• MBA ranked #9 in the UK in prestigious rankings
  • Top 20 in Europe for career progression and value for money
  • #1 in the UK for carbon footprint and net zero achievements
  • #1 in the UK and 15th in the world for student cohort sector diversity

Cranfield School of Management’s Full-time MBA programme (The Transformation MBA) has been ranked 9th in the UK, 27th in Europe and 88th in the world in the flagship 2023 Financial Times rankings. The programme is also number one in the UK for sector diversity, which relates to the industry background of students, and for its carbon footprint and net zero achievements.

Assessing the university’s net zero targets and carbon emission audits, the carbon footprint ranking placed Cranfield’s Full-time MBA as 17th in the world.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Cranfield School of Management, Professor David Oglethorpe commented: “The Cranfield MBA has a significant and positive impact on our students’ lives. This excellent ranking reflects not only our high-quality teaching and real-world impact but also Cranfield’s diverse and international student body, which together create a vibrant and energising learning experience. I’m personally really pleased to see the high ranking for our carbon footprint and sustainability content on the MBA programme, as sustainability is something that the entire University is deeply committed to.”

Diversity and value for money highly ranked

Diversity is highly rated in the 2023 rankings, with Cranfield’s Full-time MBA ranked 7th in the world for its percentage of female students and placed in the global top 25 for the internationality of its students – 95% of whom come from outside the UK.

The programme’s return on investment is also notable – with the Financial Times placing it in Europe’s top 20 and 36th worldwide for value for money. The MBA is also top 20 in Europe for career progression and for its alumni network – one of the oldest MBA networks in Europe.

Transforming careers, networks, ambitions

Cranfield’s Full-time MBA was recently redesigned and relaunched as The Transformation MBA. Dr Leila Alinaghian, Director of the Full-time MBA and Associate Professor (Reader) of Business Relationships and Impact, says that the ambitious programme continues to evolve: “The Cranfield MBA is transformative in terms of people’s careers, networks, knowledge and ambitions. It’s why it’s called The Transformation MBA. It’s about so much more than the next rung on the career ladder; it’s a deeply personal journey for each individual here.

“Our close industry links mean that students work with real clients, secure internships, spend a month abroad at another world-class European business school, and build an extensive and valuable network with our alumni events and speaker series. Our tailored career pathways and dedicated coaching really boosts their career trajectory and helps them to develop their own style of responsible leadership.

“The great result we have seen in the Financial Times ranking is proof that the reputation of The Transformation MBA at Cranfield continues to grow.”

The Financial Times Full-Time MBA rankings are compiled using a series of criteria, with information drawn from alumni surveys and school data.