Passionate about macromolecular chemistry and wishing to differentiate myself, I chose to enter ENSAIT. The richness and diversity of the subjects taught quickly attracted me. To specialize in textiles is to have a very broad technical base of knowledge, from preparation to finishing. At the head of a non-woven production company for 10 years, I now manage the linen division of the Cap Seine group, 4 companies in which we manage numerous innovative technologies. I am proud to have passed through ENSAIT, the school that allowed me to acquire the background necessary to adapt to all textile professions.
INITIAL ENGINEERING TRAINING
full-time studies OVER 3 YEARS
Initial training in textile engineering
The fields of application of textiles cover an increasingly wide spectrum. From natural fibers to artificial, synthetic, technical, intelligent and now connected fibers. In a constantly and rapidly changing environment, ENSAIT trains dynamic and versatile engineers who are familiar with the most innovative techniques and cutting-edge sectors, and who are capable of providing the best possible advice to the textile industry.
The role of the ENSAIT engineer is to innovate, design, manufacture, and test new products, new materials, new technologies, and new processes that meet the requirements of the sector while respecting the values of the company and environmental standards. He/she is capable of managing the organizational, economic, human and technical aspects of a project. He/she knows how to choose, buy and supply in compliance with quality standards.

Objectives of the training
The specific skills of the ENSAIT engineer
- Recognize the basic textile processes and situate them in the textile production chain (actors, materials, relative costs).
- Recognize the basic textile structures, their treatments and their assembly, differentiate and classify them
- To know, measure and characterize the properties of basic textiles
- Define the requirements for the reproduction of a basic textile product
- To analyze an existing product and describe all the steps and its elaboration
- Relate the basic textile properties to their structure and/or process and vice versa. Example: choose the right materials according to the desired properties.
- Associate textile products and processes with their application context (functional specifications)
- Integrate eco-design
Content of the training
1st year
Common core
- Engineering Sciences
- Economic and human sciences
- Textile technologies
- Sustainable development
- Application to project management
- Seminars
+ 8 week internship in France or abroad
(Missions: worker/technician)
2nd year
Common core
- Economic and human sciences
- Electives: Textile or science and openness
- 30 hour project to innovate
- Seminars
+ International semester
Academic exchange in one of ENSAIT's 30 international partner universities
+ 12-week internship in France or abroad
(Missions : assistant engineer)
Choice of a major
Fashion & Services Engineering
Specialized teaching on the implementation of a highly competitive industrial architecture adapted to the new requirements of the fashion and clothing market.
Technical Textile Engineering
Specialized teaching on the design of innovative products based on fibrous materials for a wide variety of application sectors: hygiene, medical, automotive, aeronautics, construction, civil engineering, industry, composites, personal protection, etc.
Possibility of a gap year between the 2nd and 3rd year.
The request for a gap year is a procedure for temporary suspension of studies that is not part of the student’s usual curriculum. It requires the creation of a substantial file and a real reflection on the part of the student on the quality and meaning of his or her project.
3rd year
Common core
- Economic and human sciences
- Minors focus on a profession. Choose between Quality, Research, Business, Production
-
SPRINT Project
The Sprint Project is a 100-hour student project carried out in a textile innovation framework, in groups of 4 to 5 people. It allows a synthesis of scientific and technological knowledge and places the student engineer in a real complex problem. The subject comes from teachers or partner companies. - Seminars
+ End-of-studies project: 18-week internship in France or abroad
You carry out a project in a company using all the knowledge and skills you have acquired during your three years at Ensait.
Specialization according to the major chosen in the 2nd year
Fashion & Services Engineering
2 lessons to choose from among 4 :
- Supply chain
- Connected commerce
- Luxury fashion
- Quality and certification in fashion
Technical Textile Engineering
2 lessons to choose from among 4 :
- Composites
- Intelligent textiles
- Protection and Comfort
- Green and sustainable materials and processes
Parallel courses available in 3rd year
- Master of Science in Materials and Surface Engineering with ENSAM (possible with the ITT major)
- Master Medical devices and biomaterials - design and evaluation with the University of Lille (possible with the ITT major)
- Business creation and entrepreneurship stream with the Ecole Centrale de Lille
Double degrees available in 3rd year
- Donghua University (China)
- Soochow University (China)
- Qingdao University (China)
- ESITH Ecole Supérieure des Industries du Textile et Habillement (Morroco)
- Universidade do Minho (Portugal)
- Saint Petersburg University (Russia)
- Shinshu University (Japan)
Additional information
Further study after the textile engineering degree
International mobility
ENSAIT is a partner of some fifty universities around the world. Student-engineers benefit from a minimum of one semester’s experience abroad as part of a university exchange program. The student has the possibility to choose between :
- At least one semester of exchange
- A double degree
- Internships and/or the end-of-study project abroad
- A gap year abroad
More than 300 companies around the world also welcome ENSAIT student-engineers for long-term internships or for their end-of-study projects.
Entrepreneurship
During the three years of ENSAIT’s textile engineering program, engineering students can follow the path of entrepreneurship.
Various modules are available to help them create their project:
- The program in parallel with the Ecole Centrale de Lille called “Filière Centrale Entrepreneurs (Click here to know more about)
- An “Innovation and Entrepreneurship” option during the 3rd year
- The support of our partner, Euramaterials, a cluster serving the materials processing industries.
Competitions and admissions in 1st / 2nd year
International students (Bachelor or Master degree)
This competition is a recruitment on title, intended for foreign students holding a scientific or technological diploma from Bac + 2 to Bac + 4.
Jobs and opportunities
12 days
Average duration of job search
33K€
Gross annual salary at hiring
61%
of employees have a job before graduation
The professions of the textile engineer
BUYER
quality engineer
supply chain engineer
production engineer
design office engineer
product manager
environmental engineer
r&d engineer
textile laboratory manager
Our graduates testify


During my three years at ENSAIT, I had the opportunity to do an exchange at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute and the chance to do my internships in the luxury industry. Today, I am passionate about my job as a sportswear and leather project manager at Chanel. Often travelling to Italian and French manufacturers, my mastery of the industry is a real asset for understanding and negotiating.
Alice Roiné
Class of 2016
After an extremely enriching first experience in the industrial world, I am now a product engineer at the Decathlon shoe design center. I guide strategic decisions and am responsible for the production and marketing of new products. What did ENSAIT give me? Specific technical knowledge, real added value that has allowed me to become a reference in textile components.
Martin Bourret
Class of 2015
In 2017, I joined the Research & Innovation team of Valeo's Thermal Systems division. The company develops and produces air filters for cabin air conditioning systems. I work closely with foreign countries and in particular with the Toluca site in Mexico and Shashi in China.
Morgane Lucas
Class of 2015
I entered ENSAIT for its textile specialization but also for its multidisciplinary training. Textiles are a material that surrounds us every day. After my engineering degree, I did a 3-year thesis on innovative textiles at GEMTEX, the school's research laboratory. Today I work as a Textile Research & Development Manager at Brochier Technologies in the Lyon region. This company develops luminous textiles based on optical fibers for all kinds of applications: medical, automotive, transportation, culture...