The MSc by Research is a highly flexible MSc for graduates who wish to explore an area of their work or other interests at depth.
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An MSc by Research provides you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge, understanding and expertise in your chosen field of research, in much greater depth than a taught master’s degree. You will develop broad skills in areas relevant to your field of research. You will have the opportunity to utilise the specialist facilities within Cranfield University to carry out a significant research project of your own under the supervision of one or more Cranfield specialists.
Our distinctive learning environment allows you to develop as a professional and apply your knowledge and skills in the global economy. Our work informs policy and brings new technologies and products to the market. We generate and transform knowledge, translating it for the benefit of society, for diverse organisations from micro small and medium enterprises to the largest blue-chip multinationals, from national governments to not-for-profit organisations and charities.
In 2021, 88% of research at Cranfield was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework (REF). We are ranked in the top five of UK universities for income from commercial research and consultancy commissions from business and industry.
Studying at Cranfield will unlock your potential, develop your talent and greatly enhance your employability. Students graduating from Cranfield leave with the skills, knowledge and inspiration to forge long and successful careers.
Our alumni are in demand and prosper in some of the world’s most prestigious organisations, progressing to senior positions and making a difference in business, industry and for society across the globe.
For more information on how Cranfield supports your career please visit the Careers Service page.
A unique learning environment for researchers
Cranfield’s mature, postgraduate environment, world-class, industry-scale facilities, our passionate teams of academics and a community of like-minded students from more than 30 countries, combine to make Cranfield a unique place to learn.
Our staff-to-student ratio – 5:1 – is one of the best of any university in the world. Our students tell us that our hands-on, practical approach, our specialist focus and the depth and excellence of our education, research and industry links are what attracts them here.
You will be working alongside other talented postgraduates who may be studying full-time or part-time. This provides many networking opportunities with a wide group of fellow students from different backgrounds, each contributing to a rich learning experience.
Many of our teaching staff have industry backgrounds and are leading academic experts in their fields, providing real-life learning challenges that you will encounter in your career. Our teaching quality has been independently assessed and received the highest recommendation possible from the Quality Assurance Agency.
Our programmes are structured to offer manychoices, from thequalification you would like to achieve, to options for full and part-time study. Find the right course for you with our course finder.
Unrivalled links with business, industry and government
Cranfield has close links with business and industry. We rank highly in the UK for research income from industry per academic and our programmes are designed with industry partners to ensure they are relevant and up-to-date. We are equipping our graduates with the knowledge and skills to meet the latest challenges facing both public and private sector organisations.
Through our many partnerships, applied research projects, executive education, and professional development programmes, we have mutually beneficial relationships with around 1,500 companies and organisations. These include many of the largest and most successful global businesses including Airbus, Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Unilever, EasyJet, Coca-Cola and the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
Cranfield Defence and Security, located at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom at Shrivenham in Wiltshire, works in close partnership with the UK Ministry of Defence, providing specialist skills training. These unique qualifications are much sought-after by governments, the military and security agencies worldwide.
Built on a former RAF base, Cranfield is one of only a few universities in the world to own and run its own airport, maintaining an aerospace heritage stretching back more than 70 years.
Many of our facilities are industry standard, used by other universities and serve as essential, front-line resources for the UK as a whole. These include the National Flying Laboratory Centre, the National Wind Tunnel facility and the National Reference Centre for Soils.
Our pilot hall facility provides UK researchers with the unique ability to test, at scale, plants with real sewage. It is directly linked to Cranfield University’s 3,000 population equivalent sewage treatment works and can also receive imported water.
We also host the National Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements, an aircraft measurement platform used by the UK atmospheric research community on campaigns throughout the world.
Cranfield’s Crash Impact Centre is one of just three FIA-approved test centres in the world, crash-testing Formula One cars. The mechanical testing laboratory studies the mechanical behaviour of components and material samples up to 250,000 tonnes and has machines unique to any university in Europe.
Our National Centre for Explosives Chemistry is used to develop and characterise explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics, while our accident investigation facilities are dedicated to our internationally-renowned work in aviation, marine and rail safety.
The Aerospace Integration Research Centre – a £35 million innovative centre focusing on the integration of advanced technologies to reduce the time from academic innovation to industrial application – opened in 2017, and the Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre, opened in 2020, is spearheading the UK’s research into digital aviation technology.
Talented graduates and enquiring minds from more than 100 countries come to Cranfield each year to advance their education. This international community reflects the diversity of many global organisations and multinational companies. Our students and the businesses and governments we work with have a global outlook and we share their passion to solve global challenges.
Whether you come to Cranfield as an individual or with your family, you will receive a wide range of support and assistance before, during and after your stay with us. We provide advice and guidance to help you to select the right course to meet your aspirations, access potential sources of financial support and find accommodation that best meets your needs.
We have a dedicated Student Wellbeing and Disability Support team, extensive library facilities, IT support, careers services and, on completion of your studies, access to one of the most influential alumni communities in the world. This diverse and dynamic global network of more than 60,000 people delivers lifelong benefits and a range of professional services.
For more information on the services Cranfield offers please visit our Support Services page.
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