M1 Ingénierie, Data Science, Mouvement Humain
The Master’s program in STAPS – Engineering and Ergonomics of Physical Activity (IEAP) at Université Paris-Saclay trains professionals at the intersection of human movement science, engineering, and data science. It is built around a single track, Engineering, Data Science, Human Movement (Ingénierie, Data Science, Mouvement Humain, IDSMH), open to students from STAPS (sport sciences), fundamental sciences, and engineering backgrounds, as well as engineering students in a dual-degree program.
The curriculum develops a dual expertise in engineering and data science applied to human movement, addressing the growing needs in assistive robotics, human-machine interaction, and movement analysis across professional, sports, and healthcare contexts. The goal is to design human-centered technological systems capable of measuring, modeling, and analyzing both healthy and pathological movement.
The curriculum covers a broad spectrum, including data science (statistics, machine learning, data visualization), human movement analysis (3D biomechanics, sensors, musculoskeletal modeling), physical engineering (mathematics, mechanics, robotics), scientific methodology, and cognitive sciences (AI, psychophysics). Programming, a transversal skill, is applied across all these fields.
In the first year (M1), students acquire strong foundational knowledge, applied through hands-on projects (technical reports, technological projects, internship). In the second year (M2), the program offers specialization in physical ergonomics, assistive robotics, human-machine interaction, AI for movement, and system-based approaches. The second semester is fully dedicated to a long-term internship, either in a research lab or in industry (health, sports, R&D, etc.).
The training also includes modules on project management, innovation, and entrepreneurship, reinforced through immersive experiences such as practical labs (measurement, programming), hackathons, interdisciplinary conferences, and collaborative projects.
Career opportunities include human movement analysis, physical ergonomics (occupational health, workplace design), sports performance, R&D in human-machine interaction, robotics, and data science applied to human behavior. Graduates go on to work as R&D engineers, data scientists, research officers, ergonomists, technical sales engineers, or pursue PhDs (CIFRE fellowships or ministerial contracts).
The program relies on a strong academic network within Université Paris-Saclay: the Faculty of Sport Sciences, the Faculty of Science (Departments of Physics and Biology), CentraleSupélec, UVSQ (Faculty of Sciences), and Polytech Paris-Saclay.
Acquire and implement complex and highly specialised multidisciplinary knowledge.
The master’s program covers data science (statistics, machine learning, data visualization), movement analysis (3D biomechanics, sensors, musculoskeletal modeling), physical engineering (mathematics, mechanics, robotics), scientific methodology, and cognitive sciences (AI, psychophysics), with programming as a transversal skill.
In the first year, students gain solid foundations through practical projects. In the second year, the program specializes in physical ergonomics, assistive robotics, human-machine interaction, AI for movement, and systems approach. The second semester is dedicated to an extended internship in a lab or company (health, sports, R&D, etc.). The program also includes modules in project management, innovation, and entrepreneurship, complemented by immersive experiences: practical work (measurements, programming), hackathons, interdisciplinary conferences, and collaborative projects.
- Research & Development: graduates find jobs in the Research and Development units of industrial groups that develop materials and tools for sports, motor rehabilitation, or physical ergonomics.
- Technical-commercial: graduates work for private companies that manufacture and sell equipment designed for the analysis of human movement. Familiar both with the operating principles of this equipment and with its potential applications, graduates are an asset to the technical and commercial teams of such companies.
- Executive in the field of ergonomics: with their knowledge of human movement in a professional environment, graduates find jobs in companies that identify the physical ergonomics needs of companies and offer suitable equipment.
- Scientific research: the skills developed in scientific methodology and movement analysis enable these students to continue on to doctoral studies, either in the university environment laboratory (thesis in a research laboratory) or in connection with a company (CIFRE thesis in a laboratory-company collaboration).
This Master's program is open to students from STAPS Bachelor's degrees, the dual-degree STAPS-SPI Bachelor's from Université Paris-Saclay, as well as from Bachelor's programs in Science and Engineering. It is also offered as a dual-degree option for engineering students.
As part of the selection process for entry into the first year of the Master's program (in accordance with the law of 23/12/2016) and subject to capacity limits, applicants must have completed a Bachelor's degree in one of the following fields: STAPS APA&S, STAPS Sport Training, STAPS Engineering and Ergonomics of Physical Activity, Life Sciences, Science and Technology, Mathematics, Biology & Health, or Physical Engineering. The program also welcomes students or professionals from paramedical fields (Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Ergonomics, Osteopathy, Podiatry, Medicine, Nursing, etc.). Other backgrounds may be considered upon review of the application, especially for international degrees. For students in initial training, particular attention will be paid to final grades in scientific subjects. Academic results should be consistent with at least "Honours" (equivalent to *Assez bien* to *Très bien*) in the third year of the Bachelor's degree.
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Profiles of graduates of the STAPS (Sports science) Master's programme: IEAP can be described through skills acquired in the following areas:
- Analysis and modeling of movement: through an integrated approach to studying the specificities of human movement, these graduates have developed in-depth skills in acquisition, analysis and modeling of human movement
- Motion engineering: placing great emphasis on the use analytical methods and tools, the programme provides graduates with solid skills in processing signals not only in the field of human movement but also in that of robotics
- Entrepreneurship and human movement: through content specifically designed to impart understanding of the professional environment and the development of innovative projects, these graduates display business and management skills in areas related to human movement.
Complexité, innovation, activités motrices et sportives
Laboratoire d’Ingénierie des Systèmes de Versailles
Laboratoire des Signaux et Systèmes
Laboratoire d'Informatique pour la Mécanique et les Sciences de l'Ingénieur.
CEA LIST - équipe LRI.
The schedule will be posted shortly.
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2nd letter of recommendation (compulsory for candidates who have already been enrolled in higher education in France before).
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Motivation letter.
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All transcripts of the years / semesters validated since the high school diploma at the date of application.
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Certificate of French (compulsory for non-French speakers).
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Curriculum Vitae.
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Detailed description and hourly volume of courses taken since the beginning of the university program.
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VAP file (obligatory for all persons requesting a valuation of the assets to enter the diploma).
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Supporting documents :
- Residence permit stating the country of residence of the first country
- Or receipt of request stating the country of first asylum
- Or document from the UNHCR granting refugee status
- Or receipt of refugee status request delivered in France
- Or residence permit stating the refugee status delivered in France
- Or document stating subsidiary protection in France or abroad
- Or document stating temporary protection in France or abroad.