Academic Programme

I³ - Immunology and Immuno-Intervention - Master's level

Specialisations: Immunology and Immuno-Intervention (I³)
Diplôme national de master contrôlé par l'État

Résumé

Objectives : Dive into the heart of the immune system: understand, analyse, and harness the immune system in the face of human diseases. The I³ Master’s programme welcomes students from diverse backgrounds in biology and health. Read more

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Details

General information

- Degree: Master's
- Date of admission : September 2027
- Duration : 2 years
- Location : Nantes - Faculty S&T (M1), Faculty of Medecine and Pharmacy (M2)
- Language : French / English
- Full time programme

Download the brochure

Agenda

  • Welcome meeting : September 2026
  • Career Exploration Day: October 2026
  • Winter School : January 2027
  • Hackathon : spring 2027
  • Summer School : July 2nd and 3rd 2027
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Internships and International mobility

- Welcome Mobility Grant for International students
- Internship opportunities from our affiliated laboratories, members of our networks and international partners : More about our offers 

Introduction

Student testimonials



The I³ Master’s Program – Immunology and Immuno-Intervention provides in-depth training in the functioning of the immune system, its dysregulations, and their therapeutic manipulation in human diseases. It is designed for students from diverse backgrounds in biology and health who wish to develop strong skills in immunopathology and immuno-intervention.

The program is delivered within a world-class scientific environment, featuring close interactions between research laboratories, the clinical world, and a dynamic biotechnology ecosystem, fostering both fundamental and translational research.

The Master I³ offers unique expertise in key areas :

  • Immunopathology of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, cancer, transplantation, and sepsis
  • Innovative immunotherapies applied to oncology, infectious diseases, and inflammation
  • A systemic approach to immunity (immunometabolism, neuroimmunology, immune aging)

Over the two-years programme, students can tailor their training by selecting amont three possible tracks: clinical research, experimental research, Omics data research and analysis.

Experimental Research track – designed for students wishing to pursue careers in academic research or biomedical industry research.

  • It develops key skills in scientific reasoning, experimental methodologies, and critical analysis of data in life and health sciences.
  • It emphasises experimental design, mastery of laboratory tools, and rigorous interpretation of scientific results. 

Clinical Research track – designed for students wishing to transform today's knowledge into tomorrow's treatments

  • It develops the skills required to design and conduct clinical trials, and to evaluate new therapies or medical devices.
  • It focuses on clinical trial methodology, clinical data analysis, and regulatory aspects of health.

Research and Analysis of omics data – designed for students wishing to specialise in bioinformatics and omics data analysis.

  • It develops the skills required to explore complex relationships among genes, proteins, metabolites, and other biomolecules.
  • It focuses on multidimensional approaches, cutting-edge computational tools, and the integrative interpretation of omics datasets.


Why joining our master ?

  • A dedicated teaching program focused on immunology
  • A world-class environment, with human health laboratories integrated into the Nantes University Hospital (CHU Nantes), closely linked to clinical research
  • Early laboratory immersion, starting in the first year (M1), to develop expertise, autonomy, and hands-on research experience
  • High-impact medical research, oriented toward therapeutic innovation and translation into clinical practice
  • Personalized support, with tutoring and individualized guidance for professional project development
  • Numerous internship opportunities, in France and internationally, within renowned academic and hospital teams

The I³ Master’s program benefits from an exceptional environment, fostering innovation and cutting-edge research through collaboration with three internationally renowned laboratories:

A dynamic ecosystem, with several biotech companies specializing in immunology based in the Nantes site.
A unique collaboration between clinicians and researchers at the heart of Nantes University Hospital (CHU Nantes), ensuring strong interaction between fundamental research and clinical applications.

National support

Labex Immune


 

International partnerships

  • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai - New York (USA) 
  • Université de Montréal /Institut de recherche en immunologie et cancérologie (Canada)
  • Université Laval (Canada) 
  • Centre de recherche de l'Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont (Canada) 

What mobility support is available?

The I³ Master’s programme provides funding for incoming and outgoing international mobility. For more information, please contact the coordinators.

Admission

Entry requirement

Academic requirement

The programme opens for students in the Sciences and Health field (Students/ interns in Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry). The candidates must:

  • Achieve a validated Bachelor's degree in Life Science
  • Have a professional project concordant with the scope of Graduate Programme I³
  • Have strong knowledge in immunology at the undergraduate level
  • Have a good undergraduate knowledge in the fields of cell biology and in molecular biology (prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes)

Language requirement :

A minimum level of B2 in French is required, applicants must provide one of the following:

  • TCF level 4 (B2), with a minimum score of 14/20 in written expression.
  • DALF or DELF B2, with a minimum score of 65/100.
  • DUEF B2 from Nantes Université, with a minimum average of 14/20.
  • French-speaking nationals or students who have completed their entire Bachelor’s degree in French (see the list of eligible countries at Admission to Nantes University).

Application

Application procedure

This Graduate Programme accepts applications for both the first year (M1) and second year (M2) of the Master’s degree.

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 :

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:

  1. A CV written in English or French
  2. A motivation letter written in English or French
  3. A recommendation letter
  4. Academic transcripts
  5. Proof of language proficiency
  6. Valid ID (Passport)

Additional information:

  • Tuition fees and Scholarships
  • Budget estimation
  • Welcome grant: Graduate programmes offer a €1,500 Welcome Scholarship for the best international students. Please prepare your application carefully to demonstrate your motivation for the programme.
  • 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

 

Content of the programme / Syllabus

First year (M1):
  • Specific courses (18 ECTS): Experimental approaches in immunology, literature review in immuno-oncology, literature review in immuno-inflammation, experimental immunology, applied immunology, fundamental immunology.
  • Elective courses based on the chosen track (9 ECTS): Experimental Research, Clinical Research, Research and Analysis of omics data
  • Cross-disciplinary courses (24 ECTS): Scientific English, genome manipulation, bioinformatics.
  • Internship: 8 to 12 weeks (9 ECTS)
Second year (M2):
  • Specific courses (12 ECTS): Innovative concepts in immunology, immunopathologies, immunotherapies, immune-related diseases and therapies.
  • Elective courses based on the chosen track (12 ECTS): Experimental Research, Clinical Research, Research and Analysis of omics data
  • Cross-disciplinary courses (6 ECTS): Interdisciplinary project.
  • Internship: 6 months (30 ECTS)
Full programme
 

What's next?

Level of education obtained after completion

Bac+5

Competencies acquired

  • Conduct research and analysis of bibliographic and technological resources
  • Design a Biology-Health project in one's field of specialisation
  • Develop an experiment in Health Sciences
  • Analyse data collected in a fundamental, clinical or pharmacological research study
  • Promote results and scientific production

Description of the degree in the National Directory of Professional Certifications

Further studies

After graduating the 2-year Master's degree, opportunities to pursue the Graduate Programme I³ with a PhD. More information here

Career opportunities

Business sectors

Career opportunities accessible with Master I³:
  • In experimental research: Biological engineer, project manager, R&D engineer.
  • In clinical research: Clinical research assistant, clinical study coordinator.
  • In omics research and data analysis: Biological engineer, project manager, multi-omics data processing engineer, bioanalyst engineer, R&D engineer. 
Sectors of activity: Academic laboratories, R&D companies, start-ups, hospitals, .... 
Updated on 01 October 2026.