
International Design Strategy / China Studio
Degree: Diplôme de design Bac +5 - Postgraduate studies / Master's level degree
Prerequisites: 3 years of undergraduate studies in design
Admissions: on our application site
Location: Shanghai, China
Teaching language: English
Postgraduate studies / Master's level degree in China
A postgraduate programme in two years specialized in International Design Strategy, a single master’s level degree in design. Programme in partnership with the Academy of Fine Arts of Shanghai University.
This programme leads to the master’s level degree certified by the French Ministry of Higher Education.
Curriculum
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.
The 'International design strategy' program
The 'International Design Strategy' program offers a fantastic opportunity to discover and understand other cultures and to evolve in an international context.
By the end of the program, students will be able to support companies in developing their innovation strategies in a global world.
'Le Diplôme de design Bac +5' 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
Admission requirements
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 3rd Year of DN MADE / International Class before entering the master’s program.
Final admission will only take effect when the necessary visa is obtained, if applicable.
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).
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.
Programme subject to availability of places
Applications are open from November to June 2025 for the academic year 2025-2026
Applications are organised into 9 admission sessions:
- November session: registrations until November 29, 2024
- December session: registrations until December 20, 2024
- January session: registrations from January 1 to January 31, 2025
- February session: registrations from February 1 to 28, 2025
- March session: registrations from March 1 to March 31, 2025
- April session: registrations from April 1 to 30, 2025
- May session: registrations from May 1 to 31, 2025
- June session: registrations from June 1 to 30, 2025
- July session: registrations from July 1 to 25, 2025
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 15 days.
- 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 €103
CVEC website
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 :
If you are a European citizen:
In order to obtain the visa, you need to follow the 2 steps procedure:
- Getting the JW202 form and the admission attest from the University of Shanghai
- Getting the student visa (X1) from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in your country.
If you are not a European citizen:
The China Studio will assist you with the procedures.
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
More information about the China Studio
Teaching staff
Deputy Executive Director
Stéphane Gouret
Head of program
Maxence Lucas
Job prospects and further education
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.
The Master’s level degree confers the "Grade de master", and you can pursue your education at a PhD level.
Partners
Carrefour, Decathlon, Groupe ADEO, Hisense, Kohler, Leroy Merlin, Ultra Violet by Paul PAIRET
centdegres, In Process, Octopus Innovation, Quintessence
City of Shanghai, French Chamber of Commerce, Alliance Française, University of Shanghai, UTSEUS
Shanghai, University, PACC, UTSEUS
Contact
- Do you have a question about admissions to this Master's level degree program? Contact us at international-admission@lecolededesign.com or on +33(02) 51 13 50 70.
- Do you have a question about disability? Consult the school's social policy

The China Studio, opened in 2008 in Qingdao, was the first permanent branch of L'École de design Nantes Atlantique to be created. In 2010, the studio moved to Shanghai to benefit from a larger network...

A question about this program?
A question about this program? Contact us!
Degree: Diplôme de design Bac +5 - Postgraduate studies / Master's level degree
Prerequisites: 3 years of undergraduate studies in design
Admissions: on our application site
Location: Shanghai, China
Teaching language: English