General information
This master's degree is accredited
as a Graduate Programme
Langage : English
Location : Nantes, France
Academic Programme
Fundamental Mathematics Master's degree
Résumé
Research in fundamental and applied mathematics helps to solve problems linked to the major global challenges of our time. To welcome international students, the 2nd year of our Master's in Fundamental Mathematics is also taught in English. Read moreAccéder aux sections de la fiche
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Introduction
As part of the Mathematics and Applications programme, the Fundamental Mathematics (MF) course at the University of Nantes stands out for its affiliation with the Henri Lebesgue Centre, which brings together expertise in fundamental mathematics from the universities of Rennes, Brest, Nantes, Angers and Vannes. This affiliation offers students wider access to courses shared across the various sites, as part of a collaborative approach supported by three renowned CNRS laboratories: the Jean Leray Laboratory (UMR 6629), the Angers Mathematics Research Laboratory (UMR 6093) and the Brittany-Atlantic Mathematics Laboratory (UMR 6205).
The programme differs in its immersive, specifically research-oriented nature, such as student-led seminars, supervised study project in the first year and a four-month research thesis at the end of the 2nd year. It also benefits from enhanced scientific reach thanks to the Louis Antoine Days, Lebesgue Doctoral Meetings and other masterclasses organised by the Henri Lebesgue Centre, as well as the Business and Mathematics Forum, which offers our students exceptional exposure to contemporary research and industrial challenges.
A strategic discipline
Indeed, mathematics is everywhere. It is used to meet major technological and environmental challenges, and to measure the economic stakes facing the planet.
Research in fundamental and applied mathematics, for example, is helping to solve problems relating to the environment, sustainable development, energy and climatology. Given a global context of considerable uncertainty, the stakes are high.
There is an increasingly pressing demand from society for risk prevention and management. To meet this demand, we need to develop tools for obtaining reliable short- and medium-term forecasts, so that we can accurately anticipate extreme events (cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc.). Mathematicians play a central role here.
They are also called upon by doctors to optimise the treatment of serious illnesses or surgical procedures, and by geneticists for genome sequencing, etc.
Why would you choose our graduate programme in Fundamental Mathematics ?
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An innovative and appealing course drawing on the expertise of our local and regional partners: Centrale Nantes, the Universities of Rennes and Angers, and ENS Rennes) |
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Funding for study or work placement opportunities |
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An international outlook, thanks to the diverse backgrounds of the students, as well as the opportunity to study in English in the second year |
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A scholarship for academic excellence to help attract the best candidates |
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A wide range of events that enrich our students’ learning journey and help them build their professional networks: masterclasses, spring schools, research days, etc. |
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Targeted support for students’ progress |
What is a graduate programme ?
Scholarships:
This Graduate programme offers a €4,000 Welcome Scholarship for the best international students. Please prepare your application carefully to demonstrate your motivation for the programme.
Places
Nantes
In Nantes, the University is organised into four major campuses along the Erdre River, crossing the city from north to south to the Ile de Nantes on the Loire River.The programme courses are located on the Lombarderie Campus which is a wooded area well served by public transportation.
Nantes (600,000 inhab.) is located close to the Atlantic Ocean and is regularly rated as one of the most pleasant French cities to live in. Thanks to its beautiful parks, efficient public transport and other policies for sustainable development, Nantes has been awared the status of European Green Capital.
Our partners
Research center
Henri Lebesgue Center
https://www.lebesgue.fr/en
https://www.lebesgue.fr/en
Admission
Entry requirement
Academic requirement
Academic requirement
Applicants must have completed a Licence or a Bachelor degree preferentially in Earth and Planetary Science, and possibly Physics; Chemistry, Material Sciences or Mathematics
Language requirement
A minimum level of B2 in English (or equivalent) is required. Applicants must provide a recognised certificate of English language proficiency, such as the Cambridge, TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS.
Applicants are exempt from providing an English language certificate if they:
- are nationals of an English-speaking country
- hold a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) awarded by a higher education institution in an English-speaking country
A minimum level of French proficiency is recommended to facilitate students’ integration into everyday life in France.
Application
Application procedure
Application procedure for the 2027-2028 academic year
If you are a French national or a citizen of the European Economic Area + Switzerland, Monaco and Andorra and you wish to apply for the first year of the Master's (M1): please use the Mon Master platform.
If you are a citizen of, or currently residing in, the European Economic Area + Switzerland, Monaco or Andorra and you wish to apply for the second year of the Master's (M2), please use the Graduate programme application platform*.
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 Graduate programme application platform*. Please note that applications are generally submitted between October of the year preceding your intended enrolment and March of the year of entry.
- 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 Graduate programme application platform*
For further information, please consult our Admission to Nantes University page.
*Note : Please create an Adullact account to start your application. The Graduate programme application platform open from OCTOBER 1st , 2026 to MARCH 15th , 2027
Documents required:
- A CV written in English or French
- A motivation letter written in English or French
- A recommendation letter
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of language proficiency
- Valid ID (Passport)
Additional information:
- Tuition fees and Scholarships
- Budget estimation
- 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
The Fundamental Mathematics (MF) programme offers two second-year specialisations specifically geared towards research: Algebra and Geometry: MF-AG / Analysis and Probability: MF-AP.
It provides you with in-depth, specialised training whilst developing the skills required of a future researcher in mathematics: a deep understanding of how theories and proofs are interlinked, and the ability to understand, present and critically evaluate a mathematical text. Upon completion of this Master’s degree, you will be equipped to undertake a PhD in Mathematics.
MASTER 2 / SEMESTER 1
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MANDATORY UNITS (18 ECTS) |
2 OPTIONAL UNITS to choose from (12 ECTS) |
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Analysis – General Course Geometry – General Course Seminar for Mathematics Students Lectures and talks by guest speakers |
Analysis and Probability: Foundation Course 1 Algebra and Geometry: Foundation Course 1 Numerical Methods for Compressible Fluids Analysis and Probability: Foundation Course 1 Algebra and Geometry: Foundation Course 1 |
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FREE UNIT (0 ECTS): Mathematical discussions in the laboratory |
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MASTER 2 / SEMESTER 2
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MANDATORY UNITS (18 ECTS) |
2 UE AU CHOIX (12 ECTS) |
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Lectures and talks by guest speakers Supervised Advanced Study Project in Mathematics |
Analysis and Probability – Advanced Course 1 Analysis and Probability – Advanced Course 2 Analysis and Probability – Advanced Course 3 Algebra and Geometry – Advanced Course 1 Algebra and Geometry – Advanced Course 2 Algebra and Geometry – Advanced Course 3 |
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FREE UNIT (0 ECTS): TOEIC preparation, maths discussions in the lab |
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What's next?
Level of education obtained after completion
Bac+5
Competencies acquired
Targeted skills:
Skills common to the specialisation:
· Understanding and solving mathematical problems
· Modelling and predicting complex phenomena
· Analysing and interpreting complex data
· Modelling problems arising from various scientific fields
· Interact as a mathematical expert with a wide range of professional stakeholders: academics, industry professionals, teachers, and even students and pupils…
· Use mathematical calculation and word-processing software
· Communicate clearly, precisely, openly and effectively in both French and scientific English within multicultural and multidisciplinary teams
· Apply a scientific approach and develop innovative ideas
· Be proactive in the face of change and act as a socially responsible individual
Skills specific to the Fundamental Mathematics programme:
· Master advanced algebraic, geometric, analytical and probability concepts
· Understand the interrelationships and significance of various concepts by adopting a critical and constructive research approach
· Present a research paper or a mathematical theory in an accessible manner to an audience, whether expert or non-expert
· Evaluate and analyse a research paper in analysis and/or probability, algebra and/or geometry
Further studies
This course is specifically designed to prepare you to go on to study for a PhD in Mathematics.
Career opportunities
Business sectors
A field that's recruiting
The latest study on the socio-economic impact of mathematics in France estimates that 9% of all jobs in France are affected by mathematics.
Mathematics graduates have an excellent record of professional integration: according to national figures, confirmed by our local surveys, over 95% of Master's graduates have a job. We are proud of their high job satisfaction rate (85%), as well as the fact that they are well suited to the training they have received.
Examples of positions held by our former students :
- Teacher
- Research engineer
- Teacher-researcher (after a PhD)
- Computing engineer
- Design Engineer and Research and Development Engineer
- Industrial Project Manager
- Data Scientist
Employability
To find out more about what happens to our graduates, consult the professional integration surveys carried out by the SUIO.
Registration
Tuition fee
The cost refers to education and training costs that includes additional services such as French language classes.
A provisional budget is available on Nantes Université's website.
A provisional budget is available on Nantes Université's website.
Updated on 12 October 2026.