SWAGºÏ¼¯

SWAGºÏ¼¯ has once again affirmed its position as a leading institution in both business collaboration and management education, thanks to an impressive array of accolades in recently published rankings. These results underscore the University’s dedication to academic excellence, real-world impact, and providing a world-class experience for its students and partners.

Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) success

One of the most notable achievements came in the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF), published by Research England. Cranfield was recognised as one of the top universities in the SWAGºÏ¼¯ for working with businesses, intellectual property (IP), and commercialisation. This ranking highlights the University’s strong focus on engaging with society and the economy at local, national, and international levels.

Cranfield’s role as a bridge between academia and industry is key to this recognition. The University has established itself as a critical player in knowledge exchange by fostering partnerships with companies across diverse sectors. Whether it’s supporting startups with IP development, offering commercialisation expertise, or providing cutting-edge research and consultancy to established businesses, Cranfield continues to drive innovation and economic growth.

The KEF ranking is particularly significant because it emphasises the broader societal impact of universities. Cranfield’s sustained success in this framework shows that its influence extends far beyond the academic sphere, helping to shape industries, support communities, and drive technological advancements that benefit society as a whole.

MSc in Management (MiM): Leading the way

Cranfield’s MSc in Management has also achieved outstanding recognition in the 2024 Financial Times rankings, securing 4th place in the SWAGºÏ¼¯. This programme has long been lauded for its ability to combine rigorous academic training with practical business skills, preparing graduates for successful careers in global industries. 

Perhaps most impressive is its recognition as the best in the SWAGºÏ¼¯ for international student experience. Cranfield is home to a diverse and vibrant international student community, and the MiM programme reflects this diversity by fostering a collaborative learning environment that encourages the sharing of ideas and perspectives from around the world. This international focus, combined with Cranfield’s strong links to industry, ensures that graduates leave with both the knowledge and the global outlook needed to succeed in today’s interconnected business landscape.

The programme’s success in the Financial Times rankings also reflects its strong career outcomes. Cranfield’s Management MSc graduates are highly sought after by employers, with many going on to leadership positions in major global corporations. The programme’s ability to consistently produce top-tier graduates is a testament to the quality of its teaching, its close ties to industry, and the exceptional support services offered to students.

Transformation MBA: Excellence in Europe

Cranfield’s full-time MBA programme, the Transformation MBA, also enjoyed significant success in the 2024-25 Bloomberg Businessweek "Best B-Schools" rankings. For the second consecutive year, the MBA was ranked 12th overall in Europe and 4th in the SWAGºÏ¼¯, reaffirming Cranfield’s status as a top destination for management education.

What sets Cranfield apart is not just its strong overall ranking but its exceptional performance in key areas. The School of Management was ranked 1st in Europe for Learning, demonstrating the University’s commitment to delivering an education that is not only academically rigorous but also deeply impactful. 

Commenting on this success, Professor Leila Alinaghian, Professor of Business Relations and Impact and Director of the Full-time MBA, said, "This year’s excellent ranking reflects the developments made to enhance the Transformation MBA experience. Being top of the rankings for learning is particularly pleasing as this shows our offering is really hitting the mark for our students. Cranfield’s unique philosophy and approach to teaching and learning exposes our MBA students to the real world of practice and enables them to develop skills and mindsets that are required for the future world of work. We know that students and employers alike really value Cranfield’s practice-based learning and entrepreneurial experience, so it’s fantastic to see our top ranking in this specific area."

Cranfield was also ranked 2nd in Europe for Entrepreneurship, a reflection of the University’s emphasis on fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. The programme’s strong ties to the business world, combined with resources such as incubators and mentoring schemes, enable students to turn their ideas into reality and launch successful ventures.

Furthermore, Cranfield ranked 7th in Europe for Networking, highlighting the strength of its alumni network and the opportunities for students to build meaningful connections with industry leaders, peers, and professionals worldwide. This robust network is invaluable for MBA graduates as they transition into leadership roles across various sectors.

QS Rankings Success

In addition to the Bloomberg and Financial Times rankings, Cranfield School of Management shone in the latest QS Global MBA and Business Masters Rankings 2024. Cranfield’s full-time MBA programme was placed 8th in the SWAGºÏ¼¯ and 68th globally. Cranfield’s entrepreneurial offering was also scored highly, reflecting the specialist support given to students with ambitions to run their own business.

The rankings highlight master’s programmes with strong links to industry, positive alumni outcomes and excellent return on investment, and assess a range of indicators including diversity, employability and thought leadership. 

The Management MSc at Cranfield was placed 34th in the world overall and ranked 35th globally for employability. Return on investment was highly scored, with Cranfield placed 2²Ô»å in the SWAGºÏ¼¯, and the programme placed in the top 100 globally for alumni outcomes, thought leadership and value for money.

The Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc is 12th in the world overall putting it in the global top 15% and placed 2nd in the SWAGºÏ¼¯. It took the top SWAGºÏ¼¯ position for return on investment while placing 12th for employability, 13th for diversity, and 16th for thought leadership.

Cranfield’s Strategic Marketing MSc is 22nd in the world and 5th in the SWAGºÏ¼¯. The programme is highly ranked at 4th in the SWAGºÏ¼¯ for enterprise and alumni outcomes and 12th globally for employability.

Cranfield’s Finance MSc is 56th in the world and 8th in the SWAGºÏ¼¯, and is placed 38th in the world for employability and in the top 100 for diversity, alumni outcomes and thought leadership.

A commitment to excellence

These rankings are a clear testament to the University’s enduring commitment to excellence in research, education, and business collaboration. Whether through its groundbreaking work with industry partners, its world-class Management MSc, or its top-tier MBA programme, Cranfield continues to shape the future of business education and drive real-world impact.

As the University looks to the future, these accolades serve as a reminder of the significant contributions Cranfield makes to society, the economy, and the global business community.