International Bachelor of Design
Degree: Bachelor of design - BDes (pending certification)
Specialty: "Space & Industrial Design" or "UX & Graphic Design"
Duration: 3 years
Credits: 180 ECTS (60 / year)
Course start date: September 2027
Eligibility: A state diploma equivalent to the French baccalaureate and an English level equivalent to B2
Language of instruction: English
Location: Nantes, France
Start your design journey in France. Take it to the world.
An English-taught Bachelor combining French design culture, project-based learning and an international community. Experience the best of both worlds: French design culture and an international learning environment. Study in English alongside students from France and around the world, develop your creative practice in Nantes, and prepare to work as a designer in an increasingly global industry.
Why choose the International Bachelor of Design?
Learn by doing
A hands-on approach to Design. Work on real-world projects, experiment in 700 m² of dedicated workshops in a unique 11,500 m2 campus, develop prototypes and collaborate with design professionals and partner organisations.
With a network of more than 1,000 national and international partner companies and organisations, you will engage with real design challenges throughout your studies.
An integrated 2-to-4-month internship allows you to step into a professional environment, apply your skills and build your first professional network.
Projects / Making / Prototyping / Professional experience
Choose your design pathway
Choose your area of specialisation from the start of your Bachelor and develop your expertise with a transdiciplinary approach.
- Space & Industrial Design
Explore objects, products and environments through creative, technical and functional approaches, at the crossroads of industrial design, space design and scenography.
- UX & Graphic Design
Explore user experiences, interfaces, visual identities, media contents and communication, placing users and their needs at the heart of your design process.
One Bachelor and two pathways: your creative direction!
Invest in your future
5 scholarships covering 50% of tuition fees are available for the 2027 intake of the International Bachelor in Design.
Awarded for the entire duration of the programme, these scholarships recognise international students who demonstrate academic excellence, a strong portfolio and outstanding motivation.
Study in a leading design school
Ranked among the top 4 French design schools in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 – Art & Design, L’École de design Nantes Atlantique offers an inspiring environment to develop your creative practice and prepare for an international career.
Located in Nantes in a creative area, the school is at the heart of a vibrant ecosystem where design, innovation, culture and entrepreneurship come together.
The Bachelor opens the door to start a design career but also offer the possibility to postgraduate studies in France or abroad, including further study within L’École de design Nantes Atlantique.
Top 4 in France / Nantes Creative area / International career opportunities
Curriculum
- General Studies : Languages, humanities and social sciences, art history, design history, intercultural studies - 204 hours / 20 ECTS
- Modes of Expression: Visual representation, drawing, 3D/form and perspective, colour - 96 hours / 10 ECTS
- Technical and Business Culture - 72 hours / 8 ECTS
- Design Project - 168 hours / 16 ECTS
- Specialisation "Space & Industrial Design" or "UX & Graphic Design" - 72 hours / 6 ECTS
- General Studies: Languages, art history, design history, anthropology - 154 hours / 12 ECTS
- Modes of Expression: Visual representation, graphic design, drawing, 3D/form - 48 hours / 4 ECTS
- Technical and Business Culture - 20 hours / 2 ECTS
- Design Project - 70 hours / 7 ECTS
- Specialisation "Product / Spatial Design" or "Graphic Design / UX Design" - 292 hours / 29 ECTS
- Professional Development - 36 hours / 4 ECTS
- General Studies: Languages, introduction to research, dissertation preparation, contemporary social and economic issues - 114 hours / 11 ECTS
- Specialisation "Space & Industrial Design" or "UX & Graphic Design" - 456 hours / 45 ECTS
- Professional Development - 36 hours / 4 ECTS
Admission requirements
This program is open to all applicants who hold a state diploma equivalent to the French baccalaureate.
You may apply before actually receiving the degree. However, admission will only take effect once the degree is obtained.
Final admission will only take effect when the necessary visa is obtained, if applicable.
For the 2027 intake, admissions will be open only for the 1st year. No admission for the 2nd or 3rd year.
English
All classes and workshops are conducted in English. Therefore a good command of this language is recommended.
If you are not a native English speaker, we ask that you provide proof of your English proficiency: minimum 700 points at the TOEIC test or equivalent.
- CECRL : Niveau B2 (Intermédiaire supérieur)
- TOEFL iBT : 90 points
- IELTS Academic : 5.5 ou 6.0
- Cambridge English : FCE (B2 First)
- Duolingo English Test : 95
- Linguaskill : 180 (Niveau B2)
- PTE Academic : 60
- EF SET : 60 (B2)
- CET-4 (Chine) : 600
- CET-6 (Chine) : 500
Places limited – Subject to availability
Application can only be done online on our application website.
Applications for the 2027-2028 academic year will open in October 2026.
Applications can only be submitted online via our application website.
- Opening date: October 12, 2026
- Closing date: August 2027 (Subject to availability)
Documents for application:
- Résumé (CV);
- Portfolio;
- Academic transcripts for the past year.
- Copy of a state diploma equivalent to the French baccalaureate ;
- Copy of your identity card or passport;
- Cover letter (letter of intent);
- English test : minimum 700 points at the TOEIC test or equivalent
Application 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;
Bachelor interviews will be scheduled upon confirmation of the diploma certification.
4. Publication of the admissions results at the end of each admission session: admissions results are sent by email within 48 hours after the interview.
Year 1
- French students and European Union students: €7,500 per year
- Non-European Union students: €8,900 per year
Year 2 & 3
- 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 €105 in 2025
By joining the International Bachelor of design, students may be eligible for a scholarship program designed specifically for international students. This scholarship covers 50% of tuition fees for the three years of the International Bachelor’s program.
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.).
Academic calendar
The academic year runs from the beginning of September to the beginning of July for all our programs.
This dates are provided for information purposes only and are subject to change.
For more information to help you to prepare your arrival & life in Nantes Studying in Nantes
Final admission will only take effect when the necessary visa is obtained, if applicable.
For more information about the visa to help you to prepare for your arrival in Nantes, consult the item "Procedures for international students" on the page Studying in Nantes
Teaching staff
Head of undergraduate studies
Nathalie Templier
Head of program
Luc Montessinos
Job prospects and further education
The Bachelor opens the door to start a design career but also offer the possibility to postgraduate studies in France or abroad, including further study within L’École de design Nantes Atlantique.
Students having successfully completed this undergraduate program may continue their studies at a postgraduate level in one of our international masters "Design, Strategy and Innovation".
Contact
Do you have a question about admissions to the International Bachelor program? Contact us at international-admission@lecolededesign.com or on +33(0)2 51 13 50 70
Do you have a question about disability? Consult the school's social policy
The label "Bienvenue en France" is delivered by the Campus France Labeling Commission and attests to the institution's commitment and quality in welcoming international students. L'École de design Nantes Atlantique is also a member of Campus France , the international network for the promotion of French higher education of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Degree: Bachelor of design - BDes (pending certification)
Specialty: "Space & Industrial Design" or "UX & Graphic Design"
Duration: 3 years
Credits: 180 ECTS (60 / year)
Course start date: September 2027
Eligibility: A state diploma equivalent to the French baccalaureate and an English level equivalent to B2
Language of instruction: English
Location: Nantes, France