As the UK’s only exclusively postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships is creating leaders in technology and management globally. We are creating leaders in technology and management, unlocking the potential of people and organisations by partnering with business and governments to deliver transformational research, postgraduate education and professional development.
Cranfield's distinctive expertise is in our deep understanding of technology and management and how these work together to benefit the world. Our education portfolio is renowned for its relevance to business and industry. We are the largest UK provider of master's-level graduates in engineering and offer a flagship MBA, extensive world-class customised executive education and professional development programmes. Our work informs government policy and leads the way in producing cutting edge new technologies and products in partnership with industry.
The research and consultancy we carry out for industry, government and business provides our students with a real-world learning environment, allowing them to develop as professionals and then transfer their knowledge to the global economy. This has always been the 'Cranfield way' but it has never been more important than in today's world.
The corporate plan provides a focus for the effective engagement of the entire Cranfield community towards the realisation of our mission: to create leaders in technology and management. We have identified four strategic priorities, informed by our staff, students, alumni and business partners, which will continue to be our focus over the next three years:
Our specialist areas of focus, or Cranfield themes, are where we bring a range of academic disciplines together in order to tackle the grand challenges facing the world within a range of industrial and commercial sectors. These are Water, Agrifood, Energy and Power, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Transport Systems, Defence and Security and Management. Our Cranfield themes are built upon our expertise in a range of academic disciplines, listed here.
Within our postgraduate environment our academic disciplines work closely together, blending as they do in the commercial world and industry to deliver real world solutions. Cranfield is a postgraduate university, specialising in technology and management. The theme running through Cranfield’s history is a commitment to and passion for applied research which makes a difference to the world in the fields of science, technology and management.
The forerunner of Cranfield University was the College of Aeronautics, created in 1946 and based at the RAF station in Cranfield, Bedfordshire. Through the 1950s and 1960s, the development of many aspects of aircraft research and design led to considerable growth and diversification into other areas such as manufacturing and management. In 1967, the School of Management was founded, so 2017 marks our 50th anniversary. In 1969, the College of Aeronautics became The Cranfield Institute of Technology incorporated by Royal Charter with full degree-awarding powers.
More recently, there has been further substantial progress, including an academic partnership with the Defence Academy, UK, at Shrivenham in Wiltshire. Cranfield’s motto, 'post nubes lux', means 'after clouds light'. It is depicted on the University coat of arms which was introduced when the University was awarded our Royal Charter. Cranfield University grew out of the College of Aeronautics, established originally in 1946. More information about the College of Aeronautics is available in our overview of the history of the CoA.
Lord Kings Norton of Wotton Underwood (formerly Sir Harold Roxbee Cox) played a significant role in the establishment of the Cranfield College of Aeronautics. He also served as Cranfield University's first Chancellor. To honour his association, Lady Kings Norton donated a collection of her husband's letters, photographs, papers and other memorabilia to Cranfield University. We have made a selection of these materials available as an online archive to serve as a permanent memorial to the man who helped guide the development of this institution during the first 50 years of its history.
We are passionate about maintaining and enhancing Cranfield’s brand and reputation so that our alumni, students, staff and partners can all be proud of our University. This animation explains why we refreshed our brand in 2016, who we listened to during the research phase and our ambition for the future: Our updated website and publications are designed to reinforce our world-class expertise in our specialist areas: aerospace, defence and security, energy and power, environment and agrifood, manufacturing, transport systems, water and our School of Management. We're building on our heritage, including keeping our crest, while embracing the future, with more modern organisation logos. Our expertise in technology and management help set students and learners on a trajectory to success; watch our video on supporting the learners of today to become the leaders of tomorrow.
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Studied in Cranfield from 2013 to 2014. Absolutely one of the top universities in the UK! Loved the course and the environment! The campus is a bit far from the shopping centre Milton Keynes, but for study that is a good thing :)
By Lily S (May, 2018) |
Nice university located in the country side in Bedford... although only provides post graduation... the research is mainly industry related which is great...famous for the aero engineering... and you know... they have a airport and some small ✈️... wonderful campus.. lot of trees....
By ARINDAM MALLICK (Mar, 2018) |
If you’ve made up your mind to build your career in supply chain field, and been ready for an intense study for one year, I recommend Cranfield University.
By Haiyan Liang (Dec, 2017) |
Best University, Excellent support, Education is always beyond the googleee search and , distance learning, .
"Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high..
Where knowledge is free..
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments..
By narrow domestic walls"..
By Chima Chiemerie (Nov, 2017) |
Loved my time at Cranfield. First interaction was attending a Masters short course for aerospace which was fantastic for that technical content. This led me to undertake my MBA at Cranfield School of Management, giving me a fantastic year from both a personal and professional stand point. It has had a huge influence on the years afterwards. Would
recommend into be on the short list if thinking of enhancing your career, the staff are first class and really want to produce the best of the students and research.
By Neil Fry (Oct, 2017) |
Inspiring countryside location for serious full time MSc studies. I feel very lucky and proud to have done my Logistics and Supply Chain Management (LSCM) studies at Cranfield. The LSCM course is ranked among the top ten worldwide. Although intense the learning experience is superb along with the international environment.
By Manuel Albornoz (Aug, 2017) |
Two stars only for the facilities. Teaching timetables are ridiculous as well as the modules programmes (very basic). The place is nice for studying since no undergraduates are in there. I would suggest this university only to people who are in the aerospace field.
However, it is still a good university (in the UK) for people who wants to work in industry rather than working within the academic filed.
By Vincenzo (Aug, 2017) |
Remote location, because of private airfield. Fascinating postgraduate university with lots of high tech departments. Aviation and computer sciences are very advanced. Large campus. If you have a chance to visit, do it.
By Christian Kunst (Aug, 2017) |
Cranfield university was the right choice for me to complete my higher education. Strong system and good courses. The place is really suitable to concentrate on your studying.
By Sharif Al Asmi (Jul, 2017) |
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Cranfield University has truly transformed my child's academic journey, with its outstanding educational quality and dedicated staff guiding them toward remarkable achievements.
By E.C. (Mar, 2024) |