Cranfield University

Overview

Cranfield University is a public, postgraduate-only research university in England, UK. Established in 1946, Cranfield University offers 150+ degree programmes and 400+ professional development courses. Cranfield University is ranked in the top 1% of business schools globally, holding triple accreditation from AACSB International, AMBA, and EQUIS.

Highlights

Acceptance Rate: 68%

Total International Students: 5,000+ (from 100+ countries)

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 8:1

Placement Percentage: 92%

Cranfield University Rankings

Here are the updated Cranfield University rankings across various ranking agencies:

Ranking Agency	Rank
U.S. News & World Report	817 in Best Global Universities 291 in Best Global Universities in Europe 56 in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom
FT Global MBA Ranking	82nd in the UK for MBA

Cranfield University Intake

Cranfield University offers three intakes for its students: September, January, and March.

September / October Intake: Main intake for most postgraduate taught courses (MSc, MBA); also for research degrees and Executive DBA.
January Intake: Limited MSc/MBA courses; also a key intake for PhD, MRes, MPhil, and School of Management research programmes.
March Intake: Select full-time MSc programmes start in the March intake.

Cranfield University Courses

Cranfield University offers a wide range of postgraduate courses, particularly in engineering, management, and defense and security. The university is also consistently ranked highly for aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, and its School of Management programs. Some of the top courses at Cranfield are as follows:

Program	Duration	Annual Tuition Fees
Aerospace Dynamics MSc	1 Year	£27,910
Applied Artificial Intelligence MSc	1 Year (2-3 Years Part-time)	£27,910
Astronautics and Space Engineering MSc	1 Year (3 Years Part-time)	£31,775
Forensic Investigation MSc	11 Months (3 Years Part-time)	£25,955
Management MSc	1 Year	£34,445
Advanced Mechanical Engineering MSc	1 Year (2-3 Years Part-time)	£27,910
Applied Bioinformatics MSc	1 Year (2-3 Years Part-time)	£26,475

Cost of Studying at Cranfield University

Here’s a detailed table outlining the cost of studying at Cranfield University:

Expenses Type	Expenses
Tuition Fees – Taught Programs	£18,000 – £47,335
Tuition Fees – Research Programs	£11,310 – £27,720
Accommodation	£570 – £1,400/month
Food	£300 – £400/month
Travel	£39 – £85/month
General Expenses	£300 – £400/month
Annual TV Licence Fee	£174.50

Cranfield University Scholarships

Cranfield University offers several scholarships to its students. Some of them are:

Scholarship	Value	Details
Course Excellence Scholarships (Environment, Agrifood, Water and Energy)	50% fee reduction	Awarded to students with a UG degree and with a 200 to 250 word supporting statement on why you should be considered
Brian Meredith Net Zero Scholarships	£20,000	Applicants need a relevant degree and a 200 – 500 word statement on tackling climate change.
Cranfield Merit Scholarships	10% – 15% towards tuition fees	Open to full-time MSc offer holders at Cranfield with a 2:1 UK degree or equivalent.
Cranfield School of Management India Scholarships	£10,000	Awarded to offer holders for eligible MSc courses must submit a short personal statement on why they want to study at Cranfield

Cranfield University Admission

Cranfield University accepts applications for both taught and research programs through its official website. For admission, students must have a Bachelor’s degree with at least 55% marks or UK lower second (2:2) or upper second (2:1) undergraduate degree with honours in a related subject area.

English Language Proficiency Test Accepted:

TOEFL iBT – 92
IELTS – 6.5
PTE – 65
Cambridge C1/C2 – 160
Duolingo – 120
Kaplan Test of English – 495

Additional Requirements:

You are also required to provide your official academic transcripts, referees, experience, personal statement, proof of funds, and English language proficiency scores.

Accommodation at Cranfield University

Cranfield University offers a variety of accommodation options, including individual rooms in halls of residence, shared houses, privately rented apartments, and family homes.

On-Campus Housing: Cranfield offers en-suite halls, shared houses, studio apartments, and a few family homes. Weekly rent is around £214 – £270, covering bills, Wi-Fi, parking, and security.
Off-Campus Housing: Students can rent privately in nearby towns such as Bedford, Milton Keynes, or Cranfield village. Costs may be higher than on-campus shared housing and usually exclude utilities. Off-campus living offers more independence, but it often entails additional commuting and transportation costs.

Cranfield University Placements

Cranfield University enjoys a good employability history as more than 92% of its graduates are employed or continue studies within 15 months of graduation.

The MSc programmes at Cranfield frequently have a one-year programme with three-month field placement whereby students gain work experience with international firms, which most of the time results in full-time roles and valuable industry connections. Some of the top employers of Cranfield are:

Airbus
Anglian Water
Heathrow
Ford
Oracle
P&G
Accenture
Deloitte
Citigroup
Pepsico
Rolls-Royce
Jaguar Land Rover
PwC
BAE Systems

Student Essential Services

Cranfield University is a multicultural university with students from over 100 nationalities. The university offers accommodation, sports facilities, a variety of dining options, places of worship, and more.

Student Wellbeing and Disability Support Team: A dedicated Student Wellbeing and Disability Support team offers confidential, personalised assistance for academic challenges, mental health, disability needs, and more.
Cranfield Students’ Association: The Cranfield Students’ Association champions your voice, organizes events, runs cafés/bars, and offers social, cultural, and sporting activities to enrich campus life.
Library: Provides access to thousands of e-journals, databases, and specialist resources, along with study spaces and dedicated librarian support. It also offers training and workshops to help students build research and study skills.
Multiple Campuses: Cranfield University has two campuses: the Cranfield campus in Bedfordshire, focused on aerospace, manufacturing, energy, environment, and management, and the Shrivenham campus in Oxfordshire, based at the Defence Academy of the UK, specializing in defence and security studies.
Clubs & Societies: Cranfield has a wide variety of clubs and societies through its Students Association, including football, rugby, and volleyball, music, cultural, academic, and faith-based societies.

Location of Cranfield University

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the entry requirements for international students at Cranfield University?

Cranfield generally requires a relevant bachelor’s degree (2:1 UK equivalent), English proficiency (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent), and supporting documents such as transcripts, references, and a personal statement.

Are scholarships available for international students at Cranfield University?

Yes, Cranfield offers merit-based scholarships, regional awards, and external funding options. Some programs also provide partial fee waivers.

What kind of accommodation is available on campus at Cranfield University?

On-campus housing includes shared houses, en-suite halls, studio apartments, and limited family homes with weekly costs ranging from £214 – £270.

Is Cranfield University well-connected for travel?

Yes, the Cranfield campus is conveniently located near Milton Keynes and Bedford, offering easy train access to London (approximately 40 minutes) and nearby airports, including Luton and Heathrow.

Is Cranfield University only for engineers?

No, while it’s well-known for aerospace and engineering programs, Cranfield also offers management, finance, marketing, water, energy, and environmental sciences programs.