The Master's program in Civil Engineering (GC), specializing in Performance and Resilience through Systems, Materials and Environment Engineering (PRISME), trains professionals in the Building and Public Works (BTP) sector who are experts in civil engineering, focusing on sustainability, environmental and energy performance, innovative materials, and the resilience of buildings in tropical climates. It combines scientific knowledge, technical skills, and applied projects to benefit island territories.

Educational goals :

The Master's program in Civil Engineering, specializing in PRISME, trains professionals in the Building and Public Works (BTP) sector who are experts in civil engineering (on-site and in design offices), focusing on sustainability, environmental and energy performance, innovative materials, and the resilience of buildings in tropical climates. It combines scientific knowledge, technical skills, and applied projects to serve island territories.

Training opportunities: 

The Master's program in Civil Engineering, specializing in PRISME, is part of a strong regional dynamic, addressing the challenges of building in tropical island environments: climate adaptation, energy efficiency, alternative materials, and the circular economy. It trains Civil Engineering professionals capable of designing, modeling, testing, and managing sustainable and resilient projects, based on a robust scientific foundation and a strong partnership ecosystem. The program benefits from a strong connection to the structuring projects of the Faculty of Humanities and Environment (SHE), notably through the LABiMAC university testing center, and an international dimension via a course taught exclusively in English each semester. It meets the requirements of the New Training Offer (NOF) in terms of sustainability (692 hours equivalent to tutorials (HETD)), pedagogical structure (skills blocks), research integration, and professionalization (two certifications including Ecological EngineeringA project-based learning path (Research & Development ProjectIntegrated into both years, this allows students to explore a scientific problem and develop a doctoral focus, creating a true Master's/Doctoral continuum. The sharing of certain modules with the Urban and Environmental Studies (VEU) Master's program further strengthens pedagogical coherence and efficiency.

The PRISME program is distinguished by its strong coherence between its scientific, territorial, and professional focus. It is firmly rooted in the local community, directly addressing the challenges of building in tropical island climates: energy insecurity, climate vulnerability, regulatory adaptation, and the valorization of local resources. It benefits from solid partnerships with professionals, facilitating integration through internships and applied projects. The link with research is fundamental, through the involvement of the PIMENT laboratory and the use of the LABiMAC university testing center, giving students access to experimental equipment unique in Réunion for studying materials and the performance of tropical buildings. The pedagogical approach is based on competency blocks, a progressively more advanced competency-based approach, and two-year projects that foster autonomy, innovation, and the potential for doctoral studies. The program also provides comprehensive training in the fundamental skills of Civil Engineering, covering the technical study of structures, site organization and management, resource management, and safety and environmental issues on construction sites. An international perspective is ensured through courses taught in English each semester and through exchange programs in the Indian Ocean region. Finally, the sharing of certain modules with the Master's program in Urban Planning and Environment enhances pedagogical effectiveness and interdisciplinarity.

Total hours worked: 770 hours

M1: 497 hours

M2: 273 hours

The PRISME program is structured around seven teaching blocks from Semester 1 (S1) to Semester 3 (S3), supplemented by a professionalization block in Semester 4 (S4). It is organized around three main themes: the energy and environmental performance of buildings, sustainable materials engineering, and the resilience of buildings in tropical climates.

In Master 1 (M1), the courses consolidate the scientific and technical foundations of civil engineering: building thermal performance and heat transfer, structural design according to Eurocodes (concrete, wood, metal), digital tools (Building Information Modeling – BIM; mechanical, hygrothermal, and aerodynamic simulations; generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) applied to buildings; bioclimatic design; alternative materials; Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) design; energy and waste management. These courses are complemented by skills in project management, site coordination, and safety. Cross-disciplinary units also include English, data science, thematic seminars, and courses in scientific and technical communication.

In Master 2 (M2), the training delves deeper into multiphysics approaches applied to buildings, the formulation of composite materials, risk analysis in tropical climates, prospective energy modeling, as well as advanced aspects of design (geotechnical, seismic) and work management (human management, rehabilitation and environmental management of construction sites).

A two-year Research and Development (R&D) project supports students' increasing autonomy in solving complex problems and fosters the emergence of research projects, thus creating a Master's-Doctoral continuum. Two extended internships (S2 and S4), a B2 level certification in Higher Education Language Skills (CLES), and a MOOC (Massive Online Open Course or open and massive online courses) from the Virtual University Environment and Sustainable Development (UVED) as well as several thematic seminars reinforce the professional and scientific grounding of the training.

The skills acquired during this training are in line with those of the RNCP record 

Skills specific to the training:

The Master's program in Civil Engineering (GC) with a PRISME track aims to train managers capable of:

• To design, dimension and evaluate structures, systems or construction solutions with a focus on sustainability, performance and resilience;
• Integrate the climate, energy and regulatory challenges specific to tropical and island territories;
• Mobilizing digital modeling tools (BIM (thermal/structural/aerodynamic simulation) for the analysis, design and optimization of projects;
• Select and implement innovative, sustainable, geo- or bio-based materials, in a circular economy approach;
• Managing a complex project, working in a multidisciplinary team, communicating results with rigor and clarity;
• Working in intercultural and international environments;
• To mobilize an applied scientific approach, from the analysis of a problem to the formalization of a research problem, in order to consider pursuing a doctorate.

The PRISME program includes two mandatory internships:

• Stage I (M1, Semester 2) : lasting 4 months, it allows a first professional immersion in a company, community, laboratory or design office.
• Stage II (M2, Semester 4) : lasting 6 months, it constitutes a real pre-professional situation, and can serve as a springboard towards integration or continuation in a thesis.

The training is also structured around a three-semester R&D project, which introduces students to the scientific approach:

• R&D I – Initiation project (S1) : discovery of research methods and formulation of a problem related to the themes of the course (materials, environment, construction, resilience).
• R&D II – Initiation project (S2) : in-depth study through a structured state of the art, a reasoned problem statement, and a territorial anchoring.
• R&D III – Advanced Project (S3) : preliminary planning for an applied or fundamental research project, including scientific feasibility, initial methodology, and consideration of pursuing a doctorate.

This dual system (internship + R&D) makes it possible to combine professional integration, innovation and continuity towards research.

Registration fees are set annually by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space and are available on our institution's website: Register at the University of Reunion

• Have a good academic level and, where applicable, demonstrate progress during higher education.
• Demonstrate the coherence between the candidate's academic project and the training.
• Demonstrate analytical and writing skills
• To be autonomous, involved and rigorous
• To value the diversity of one's academic and professional experiences.

• Particular attention will be paid to the grades from the different years of the candidate's post-secondary education.
• A cover letter and a career plan consistent with the training are required.
• The cover letter submitted by the candidate will be an opportunity for them to demonstrate their writing skills by highlighting the tools and concepts related to the training program.
• Any annual evaluations of the candidate by their professors will be an asset.
• The Curriculum Vitae (CV) will allow the candidate to highlight the specifics of their career path

Bachelor Degrees Civil Engineering, Engineering Sciences, Physics, Energy, Environment, Materials Science or equivalent training with a solid scientific foundation in civil engineering, mechanics, thermal engineering and applied mathematics (subject to a scientific level compatible with the requirements of the Master's program).

Professional licenses: Sustainable building, Eco-construction, Climate engineering, Thermal and energy or training related to the building sector, subject to a scientific level compatible with the requirements of the Master's program.

GOAL 3: Civil Engineering – Sustainable Construction (GCCD) or equivalent.

Depending on the student's situation, applications for admission to the first year of the Master's program (M1) follow three specific procedures (the national platform MonMaster, Études en France, Validation of Acquired Experience). For more information, please consult the university's student services page. Enroll in the first year of a Master's program

Baccalaureate + 3 or equivalent

Students with a scientific background in civil engineering or related disciplines, students retraining with prior learning assessment, and international French-speaking students are eligible. The program is also open to graduates with a professional bachelor's degree, depending on their profile.

35 seats

The admission dates for the first year of the Master's degree (M1) are set nationally each year and are available on the platform. My Master

For admission to the second year of the Master's program (M2), the schedule is determined by the institution. It is available on the student services page of the university website: Students re-registering

As the PRISME program has not yet been launched, no specific success rates can be provided at this time. However, looking ahead, we can consider the results of the current Master's program in Civil Engineering, which boasts success rates in the first and second years (M1 and M2) approaching 90% to 100%, depending on the cohort. This high level is fostered by enhanced academic support, progressive professional development, and a clearly structured curriculum.

Looking ahead, the job placement rate could be high, given the training program's strong local presence, its professional partnerships, and the identified skills needs in the field of sustainable construction in tropical environments. The graduates will be well-suited to the expectations of construction companies, engineering firms, local authorities, and project owners.

The PRISME program opens the door to several further study options. Students will be able to enroll in:

• A doctorate, in connection with the themes of the route:

Civil engineering and innovative materials
Sustainable construction and bioclimatic architecture
Energy performance of buildings
Environmental assessment and life cycle analysis
Territorial resilience in tropical environments

• another specialized Master 2, in complementary fields (environment, planning, urbanism, project management, renewable energies, etc.), depending on the student's professional project.

• Preparation for civil service engineering exams, or to other professional training at Bac+5 level (project management, territorial engineering, etc.).

The R&D project structuring the program aims to develop a reflective stance and to open up perspectives towards both applied and fundamental research.

The sectors of activity and types of employment targeted by this training correspond to those listed in the RNCP record 

• Work Manager
• Design Engineer
• Building Energy Performance Engineer
• Sustainable Construction Project Manager
• Materials or methods engineer (construction, design office)
• Project manager in building rehabilitation or resilience
• Environmental and Life Cycle Assessment Specialist
• R&D Engineer in Materials Innovation
• BIM Coordinator or modeling applied to the built environment
• PhD student in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, building physics or eco-materials