent (TOEIC, TOEFL)
  •     Have graduated from an English-speaking university

Application

Application procedure

Selection: file examination

Application procedure for the 2026-2027 academic year

If you are a French national or a citizen of the European Economic Area + Switzerland, Monaco and Andorra: to find out when the platform opens and closes, and to submit your application, go to the Master's application page.

You are a citizen of a country outside the European Economic Area + Switzerland, Monaco and Andorra :

  • Your country is concerned by the Campus France procedure (cf.: List of countries concerned): you must apply exclusively via the "Etudes en France" platform. Note that applications are generally registered between October and January of the previous year.
  • Your country is not concerned by the Campus France procedure :
    • To apply for M1, please use the Mon Master platform.
    • To apply for M2, please follow the application procedure for international students without access documents (SURF).

For further information, please consult our Admission to Nantes University page.
 

Documents required :

  1. A CV written in English or French
  2. A motivation letter written in English or French
  3. A recommendation letter
  4. Academic transcripts

Additional information:

  • Tuition fees and Scholarships
  • Budget estimation
  • Welcome grant: Graduate programmes offer a €1,500 Welcome Scholarship for the best international students. Please prepare your application carefully to demonstrate your motivation for the programme.
  • Internship: You may complete your internship abroad, with our financial support depending on the host country and the length of your internship. If you choose to do it in France, you will receive financial support of approximately €600 per month.

Programme

Students can enter the programme either at the Master level or at the PhD level. Students who have successfully completed the first two years will obtain a Master’s degree in Human Movement Sciences and Engineering.  They can then  either pursue new career paths or, after proposing a research project at the PhD level, continue in the PhD programme.
 

First year of Master (M1)

More than 50% of the courses taught in English. French courses include a direct translation using English-language support materials.

The first year is structured around interdisciplinary teaching blocks combining scientific theory, methodological skills, and applied experience. Courses are grouped into thematic clusters on biomechanics and motor control.


Core courses within the Graduate Programme

  • Social psychology
  • Human Movement Kinematics
  • Biomechanics and Muscle Function
  • Physical and Neuromuscular Assessment Methods
  • neurophysiology and motor control of human movement
  • Scientific Communication
  • Data Analysis (Matlab/Python/R) and Visualization (Power Bi)
  • Statistics, Biostatistics & Literature Review
  • Thematic Research Seminar
  • Internship (at least 200 hours)

Specialized courses in:

Sport performance
  • Methods for Analyzing Team Performance
  • Training Plaining
  • Reconditioning/Return-to-Play Training
  • Mental Preparation Techniques
  • Muscle strengthening
Health
  • Adapted Physical Activity Programming
  • Psychology of Physical Activity
  • Non-Pharmacological Interventions
  • Sociology of Health
  • Designing Physical and Sports Activities


Second year of Master (M2)

More than 50% of the courses taught in English, including strong research immersion and professional development at the core.

The second year is designed to consolidate scientific expertise and prepare students either for doctoral training or for high-level careers in the fields of sport performance, health, and movement innovation. Emphasis is placed on applied research, interdisciplinary integration, and public communication of science. Part of the courses are grouped into a thematic cluster focusing on movement and psychology. A key objective is that, by the end of the Master, students are actively involved in research outputs, such as contributing to scientific publications, thus initiating their track record in academia.

Core courses within the Graduate Programme

  • Cognitive Psychology & Psychophysiological Interactions
  • Scocial Psychology, movement and sport
  • Science Popularisation & Public Engagement
  • Advanced Data Analysis (Matlab/Python/R)
  • Thematic Research Seminar
  • Internship (At least 600 hours)

Specialized courses in:

Sport performance
  • Nutrition in Elite Sport
 Health
  • Innovation & E-Health

The internship in the second year is funded (3000€) to ensure fair compensation for all students
 

What's next?

Level of education obtained after completion

Bac+5

Competencies acquired

The Human Movement Sciences two-year master programme will provide you:
  • Design and conduct a research or R&D project in movement sciences
  • Collect, analyse and interpret large-scale and complex experimental or observational datasets (big data) using advanced statistical and coding tools
  • Develop scientific expertise in applied contexts, including high-performance sports and health interventions
  • Prepare high-quality written outputs (scientific posters, articles, technical and synthesis reports)
  • Communicate effectively in both academic and non-academic settings, in English and French
  • Understand and apply innovation strategies and the principles of open science

Career Opportunity

  • Research engineer
  • Data analyst
  • R&D manager (sport or health sectors)
  • Scientific communication officer
  • Physical trainer, APA coordinator, physiotherapist

Further studies

After two years of Master's, you will have a choice between developing your own career or pursuing a research project at the PhD level.
For more information about our PhD graduate programme, please follow the link (available soon)
Updated on 12 September 2025.