Six Reasons To Choose Cranfield’s Newly Redesigned MBA Program

Cranfield School of Management has long been regarded as one of the most innovative, forward-thinking business schools. Ranked as a top 10 UK MBA program, the quadruple-accredited school has helped to launch over 2,000 new companies – and counting. Over the years, Cranfield School of Management has created countless C-suite leaders by transforming lives, opening up mindsets, and facilitating ambitions.

The newly launched ‘Transformation MBA’, previously known as the Cranfield Full-time MBA, has been redeveloped for 2023. It’s now more international, more personal, and even closer to business. With an increased focus on international opportunities, real-world experience, and network building, the program is an incredible option for potential MBA students looking for a genuinely transformative experience in a reduced timeframe of only one year.

Here Dr. Leila Alinaghian, Director of The Transformation MBA, outlines the market-leading new features of the redesigned program.

More tailored than ever before

In a crowded MBA market, many business school cohorts are expanding, potentially diluting the experience. This isn’t the case at Cranfield – our cohort remains compact, with a class size of around fifty students, allowing for a more tailored and impactful teaching environment with greater opportunities for individual growth.

The Transformation MBA cohort includes a diverse mix of students, from various geographical and industry backgrounds. This diversity continues with a market-leading 51% gender split towards women in the 2022 cohort. No wonder we are ranked 3rd in Europe and 7th in the world for percentage of female students.

Students on The Transformation MBA program can choose from three distinct career pathways: entrepreneurial, independent, and executive. These pathways enable students to have a tailored experience which speaks to their future aspirations. Cranfield students receive dedicated career coaching throughout their time on the program. Internships in various leading business industries are also a key feature of the newly redesigned program, building individuals’ confidence and expanding horizons.

Cranfield is a dedicated postgraduate university where many teaching staff actively continue to be a part of industry. Cranfield faculty are heavily involved in the business world, participating in innovative industry projects and sitting at board level, leading towards a sustainable and rewarding future. Therefore, students can be sure that their advice is highly relevant to the ever-evolving world of business. In fact, the quality of our academic staff has led to Cranfield School of Management being ranked sixth in the world by the Financial Times for teaching power and influence.

Entrepreneurship runs deep at Cranfield School of Management. It is woven into The Transformation MBA and with the Bettany Centre for Entrepreneurship on-site, there is no better place to accelerate your entrepreneurial career path. The Bettany Centre is led by Dr. Stephanie Hussels, whose research focuses on entrepreneurial resilience, family business, and business survival. The focus on entrepreneurship can be seen throughout all aspects of the program: the academics, the modules, a specific career pathway, and competitions which run throughout.

Internationally focused

Priming students to affect global change, Cranfield has partnered with several top European business schools. Our Transformation MBA students can complete elective modules and spend one month abroad at partner schools while also undertaking an international consultancy project. By immersing themselves in a wide variety of real-world learning opportunities, students can identify their strengths and weaknesses with greater clarity. This international experience broadens students’ horizons and transforms their networks, a key evolution needed to navigate the ever-changing global business world.

Proximity to the business world

Cranfield offers students the opportunity to study in unique surroundings; based in the Southeast of England, Cranfield sits at the centre of the ‘UK’s Science and Innovation region’. Students can learn within a thriving £50 billion economy surrounded by 83,000 businesses close to the Oxford Cambridge arc.

Situated near London and Birmingham, Cranfield School of Management is one of the most exciting locations in the UK to launch a new business or explore new job opportunities. Coupled with a green and safe on-campus accommodation, it’s an ideal study location.

Whatever your recreational, social, or sporting interests, the wide range of opportunities in and around Cranfield School of Management will surely offer something for everyone. Students can fully immerse themselves into the inspirational Cranfield ‘bubble’ whilst remaining close to business opportunities.

The intensive one-year nature of the program enables students to advance rapidly and re-join the world of work quickly. Students in The Transformation MBA are also able to access a whole host of internship opportunities. With such a strong focus on real-world application, it’s unsurprising that the average post-MBA salary for students is $124,086 within three years of graduation.

For international students, a UK-based MBA establishes a foothold into a growing economy that offers a high number of job vacancies and opens doors to the European marketplace.

Accessible, with a wealth of scholarship options

In this year’s (2023) Financial Times Global MBA rankings, The Transformation MBA program has been ranked top in the UK for sector diversity. The business school is passionate about the benefits that diversity of thought, background and perspective bring to the program. To ease financial barriers to study, Cranfield has multiple MBA scholarships on offer, many of which have been funded by generous MBA alumni. Ranging from empowering women leaders through to region and sector-specific opportunities, these scholarships recognize leadership talent and enable students to accelerate their career and personal growth, without barriers.

You’ll gain a ready-made global network

As one of the oldest and best-known business schools in the UK, Cranfield has a vast community of alumni who run businesses worldwide. In fact, our MBA alumni network is ranked #1 in the world for its breadth and potential. No wonder we have lost count of the number of CEOs, COOs, and CFOs we have put into Fortune 500 companies. When joining the next Transformation MBA cohort, you’ll gain access to a welcoming community of innovators who’ll happily share their expertise and advice while opening doors to your future.

Our students forge life-long connections during their studies – both with individuals in their peer group and with members of our world-leading faculty. With multiple schools under the Cranfield University ‘umbrella’, many students meet their future business partners and transform their network while on the program. Apply today to join the next diverse generation of business leaders.

It’s not just professional; it’s personal

Cranfield genuinely transforms the lives and paths that students take – opening up new mindsets, new relationships, and new ambitions.

Beyond boosting salaries and advancing careers, The Transformation MBA aims to change perspectives and open minds. The program provides the perfect opportunity for students to truly discover who they are as a leader. The world of business is constantly evolving, and the best leaders can adapt and transform themselves with the times. The Transformation MBA teaches adaptability as a mindset, helping students to become forward-thinking, innovative leaders. Self-reflection is a crucial element of this program and one that we believe will create the leaders of the future.

Speaking about her time on the program, Lolade Oresanwo, Chief Operating Officer of WestAfricaENRG, said: “I used to class myself as a very introverted, shy person that lacked confidence. During the [Cranfield] MBA, we were thrown into several scenarios where I had no choice but to come out of my shell and engage more. Today when I speak to a large group and present at functions, I remember where I was pre-MBA days and how I have grown now.”

Are you ready to transform?

Download our Programme Guide

Cranfield School of Management is one of the oldest business schools in Europe.

Part of Cranfield University, the UK’s only wholly postgraduate university, we are uniquely placed to connect technology and leadership.

Our contribution to global innovation is world-leading, changing the way society thinks, works, and learns.

Our faculty are actively engaged in consultancy and business-relevant research, meaning they are consistently current and topical in their teaching.

We are globally recognised for our excellence in leadership development and for our industry links and real-world focus.

Dr. Leila Alinaghian
Director of Full-time MBA
Associate Professor (Reader) of Business Relationships and Impact

Leila holds an MPhil and a PhD in Engineering, Manufacturing and Management from the University of Cambridge. She was a Trust Scholar at University Cambridge and her research was nominated for best PhD research award and best paper award at the Academy of Management and Strategic Management Society.

Prior to joining Cranfield University, Leila was part of the University of Cambridge Centre for International Manufacturing’s strategy team and founded and ran the Research Capability Development program at the Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge.