Students conduct their master studies from within the realm of their design discipline, and with a spirit of integration into an Asian context. During applied projects conducted with local partner companies, students form interdisciplinary design teams working on real assignments for Asian clients.

International Master in Design, Strategy and Innovation

This program offers a fantastic opportunity to discover and understand other cultures, and to study or work in an intercultural context.

By the end of the program, students will be able to support companies in developing their innovation strategies in a global world.

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The diploma is awarded by the final jury to students who have obtained:

1. a minimum score of 800 points at the TOEIC test*;
2. a score greater than or equal to 10/20, which breaks down as follows:

• For 40%, mark attributed to continuous monitoring,
• For 60%, mark obtained at the final defense relating to the student's path (end-of-study project, internship and any other element chosen by the student).

More information on validation of the Master's level degree

This program is open to all applicants who either:


• Hold a Bachelor’s Degree in design, or

• Have completed three years of undergraduate studies in design, equating to at least 180 ECTS credits

You may apply before actually receiving the degree or having completed your undergraduate studies.
However, admission will only take effect once the degree is obtained or the undergraduate credits have been validated.


Applicants whose level we assess to be insufficient may be recommended to follow a semester or a full year in our International 3rd Year Bachelor before entering the Master’s program.

Final admission will only take effect when the necessary visa is obtained, if applicable.




English

If you are not a native English speaker, we ask that you provide proof of your English proficiency (minimum level of 700 points at the TOEIC test or equivalent).

Equivalents: 

• CEFR: LevelB2 (Upper-Intermediate)
• TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 90
• IELTS Academic: Minimum score of 5.5
• Cambridge English: FCE (B2 First)
• DuolingoEnglish Test: Minimum score of 95
• Linguaskill: Minimum score of 180 (LevelB2)
• PTE Academic: Minimum score of 60
• EF SET: Minimum score of 60 (LevelB2)
• CET-4 (China): Minimum score of 600
• CET-6 (China): Minimum score of 500

The Master’s level degree being subject to the validation of 800 points in the TOEIC, you will be required to take the TOEIC exam during the course.

French

While not mandatory for the programs taught in English, a certain command of French language is recommended for daily life in France and integration purposes.

While not mandatory for the programs taught in English, a certain level of French language could be a plus.

Mandarin

While not mandatory, a certain command of Mandarin language is recommended for dailylife in Shanghai and integration purposes.

Places limited – Subject to availability

Application can only be done online on our application website. 

Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year will open on November 17, 2025.

Applications can only be submitted online via our application website.

Apply

• Opening date: November 17, 2025
• Closing date: August (Subject to availability)
• Response time: within two weeks of submitting a complete application

Selection process

1. Online application and payment of the application fees (€50);
2. Upload all the required documents for application;
3. Application review and online interview if your application file is accepted;

4. Publication of the admissions results at the end of each admission session: Admissions results are sent by email.

Admission results within 48 hours after the interview

• French students and European Union students: €8,900 per year
• 
Non-European Union students: €9,900 per year

+ CVEC (Student and campus life contribution): contribution set at just under €105

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The school itself does not offer scholarship. However, according to your country of residence and your particular situation, different possibilities may be available to finance your studies in France: government grants, funding granted by international organizations and NGOs, private fellowships etc.

Campus France has a scholarship search engine which may help you identify a scholarship available in your situation (country of residence, degree being prepared etc.).

Final admission will only take effect when the necessary visa is obtained, if applicable.

After confirmation of your admission, you are required to start the administrative procedures in order to obtain a student visa (X1) for China: 

To obtain your visa, you will need to follow this procedure:

1. Student’s passport is valid for at least a year, if not renew it as soon as possible.
2. Send your information form & documents to China Studio before15th April.
3. Complete the online registration in International students system of Shanghai University before end of May. (Need passport, ID photo 395x413 pixels 200KB max, last semester trancript, last diploma, English exam certificat)
4. Get the Admission Notice from SHU & JW202 form before July 15th.
5. Apply for the X1 visa in Chinese Visa Center in the your country of residence. (More details about visa application: www.visaforchina.cn)
6. Once in China, mandatory police registration and medical check to transform your X1 visa into one year residence permit within 30 days.
7. Internship : need to validate internship before August 31st. Companies must complete the school internship agreement to validate it and the Chinese internship agreement (original paper with company stamp to collect) to apply for internship visa in september. Note : Foreign students are not allowed to receive salary from companies (allowance can be arrange)

L'École de design Nantes Atlantique has been exporting internationally for several years, with the opening of its studios in China (2008). Its international studios are backed by local partners (higher education institutions or incubators).

Every year, the studios welcome students for a long immersion period to complete their International Design Strategy master's level degree program.

The China Studio was the first permanent branch of L'École de design Nantes Atlantique to be created. The China Studio of L'École de design Nantes Atlantique has set up its quarters in the building of the Academy of Fine Arts of Shanghai University

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Deputy Executive Director
Stéphane Gouret

Head of program
Maxence Lucas

This program trains students to become global players who can converse fluently in English and possibly even local, Asian languages, understanding Chinese context better, and most of all, steep themselves in the ability to design for clients and employers from other cultures.

It is a living experience that will change its participants, often opening up unexpected, exciting international career opportunities.

As all our master programs, this programme leads to the Master’s level degree in design, certified by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research and registered in the Registre National des Certifications Professionnelles (the French directory for vocational qualifications or RNCP) as a Level 7 Master’s level degree.


This program must be completed in its entirety to obtain certification and cannot be broken down into blocks. The course is taken as a whole and not in modules. Please contact us for information on equivalences (international-admission@lecolededesign.com) 

The Master’s level degree confers the "Grade de master", and you can pursue your education at a PhD level.

• Decathlon
• Groupe ADEO
• Hisense, Kohler
• GE Health care
• Kenwood
• Goodbaby
• ECCO
• AsiaLink Concept

• Centdegres
• In Process
• Malherbe
• Naco
• Dedo design
• Moma design
• CBI
• KRT
• COO
• Apply Digital
• Creativoo
• Ming Labs
• MustFilms
• LOE design
• Virtuarch
• Frog design
• Dariel Studio
• Altavia
• Landor
• Auditoire
• Ores-Collective
• Royal Club
• Studio 8
• S.point design
• W&YP
• Ensamble
• Nude

• City of Shanghai
• French Chamber of Commerce
• Alliance Française

• Shanghai University
• SAFA
• PACC
• UTSEUS
• NACAA