Department profile

School of Management

Institution
Cranfield University
Edition
2024/25 edition

About School of Management

A world-leader in management education, research and consultancy for over 50 years, Cranfield School of Management is an exclusively postgraduate business school whose mission is to improve the practice of management. We have a global reputation for developing high-performing leaders in technology and management - encouraging them to transform their organisations and wider society.

Renowned for our strong links with industry, Cranfield is both about business and for business. We are a centre of world-class research, expertise, and teaching, providing practical management solutions through a range of activities including leadership, finance, marketing, logistics and supply chain management.

We are one of an elite group of Schools worldwide to hold the triple accreditation from AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System) and AMBA (the Association of MBAs).

What makes School of Management unique?

  • Our open and customised executive education programmes are ranked in the top ten in the UK, in the Executive Education 2020 FT Rankings, and top ten for business school partners.
  • Unrivalled teaching experience. You will be part of small learning teams, ensuring close contact and continuous support.
  • A mature learning environment. As we are a postgraduate only university, you will be surrounded by like-minded individuals who are driven to succeed in their chosen career.
  • Career-focused learning. Because our teaching is exclusively focused on postgraduate and executive levels, it is designed to nurture your practical business skills and confidence, and places huge emphasis on real-world challenges.
  • Our extensive alumni network. You will join our network of 70,000+ graduates, many of whom now hold senior roles within some of the world’s leading organisations.
  • We are ranked second in the UK for graduate employment (DLHE longitudinal survey, 2017).

Cranfield School of Management consistently performs well in the major school and programme specific rankings, reinforcing our position as a top global management school:

Click here to see our rankings.

Our Alumni

Cranfield School of Management is renowned for producing inspirational leaders who make a genuine global impact on business and society. With over 70,000 alumni Cranfield University is committed to providing a world-class programme of inclusive and lifelong services to our alumni. Find out more about our alumni.

Notable Cranfield alumni

  • Lord Karan Billimoria, Founder Cobra Beer Ltd
  • Anthony Jenkins, Former Chief Executive, Barclays
  • Nick Jenkins, Founder, Moonpig
  • Sir Charlie Mayfield, Chairman, John Lewis Partnership
  • Tristram Mayhew, Rebecca Mayhew and Jerome Mayhew, Co-Founders, Go Ape
  • John McFarlane OBE, Chairman, Barclays
  • Angus Thirlwell, Founder, Hotel Chocolat
  • Sarah Willingham, Serial Entrepreneur
  • Warren East CBE, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce.

Location

Cranfield University campus is 40 minutes away from central London by train, with nearest towns being Milton Keynes and Bedford. London Luton airport is the closest to the University, while Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted are all easily accessible via train and coach.

Cranfield Defence and Security is around 50 mins from London by train and around 25 mins from Bristol by train. Bath, Cheltenham, Bristol and Oxford are all within an hour’s drive and London less than two hours away by car.

Living here

Cranfield is at the centre of two very beautiful and interesting worlds, the modern city of Milton Keynes and the country town of Bedford. Both options are just a few miles away from campus and are accessible by car, or by public transport.

On campus, there is a true sense of community, helping you to forge friendships during your studies and leisure time, in a safe and peaceful environment. Whatever your recreational, social, or sporting interests, there are many opportunities to make friends and have a great time.

Green Spaces - on campus you will find plenty of open spaces to relax, rejuvenate and simply enjoy. The open spaces are great for taking a break or for use as an alternative study area during the summer.
Hartley’s Bar (within the CMDC) - offering a relaxed and welcoming environment, hosting regular events, including karaoke nights, live music, and themed evenings.

Eating - We have several cafés and restaurants, which serve everything from ice-creams, coffees, and international snacks to hot meals. Located in front of Cranberries, our Costa Coffee outlet provides freshly brewed tea and coffee, along with a variety of cakes, pastries, and light snacks. We also have a regular street food area offering a variety of different world foods for you to experience.

Gym - enjoy our well-equipped fitness centre which is split between a free weights room, a functional training room and a general-purpose gym with a range of resistance and cardiovascular machines.

Outdoor Sports Facility - grassed, multi-use playing field features full-size football, rugby and cricket pitches and is also ideal for training, while our multi-use games area features two floodlit, fully fenced, five-a-side pitches with synthetic artificial turf.

Relaxation and Therapy - A range of therapeutic and professional services are offered by external companies operating at our Cranfield sports centre.

Worship - We have an ecumenical chapel where Christian groups can meet and Roman Catholic mass is celebrated, a Mosque for daily and Friday prayer, Quran study, Eid and Ramadan observations, and close links with other local places of worship.

Bringing a family to Cranfield - To keep children entertained the Cranfield Students Association regularly organises a comprehensive programme of fun and engaging activities including parties, games, and events throughout the year.

Look at other activities available during your time at Cranfield by visiting our Life at Cranfield page.

Accommodation

Living on campus can be a great way for you to meet and socialise with other students, and to benefit from the supportive infrastructure and sense of community spirit this brings. However, we also understand that many students will still want to have the opportunity to live with partners and families, which is why we also offer affordable family homes and apartments for couples.

All our accommodation is within easy reach of the campus buildings and all the great amenities Cranfield University offers. There is plenty of parking space available for students who wish to bring their car. Chilver Hall - Fully furnished single or double standard ensuite rooms Stringfellow Hall - Fully furnished single ensuite rooms Lanchester Hall - Fully furnished single and double ensuite and shared bathroom option rooms Baroness Young Hall - Fully furnished premier single ensuite rooms and studio apartments Mitchell Hall - Fully furnished standard and ensuite rooms both fully catered Family Homes - Two, Three and Four bedroomed furnished family homes Apartments For Couples - Furnished Studio Apartments

Take a look at our full range of accommodation options.

Events

Attend one of our Open Days to explore the Cranfield campus and look behind the scenes at some of our world class facilities, or take a look at our School of Management calendar of events for information about keynote lectures, fairs, conferences and webinars.

Contact details

Email
studysom@cranfield.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)1234 758081
Address
Cranfield School of Management
College Road
Cranfield
Bedfordshire