General organisation

Teaching and hands-on periods.

The engineering programme uses both teaching periods devoted to a subject (theme) and hands-on periods.

• The teaching periods (ENS) correspond to the provision of knowledge delivered in Teaching Units (TU). Teaching can take various forms: lectures, practical work, tutorials, etc., either face-to-face or by distance learning (e-learning).
• Placement periods (MES) enable students to apply their learning through case studies, projects or workshops. In the case of apprenticeships, the practical work is carried out in the host company (ENT).

The programme includes modules in French and in English. The International Timber Trade’s speciality is fully taught in English.

Customised training

Allowing you to customise your study path is a key feature of the curriculum. During your studies, you can choose from a range of courses and study contexts to help you develop your career plans:

• a second modern language (Mandarin, Russian, Portuguese, Spanish, German or reinforced English),
• a choice of electives to develop certain skills according to your interests,
• Students are free to choose the subjects of certain semester projects,
• a major (a set of specialised TU) to enrich and diversify your educational profile (dual skills),
• the possibility of doing a gap year or a semester with an ESB partner, in France or abroad.
• Internships, which provide opportunities to validate your professional project.

Professional experience in a company (PE)

Work Experience periods in companies enable students to acquire skills linked to their academic training.

They take the form of work placements for students and in-company assignments for apprentices.

Job improvement – process | 1st year

In the 1st year, the in-company period gives you an insight into the industrial environment and the formalisation of a problem. You observe a workstation and suggest improvements.

Industrial study | 2nd year

In Year 2, you carry out an industrial improvement study of a process, product or service. During this in-company assignment, you will be tested on your ability to correctly pose a problem and propose solutions based on methodological work.

Final year project | 3rd year

You will complete an independent engineering assignment. All aspects of the course are brought into play to respond to an industrial problem: science, technology, economics, management, innovation, etc. This assignment is the subject of an end-of-studies professional report, which is presented to a jury.

Teaching programme

1st-year engineering

Firts semester – Designed to give students the knowledge and know-how required throughout the training programme: project management, familiarity with materials, circular economy basics, fundamental sciences, communications, etc.

Second semester – Prepares students for initial orientation choices. During this semester, students learn about the various specialities and digital tools. They carry out an initial circular economy project.

2nd-year engineering

During these year, students develop their first minor to be chosen from 6 available specialities. Students also need to choose elective courses that will allow them to develop in-depth knowledge of wood science, engineering science, digital technology, production automation, etc.

Foreign exchange programmes are available during semesters 7 or 8 in the second year. ESB offers nearly 37 destinations including 4 dual degrees (Switzerland, Brazil, Chile, and Canada).

3rd-year engineering

The 1st semester is totally dedicated to the professional project. Students choose a second minor and a major related to one or the other of the minors followed.

The second semester takes place entirely in a company, where the student carries out an end-of-study project.

ESB specialities available in the second and third years

In the 2nd and 3rd year, the students choose the lessons necessary for their professional project grouped into minors and majors.

Non-ESB 3rd-year option

Engineering students (excluding apprentices) can complete their 3rd year in another institution in France or abroad.

3rd-year options or double degree in France

• Master of science management-engineering – Audencia (Nantes)
• Agro forestry engineer – Bordeaux sciences agro (BSA).
• Engineer – Architect in 5 years -– ENSAP Bordeaux
• Master of science management-ingénierie – Audencia (Nantes) – 4-year double degree

Internationally : 4 double degrees

• Civil engineering degree in wood industries – University of Bio-Bio (UBB) in Conception, Chile
• Engineering degree – UFPR in Curitiba, Brazil
• Master’s degree in wood technology – Bern University of Applied Sciences (BHF) in Biel, Switzerland
• Master’s degree in wood and bio-based materials engineering from the Faculty of Forestry, Geography and Geomatics at Laval University (Canada)