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{{Short description|British postgraduate public research university}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2011}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Cranfield University
 | image_name             = Coat of Arms of Cranfield University.svg
 | image_size             = 
 | caption                = [[Coat of arms]]
 | latin_name             = 
 | motto                  = {{langx|la|Post Nubes Lux}}
 | mottoeng               = After clouds light<ref name=arms>{{Cite web |title=The Arms of the University |url=https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/About/History-and-Heritage/The-Arms-of-the-University |publisher=Cranfield University |access-date=1 July 2017}}</ref><!-- Please do not edit. This is the official version. -->
 | established            = {{Plainlist|
* 1946: College of Aeronautics
* 1969: Cranfield Institute of Technology (gained university status by [[royal charter]])
* 1993: Cranfield University (adopted current name)
}}
 | type                   = [[public university|Public]] [[research university]]
 | chancellor             = [[Julia King|Baroness Brown of Cambridge]]
 | vice_chancellor        = [[Karen Holford|Dame Karen Holford]]
 | students               = {{HESA student population|INSTID=10007822}} ({{HESA year}})<ref name="HESA citation">{{HESA citation}}</ref>
 | undergrad              = {{HESA undergraduate population|INSTID=10007822}} ({{HESA year}})<ref name="HESA citation"/>
 | postgrad               = {{HESA postgraduate population|INSTID=10007822}} ({{HESA year}})<ref name="HESA citation"/>
 | city                   = {{Plainlist|
* [[Cranfield]], [[Bedfordshire]], England
* [[Shrivenham]], [[Oxfordshire]], England
}}
 | campus                 = [[rural area|Rural]] (both)
 | coordinates            = {{Plainlist|
* {{Coord|52|04|24|N|00|37|40|W|region:GB-CBF_type:edu|display=title,inline}} (Cranfield)
* {{Coord|51|36|10.77|N|1|38|25.50|W|type:edu_region:GB-OXF|display=inline}} (Shrivenham)
}}
 | former_names           = {{Plainlist|
* Cranfield Institute of Technology
* College of Aeronautics
}}
 | colours                = {{scarf|start}}{{Cell|#6AADE4}}{{Cell2|#FFCC00}}{{Cell|#6AADE4}}{{Cell3|#162954}} {{scarf|end}}
 | athletics              = 
 | affiliations           = {{Plainlist|
* [[Association of Commonwealth Universities|ACU]]
* [[Partnership of a European Group of Aeronautics and Space Universities|PEGASUS]]
* [[Midlands Innovation]]
* [[Universities UK]]
}}
 | website                = {{URL|https://www.cranfield.ac.uk}}
 | logo                   = 
 | footnotes              = 
}}

'''Cranfield University''' is a [[Postgraduate education|postgraduate-only]] [[public university|public]] [[research university]] in the United Kingdom that specialises in science, engineering, design, technology and management. Cranfield was founded as the '''College of Aeronautics''' ('''CoA''') in 1946. Through the 1950s and 1960s, the development of aircraft research led to growth and diversification into other areas such as manufacturing and management, and in 1967, to the founding of the [[Cranfield School of Management]]. In 1969, the College of Aeronautics was renamed the '''Cranfield Institute of Technology''', was incorporated by [[royal charter]], gained degree awarding powers, and became a university.  In 1993, it adopted its current name.<ref name="Cranfield2006">{{cite web|last=|first=|date=n.d.|title=Cranfield College of Aeronautics history|url=https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/about/history-and-heritage|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709011626/http://www.cranfield.ac.uk:80/about/history-and-heritage |archive-date=9 July 2016 |access-date=28 December 2017|website=|publisher=Cranfield University|page=1|quote=The institution ... was granted university status in 1969 becoming the Cranfield Institute of Technology and it changed its name to Cranfield University in 1993}}</ref>

Cranfield University has two [[campus]]es: the main campus is at [[Cranfield]], [[Bedfordshire]], and the second is at the [[Defence Academy of the United Kingdom]] at [[Shrivenham]], southwest [[Oxfordshire]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/about/how-to-find-cranfield/how-to-find-shrivenham|title=How to find us - Cranfield University at Shrivenham|access-date=1 July 2017|publisher=Cranfield University}}</ref> The main campus is unique<ref>{{Cite web|last=Piesing|first=Mark|title=The university shaping aviation's future|url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180102-the-university-shaping-aviations-future|access-date=2021-01-26|website=www.bbc.com|date=2 January 2018 |language=en}}</ref> in the United Kingdom (and Europe) for having its own airport{{snd}}[[Cranfield Airport]]{{snd}} and its own aircraft, used for teaching and research.

== History ==
[[File:Cranfield University from the air.png|thumb|Cranfield University from the air]]
[[File:Cranfield University AIRC.jpg|thumb|Cranfield University AIRC]]

===College of Aeronautics (1946–1969)===
Cranfield University was formed in 1946 as the College of Aeronautics, on the then [[Royal Air Force]] base of [[RAF Cranfield]]. A major role was played in the development of the college by [[Roxbee Cox, Baron Kings Norton|Roxbee Cox]], later Lord Kings Norton, who was appointed to be the first governor of the college in 1945 and then served as vice-chair and (from 1962) chair of the board. He led the drive for the college to diversify, with the [[Cranfield University School of Management]] being established in 1967, and petitioned successfully for a royal charter and degree awarding powers. When these were granted in 1969, he became the first chancellor of the Cranfield Institute of Technology, serving until 1997.<ref>{{cite web | title = History and heritage| publisher = Cranfield University | url = https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/about/history-and-heritage| access-date = 1 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Cranfield University|work=Lord Kings Norton|publisher=Cranfield University|url=http://lordkingsnorton.cranfield.ac.uk/cranfield/index.html|access-date=1 July 2017}}</ref>

===Cranfield Institute of Technology (1969–1993)===
The Cranfield Institute of Technology was incorporated by royal charter in 1969, giving the institution its own degree-awarding powers and making it a full university in its own right.<ref name="Guardian12Jan2012">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2012/jan/23/postgraduate-only-universities|title=Is Cranfield's postgraduate-only university a model for the future?|last=Swain|first=Harriet|work=The Guardian|date=23 January 2012|access-date=28 December 2017}}</ref><ref name="Independent23July2014">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/student/into-university/az-uni-colleges/cranfield-university-458905.html|title=Cranfield University|work=The Independent|date=23 July 2014|access-date=28 December 2017}}</ref><ref name="Cranfield2006"/>

In 1975 the [[National College of Agricultural Engineering]], founded in 1963 at [[Silsoe]], [[Bedfordshire]], was merged with Cranfield and run as Silsoe College.<ref name=Silsoe>{{cite news|url=http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/education/silsoe-college-remembered-on-new-homes-estate-1-5748954|title=Silsoe college remembered on new homes estate|work=Bedford Today|date=15 December 2013|access-date=1 July 2017}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

An academic partnership with the [[Royal Military College of Science]] (RMCS) at [[Shrivenham]] was formed in 1984. RMCS, whose roots can be traced back to 1772, is now a part of the [[Defence Academy of the United Kingdom]] and from 2009 has been known as "Cranfield Defence and Security". RMCS became wholly postgraduate {{circa|2007}} with undergraduate courses moved elsewhere.

=== Cranfield University (1993–present) ===
In 1993 the institution's royal charter was amended changing its name to Cranfield University.<ref name="Guardian12Jan2012"/><ref name="Independent23July2014"/><ref name="Cranfield2006"/> A decade later in 2003, Cranfield became wholly postgraduate and the Shrivenham site admitted its last undergraduates.<ref>{{cite web | title = Analysis: Military redeploys intellectual might|url-access=registration| date = 29 November 2002 | publisher = Times Higher Education | url = http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=173295&sectioncode=26 | access-date = 26 December 2009}}</ref>

In 2007, the university's first international campus was opened by the [[Prince Edward, Duke of Kent]], located in the [[Torrens Building]] in [[Adelaide]], alongside the [[Carnegie Mellon University, Australia|Carnegie Mellon University]]. It offered short-term postgraduate degrees in defence management and technology, in partnership with local institutions and using some distance learning courses. However [[South Australia]]'s "defence boom" did not materialise and its failure to attract enough students caused the closure of the campus in 2010.<ref name=Adelaidia>{{cite web|website=Adelaidia|url=http://adelaidia.sa.gov.au/places/torrens-building-0|title=Torrens Building|first=Alexander|last=Parsons|date=7 July 2017|access-date=15 November 2019|quote=This entry was first published in S.A.'s Greats: The men and women of the North Terrace plaques, edited by John Healey (Historical Society of South Australia Inc., 2001).}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2007/aug/07/highereducation.internationaleducationnews|title=Coalition courses|first=David|last=Cohen|date=8 August 2007|access-date=16 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=In Daily|url=https://indaily.com.au/opinion/2015/02/04/adelaides-uni-city-dream/|title=Adelaide's "uni city" dream is over|first=Malcolm|last=King|date=4 February 2015|access-date=16 November 2019}}</ref>

In 2009, Silsoe College was closed and its activities were relocated to the main campus at Cranfield.<ref name=Silsoe/>

== Location and campus ==
{{Location map many | England south
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| lat4_deg=51.7520
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| label5=Cambridge
| position5=right
| lat5_deg=52.2053
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[[File:Cranfield University Library 2.jpg|thumb|Cranfield University Library]]

Cranfield campus is approximately {{convert|50|mi|km|0}} north of central [[London]] and adjacent to the village of Cranfield,<ref>{{cite web | title = Cranfield Village Newsletter including a history and information on the airfield | publisher = Cranfield Parish Council | url = http://www.cranfieldexpress.co.uk/ | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070607211624/http://www.cranfieldexpress.co.uk/ | archive-date = 7 June 2007}}</ref> Bedfordshire. The nearest large towns are [[Milton Keynes]] and [[Bedford]], the centres of which are both about {{convert|8|mi|km|0}} away. Cambridge is about {{convert|30|mi|km|0}} east.

Shrivenham is about {{convert|73|mi|km|0}} west of London, adjacent to [[Shrivenham]] village, {{convert|7|mi|km|0}} from the centre of the nearest town, [[Swindon]], and around {{convert|23|mi|km|0}} from [[Oxford]].

The Cranfield campus sits within the [[Cambridge – Milton Keynes – Oxford corridor]] where there are plans to link these cities and stimulate economic growth.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/sajid-javid-exclusive-interview-garden-towns-and-expressway-to-sprout-up-in-oxbridge-corridor-m5vckx72g |title= Sajid Javid exclusive interview: Garden towns and expressway to sprout up in Oxbridge corridor|work= The Times|access-date=23 May 2018}}</ref> There is also a proposal for a rapid transit system between [[Cambridge – Milton Keynes – Oxford corridor#Future|(an expanding) Milton Keynes]] and the campus, although this is still at an early concept stage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nic.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/NIC-FinalReport-February-2018-Rev-A-optimised.pdf|title=National Infrastructure Commission - Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Oxford Future Planning Options Project Final Report|publisher=National Infrastructure Commission|access-date=23 May 2018|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411212659/https://www.nic.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/NIC-FinalReport-February-2018-Rev-A-optimised.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Technology Park ===
There are a number of companies located on the Cranfield University Technology Park ranging from large international companies to small start-ups. Major companies on the park include:

* The Nissan Technical Centre<ref>{{cite web | title = Nissan UK | publisher = Nissan, UK | url = http://www.nissan.co.uk| access-date = 10 June 2007}}</ref> Europe, which designs and develops cars for the European market. The NTC Europe facility occupies {{Convert|19.7|ha|acre|abbr=off}} of the Technology Park, representing an investment of £46m by Nissan.
* Innovation Centre: The Technology Park is also the location for a large number of smaller companies.

Prior to 2016:
* ''Trafficmaster plc''<ref>{{cite web | title = Trafficmaster plc | publisher = Trafficmaster plc | url = http://www.trafficmaster.co.uk| access-date = 10 June 2007}}</ref> occupied a {{convert|10|acre|m2|adj=on}} site for its European Headquarters. A leading company in [[telematics]], Trafficmaster's advanced technology enables cars and roads to be used more efficiently.

===Milton Keynes<span class="anchor" id="MK:U"></span>===
<!-- Will it be an undergraduate campus of Cranfield U, or independent but validated by Cranfield, or seek its own charter? -->
           <!-- Note that it is impossible to create an en.Wikipedia article called "MK:U" 
                because that notation is used to indicate the Macedonian edition of 
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Cranfield University is the academic partner in project with [[Milton Keynes City Council]] to establish a new university, code-named '''MK:U''', in nearby Milton Keynes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mkfutures2050.com/projects/mku |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028122849/http://www.mkfutures2050.com/projects/mku |url-status=usurped |archive-date=28 October 2017 |title=Project Two: MK:U A new University for Milton Keynes |publisher= MK2050 Futures Commission |date=October 2017 |access-date=6 February 2019}}</ref><ref name=Santander>{{cite web| url= https://www.mkfm.com/news/local-news/santander-provides-30m-boost-to-plans-for-innovative-new-university-in-milton-keynes/ | title= Santander provides £30m boost to plans for innovative new university in Milton Keynes | publisher=MKFM | date= 28 May 2019 | access-date=28 May 2019}}</ref> The plan anticipated opening by 2023, with a campus in [[Central Milton Keynes]].<ref name=Santander /> In January 2019, the partners announced an international competition to design a new campus near [[Milton Keynes Central railway station|the Central railway station]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/competitions/competition-mku-milton-keynes/10039394.article |title=Competition: MK:U, Milton Keynes |first=Merlin |last=Fulcher |work= [[Architects' Journal]] |date= 31 January 2019 |access-date=6 February 2019}}</ref> In May 2019, [[Santander Bank]] announced a 'seed funding' grant of £30&nbsp;million to help with building and initial running costs.<ref name=Santander /> On 4 July 2019, the shortlisted proposals for the campus were announced.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/revealed-plans-by-finalists-in-188m-milton-keynes-university-contest/10043452.article | title=Milton Keynes £188m university contest finalists revealed |first=Merlin | last= Fulcher | work = Architects' Journal | date = 4 July 2019 | access-date = 4 July 2019}}</ref> On 30 July 2019, the evaluation panel announced that Hopkins Architects had produced the winning design.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/exclusive-milton-keynes-university-contest-winner-revealed/10043849.article | title= Milton Keynes university contest winner revealed | work= Architects Journal | date = 30 July 2019 | access-date = 30 July 2019}}</ref>

{{As of|January 2023}}, the project is stalled following a government decision to deny funding.<ref>{{cite news |title=Milton Keynes' plan to create world-class university in tatters after government refuses multi million pound funding | work=[[Milton Keynes Citizen]] | date=19 January 2023 |access-date=20 January 2023 |url=https://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/people/milton-keynes-plan-to-create-world-class-university-in-tatters-after-government-refuses-multi-million-pound-funding-3993522 |first=Sally |last=Murrer}}</ref>

==Coat of arms==
{{Infobox COA wide
|image  = [[File:Coat of Arms of Cranfield University.svg|200px]]
|escutcheon =  Per chevron barry undy Or and Azure and Azure in base a torch of three branches Or inflamed Proper.
|crest = On a wreath Argent and Gules, out of an Astral Crown Azure in front of an owl wings displayed Argent two keys addorsed wards upwards Or.
|supporters = On either side a crane Proper, pendant from the neck of each a Crown Rayonnée Or; the whole on a Compartment composed of a marshy bank with reeds Proper.
|motto = 'Post Nubes Lux'
}}

The university's motto, ''post nubes lux'', means "after clouds light".<ref name=arms /> It is depicted on the university coat of arms which was introduced when the university was awarded its royal charter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/about/history-and-heritage |title=Cranfield University History|access-date=22 May 2018|publisher=Cranfield University}}</ref>

== Organisation and governance ==
[[File:Cranfield University Vincent Building.jpg|thumb|Cranfield University Vincent Building]]
[[File:Cranfield University Whittle Building.jpg|thumb|Cranfield University Whittle Building]]

=== Chancellors ===
* 1969–1997: [[Roxbee Cox, Lord Kings Norton|Harold Roxbee Cox, Lord Kings Norton]]
* 1998–2010: [[Richard Vincent, Lord Vincent of Coleshill]]
* 2010–2020: [[Baroness Young of Old Scone]]
* 2021–2024: [[Deirdre Hutton|Dame Deirdre Hutton]]
* 2024–present: [[Julia King, Baroness Brown of Cambridge|Julia King, The Baroness Brown of Cambridge]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Julia King, Baroness Brown of Cambridge, appointed Chancellor of Cranfield University |url=https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/press/news-2024/julia-king-baroness-brown-of-cambridge-appointed-chancellor-of-cranfield-university |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=www.cranfield.ac.uk}}</ref>

=== Vice-chancellors ===
* 1970–1989: [[Henry Chilver, Lord Chilver]]
* 1989–2006: [[Frank Robinson Hartley]]
* 2006–2012: [[Sir John (James) O'Reilly]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Sir John O'Reilly | publisher = Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, UK | url = http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/Content/Documents/Biographies/OReillyJ.htm | access-date = 9 June 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070607181049/http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/Content/Documents/Biographies/OReillyJ.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 7 June 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Sir John O'Reilly | publisher = Cranfield University - Biography | url = http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/about/people/page1573.jsp | access-date = 18 March 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090718021551/http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/about/people/page1573.jsp | archive-date = 18 July 2009}}</ref>
* 2013: Clifford Michael Friend – interim vice-chancellor
* 2013–2021: [[Peter Gregson (academic)|Sir Peter Gregson]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Professor Sir Peter Gregson FREng | publisher = Cranfield University - Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor | url = http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/about/people-and-resources/senior-team/senior-officers/professor-sir-peter-gregson.html | access-date=27 February 2014}}</ref>
* 2021–present: [[Karen Holford|Dame Karen Holford]]

=== Schools ===
The academic schools are:

* [[School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing (Cranfield University)|School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing]], known as SATM, incorporating the original College of Aeronautics, has a wide range of experimental research facilities for masters and doctoral students and commercial clients
* [[School of Water, Energy and Environment (Cranfield University)|School of Water, Energy, Environment and Agrifood]], known as SWEE and Agrifood (Including Design)
* [[Cranfield School of Management|School of Management]], known as SoM
* [[Defence Academy of the United Kingdom|Cranfield Defence and Security]], known as CDS<!-- Please do not add lists repeating courses etc. available on the website -->

=== Academic disciplines ===
Disciplines studied in the university include:<ref>{{cite web | title = Cranfield University Academic Disciplines | publisher = Cranfield University | url = https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/about/disciplines | access-date=22 May 2018}}</ref>

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* Aeronautical engineering 
* Automotive engineering 
* Agriculture and agrifood 
* Applied Artificial Intelligence
* Automation and control systems 
* Business and management 
* Chemical engineering 
* Civil engineering 
* Clean energy 
* Computer sciences 
* Cyber Security 
* Design and innovation 
* Ecology and sustainability 
* Economics and finance 
* Electrical and electronic engineering 
* Energy and power 
* Engineering 
* Environmental sciences
* Forensic Science 
* Geography 
* Geosciences 
* Instruments and instrumentation 
* Design and innovation
* Design Thinking 
* Engineering photonics
* International relations 
* Life sciences 
* Manufacturing engineering 
* Materials sciences and engineering 
* Mathematics and statistics 
* Mechanical engineering 
* Mechanics 
* Meteorology and atmospheric sciences 
* Military sciences 
* Physics 
* Plant and soil science 
* Psychology 
* Renewable energy 
* Robotics 
* Safety and Accident Investigation 
* Social sciences 
* Systems sciences 
* Transportation science and technology 
* Water sciences
{{div col end}}

==Academic profile==
=== Reputation and rankings ===
<!-- Material that directly copies from sources, including the University's own website, is not permitted and will be deleted. -->
{{Infobox UK university rankings
| ARWU_W = 801–900
}}

As an exclusively postgraduate university, Cranfield University is excluded from the ''[[Times Higher Education World University Rankings]]'', ''The Times'' World Rankings, [[The Complete University Guide]] and ''The Guardian'', which focuses on helping prospective undergraduate students to compare universities. Consequently, direct comparison with undergraduate institutions is difficult. Some key facts and figures are:

* Eighty-eight per cent of Cranfield's research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF).<ref>{{cite web |title=Cranfield University: Results and submissions |url=https://results2021.ref.ac.uk/profiles/institutions/10007822 |website=Research Excellence Framework|access-date=2025-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=REF 2021: Cranfield research is world-leading with a global impact |url=https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/press/news-2022/ref-2021-cranfield-research-is-world-leading-with-a-global-impact |access-date=2024-05-08 |publisher=Cranfield University}}</ref> 
* [[Cranfield School of Management]]'s full-time one-year MBA programme was ranked 9th in the UK, 27th in Europe and 80th in the world in the flagship 2024 Financial Times Rankings.<ref name="Rankings">{{Cite web |title=Rankings |url=https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/about-us/rankings |access-date=2024-05-08 |publisher=Cranfield University}}</ref>{{better source needed|reason=Self published, give the original source too at least.|date=May 2024}} 
* [[Cranfield School of Management]] ranked 8th in the UK and 37th in Europe in the Financial Times European Business School Rankings 2023.<ref name="Rankings"/>
* Cranfield University ranked in the world top 30 for Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering in the 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject. In ‘Business and Management’ Cranfield maintains a top 150 position, and it also keeps a top 200 position in ‘Environmental Sciences’. Cranfield’s ‘Materials Science’ subject area has moved up into the global top 200.<ref>{{Cite web |title=QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/subject-rankings |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Top Universities |language=en}}</ref>
* Cranfield is in the top 15% of universities globally in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-04 |title=QS Sustainability University Rankings 2024 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/sustainability-rankings |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Top Universities |language=en}}</ref> The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023 placed Cranfield in the global top 40 for their actions supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goal 17.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-11 |title=Impact Ranking |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/impactrankings |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref>
* Cranfield has received the [[Queen's Anniversary Prize]] six times: in 2005 for Further and Higher Education for the [[Fellowship in Manufacturing Management (FMM)]] programme; in 2007 for its role in humanitarian [[demining]];<ref name="Royal Anniversary Prize Winners archive">{{cite web |title=Winners archive |url=https://royalanniversarytrust.org.uk/the-prizes/winners-archive/ |website=The Royal Anniversary Prize |access-date=29 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/about/rankings-and-awards/queens-anniversary-prize|title=Queen's Anniversary Prize|publisher=Cranfield University}}</ref> in 2011 for contribution to aviation safety through research and training in accident investigation;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalanniversarytrust.org.uk/news/winners-announced|title=Winners of the Queen's Anniversary Prizes announced|first=WebstarsLtd.com //|last=staff@webstarsltd.com|website=www.royalanniversarytrust.org.uk}}</ref> in 2015 for its work in water and sanitation;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://m.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/cranfield-university-8203-research-changes-tide/story-28254154-detail/story.html|title=Cranfield University-Research Changes Tide |work=Bedfordshire on Sunday }}{{dead link|date=May 2024}}</ref> in 2017 for its research and education in large-scale soil and environmental data for the sustainable use of natural resources.<ref name="Royal Anniversary Prize Winners archive"/><ref name="Cranfield University Rankings and Awards">{{cite web|url=https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/about/rankings-and-awards|title=Cranfield University Rankings and Awards|access-date=22 May 2018}}</ref> and in 2019 for the work of the National Flying Laboratory Centre;<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/press/news-2020/university-collects-highest-uk-honour-for-its-flying-classroom| title='Flying classroom' lands University the highest UK honour |date=20 February 2020 |access-date=24 March 2020|publisher=Cranfield University}}</ref>
* Students on Cranfield's Global Security programme were awarded the [[Imbert Prize]] in 2006,<ref name="imbert2006">{{cite news | first = Brian | last = Sims | title = Burrill, Cahalane and Finch win Imbert Prizes | url = http://www.info4security.com/story.asp?storyCode=3081470&sectioncode=10 | publisher = Info4Security | date = 3 August 2006 | access-date = 26 June 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110713030835/http://www.info4security.com/story.asp?storyCode=3081470&sectioncode=10 | archive-date = 13 July 2011}}</ref> 2008<ref name="imbert2008">{{cite news | title = ASC lunch | url = http://www.professionalsecurity.co.uk/newsdetails.aspx?NewsArticleID=9411&imgID=1 | work = Professional Security Magazine | date = 30 June 2008 | access-date = 26 June 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111003185324/http://www.professionalsecurity.co.uk/newsdetails.aspx?NewsArticleID=9411&imgID=1 | archive-date = 3 October 2011}}</ref> and 2009<ref name="imbert2009">{{cite news | first = Brian | last = Sims | title = Policing with a Brain: the 2009 ASC Annual Luncheon | url = http://www.info4security.com/story.asp?sectioncode=16&storycode=4122568&c=1 | work = Info4Security | date = 30 June 2009 | access-date = 30 June 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110713030844/http://www.info4security.com/story.asp?sectioncode=16&storycode=4122568&c=1 | archive-date = 13 July 2011}}</ref> for the development of ideas for the advancement of risk and security management in the UK.

===Admissions===
Cranfield welcomes around 5,000 postgraduate students from more than 100 countries each year.

Cranfield University's student to academic staff ratio is 5:1, one of the best ratios in all UK universities.<ref name="Cranfield University Fact and Figures">{{cite web |title=Cranfield University Fact and Figures |url=https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/about/facts-and-figures |access-date=22 May 2018}}</ref>

41% of Cranfield University's students are over 30 years of age.<ref name="Cranfield University Fact and Figures" />

===Partnerships===

Cranfield University has links with business, industry and governments. Cranfield University has mutually beneficial relationships with nearly 1,500 organisations around the world including small owner-managed SMEs to large multinational conglomerates; British and international universities, non-government organisations and governments. Some of Cranfield's close partnerships include [[Airbus]], [[Rolls-Royce Group]], [[Grant Thornton]], [[BAE Systems]], [[Boeing]], [[Lockheed Martin]], [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], [[BP]], [[British Airways]], [[PricewaterhouseCoopers|PWC]], [[Jacobs Engineering Group|Jacobs]], [[Metro Bank (United Kingdom)|Metro Bank]], [[L'Oréal]], [[Royal Dutch Shell]], [[Jaguar Land Rover]], [[Oracle Corporation]], [[PepsiCo]], [[Unilever]], to name just a few.<ref name="Cranfield University International Partnerships (Who we work with)">{{cite web|url=https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/business/choose-cranfield/who-we-work-with|title=Cranfield University International Partnerships (Who we work with)|access-date=22 May 2018|work=Cranfield University International Partnerships}}</ref>

Cranfield University has links with more than 130 universities in the Americas, Asia and Oceania, Europe, Middle East and Africa.<ref name="Cranfield University International Partnerships">{{cite web|url=https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/about/international-partnerships|title=Cranfield University International Partnerships|access-date=22 May 2018}}</ref> The university collaborates with the [[Singapore University of Social Sciences]] (SUSS) on SUSS's BEng Aerospace Systems.<ref>{{cite web|title=Collaborations with Overseas Universities|url=http://www.suss.edu.sg/Partnership/UProgrammes/Pages/Overview.aspx|newspaper=SUSS|date=29 May 2018|access-date=29 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529202950/http://www.suss.edu.sg/Partnership/UProgrammes/Pages/Overview.aspx|archive-date=29 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The IMRC – Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre at Cranfield University is a project funded by the [[EPSRC]] (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) undertaking research that addresses issues identified in the UK government's High Value Manufacturing strategy.<ref>[http://www.govopps.co.uk/high-value-manufacturing-strategy-published Government Opportunities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127120950/http://www.govopps.co.uk/high-value-manufacturing-strategy-published/ |date=27 November 2018 }} retrieved 11 April 2013</ref>

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this extraordinary claim:

Thee Centre for Competitive Creative Design (C4D) is the internationally-recognised and award-winning centre of excellence for creative design, strategy and leadership [https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/centres/centre-for-competitive-creative-design]

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== Student life ==
[[File:Cranfield University Accommodation.jpg|thumb|Cranfield University Student Accommodation]]

Facilities at the Cranfield University campus include a sports centre, which incorporates a fitness centre and aerobics studio, playing fields, sports pitches and several tennis courts. On campus there are two small shops, one run by the CSA and one by [[Budgens]]. There are a limited range of eateries open during mealtimes, two [[Costa Coffee]] outlets, and one bar, also run by the CSA, which is open intermittently Monday to Friday.

===Students' union===
Cranfield Students Association (CSA) is the [[students' union]] and runs the main student bar, cafe and shop on the Cranfield campus. It is based in building 114 close to the centre of the campus.

The CSA is run by a team of elected students and supported by a small team of staff. The aim of the CSA is to support and represent Cranfield University students, promote student welfare and organise social, cultural and sporting activities.

===Student accommodation===

At the Cranfield University campus there are a wide range of accommodation options for full-time students, from halls of residence to shared houses, apartments for couples and houses for families.

For part-time students, there are two options available – the 186-room Cranfield Management Development Centre and the 114-room Mitchell Hall, both of which are situated on campus.

== Notable current and former staff ==
{{See also|Category:Academics of Cranfield University}}
* [[Helen Atkinson|Dame Helen Atkinson]] - engineer
* [[Cyril Cleverdon]] – librarian and computer scientist

== Notable alumni ==
{{See also|Category:Alumni of Cranfield University}}
{{Alumni|date=April 2019}}
Cranfield University has a number of notable academic staff and alumni, including politicians, business people, entrepreneurs, engineers, scientists, authors, and TV personalities. Cranfield University was in the top 1% of institutions in the world for alumni who hold CEO positions at the world's top companies, according to the Centre for World University Rankings in 2017.<ref name="Cranfield University Fact and Figures"/>

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Sophie Adenot]] - Astronaut, one of the candidates selected in the 2022 [[European Astronaut Corps]]
* [[Nader Al-Dahabi]] - Former prime minister of Jordan
* [[Akinwunmi Ambode]] - Former Governor Lagos State, Nigeria
* [[Michael Bear (Lord Mayor)]] - The 683rd [[Lord Mayor of the City of London|Lord Mayor]] of [[City of London|London]]
* [[Katherine Bennell-Pegg]], Australian astronaut<ref name=ieee>{{cite web | title=Katherine Bennell-Pegg: Australia's First Astronaut Makes History | website=[[IEEE]] Spectrum | date=4 November 2024 | url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/australia-space-exploration | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250623160011/https://spectrum.ieee.org/australia-space-exploration | archive-date=23 June 2025 | url-status=live | access-date=27 December 2025}}</ref><ref name=boardroom>{{cite web | title=Katherine Bennell-Pegg: Australia's First Astronaut Makes History | website=Boardroom | date=11 December 2024 | url=https://boardroom.global/katherine-bennell-pegg-australias-first-astronaut-makes-history/ | access-date=27 December 2025}}</ref>
* [[Karan Bilimoria]] – Founder and chairman, [[Cobra Beer]] Ltd<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonspeakerbureau.com/speakers/karan_bilimoria|title=Karan Bilimoria - Founder of Cobra Beer|publisher=London Speaker Bureau|access-date=21 May 2018|archive-date=3 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503114709/http://www.londonspeakerbureau.com/speakers/karan_bilimoria|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Crispin Blunt]] – Member of Parliament for [[Reigate (UK Parliament constituency)|Reigate]]
* [[Andrew James Bond|Andy Bond]] – Former CEO, [[Asda]]
* [[Clifford Braimah]] - Managing Director [[Ghana Water Company Limited]]
* [[Winnie Byanyima]] - Executive director of [[Oxfam International]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/press/news-2022/hundreds-celebrate-as-in-person-graduation-ceremonies-return-to-cranfield-university | title=Hundreds celebrate, as in-person graduation ceremonies return to Cranfield University }}</ref>
* [[L. J. Clancy]] – author of ''Aerodynamics'' (1975)
* [[Nigel Doughty]] - Former co-chairman and co-founder of [[Doughty Hanson & Co]]
* [[Warren East]] – Former CEO, [[Rolls-Royce Holdings]]
* [[Andy Harrison]] – Former CEO, [[Whitbread]]
* [[Jack Hathaway]] - Astronaut, one of the 10 candidates selected in the 2021 [[NASA Astronaut Group 23]].
* [[John C. Hull (economist)|John Hull]] – Professor of Derivatives and Risk Management at the [[University of Toronto]]
* [[Charles Ingram|Major Charles Ingram]] - English fraudster and novelist
* [[Antony Jenkins]] – former Group Chief Executive, [[Barclays]]
* [[Nick Jenkins]] – Founder of online greetings card retailer [[Moonpig.com|Moonpig]], former "dragon" on the [[BBC Two]] business series ''[[Dragons' Den (UK TV series)|Dragons' Den]]''
* [[Stathis Kefallonitis]] – neuroscientist and member of the leadership team at [[United Airlines]]
* [[Brian Norton (engineer)|Brian Norton]] – solar energy technologist, President, [[Dublin Institute of Technology]]
* [[Siddhartha Lal]] - chief executive officer and managing director of [[Eicher Motors]], and chairman and managing director of VE Commercial Vehicles
* [[Martin Lamb]] – chief executive, [[IMI plc]]
* [[John McFarlane]] – executive chairman, [[Barclays]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.som.cranfield.ac.uk/som/n237/John-McFarlane-OBE,-awarded-honorary-degree-from-Cranfield- |title=John McFarlane OBE, awarded honorary degree from Cranfield|publisher=Cranfield School of Management}}</ref>
* [[Samer Majali]] - CEO / President of [[Royal Jordanian]] airlines
* [[Charlie Mayfield]] – chairman, [[John Lewis Partnership]]
* [[Sahir Shamshad Mirza]] - Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of Pakistan (2022-2025)
* [[Lara Morgan]] – founder, Company Shortcuts
* [[Ashitey Trebi-Ollennu]] - robotics engineer at NASA
* [[Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada]] - Served as [[Secretary of the Environment (Mexico)|Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources]]
* [[Nigel Quinn]], water resources engineer, earth scientist
* [[Andy Palmer]] - Former CEO, [[Aston Martin]]
* [[Lyndon Smith (academic)|Lyndon Smith]] - Professor in Computer Simulation and Machine Vision, [[University of the West of England]]<ref>{{Cite book|date=2001|title=Who's Who in Science and Engineering: 2002-2003|isbn=0837957605|publisher=Marquis Who's Who; 6th edition|page=906}}</ref>
* [[Haslina Taib]] - CEO Dynamik Technologies, Brunei
* [[Ted Tuppen]] – CEO, [[Enterprise Inns]] Plc
* [[James Vowles]] - team principal at [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams Racing Formula 1 team]]
* [[Sarah Willingham]] – entrepreneur and former "dragon" on the [[BBC Two]] business series ''[[Dragons' Den (UK TV series)|Dragons' Den]]''
* [[Balakrishnan Suresh]] - [[Air Marshal]] and Chief of WAC in [[Indian Air Force]]
* [[Satya Widya Yudha]] - Member of the National Energy Council of the Republic of Indonesia
{{div col end}}
<gallery class="center">
File:Antony Jenkins.jpg|[[Antony Jenkins]] – former group chief executive, [[Barclays]]
File:Warren East Royal Society.jpg|[[Warren East]] – former CEO, [[Rolls-Royce Holdings]]
File:Winnie Byanyima, directrice exécutive d'Oxfam international.jpg|[[Winnie Byanyima]] – executive director of [[UNAIDS]]
File:Andy Bond formerly of Asda.jpg|[[Andrew James Bond|Andy Bond]] – former CEO, [[Asda]]
File:Andy Palmer.jpg|[[Andy Palmer]] – former CEO, [[Aston Martin]]
File:Sarah Willingham portrait.jpg|[[Sarah Willingham]] – entrepreneur and former "dragon" on the series ''[[Dragons' Den (UK TV series)|Dragons' Den]]''
</gallery>

==Gallery==
<gallery class="center" widths="200" heights="200">
File:Cranfield University Birdseye view.jpg|Cranfield University Birdseye view
File:Cranfield University CMRI.jpg|Cranfield University CMRI
File:Cranfield University IMEC.png|Cranfield University IMEC
File:Cranfield University Sports Hall (2).jpg|Cranfield University Sports Hall
File:Cranfield University C4D building.jpg|C4D Building, the Centre for Creative Competitive Design, opened 2010
File:RAF Army Helicopter display 04.jpg|Army helicopter display team, graduation 2004
File:RAF Red Arrows Shrivenham 03.jpg|RAF Red Arrows display team, Shrivenham graduation, July 2003
File:2008 05 28 Cranfield Health inside.JPG|The new Vincent Building's interior, June 2008
File:Cranfield University Lanchester Hall.jpg|Lanchester Hall
File:Kent House on Cranfield Campus - geograph.org.uk - 642233.jpg|Kent House
File:2008 05 28 Cranfield Vincent Building from Library.jpg|Cranfield Library
File:Boeing 737 G-DOCB arrives at Cranfield University.jpg|Boeing 737 G-DOCB arrives at Cranfield University
File:Cranfield University C4D Centre for Design 2012.jpg|Cranfield University C4D Centre for Design
File:Cranfield University Entrance 2012.jpg|Cranfield University
File:Cranfield University Library 2012.jpg|Cranfield University Library
File:Cranfield University Flying Classroom.jpg|alt=Flying classroom aircraft parked at Cranfield Airport|Cranfield's Flying Classroom
File:Digital_Aviation_Research_and_Technology_Centre.jpg|alt=A small aeroplane parked under cover outside an office block |Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Academics of Cranfield University|Academics of Cranfield University]]
* [[Armorial of UK universities]]
* [[Cranfield experiments]]
* [[Cranfield Institute]]
* [[Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements]]
* [[List of UK universities]]
* [[Royal School of Military Survey]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last=Barker |first=Revel |year=1996 |title=Field of Vision: Cranfield University, the First Fifty Years |location=Cranfield, Bedfordshire, UK |publisher=Cranfield University Press |isbn=1-871315-60-3}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/ Cranfield University website]
* [http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/business/commercialtenancies/techpark/ Cranfield Technology Park]
* [http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/csa/ Cranfield Students Association]

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