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Last modified: 2026-10-01

# Cranfield University: Postgraduate Admission, 2027/28 Fees and Scholarships

Cranfield University is a postgraduate-only university in England: it has no bachelor's degrees, no foundation year and no route straight from secondary school. Its core offer is the one-year, full-time taught MSc in aerospace, engineering, energy, environment, data and management, alongside an MBA and doctoral research. For international students starting in 2027/28, most MSc programmes cost $37,720–46,320 (£28,500–35,000) and the full-time MBA costs $67,760 (£51,200). Applicants need a bachelor's or specialist degree, English at about IELTS 6.5 and, for many technical courses, ATAS clearance from the UK Foreign Office.

The Vincent Building on the Cranfield University campus, May 2018. Photo: Fusion2018 / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cranfield_University_Vincent_Building.jpg), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

The main campus is in the village of Cranfield in Bedfordshire, between Bedford and Milton Keynes. A second site at Shrivenham in Oxfordshire sits inside the UK Defence Academy. Despite the similar name, Cranfield has no connection with Cambridge.

| At a glance | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Levels | taught master's (MSc, MBA, MDes, MRes), PgDip, PgCert and doctorates only |
| Campuses | Cranfield (Bedfordshire) and Shrivenham (Oxfordshire, Ministry of Defence site) |
| MSc length | usually 12 months; late September start, March on some courses |
| International MSc fees, 2027/28 | $25,810 (£19,500) to $46,320 (£35,000); defence courses cost more |
| MBA, 2027/28 | $67,760 (£51,200) |
| Deposit | non-refundable, deducted from fees; e.g. $2,650 (£2,000) on Aerospace Vehicle Design |
| English | IELTS 6.5 with 5.5 in each skill (Aerospace Vehicle Design) |
| Scholarships | School of Management: £6,000–15,000 for offer holders |

## Is Cranfield the right choice? {#section-1}

| Strengths | Limits |
| --- | --- |
| Deep specialisation in aerospace, propulsion, motorsport, logistics, water and energy | No undergraduate or foundation study at all |
| A 12-month MSc with a group project and an individual research thesis | The year is intense: taught modules to March, then the project until September |
| 2027/28 fees published course by course | Many technical courses need ATAS, which adds at least 30 working days |
| Halls on campus with bills included | A rural campus some distance from London |
| Automatic grade-based discounts at the School of Management | Shrivenham courses are defence-related and require Ministry of Defence clearance |

Cranfield works best for applicants who already know their industry: an engineer heading for aviation or energy, an economics graduate aiming at supply chains, or an experienced manager looking for an MBA. If you are still deciding on a field, compare it with [Loughborough University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-loughborough), which teaches engineering at both bachelor's and master's level, and browse the wider list on our [study in the UK](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-great_britain) page.

## Courses and what they cost {#section-2}

Fees are set per course. The table shows Overseas fees for students whose first registration falls between 1 August 2027 and 31 July 2028. The fee applies to the whole registration period, so it does not rise if your studies run into a second year.

| Course, full-time, 2027/28 | MSc fee |
| --- | --- |
| Data Science and Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability | $25,810 (£19,500) |
| Water and Wastewater Processes | $26,070 (£19,700) |
| Environmental Engineering | $37,720 (£28,500) |
| Renewable Energy | $38,380 (£29,000) |
| Applied Artificial Intelligence | $40,360 (£30,500) |
| Banking, Economics and Finance; Business Data Analytics | $41,020 (£31,000) |
| Strategic Marketing | $41,160 (£31,100) |
| Aerospace Vehicle Design | $43,540 (£32,900) |
| Logistics and Supply Chain Management | $44,330 (£33,500) |
| Astronautics and Space Engineering | $45,390 (£34,300) |
| Computational Fluid Dynamics | $46,320 (£35,000) |
| MBA (full-time) | $67,760 (£51,200) |

Some fees have actually fallen: Aerospace Vehicle Design cost £33,045 in 2026/27 and £32,900 in 2027/28, and its Overseas deposit dropped from £3,000 to £2,000. Students who overrun their agreed registration period pay a monthly extension fee, £2,140–2,630 a month on engineering MSc courses (£2,470 on Aerospace Vehicle Design).

Aerospace Vehicle Design students are offered a flight in a light aircraft of the National Flying Laboratory Centre, with a chance to take the controls. The course's group design project is run like a design office, with students of different backgrounds designing one aircraft together.

## Entry requirements for applicants from Russia, Kazakhstan and the CIS {#section-3}

Degree. Most courses ask for the equivalent of a UK lower second (2:2), some for an upper second (2:1); Aerospace Vehicle Design requires at least a 2:1. Cranfield's country table equates a Russian bachelor's or specialist diploma averaging 5.1 out of 10 with a 2:2, 6.1 out of 10 with a 2:1 and 7.1 out of 10 with a first, which matters for scholarships. The thresholds are published on a 10-point scale, and admissions decides how a five-point transcript converts. For Kazakhstan the bands are GPA 4/5 (2:2), 4.5/5 (2:1) and 4.8/5 (first). Relevant work experience can compensate for lower grades on some courses.

English. Aerospace Vehicle Design accepts IELTS Academic, IELTS Online or IELTS for UKVI Academic at 6.5 with 5.5 in every skill. TOEFL iBT (4.5 overall and 4 in each skill on the scale used from 21 January 2026), Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (180 overall, 160 per skill), PTE, Skills for English and the Kaplan Test of English also count; Cranfield applicants get 25% off the Kaplan test. Certificates must be no more than two years old at the course start date, and individual courses can set different scores.

Documents. Degree certificate and transcript issued by your university's registry, a certified English translation, a personal statement of up to 500 words and, for some courses, references dated within the last two years. If you apply for several courses, Cranfield processes your first choice to a decision and holds the rest.

If your grades or English fall short. Cranfield accepts students who complete a Pre-Master's at Kaplan International College London (KIC London), a separate provider with its own London campus, contract and fees. The Pre-Master's runs in Business, Law and Social Sciences or in Science and Engineering, and successful completion at the required level with good attendance leads to the chosen Cranfield master's. KIC London takes applications all year round.

For the overall UK master's process see [applying to UK universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-uk-universities); business-school options are compared in [MBA in the UK](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-mba-in-the-uk).

## ATAS and Shrivenham: two extra checks for Russian nationals {#section-4}

ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) is clearance from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for sensitive technical subjects. Your offer letter states whether you need it; Aerospace Vehicle Design does. Russia is not on the exempt list. The online application is free, can be made up to six months before the course starts and usually takes at least 30 working days, longer between April and August. You cannot apply for a Student visa without it, so for a September start submit the ATAS form as soon as the window opens in late March. The certificate is valid for six months and tied to your passport number, so renew your passport first if it is due.

Shrivenham. Courses taught wholly or partly at the Defence Academy require a Ministry of Defence security check covering identity, nationality, immigration status and the nationality and residence of relatives. The Ministry of Defence, not the university, has the final say on access to the site. Holders of Russian passports are better served by courses on the main Cranfield campus.

## Scholarships and discounts {#section-5}

- Cranfield Merit Scholarship (School of Management, 2026/27 entry): awarded automatically with the offer, £6,000 ($7,940) for a 2:1 equivalent and £10,000 ($13,230) for a first or an existing master's degree. Eligible MSc courses are Strategic Marketing, Business Data Analytics, Finance, Management, the two supply chain programmes (Logistics and Supply Chain Management; Procurement and Supply Chain Management) and Banking, Economics and Finance.
- Cranfield International Scholarship (School of Management): for 2026/27, ten awards of £15,000 ($19,850) for Europe and Central Asia, a region that includes Russia and Kazakhstan, and forty awards of £10,000 for the rest of the world. Offer holders apply with a short personal statement; the round for January 2027 starters closed on 1 October 2026. A successful award replaces the Merit Scholarship.
- Engineering and science schools run their own course-specific awards, for example for aeronautics; Cranfield's Funding Finder lists them.
- Chevening: the UK government's scholarship for a one-year master's. In the 2027/28 cycle Russian nationals are eligible only if they live outside Russia.

Terms for 2027/28 are published separately and amounts may change. The university or its scholarship panel decides every award. Other funding routes are covered in [scholarships in the UK](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-in-the-uk).

## Campus housing and living costs {#section-6}

Cranfield runs four halls plus couples' studios and family houses. Prices for 2026/27 include heating, electricity, water and Wi-Fi:

| Hall and room | Weekly rent |
| --- | --- |
| Lanchester Hall, Premier en-suite | $230 (£175) |
| Baroness Young Hall, Premier single en-suite | $270 (£203) |
| Stringfellow Hall, en-suite | $290 (£219.45) |
| Baroness Young Hall, studio | $370 (£276.78) |

Most tenancies run for at least 49 weeks, so a year in Lanchester Hall comes to about $11,350 (£8,575); students whose project takes them off campus can give notice after 30 weeks. You apply through the EVE portal once you hold an offer, and the university advises applying straight away because demand is high. Couples' and family housing is limited and not every applicant receives an offer. Private rentals in Cranfield village, Bedford and Milton Keynes are the alternative; see our [student housing guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-housing-uk).

For the visa, living costs are a separate calculation: £1,171 a month for nine months outside London, $13,950 (£10,539), rising to $14,330 (£10,827) for applications from 30 November 2026, plus any unpaid tuition shown on the CAS. Cranfield accepts payments through Flywire or EasyTransfer in sterling, US dollars, euros or local currencies; lawful routes from Russia are explained in [how to pay for studies abroad from Russia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia).

## Student visa and post-study work {#section-7}

- The CAS is issued only after the deposit is paid or sponsorship is confirmed; you can apply for the visa up to six months before the course starts.
- The visa fee is $740 (£558) and the Immigration Health Surcharge is $1,030 (£776) per year of leave.
- Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before you apply.
- Residents of Russia and Kazakhstan need a tuberculosis test at a clinic approved on GOV.UK.
- Where ATAS applies, the certificate goes into the visa application.
- After a one-year MSc, the Graduate visa lasts 18 months for applications made from 1 January 2027.

UK Visas and Immigration decides every visa. Step-by-step guidance is in our [UK student visa](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-uk-student-visa) and [Graduate Route](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-working-while-studying-and-graduate-route-uk) guides.

## Common mistakes {#section-8}

- Looking for a bachelor's degree at Cranfield. There is none; school leavers study elsewhere first.
- Assuming Cranfield belongs to Cambridge. It is an independent university that grew out of the College of Aeronautics founded in 1946.
- Leaving ATAS until summer, when queues are longest and a visa cannot be filed without it.
- Choosing a Shrivenham course without allowing for the Ministry of Defence check.
- Budgeting tuition only: the MSc runs 12 months and campus rooms are let for at least 49 weeks.
- Expecting a scholarship before an offer: School of Management awards are considered only for offer holders.

## Timeline for September 2027 {#section-9}

1. October–December 2026: shortlist courses, compare your average with the 2:2 or 2:1 band, sit IELTS.
2. January–March 2027: apply with your personal statement; once you hold an offer, apply for a School of Management scholarship if the 2027/28 round is open.
3. Late March–April 2027: apply for ATAS, pay the deposit and book a room through EVE.
4. June–August 2027: hold funds for 28 days, take the TB test, receive the CAS and apply for the visa.
5. Late September 2027: teaching starts; the thesis and graduation follow by September 2028.

## FAQ {#section-10}

### Can I apply to Cranfield University straight from school?

No: Cranfield admits students only to master's, MBA and doctoral programmes. School leavers need a bachelor's degree elsewhere first, and there is no Cranfield foundation year.

### How much is a master's at Cranfield in 2027/28?

International fees depend on the course: from $25,810 (£19,500) for Data Science and AI for Sustainability to $46,320 (£35,000) for Computational Fluid Dynamics, with most engineering MSc courses at about $40,000–44,000. The full-time MBA costs $67,760 (£51,200).

### Do Russian citizens need ATAS for Cranfield?

Yes, if the course is covered by ATAS, because Russia is not an exempt country. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office makes the decision, usually after at least 30 working days, and the Student visa application cannot be submitted without the certificate.

### Which Cranfield scholarships are open to Russian applicants?

School of Management courses carry automatic discounts of £6,000 or £10,000 based on degree results, plus competitive £15,000 awards for Europe and Central Asia, which include Russia and Kazakhstan. The university's scholarship panel decides awards, and 2027/28 terms are published separately.

### Can I get in with IELTS below 6.5 or lower grades?

Possibly, through the Pre-Master's at Kaplan International College London, which leads to your chosen Cranfield master's if you pass at the required level with good attendance. It is a paid course from a separate provider, and Cranfield University makes the final admission decision.

### How much does campus accommodation cost?

In 2026/27 an en-suite room costs $230 (£175) a week in Lanchester Hall and up to $290 (£219.45) in Stringfellow Hall, while a Baroness Young Hall studio costs $370 (£276.78). Tenancies usually run for 49 weeks and include bills and Wi-Fi.

## Sources {#section-11}

- [Cranfield University: taught course fees 2027/28](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/study/taught-degrees/fees-and-funding/taught-tuition-fees-2027), [deposits and payment](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/study/taught-degrees/fees-and-funding)
- [Aerospace Vehicle Design MSc: fees, deposit, entry, ATAS and English](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/courses/taught/aerospace-vehicle-design)
- [Entry requirements by country (Russia, Kazakhstan)](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/study/application-guide/entry-requirements-a-to-z), [English language](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/study/application-guide/entry-requirements), [applying and Shrivenham clearance](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/study/application-guide/applying-for-a-taught-degree)
- [ATAS at Cranfield](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/study/application-guide/international-applicants/atas), [Student visa information](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/international/visas-and-immigration/student-visa-information)
- [Kaplan International College London Pre-Master's](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/study/application-guide/entry-requirements/kaplan-pre-entry-course)
- [Cranfield Merit Scholarships](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/funding/cranfield-merit-scholarships), [Cranfield International Scholarships](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/funding/international-scholarships)
- 2026/27 halls: [Lanchester Hall](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/study/life-on-campus/life-at-cranfield/accommodation/halls-of-residence/lanchester-hall), [Baroness Young Hall](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/study/life-on-campus/life-at-cranfield/accommodation/halls-of-residence/baroness-young-hall), [Stringfellow Hall](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/study/life-on-campus/life-at-cranfield/accommodation/halls-of-residence/stringfellow-hall), [accommodation FAQ](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/study/life-on-campus/life-at-cranfield/accommodation/accommodation-faq)
- [GOV.UK: Student visa](https://www.gov.uk/student-visa), [money](https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/money), [HC 584](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statement-of-changes-to-the-immigration-rules-hc-584-3-september-2026), [IHS](https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay), [Graduate visa](https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa), [ATAS](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme), [TB testing in Russia](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuberculosis-test-for-a-uk-visa-clinics-in-the-russian-federation/tuberculosis-testing-in-the-russian-federation)
- [Chevening: Russia](https://www.chevening.org/scholarship/russia/)

Amounts are converted at the ECB reference rates of 1 October 2026 (£1 = $1.3234) and rounded to $10. Data checked on 1 October 2026.

If you want to work through your route, send a [request](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply): document preparation and submission are provided under an agreement with StudyU, and the university makes the admission decision.

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.

## Next steps

- [University of Essex: Admission, Fees and Scholarships for 2027](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-essex)
- [University of Hertfordshire: Admission, Fees and Scholarships](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-hertfordshire)
- [Studying in the UK for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-great_britain)
- [Loughborough University: Admission, Sport and Fees for International Students](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-loughborough)
- [MBA in the UK: Top Business Schools, 2026–2027 Fees, Admission Requirements and Visa Rules](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-mba-in-the-uk)
- [Scholarships in the UK in 2026: Chevening, Gates Cambridge, Clarendon and University Awards — What Applicants from Russia, Kazakhstan and Central Asia Can Get](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-in-the-uk)

Updated: October 2026