cranfield university mba: Fees, Living Costs, Test Scores, Visa Process, Work during Study, Entry Requirements.

MBA from Cranfield University 2025 Entry: Fees, Deadlines, Admissions and Scholarships

Bedford, EnglandLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1946established year
2751enrollment
Public
Partner [4 Courses]
7.5/10

Master of Business Administration [M.B.A]

1 year
Full Time
On Campus
College Partner

Field of Study

Ranked #149 out of 650 by QS Global Ranking 2025

$65,340 /Yr

£49,500 /Yr
1 Students Applied
1 Students Admitted
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Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated 3+ months ago

Cranfield University's Full-Time MBA (also known as the Transformation MBA) is a 12-month, immersive program offered by the Cranfield School of Management. It's designed to develop leadership skills in a fast-changing business environment, with a focus on practical learning through real-world projects. The program is triple-accredited (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS) and aligns with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) standards, granting an additional Level 7 qualification in Strategic Management and Leadership.As an Indian student, you'll join a diverse cohort benefiting from Cranfield's strong alumni network in consulting, finance, and tech sectors.

Key Highlights

  • Career Acceleration: 12-month program with dedicated career module, internships, and 95% employment rate—ideal for mid-career Indians eyeing leadership roles.
  • Practical Focus: Real client projects (e.g., analytics consulting) and leadership coaching build hands-on skills beyond theory.
  • Global Exposure: Month in Spain/Italy + diverse cohort (18 nationalities) enhances your international profile.
  • Affordable Excellence: Rural campus keeps living costs low (£12K/year) vs. London MBAs; strong ROI with alumni in top firms.
  • Indian-Friendly: Robust visa support, Indian alumni network, and Asia-focused scholarships make it accessible.

Cranfield University​ MBA Entry Requirement for Indian Students

Category Details
Application Deadlines Rolling admissions (no fixed closing date; apply early for scholarships and discounts).
Early bird discount deadline: 10 November 2025 (10% off tuition, £6,900 reduction).
Final recommended deadline for September 2025 intake: July 2025 (to allow time for visa processing; applications after this may defer to 2026).
Process: Online application via Cranfield portal; includes CV, essays, references; interviews (video or in-person) for shortlisted candidates. Decisions within 4-6 weeks.
Tuition Fees (2025/26 Academic Year) GBP: £49,500 (full program; international students pay the same as UK students for this course).
INR: Approximately ₹8,053,310 (based on current exchange rate of 1 GBP ≈ ₹116.71; rates fluctuate—check live rates before payment).
Entry Requirements

Academic: Bachelor's degree equivalent to UK 2:2 (50-59% or 3.0/4.0 GPA) or 2:1 (60%+ or 3.3/4.0 GPA) in any subject; relevant work experience can compensate for lower grades.

Work Experience: Minimum 3 years full-time professional experience (average is 6-8 years; must demonstrate leadership potential).

English Language (for Indian Students): IELTS 7.0 overall (no band below 6.5); or TOEFL iBT 100 (min 20 in each); PTE 68 (min 59 in each). Exempt if your degree was taught in English from a recognized Indian institution (e.g., top IITs/IIMs—provide medium of instruction certificate).

Other: GMAT 600+ recommended (650+ preferred; GRE equivalent in 80th percentile); 2 references; personal statement. No application fee.

Scholarships (for Indian Students)

GREAT Scholarship 2025 India: £10,000 (~₹1,167,146) towards tuition; for Indian passport holders/residents; apply after receiving course offer; deadline: 19 May 2025; based on leadership potential and career goals (MBA eligible as a selected master's).

Partial MBA Scholarships: Up to 50% (£34,500/~₹4,026,655) for exceptional candidates showing transformation potential; automatic consideration upon application; diverse backgrounds prioritized (e.g., women, Asia region).

Diverse Futures Scholarship: 20-30% (£13,800-£20,700/~₹1,610,662-₹2,415,993) for underrepresented groups (e.g., Asian/Indian women in leadership); merit-based; apply early in cycle.

Sainsbury Science & Management MBA Scholarship: £50,000 (~₹5,835,730) for STEM backgrounds; extended deadline: 1 November 2025; open to Indians.

Cranfield Merit Scholarships: 10-15% for internationals based on academics; automatic with offer.Note: India-specific MSc scholarships (£10,000) are closed for 2025/26 and not for MBA. Total funding can cover 20-100% with combinations; contact mbaenquiries@cranfield.ac.uk for eligibility.

Tips and Tricks for Indian Students Applying to Cranfield MBA

  1. Apply Super Early: With rolling admissions, submit by October 2025 for the 10% discount and better scholarship odds. Use the early window to refine your application based on feedback from Cranfield's webinars (free for Indians via British Council events).
  2. Tailor Your Story to Transformation: Cranfield loves applicants who show "before-and-after" career pivots. Highlight Indian-specific experiences like leading projects in IT/consulting amid economic shifts (e.g., post-COVID digital transformation). Use the personal statement to link your goals to Cranfield's focus on sustainability—tie in India's green initiatives.
  3. Ace the GMAT/English Prep: If your undergrad English medium needs proof, book IELTS early (aim for 7.5+ to stand out). For GMAT, target 650+ via free resources like GMAT Club's Indian forums; it's optional but boosts competitive edge for scholarships.
  4. Visa and Funding Hacks: For UK Student Visa (Tier 4), show £1,334/month funds for 9 months outside London. Use education loans from Indian banks like SBI (up to ₹50 lakh at 10-12% interest). Join Indian alumni groups on LinkedIn for mock interviews—many Cranfield Indians share visa success stories.
  5. Network Like a Pro: Attend virtual info sessions (Cranfield hosts India-specific ones in Mumbai/Delhi). Connect with 500+ Indian alumni via the Cranfield portal post-application. For post-MBA jobs, leverage the 95% placement rate by targeting London firms during the program's career treks.
  6. Budget Smartly: Factor in INR volatility—lock exchange rates via services like Wise. Opt for campus housing (£600-800/month) to save on London commutes. Part-time work (20 hours/week on visa) in campus cafes can cover groceries.
  7. Cultural Fit Tip: Cranfield's rural vibe suits focused study but plan weekend London trips for desi food/networking. Join the Indian Society for Diwali events to combat homesickness.

FAQs

Ques 1: Is the Cranfield MBA worth the high fees for Indian students, considering ROI?

Ans: Absolutely, if you're aiming for leadership roles in consulting or tech. It's ranked in the UK top 20 by FT (2024) with a 96% employment rate within 3 months and average salary of £85,000 (~₹99 lakh), a 70% jump from pre-MBA. For Indians, the global network and UK post-study work visa (2 years) often lead to roles at Big 4 firms, with many returning to India at MNC director levels earning 50-80 lakh INR. Compared to IIMs, it's more international but pricier—factor in scholarships to hit 80-90% ROI in 3-5 years.

Ques 2: What are the job prospects for Indian graduates—can I stay in the UK or return to India?

Ans: Strong across both. 70% of grads get offers during the program via career services (e.g., Deloitte, Amazon). Indians often land in London consulting (30% stay via Graduate Route visa) or return to India for roles at Tata, Infosys (with 40-60% hikes). Placement stats show 25% in finance, 20% in ops—network early with the 1,000+ Indian alumni for referrals. Challenges: Competitive UK market, but Cranfield's employer ties (e.g., Airbus, KPMG) give an edge.

Ques 3: How do I prepare for the Cranfield MBA interview, and what questions do they ask Indians?

Ans: Interviews are 30-45 mins via Zoom, behavioral-focused (no case studies). Prep by practicing STAR stories on leadership (e.g., "Tell us about a team crisis you resolved"). Common questions for Indians: "Why Cranfield over IIMs?" (highlight global exposure); "Views on India's outsourcing evolution?"; "Who’s your admired leader (e.g., Narayana Murthy) and why?" Record mocks, research recent Cranfield projects, and show enthusiasm for transformation themes. 80% success rate if you demonstrate fit—book a free advisor call via the site.


Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
Tuition Fees$65340 (GBP 49500)

Previous Year Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
2025$62482 (GBP 47335)
2024$36498 (GBP 27650)
2023$58337 (GBP 44195)
2021$70450 (GBP 53371)

Important Dates

Without ATAS certificate

EventApplication Date
Application Deadline For September 2025 Intake Jul 21, 2025

Scores Required

7 / 9

Avg. Score in

IELTS

100 / 120

Avg. Score in

TOEFL

68 / 90

Avg. Score in

PTE

130 / 160

Avg. Score in

Duolingo

680 / 800

Avg. Score in

GMAT


Ranking

20252024202220212020201920182017

QS World University logo
Business 149 out of 650 in Global Ranking
( #28 out of 86 in UK 2025)

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TOP Scholarships

Scholarship nameAward amountEligibility
Merit-Based Scholarshipupto 15% of Tuition FeesAll-Student


Career and Placement after Course

Key Highlights

  • Career Acceleration: 12-month program with dedicated career module, internships, and 95% employment rate—ideal for mid-career Indians eyeing leadership roles.
  • Practical Focus: Real client projects (e.g., analytics consulting) and leadership coaching build hands-on skills beyond theory.
  • Global Exposure: Month in Spain/Italy + diverse cohort (18 nationalities) enhances your international profile.
  • Affordable Excellence: Rural campus keeps living costs low (£12K/year) vs. London MBAs; strong ROI with alumni in top firms.
  • Indian-Friendly: Robust visa support, Indian alumni network, and Asia-focused scholarships make it accessible.

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Scholarship Grants & Financial Aids

NameScholarship Per StudentLevel of StudyType
Forktip Women’s- Innovation ScholarshipScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyBachelorTypeCollege-Specific
India Postgraduate Taught Master’s ScholarshipScholarship per student$ 4,693/Yr$3,555Level Of StudyMasterTypeCollege-Specific
Axol Science ScholarshipScholarship per student$ 2,640/Yr$2,000Level Of StudyBachelorTypeCompany-Sponsored
Leo Murray Entrepreneurship ScholarshipScholarship per student$ 18,480/Yr$14,000Level Of StudyMasterTypeCollege-Specific
Business Administration ScholarshipsScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
VueVille Future Technology ScholarshipScholarship per student$ 1,320/Yr$1,000Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based

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