Dual Master's Degree - France

Application Deadline
TARGET DATES FOR FULL FINANCIAL CONSIDERATION:

Fall: January 15
Spring: September 15
Otherwise: Rolling admission

Application Checklist
Required by the Office of Graduate Studies:
  • Apply at: https://go.unl.edu/gradapp
  • $50 non-refundable application processing fee
  • One set of transcripts
  • Verification of English proficiency (non-native English speakers)
  • If not a US citizen and expect to obtain an F or J visa, provide financial information
  • International students: Upload copies of all college-or university-level transcripts or mark sheets (records of courses and marks earned), with certificates, diplomas, and degrees plus certified English translations.

Required by Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics
  • Bachelor of Science in mechanical Engineering or a closely related area such as Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, etc.
  • Students from U.S. institutions are expected to have a GPA of at least 3.2/4.0 for B.S. courses or 3.3/4.0 for any M.S. level courses.
  • GRE
    • Waived for 2021 applicants
    • Waived for those who have a degree from a US institution that is ABET-accredited
    • Note: department recommends a minimum GRE score of 305 with quantitative score of 155
  • Statement of purpose including research interests and objectives
  • Resume or CV
  • Three letters of recommendations

The MEME Double Degree Program provides students with a Master in Mechanical Engineering from UNL and a Master of Engineering Materials (CEMPI) from the University of Normandy-Rouen (UNR) in France. The program provides students with a unique educational opportunity at the interface of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Engineering, yet enables them to complete two master’s degrees in approximately two years.

Students will spend their first year by taking courses in Mechanical Engineering, completing materials prerequisites, and learning French (for US students) or English (for France students). They will then move to France in the second year to study at the UNR, by completing further training in Materials Engineering. For each individual MS student, he/she will be assigned with a research advisor from UNL and another research advisor from UNR. Students will work with both advisors in those two years, before completing a MS thesis.

Program contacts:
Dr. Li Tan – UNL Director of Double Degree Program
Allison Hinesley – UNL Assistant Director of Education Abroad
Kathie Hiatt – UNL Graduate Programs Specialist
Nicolas Delpouve – UNR Double Degree Program Contact


UNL COE Prerequisites and Requirements
Students applying to enter this degree are evaluated by the program managing the first year of the degree and must have a high likelihood of completing the program. A student, at a minimum, at the time of entering each program needs to have the background to complete the requirements.

The following are guidelines for evaluating competence to complete each program:

  1. A student from UNL planning to enter the program at UR needs to have a minimum proficiency in material science. This can be demonstrated by showing satisfactory completion of Elements of Materials Science (MATL 360) or equivalent with a grade of B+ or better.
  2. A student from UR planning to enter the program at UNL needs to show a minimum proficiency in mechanical engineering and experience in completing courses in English. The proficiency in mechanical engineering will be evaluated based on the candidate’s ability to complete courses at the masters’ level in at least two of the designated fields of mechanical engineering. The required English proficiency will be documented by UR and evaluated by faculty at UNL.


The final oral defense of the thesis will include at least two faculty from UNL and two faculty from Mat at UR. The defense will be conducted at both sites simultaneously through distance education facilities, with a public announcement of the time, place, title and abstract prior to the defense.

La soutenance des stages se fera avec deux professeurs de l’UR et deux de l’UNL. La soutenance se fera aux USA et en France en utilisant les facilités de la visio conférence, après avoir annoncé le jour l’heure et le lieu de soutenance et publié le résumé.

Examination and Examination Committee
The final oral defense of the thesis will include at least two faculty from UNL and two faculty from Mat at UR. The defense will be conducted at both sites simultaneously through distance education facilities, with a public announcement of the time, place, title and abstract prior to the defense.

La soutenance des stages se fera avec deux professeurs de l’UR et deux de l’UNL. La soutenance se fera aux USA et en France en utilisant les facilités de la visio conférence, après avoir annoncé le jour l’heure et le lieu de soutenance et publié le résumé.



  • UNL study abroad group at Rouen. Photo includes Dr. Carl Nelson, me (Allison Hinesley) and the following students: Parker Allen, Emma Goeden, Isabella North, Victoria Nelson, and Nathan Roberts.
    UNL study abroad group at Rouen. Photo includes Dr. Carl Nelson, me (Allison Hinesley) and the following students: Parker Allen, Emma Goeden, Isabella North, Victoria Nelson, and Nathan Roberts.
  • UNL students (listed above) with UNL Double Master’s Degree participants Shantell Wilson and Alexis Garrett.
    UNL students (listed above) with UNL Double Master’s Degree participants Shantell Wilson and Alexis Garrett.
  • Downtown Rouen, France
    Downtown Rouen, France
  • Downtown Rouen, France
    Downtown Rouen, France
  • Downtown Rouen, France
    Downtown Rouen, France
  • Lab Visit.
    Lab Visit.
  • Lab Visit.
    Lab Visit.

This double degree program is the best opportunity to get the most out of a masters degree program. It’s hard work, certainly, but it was a great experience and you learn so much valuable information that will really increase your earning potential. If any ME student is seriously interested in material science, it’s a fantastic opportunity to study it in more depth than you would just with the UNL classes available, which are more tailored towards mechanical engineering.

Shantell Wilson
2022-2023 Double Degree Participant