The hidden intelligence in every device
What is the Engineering Cycle – Major in Embedded Systems ?
An embedded system is a combination of electronics and computing, embedded in a highly constrained environment: low power consumption, reduced memory capacity, real-time, security, and robustness. Smartphones, satellites, bank cards, cars, TGVs, airplanes, drones, GPS, multimedia consoles… embedded systems are everywhere.
In a context of strong global competition, they represent a major differentiation factor for numerous sectors: energy, transportation, defense, aeronautics, health, and telecommunications. The Embedded Systems Engineering Program at ECE is offered in French and English on the Paris campus. It trains experts capable of designing critical systems and tackling the challenges of embedded AI and cybersecurity.
The targeted professional certification
This major leads to the title of ECE engineer, a level 7 diploma accredited by the Commission des Titres d’Ingénieur (CTI), registered with the RNCP. This diploma, recognized by all industrial players using embedded systems, certifies a rare expertise: the combined mastery of hardware, software, and the security challenges of critical systems. ECE is a member of the Conférence des Grandes Écoles (CGE).
A triple mastery: hardware, software, security
Objectives and acquired skills
The necessary skills and expertise in embedded systems are numerous, varied, and not widely disseminated. This program aims precisely to pass them on.
-
Master embedded systems technology in the areas of hardware and software.
-
Master software engineering and the modeling of complex systems.
-
Master the design of architecture and energy management in a complex system.
-
Identify risks to address cyber threats and master artificial intelligence algorithms applied to robotics and avionics technologies.
-
Understand the concepts of system security: robustness, integrity, and confidentiality.
-
Master software and hardware virtualization to enable critical and non-critical applications to run side by side on a single chip.
A program rooted in industry
The content
The courses presented below are given
Evaluation Methods
Evaluations are designed to reflect the actual requirements of embedded systems development in an industrial environment. The ability to design, integrate, and validate complex systems is at the heart of each exercise:
- Development projects on real embedded targets: microcontrollers, FPGAs, Linux systems.
- System integration workshops on concrete industrial problems.
- The Multidisciplinary Team Project (PPE) and the End-of-Studies Project (PFE).
- A minimum 4-month technician internship in the 2nd year of the Engineering cycle (or work-study throughout the year) with a report
- A minimum 6-month engineering internship, or a work-study, with a report and defense before a jury.
- An obligatory international academic stay, validated with a partner university of ECE.
A diploma recognized by the state and valued internationally
Yes. This training provides a professional certification registered with the RNCP by France Compétences (Ministry of Labor), attesting to the recognition of the diploma and the adequacy of professional skills to the needs of companies.
Certified by the State
Validated skills
Prepares for employment
Professional immersion
Company experience
The Embedded Systems major is available through alternating study. This rhythm is particularly suited to a field where experience with real systems is crucial. Each period in the company directly enriches ongoing learning.
-
An engineering internship of at least 6 months during the third year of an engineering program (or a work-study program throughout the year), culminating in a final engineering project (PFE) defended before a panel.
-
An engineering internship of at least 6 months during the 5th year of study, culminating in a final project defended before a panel.
-
A visit to a manufacturing facility, included in the official program (8:00 a.m.), to ground the learning in real-world production settings.
-
A mandatory international semester at one of the ECE's 160 academic partner institutions.
Careers
What are the job prospects after the Embedded Systems Engineer Program?
The teachings of the major contribute to driving innovation in the fields of smart transportation, assistance to individuals, sustainable mobility, home hospitalization, and energy consumption management. The trained profiles are sought after in all sectors using critical systems.
Careers available after graduation :
Testimonials
Our students are satisfied
-
The ECE program allowed me to build a career path that is technical, international, and people-oriented. Through my major in Embedded Systems, my experience in Taiwan, and my involvement in student organizations, I’ve developed a real ability to adapt. Today at Air France, I draw on this mindset to help optimize flight operations and shape the flight schedule of the future.
Julie BerthetAssistant Project Manager
Discover
Our campuses in France
-
Your engineering school in Paris
Discover our engineering school in Paris: a campus in the heart of the capital, training in AI and Data for a unique student life.
-
Your engineering school in Marseille
Brand new and fully designed for new educational practices, our campus welcomes you in an ideal setting for your studies.
-
Your engineering school in Rennes
Just a stone's throw from the TGV train station, our 3,000 m² campus offers you a warm and functional setting designed for studying in the best conditions.
1/3
Application
How to apply to the Embedded Systems Engineering Program?
Admission in the first year of the engineering cycle
Open to students who have completed the first two years after their high school diploma of the Engineering Program at ECE, or in parallel admission for students from the 2nd year of CPGE (thus validating 120 credits) and for holders of a 3rd year undergraduated in scientific and/or technological fields validating 180 ECTS (ATS, BUT, License) in computer science, electronics, embedded systems, or electrical engineering. A strong interest in low-level programming and hardware architecture is expected.
Admission to the 2nd year of the engineering cycle
Open to ECE students who have completed the first three years of the engineering cycle, as well as to holders of a 4-Year degree validated by 240 ECTS in a scientific and/or technical field in computer science, electronics, embedded systems, or electrical engineering. A strong interest in low-level programming and hardware architecture is expected.
How to apply?
- I submit my application online on AVENIR PLUS (student status), on the ECE portal (apprentice status), on the ECE portal (non-EU student)
- I go through the selection phase
- I receive the decision
Tuition Fees
What are the tuition fees for the Embedded Systems Engineering Program?
The tuition fees presented below are given for the year 2026-2027. They are subject to change each year. Several financing options are available to support you in your project.
Students in France 🇫🇷
This category concerns students of any nationality residing in France.
- If enrolled in a program within the French education system (SEF) 12 months €11 990
Tuition fees for apprentices are fully covered by the host company—the apprentice is an employee
+ 70 € : admission fees
Scholarships: How to finance my studies with the help of the State?
ECE offers you various funding aid schemes
International Students 🌍
This category concerns students of foreign nationality residing outside France.
- If enrolled in a program outside the French education system 12 months €12 990
As an international student, you must pay a deposit of €3,500 upon registration to reserve your spot at our school.
+70€ : admission fees
+700€ : taxes
Scholarships: How to finance my studies with the help of the State?
ECE offers you several financial aid options
Meet us
Discover the events of the Engineer program
Event type
-
07/10
Soirée Portes Ouvertes – ECE – Marseille – mercredi 7 octobre 2026
-
19/10
Immersion in Marseille
-
28/11
Matinée Portes Ouvertes – ECE – Marseille – samedi 28 novembre 2026
-
16/12
Soirée Portes Ouvertes – ECE – Marseille – mercredi 16 décembre 2026
FAQ
Everything you need to know about the Embedded Systems Engineer Program
The most frequently asked questions about the ECE Embedded Systems Engineer Program are gathered here. Can’t find your answer? Our team is available to discuss with you.
Let’s meet
Still hesitating? Meet our teams to guide you in your choices!
This training aims to educate engineers skilled in the design of embedded systems in all their dimensions: hardware, software, security, and energy management.
- The teachings cover signal processing, modeling of complex systems, digital architectures, and AI algorithms applied to robotics and avionics.
- The goal is to train profiles capable of innovating in sectors as diverse as automotive, connected health, or defense.
Yes. This training is available full-time and through alternating formats. The alternating format is particularly suited for a field where real system design is crucial. A visit to an industrial partner (8 hours) is also included in the official program for the 3rd year of the Engineering cycle.
By joining ECE, you become part of a community of over 40 student associations. Robotics, electronics, and entrepreneurship clubs are available on the Paris campus.
These meeting spaces encourage the design of innovative digital projects and allow you to build a network as you train, a valuable asset in sectors like automotive or embedded aeronautics.
Graduates of the major are recruited in various sectors using critical embedded systems. In the automotive sector, companies like Renault, Stellantis, Bosch, Continental, and Valeo are looking for specialists in autonomous systems and embedded data processing.
In aerospace, defense, and connected health, Thales, Safran, Airbus, and Philips are also among the recruiters. ECE collaborates with over 1,000 partner companies.
The Embedded Systems major extends over 2 years, in the 2nd and 3rd year of the engineering cycle. It is part of a comprehensive 5-year post-bac training leading to an engineering diploma.
Courses are taught in French and English on the Paris campus, with a mandatory international semester.
The Embedded Systems Engineer Program is offered in French and English.
- This dual language of instruction reflects the international dimension of the embedded systems sector, where technical documentation, standards, and design tools are predominantly in English.
- It prepares students to work in international industrial contexts.
Beyond technical skills in digital systems design, this training develops essential skills to thrive in demanding industrial environments:
- Rigor and precision in developing systems with stringent constraints.
- Ability to manage the complexity of embedded software objects and their material interactions.
- Analytical mindset for addressing anomalies and system failures.
- Teamwork on multidisciplinary integration projects.
- Adaptability to the rapid evolution of digital architectures and design tools.
Yes. This program leads to the title of ECE engineer, a level 7 diploma accredited by the Commission des Titres d’Ingénieur (CTI), registered with the RNCP. This title is recognized by companies in sectors utilizing autonomous and embedded systems: automotive, aeronautics, defense, telecommunications, and health. ECE is a member of the Conférence des Grandes Écoles (CGE).
Yes. The teachings in the major directly cover the technologies used in embedded systems for autonomous vehicles:
- real-time programming ;
- signal processing ;
- FPGA architectures ;
- embedded cybersecurity ;
- and AI applied to robotics.
These skills are at the heart of the automotive industry’s needs as it transitions to increasingly autonomous vehicles.
Yes. Several teachings in the program directly deal with connected objects and industrial IoT:
- industrial local networks (30h) ;
- Low Energy Firmware Architecture (12h) ;
- embedded Java (18h).
These courses prepare you to design communicating digital objects for industrial, medical, or consumer applications.
Made for you
Our other Bachelor training programs
Specializations
Campus
-
- 4- Year Degree
Engineering Program – Major in Aerospace & Space Systems
-
- 4- Year Degree
Engineering Cycle Major in Corporate Finance
-
- 4- Year Degree
Engineering Cycle – Major in Quantitative Finance
-
- 4- Year Degree
Engineering Cycle – Major in Health and Technology
-
- 4- Year Degree
Engineering Cycle – Major in Energy Transition
-
- 4- Year Degree
Engineering Cycle – Major in Digital Transformation & Innovation