Master MINDS (IA)

Curriculum highlights

The program focuses on three core AI themes:

• Data Science and Data Engineering
• Cybersecurity
• Computer Vision

During the first year, students develop a strong foundation in all three areas. The second year allows students to specialize in one of these themes during the first semester, followed by a master’s thesis, which can be completed either in an academic setting or during an industrial internship. This structure provides students with a solid balance of theoretical foundations and applied AI skills.

Practical learning and interactive experiences

The program emphasizes hands-on learning through interactive experiences:

• In the second semester of the first year, students tackle group challenges proposed by industrial partners, enhancing teamwork and real-world application skills.

• A major project during the second semester explores broader societal issues, such as the intersection of digital society and sustainable development, encouraging students to address the societal dimensions of AI innovation.
• The first semester of the second year concludes with a hackathon, enabling students to apply specialized knowledge in a dynamic, immersive setting.

Flexible research and Master Thesis options

The master’s thesis can be pursued at the institution hosting the third semester or any other location, provided collaborative agreements are in place. This flexibility allows students to align their research and practical experience with their career aspirations.
Master MINDS provides graduates with both the technical expertise and global outlook needed to lead in the rapidly evolving field of AI.

Master MINDS Program

The Master MINDS program offers students the opportunity to obtain an INSA diploma along with a diploma supplement summarizing their specific academic path (specialization and mobility).

The Common Core in M1 – Semesters 1 and 2

The first year of the program, conducted by INSA Lyon with visiting professors from partner universities, comprises a common core that establishes the foundations of key AI domains, including data science and engineering, cybersecurity, computer vision, and robotics. Additionally, 15% of the curriculum is dedicated to humanities, entrepreneurship, and digital society, addressing fundamental topics such as ethics, deontology, sustainability, and the frugality of artificial intelligence.
The humanities curriculum also includes linguistic studies in French, as well as German, Italian, or Spanish, depending on the student’s planned mobility during the second year and their proficiency level in French.
Two projects enhance the first-year curriculum by enabling students to apply their acquired knowledge on a larger scale:

• A second-semester group Challenge, addressing real-world problems proposed by industrial partners.
• A year-long Capstone project, developed individually by students under the guidance of a faculty member.

This structure ensures a balanced blend of theoretical and practical learning.

The Specialization in M2 – Semester 3

Following the first year of the master's program, students specialize during the first semester of the second year in one of the following AI domains at one of the partner universities: AI for Engineering at the University of Passau, AI for Cybersecurity at the University of Milan, and AI for Computer Vision & Robotics at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). This semester concludes with a Hackathon week at INSA Lyon, where students work in groups on a collective challenge, applying their specialist knowledge in a collaborative and dynamic setting.

The Master Thesis in M2 – Semester 4

The final semester is dedicated to the Master's Thesis, allowing each student to deeply investigate their chosen specialty. The internship is supervised by at least two advisors—either both from academia or a combination of academic and industry professionals. Co-supervision by specialized researchers fosters team cohesion and strengthens academic partnerships.

Upon completing the Master’s Thesis, students receive a diploma from INSA Lyon, accompanied by a diploma supplement that provides a detailed record of their entire academic journey, including their mobility during M2 at the university where they studied for at least six months.

Strengths of the Curriculum

The three specializations are taught by faculty members (researchers and professors) who are domain specialists, ideally positioned to identify and address cutting-edge topics in AI research and applications. The program offers innovative educational approaches, particularly in the realm of digital humanities, through methods such as inter-university challenges, specialist seminars involving industrial partners, group projects, and year-long projects that explore scientific themes through the lens of their societal impacts and challenges.

In addition to its focus on AI specializations, the program features courses in humanities, emphasizing topics related to digital society, languages, and entrepreneurship. This multidisciplinary approach ensures students gain a comprehensive understanding of the societal and ethical dimensions of AI.
The program also boasts a unique mobility structure within Europe, enabling students to study in at least two European countries enabling students to study in at least two European countries. This unparalleled mobility enhances intercultural skills and positions the program as a leader in international AI education.
Furthermore, the program is highly inclusive, fostering collaboration between businesses, and academia to create an alliance that actively contributes to the advancement of European initiatives in AI and education.

Main Professional Opportunities

Graduates of this curriculum are well-prepared for roles that require a strong understanding of modern AI concepts and technologies, such as Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Generative AI, and Natural Language Processing. Additionally, their expertise extends to security systems, Computer Vision and Robotics, and advanced AI- based software engineering.
Career opportunities span a range of sectors, including the digital industry, academia, and research. This broad skill set positions graduates for success in cutting-edge fields and interdisciplinary roles.

FEES

* These are the national fees for 2025/2026.
The new national fees for 2026/2027 will be announced before the summer break in 2026.

It is your responsibility to check whether you are required to pay the national fees for EU or affiliated students, or for non-EU students.

Please note that INSA does not offer a scholarship for this programme. Additionally, if you hold a scholarship (such as the CROUS scholarship), please be aware that, if recognised for the MINDS Master’s programme, it can only be applied towards the national fees and not towards the Master’s tuition fees of the MINDS programme.

For further information regarding scholarships, please consult the following websites and contact the support service directly if you have specific questions:

https://www.insa-lyon.fr/en/node/14831

https://www.campusfrance.org/en/bursaries-foreign-students

APPLICATION process for the INTERNATIONAL MASTER MINDS (IA) program

French, European, “Études en France” (Campus France) or non-“Études en France” candidates:

• Application: 19^th January 2026 and 29^th April 2026, midnight
  • Application period 1: 
    • applications open 19/1 - 27/2 midnight,
    • admission jury reply due on: 16/3,
    • candidates' reply due on: 30/3 midnight
  • Application period 2:
    • applications open 1/4 - 29/4 midnight,
    • admission jury reply due on: 15/5, 
    • candidates' reply due on: 29/5 midnight
• Any applications received after this date will not be considered.
• The selection committee will only consider applications if the INSA Lyon application via eCandidat is complete.

Mandatory procedure for international students: 

• Applicants who do not hold citizenship of the EU, EEA, Switzerland, Monaco, or Andorra are required to obtain a Long-Stay Student Visa (VLS‑TS) to study in France.
• In that case, applications must be submitted through the “Études en France” (Campus France) scheme. Please make sure to select the master MINDS program and communicate your Études en France with us on eCandidat otherwise your Études en France application will not be visible for us.
• The selection committee will only consider applications if:
  • The Campus France application is completed, and
  • The INSA Lyon application via eCandidat is complete.
• Applications submitted directly to INSA Lyon without going through Campus France will not be considered.
• Your visa must be valid from the beginning of September to ensure that you can start your studies in time.

Application fee for the MINDS master’s program: €128.00

Accepted payment methods

Requirement:

Upload proof of payment (e.g. bank transfer receipt) in the designated section on eCandidat.

1. Payment by credit/debit card

• For international candidates with a foreign bank account:
  https://insa-lyon.flywire.com/
  [Please indicate your SURNAME, first name, and the programme name]
• For candidates with a French bank account:
• Online payment is made via INSA Lyon’s secure platform:
   https://paiement-cb.insa-lyon.fr/
   

2. Payment by bank transfer

Please make the bank transfer to:
 https://www.insa-lyon.fr/sites/www.insa-lyon.fr/files/rib_insa-2022_0.pdf
[Please indicate your SURNAME, first name, and the programme name]

3. Payment in cash or by card on side

Payments can be made directly at the INSA Lyon accounting office:
INSA Lyon - Agence comptable (Accounting Office)
Campus INSA Lyon - Bâtiment Direction (Administration Building)
37 avenue Jean Capelle
69100 Villeurbanne, France

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 1:00 pm -  4:00 pm

👉 to candidate, please apply here  :

https://ecandidat.insa-lyon.fr

📌 REMINDER:

No application can be processed

without a valid proof of payment uploaded on the eCandidat platform.

Application fees cover processing costs and are strictly non-refundable,

regardless of the outcome of your application. These fees are separate from the tuition fees applicable to the programme.

PREREQUISITES

• Bachelor’s degree, Master's degree or equivalent in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering or a related discipline.
• English proficiency is required, at least a certified B2 level in English (CECRL).
• No minimum level of French, German, Italian or Spanish is required.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

• A completed application form.
• Curriculum Vitae (3 pages max) in English, free or Europass format.
• A cover letter in English, explaining your motivation for the program and its relevance for your career.
• Certified English translation of the original Bachelor’s degree and/or Master's degree. In the case of degrees other than the Bachelor or integrated Master degree, a statement of comparability issued by ENIC-NARIC is required.
• Transcripts of academic records (grades), translated to English and certified.
• If the applicant has not completed the Bachelor’s or Master's degree at the time of application, she or he must provide certified English translations of available transcripts, a proof of current enrollment, and a declaration of the end date.
• Copy of passport. A scan of the national ID will be accepted conditionally if the applicant does not have a passport at the time of application.
• English language certificate.
• Optional: up to 2 recommendation letters from professors and/or employers.

ENGLISH CERTIFICATION

Applicants need to provide proof for at least a certified B2 level in English (CECRL). Either of the following certificates are accepted:

• IELTS: overall score of at least 7.0 with no sub-test below 6.5
• TOEFL iBT: overall score of at least 100 with no sub-test below 22 (no TOEFL iBT Home Edition)
• TOEIC: overall score of at least 800

• INSA Lyon, Institut National de Sciences Appliquées de Lyon
• UNIMI, Universita Degli Studi Di Milano
• UP, Universität Passau
• UAB, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

Part of the IA-Master Minds consortium is also part of the International Research and Innovation Center on Intelligent Digital Systems (IRIXYS), which brings together academics and researchers from France, Italy, and Germany to address burning issues in data science and artificial intelligence.

Over the years, IRIXYS established a strong network of cooperation with industry and socio-economic partners. Various R&D teams from international IT leaders, including Atos, Worldline Siemens, SAP, ST Microelectronics, etc. have collaborated or are currently involved in IRIXYS activities.

The INSA campus is based 15-min away from Lyon city center. Lyon is one of France’s major academic hubs and is consistently ranked among the best student cities.

We aim at fostering well-being on our open and dynamic campus. All year-round students benefit from:

• 130 student clubs and associations
• On-campus accommodation and 7/7 catering
• 24-hour security guaranteed
• Medical and psychological assistance at any time

INSA Lyon’s Campus Tour : https://www.rejoindreinsalyon.com/visiter/campus-insa-lyon-villeurbanne/

Accommodation at INSA Lyon

As an INSA Lyon student, you can rent a room on our INSA Lyon La Doua Campus. As a point of reference, the following housing options and indicative monthly rents (subject to change) were available for the 2025/2026 academic year:

• T1 (individual accommodation): monthly rent €554.50 to €576.50, 16 m² to 19 m²
• T1 (individual accommodation): monthly rent €669 to €705, 24 m² to 30 m²
• T1bis1 (shared accommodation for 2 people - two identical rooms): monthly rent €386.50 to €535.50, 28 m² to 35 m²

Partners Campuses:

Students will attend courses on several partner campuses across Europe. Virtual campus tours are available at the following links:

• University of Passau: https://virtualtour.uni-passau.de/
• Milan University: https://www.unimi.it/en/university/offices-and-facilities/university-locations
• Autonomous University of Barcelona: https://www.uabcampus.cat/en/