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The international students, applying for the course starting in September 2025, students are required to submit the Cranfield application by Jun 12, 2025 (tentative) for Shrivenham courses and Jul 3, 2025 (tentative) for Cranfield courses at the very latest.
About Cranfield University
Cranfield University was founded in the year 1946 as the College of Aeronautics. Cranfield is a postgraduate university known for its higher education in technology and management. International students get excellent expertise, large-scale facilities, and international connections for a better career. The university ranked among the top National universities by popular ranking bodies. As per Shiksha Popularity Rankings for 2025, Cranfield University is ranked #103 among the UK universities. Cranfield University acceptance rate is 68%, which makes it competitive to get selected into the university. This university is the largest provider of master 's-level programs in engineering and is one of the best engineering universities in the UK. Cranfield placement rate is 90%, and the students are employed within 15 months of graduation.
Things to know about the Cranfield University
A few interesting facts about Cranfield University are as follows:
|
Particulars |
Validation |
|---|---|
|
Establishment |
1946 |
|
Ranking |
#91 by Shiksha Popularity Rankings |
|
GPA Requirements |
2.1 on a scale of 4 |
|
Location |
Cranfield, Bedfordshire, UK |
|
Top Majors |
Engineering | Business | Marketing |
|
Annual Tuition Cost |
PG - INR 8.6 L - 49.27 L |
|
Total Programs |
150+ |
|
Total Campuses |
2 |
|
Acceptance Rate |
Around 68% |
|
Public or Private |
Public Research University |
History
The College of Aeronautics, established in 1946 and situated at the RAF station in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, was the precursor to Cranfield University. The 1950s and 1960s saw the development of several aircraft research and design sectors. Additionally, this led to a major expansion and diversification into other domains, such as production and management. The School of Management was established in 1967. Also, in 1969, with full degree-awarding authority, the College of Aeronautics was renamed the Cranfield Institute of Technology and established by Royal Charter.
Also read: Study Guide to UK for Indian Students
Learn more about Cranfield University Highlights in the videos below:
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
The 1st year tuition fees for international students for courses at Cranfield University are mentioned below-
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
MS (74 courses) | INR 20.6 L - INR 32.8 L |
MIM (15 courses) | INR 19 L - INR 34 L |
MIM0 Diploma (40 courses) | INR 17.1 L - INR 27 L |
PG Certificate (40 courses) | INR 8.6 L - INR 14.8 L |
MDes (1 course) | INR 28.1 L |
MBA/PGDM (1 course) | INR 46.8 L |
MA (1 course) | INR 21.8 L |
Cranfield University offers more than 150 degree courses to international students every year. Some of the popular courses at the university are mentioned below :
- Business
- Management
- Engineering
- Accounting and Commerce
- Sciences
- Human Resource Management
- Entrepreneurship
To know more about more courses, click here.
Cranfield University campuses are located in two different locations i.e. Cranfield at Bedfordshire and Defence Academy of the United Kingdom at Shrivenham. Cranfield is the center of academic excellence that is located a short distance from town and other places of interest. Cranfield University courses are available in master’s level graduate programs in engineering and management. Foreign students can pursue MBA/PGDM, MIM, and MS courses at the university. These courses are available in over 20 specializations i.e. Aeronautical engineering, Bioinformatics, Chemical Engineering, Finance, Human Resources, etc.
Cranfield University Ranking 2025
Cranfield University is a well-known university nationally as well as globally, ranked by some of the top ranking bodies. According to Shiksha Popularity Ranking, Cranfield University ranking was recorded as #91 at the national level for year 2025.
The university is also ranked by ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) at #801 in 2024 for the Universities Rankings category. This ranking in 2023 was #801, witnessing a stagnant trend.
The Shiksha Popularity Ranking also recognizes some of the courses offered by the university. Cranfield University courses that are ranked include:
| Course name | Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2025 |
|---|---|
| MIM | #12 |
| MS | #52 |
| MBA/PGDM | #7 |
#680
#103
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
Some of the Business and Management course rankings at Cranfield University are given as follows:
| Year | QS Global MBA | QS - Masters in Supply Chain Management Rankings |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 44 | NA |
| 2020 | 51 | NA |
| 2021 | 79 | 11 |
| 2022 | 75 | 11 |
| 2023 | 87 | 11 |
According to The Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) 2023, Cranfield University was recognised as 8th in the UK for Employability. MBA programme of the university has been placed in 12 in Europe in Bloomberg Businessweek Best B-Schools List 2023-24. Furthermore, in The Financial Times 2024 rankings, Cranfield University MBA course has been ranked at the following places:
- Top 10 in Europe and Global 20 for Value for Money
- Top 10 in Europe and #22nd Globally for Career Progress
- Top 5 in the UK for sector diversity in the classroom
- Global No. 1 for internationality of cohort
Cranfield University Programs
Cranfield University is known for offering best academic programs for its international and domestic students. Cranfield University offers 150+ degree courses and 400+ professional development courses to international students per year. The university provides various at PG levels for its students. Some popular courses at the university are Business, Management, Engineering, Sciences, Accounting and Commerce, Human Resource Management, and Entrepreneurship. According to Shiksha Popularity Rankings, Mechanical Engineering and Physics are graded #9 & #51 respectively.
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Cranfield University Admission 2026
Students seeking admission to Cranfield University have to fill the online application form, submit mandatory documents and pay the application fee. Cranfield University accepts some exam scores at the time of admission, including English language exams. Some of the exam scores that Indian students have to submit for admission are IELTS, PTE, Duolingo and TOEFL. The documents that have to be submitted is LOR.
- Application fees :No Fees
- Type of deadline :Depends on course
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
To get admission at Cranfield University, international students must meet the requirements. They must have required academic degree and submit the English language test score to submit their admission application.
Students can apply at Cranfield University to study Master of Business Administration courses in online mode. Students can follow steps mentioned below to complete application -
Step 1– Students are required to apply online
Step 2– Submit academic detail and all the documents
Step 3– Submit all the test scores asked by university
Step 4– Pay application fee which is non refundable
Step 5– After submission of application form, students will get an email within some days
Cranfield UniversityCranfield University Scholarships
Cranfield University tuition fees and the associated living costs are major challenges among international students. Therefore, the university has arranged scholarships, small grants, and bursaries for their students. Foreign students get over 500 scholarships to study in the UK at Cranfield University based on their merits. Bursaries are also available for high-quality applicants.
Mentioned below are some popular scholarships offered by the institute for the upcoming academic session:
| Scholarship | Financial Reward | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Course Excellence Scholarship | 50% of the tuition fee |
|
| Cranfield India Scholarship | 40% of the tuition fee |
|
| Cranfield Forensic Institute Merit Scholarship | 15% of the tuition fee |
|
| Cranfield School of Management Regional Scholarship | INR 17 L |
|
Read More: Scholarships Offered by Cranfield University
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
Cranfield University offers a lot of scholarships and funding options to international students based on the financial aid requirements and academic merit. Some of the scholarships and funding options are mentioned below:
| Name of Scholarship | Value/Coverage |
|---|---|
| Chevening Scholarships | Tuition Fee - above EUR 18,000 with remaining costs included |
| International Water Association & Cranfield University Excellence Scholarships | 50% of tuition fees/ EUR 13,290 |
| Cranfield Scholarships | Varies by course and applicant |
12 monthsCranfield UniversityStudents Ratings & Reviews
16 Verified Reviews- 56% students never faced discrimination in this university
Cranfield University Placements
Cranfield University is recognized for having the highest placement rate in the United Kingdom. The university placement rate attracts international students the most. Cranfield University placement rate is 90%, and the graduates are employed within 15 months of their graduation. Also, Cranfield graduates are always in high demand worldwide. Moreover, the placement highlights at Cranfield are given below:
- Cranfield University graduates work in top companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Deloitte, Rolls-Royce, British Airways, and more.
- Cranfield graduates work in leading sectors such as Engineering, Business Development, Information Technology, Marketing, etc.
- The university graduates are highly skilled in Project Management, Engineering, Project Planning, Business Strategy, Business Development, and others.
- The top programs preferred by Cranfield alumni include Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Engineering, Marketing, and more.
ROI After Education from Cranfield University
As per the unofficial sources, the average salary of Cranfield University graduates is GBP 42,000 (INR 44.69 LPA) annually.
Top Employers
Some of the top employers at Cranfield University are listed below:
- Rolls-Royce
- Amazon
- Jacobs
- Deloitte
- Microsoft
- Qatar Airways
- Airbus
- British Army
- Shell
- JLR
- BAE Systems
Also read: Popular Job Sectors in the UK for International Students
Top Recruiters
Commonly asked questions On Placements
As per the Cranfield University placement, the highest salary offered to MBA graduates is USD 109,000 in Executive Management profile. The below table includes the salary data of MBA graduate at Cranfield:
Job Profile | Average Salary |
|---|---|
Executive Management & Change | USD 109,000 |
Human Resources & Recruiting | USD 96,000 |
Sales & Business Development | USD 89,000 |
Financial Services | USD 88,000 |
Finance Control & Strategy | USD 83,000 |
Logistics, Operations & Purchasing | USD 69,000 |
(Source: emolument)
Students can participate in MBA Summer Internship programme that Cranfield University offers. This is a full time internship that has a duration between 8 to 12 weeks where students work on planned projects and assignments which give them an opportunity to combine relevant concepts in MBA and apply their learning to real business situations.
Given below are some of the job roles that Cranfield University graduates have attained after studying MBA:
- Senior Manager
- Chairman
- Retired CIO
- Co-owner
- Director / CEO
- Director of Sales
- Executive Director
- Senior Vice President
- Management Consulting Manager
- Client Account Management Leader
Cranfield University Fees
Cranfield University is among the most popular universities in the UK. The Cranfield average tuition fee for postgraduate programs ranges from INR 8.6 L - 49.27 L. Some of the popular courses include Business, Management, Engineering, Sciences, Accounting and Commerce, Human Resource Management, and Entrepreneurship.
The average Cranfield University cost of living for international students is given in the table below:
| Expense Type | Average Monthly Cost of Living |
|---|---|
| Accommodation and Housing | INR 60,000- 1.5 L |
| Food and Utilities | INR 32,000- 45,000 |
| Travel and Commutation | INR 10,000 |
| Personal Expenses | INR 50,000 |
The listed expense is the average monthly expense for international students living on-campus. The cost of living outside the campus can vary.
Also read: Study in UK without IELTS 2025
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
M.Sc.(121 courses) | INR 10 L - 39 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 11-13 months Exam Accepted: PTE: 65 - 68, Duolingo: 120 & Above, IELTS: 6.5 - 7, TOEFL: 92 & Above |
MBA/PGDM(19 courses) | INR 19 L - 59 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 12-13 months Exam Accepted: PTE: 65 - 68, Duolingo: 120 & Above, IELTS: 6.5 - 7, TOEFL |
PG Diploma(40 courses) | INR 19 L - 31 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 11-12 months Exam Accepted: PTE: 65 - 68, Duolingo |
M.A.(1 course) | INR 31 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 11 months Exam Accepted: PTE: 68 & Above, Duolingo |
M.Des(1 course) | INR 31 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 12 months Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 92 & Above, PTE: 65 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above |
PG Certificate(17 courses) | INR 10 L - 17 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 11-12 months Exam Accepted: PTE: 65 - 68, Duolingo |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
Students must satisfy the below mentioned English Language requirements at Cranfield University to secure a seat at the institute.
| Exam | Score Required |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Overall 6.5 |
| TOEFL IBT | Total 92/120 |
| Cambridge Assessment | Overall 180 |
| PTE Academic | Overall 65 |
International students who wish to study full-time MBA at Cranfield must submit the GMAT score to get into the university. The university welcomes students with Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores over 600. The average score for our Full-time MBA students is currently 680. You will need to contact GMAT directly to book an appointment to take the test.
Cranfield University Application Process
Admission Requirements for International Students
International students must meet the admission requirements at the university. The admission requirements can vary from one program to another. Moreover, the general admission requirements at Cranfield University are listed below:
- An international qualification that is equivalent to the UK system
- Bachelor’s degree with a percentage score of 65%
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Official academic records
- Official standardized test scores
- Submit the online application
- Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Proof of Financial Support
Cranfield University Application Process is given below:
Commonly asked questions On Application Process
The Cranfield University acceptance rate is 68% for international students, meaning that out of every 100 students who apply to the university about 68 are likely to be offered the opportunity to enroll on the Cranfield campus making the admission criteria of the uni somewhat moderately selective
International students can apply for Cranfield University directly through university website. After submitting the application successfully, the university will review the application. It will take minimum 20 working days (4 weeks) to process the application.
Students can apply for Cranfield University admission to study MBA program online. To complete application, students can follow mentioned below steps-
Apply online before the programme starts.
Submit your academic detail.
Upload your documents.
Submit required test score.
Pay the Cranfield University application fee.
Submit your application, you will receive a mail from university in few days.
Cranfield University Notable Alumni
Cranfield University is among the best universities in UK. Cranfield has a network of more than 80,000 alumni members from 170 countries worldwide. Cranfield University has communities in countries such as China, India, Russia, etc. It has CEOs, entrepreneurs, innovators, industry leaders and more. Some of the famous ones include Aishah Ahmad, Rudolf de Korte and James Morris. A few of the notable alumni at Cranfield University are given below
|
Name of Personality |
Profession |
Picture |
|---|---|---|
|
Charles Ingram |
English Fraudster, Novelist, and Former British Army Major |
|
|
Crispin Blunt |
British Politician |
|
|
Sarah Willingham |
British Entrepreneur, Serial Investor, Founder and CEO of Nightcap PLC |
|
|
Siddhartha Lal |
Indian Businessman |
|
|
Pat Symonds |
British Motor Racing Engineer |
|
|
Patrick Sanders |
KCB, CBE, DSO, ADC Gen |
|
|
James Vowles |
British Motorsport Engineer and Team Principal of Williams Racing |
|
|
Winnie Byanyima |
Ugandan Aeronautical Engineer, Politician, Human Rights Activist, Feminist and Diplomat |
|
|
Andy Palmer |
English Automotive Executive and Engineer |
|
|
Ahmed Lawan |
Nigerian Politician and Professor |
|
|
Antony Jenkins |
British Business Executive |
|
|
Nigel Doughty |
British Investor and Football Club Owner |
|
Cranfield University Vs University of Manchester Vs Durham University: Which is better?
Cranfield University, the University of Manchester, and Durham University are some of the most popular universities in the UK. The institutions are known for maintaining a good quality of academic environment that can help the the students for the entire course duration. Comparing between them can be a tricky ask especially if you're applying to a UK university for the very first time. Therefore taking into account their most important characteristics such as location, popular courses, fees and rankings can help paint a more clear picture of each institute's positives & negatives.
Mentioned below is a comparison between Cranfield, UOM & Durham Uni:
|
Criteria |
Cranfield University |
University of Manchester |
Durham University |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Location |
College Rd, Wharley End, Bedford MK43 0AL, United Kingdom |
Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom |
The Palatine Centre, University, Stockton Rd, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom |
|
Acceptance Rate |
68% |
40-50% |
41% |
|
Popular Programs |
Business, Engineering |
Chemical Engineering, Physics, Management |
Engineering, Computer Science |
|
Tuition Fee (MBA) |
INR 52.44 L |
INR 44.3 L |
INR 42.4 L |
|
Shiksha Popularity Rankings |
#91 |
#9 |
#12 |
Compare Cranfield University with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 10.01 L - 38.92 L | #801 ARWU, 2025 | |
| INR 7.43 L - 39.99 L | #11 CUG, 2026 | |
| INR 13.9 L - 43.53 L | #17 CUG, 2026 | |
| INR 15.53 L - 63.19 L | #22 CUG, 2026 | |
| INR 7.99 L - 52.76 L | #26 CUG, 2026 | |
| INR 22.3 L - 49.76 L | #8 Guardian, 2026 |
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Cranfield University
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 5 months ago
After getting an offer letter from Cranfield University, internatioanal students are required to make a deposit which varies from programme to program. The deadline for the payment of this deposit is mentioned in the offer letter.
International students who require a Confirmation of Acceptance for
R
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 6 months ago
The Cranfield University has an acceptance rate of 68%, which suggests the institute is selective to a fair extent & prioritises students with better academic qualifications. Despite that, it can still be considered relatively easier to secure a seat at than Durham University, whose acceptance rate
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 8 months ago
To get admission in MBA course at Cranfield University, students are required to submit min 3 years of work experience after completing their graduation degree as part of important requirement.
To be considered for MBA course, students are also required to get good score in UG degree and also require
j
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 8 months ago
The eligibility requiremetns for the MBA course at the Cranfield University are mentioned below:
- Students are required to hold a good degree and professional qualification.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience after the graudation is required.
- International students are also required to submit the proof of
j
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 8 months ago
Students who are unable to meet the English language test requirements for the admission at the Cranfield University but hold a good academic performance can also apply for the pre-sessional English for Academic Purpose (EAP) courses at the university. After completing the academic purpose course,
j
Contributor-Level 10
About the author
Cranfield University
University Building
University Building
Aerial View
Cranfield UniversityLocation
| University City | Cranfield, Bedfordshire, UK |
| Size of city | Small |
| Population of City | 5,369 |
Cranfield UniversityCampuses
Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
Cranfield UniversityContact Information
College Road, Cranfield MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
Cranfield ( Bedfordshire)
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