An industrial engineering degree program in Béziers in September 2026
The Polytech Montpellier school at the University of Montpellier is set to expand its range of courses following the accreditation, at the end of 2025, of a new engineering program by the Commission des Titres d'Ingénieur (CTI): a new specialization in industrial engineering. The result of close collaboration with the Béziers University Institute of Technology (IUT), Jean-Moulin High School, and the socio-economic community of the Béziers region, this ambitious initiative aims to meet the needs of businesses and the challenges of ecological transition.
Promoting the development of higher education and research in dynamic regions where access to high-level training has remained limited is the stated ambition of Polytech Montpellier, which will offer a new industrial engineering program in Béziers starting in the 2026 academic year. Thanks to this specialization, students in this region will now be able to obtain a five-year engineering degree without leaving their local area.
By establishing itself in Béziers, Polytech Montpellier aims to build bridges between secondary and higher education, supporting high school students through to an engineering degree (BAC+5). This initiative also aims to encourage social openness by making high-quality education accessible to areas with fewer higher education facilities. Finally, this program aims to meet the needs of local businesses, particularly in fields related to green industry and ecological transition.
A cross-functional program at the heart of industrial challenges
The new industrial engineering specialization stands out for its versatility. The main topics covered include industrial processes and their optimization; quality and maintenance, the cornerstones of industrial performance; environmental impact management, a key issue in the ecological transition; and management, to train leaders capable of steering complex projects.
This program will be offered as an apprenticeship, promoting an enriching balance between theory and practice. Students from BUT (mechanical and production engineering, industrial engineering and maintenance, energy transition professions, etc.), certain professional bachelor's degrees such as AI and robotics from the IUT in Béziers, BTS or preparatory courses (ATS: adaptation for senior technicians or PeiP: Polytech engineering school courses), will thus have a unique opportunity to progress towards careers of the future.
A response tailored to the needs of the region and industry
The lack of specialized engineering programs in Béziers had previously represented a gap in the Occitanie region's educational network. By filling this gap, Polytech Montpellier is strengthening its strategic positioning. This specialization, designed in collaboration with industry players, is intended to complement existing programs. It is in line with the University's strategic priorities, which aim to support the ecological transition and promote the development of local training programs in key cities such as Béziers.
Florence Lambert, CEO of GENVIA and spokesperson for EDEN(Écosystème Durable et Énergies Naturelles) , is delighted with the contribution these new skills will make: "The launch of this industrial engineering specialization is a concrete response to the skills needs of industries involved in the energy transition. It will help train engineers capable of supporting the industrialization of low-carbon technologies across the country."
High ambitions for the future
With this initiative, Lionel Torres, Director of Polytech Montpellier, explains, "This project reflects a clear ambition: to train engineers who are ready to take on the industrial challenges of tomorrow, while boosting the local educational and economic fabric." This project illustrates the ability of academic institutions to adapt to changes in society by building bridges between education, research, and business. For the President of the University, Philippe Augé,"This new specialization in industrial engineering fully illustrates the University of Montpellier's commitment to accessible higher education that is rooted in the local community and resolutely focused on the major challenges of today."
The first students in this specialization will be welcomed at the start of the 2026 academic year, marking a decisive step in the development of higher education in Béziers. This is a great opportunity for the region and its up-and-coming talent. This new program is expected to eventually have 60 engineering students over the three years of training.
This project was developed in close collaboration with the government—in particular with the superintendent of the Montpellier school district, Carole Drucker-Godard, and previously with Sophie Béjean, now Rector of the Lille Academy, as well as with the Prefect of Hérault François-Xavier Lauch—and with all local authorities, including the city of Béziers, is an emblematic example of collective success in the service of engineering education in the region. It responds to a growing demand for skills in the industrial sector while fully integrating the challenges of transition.