L'École de design Nantes Atlantique | Top Design School in France

In a world where design has become a strategic lever at the heart of organisations, L'École de Design Nantes Atlantique stands as one of Europe's leading references in design education. Recognised by Eduniversal with 4 Palmes of Excellence in the Arts & Luxury category, the school puts forward a demanding, forward-thinking vision: design as a driver of societal, technological, and human transformation.

A School with International Reach

Founded in Nantes and awarded the EESPIG label a mark of its non-profit, public-interest commitment, L'École de Design Nantes Atlantique holds official recognition from the French Ministry of Higher Education.

 But it is on the international stage that the school truly deploys its educational model.

With two campuses in France, located on the Île de Nantes and in Laval as well as international studios in Shanghai & Hangzhou, São Paulo, Montréal, and Cotonou, the school offers students a concrete immersion into the realities of global design. A signatory of the Erasmus+ charter, it maintains active partnerships with more than 120 institutions across five continents.

A Pedagogy Rooted in Professional Reality

What sets L'École de Design Nantes Atlantique apart is its conception of what a designer truly is. The school trains professionals capable of working at the intersection of creativity, strategy, technology, and social impact far beyond aesthetics alone.

Programmes range from undergraduate to master's level:

• 3 DN MADE, focused on professional skills in interior design, industrial design and digital media design
• International Bachelor of Design focused on interdisciplinary & intercultural approaches to design (opening September 2027)
• MSc Brand Design & Luxury Experience, a one year master’s program recognised by the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles between Paris and Shanghai (opening April 2027)
• The Diplôme de designer (bac+5), a state-recognised master's-level qualification combining a creative phase with advanced strategic training

The pedagogical approach is built around project-based learning: students work on real-world challenges, in direct collaboration with partner companies.

A range of specialisations : UX design, service design, motion design, industrial design, scenography, spatial design, graphic design allows each student to build a targeted, distinctive profile.

Strong Career Outcomes and an Exceptional Network

Graduate employability is one of the school's most defining strengths. 80% are in work before the end of their first post-graduate year.

Design agencies, in-house creative departments, freelance careers, entrepreneurial ventures, the pathways into professional life are diverse and well-supported.

This success is underpinned by a powerful network: more than 5,000 active alumni worldwide and 5,000 partner companies, providing a rich pipeline of opportunities at every stage of a student's journey.

Why Choose L'École de design Nantes Atlantique?

Choosing L'École de design Nantes Atlantique means joining an institution that places design at the heart of contemporary transformation.

 The integration of artificial intelligence into curricula, the intercultural dimension of programmes, and a location within the dynamic urban ecosystem of the Île de Nantes all create a stimulating learning environment, uniquely conducive to innovation.

Holder of the "Bienvenue en France" label, the school welcomes students from numerous nationalities each year and provides dedicated support for international applicants, from the admissions process through to campus integration.

For prospective students who wish to practice design as a discipline with real impact like creative, strategic, and engaged, L'École de design Nantes Atlantique offers a world-class education, internationally recognised and built for the challenges of tomorrow.